Would you expect to see a People’s Friend annual 1998 in an expensive holiday home?

[ThePieceHall]

As per the title, DD2 and I are staying in an expensive holiday home on the coast in North Yorkshire. The bookshelf is the tiredest and saddest I have ever seen. There is actually a People’s Friend annual from 1998. The weather has been glorious and we have been on the Blue Flag beach for hours every day so we have not had to open the really tired and dated jigsaws. Thankfully. Would I be unreasonable to point out to the hosting company that a little bit of investment and a little bit of respect for paying holidaymakers would not go amiss?

No. Fucking entitled attitude.

personally I’d love seeing an archive

Maybe it s vintage ironic? What is the rest of accomodation like? Is the cooker fridge carpet 1998?

Jesus, if you’re judging your holiday experience on the available jigsaws you need to up your vacationing game.

If I could steal them without remorse, then I would post them to you.

I agree with you. Chuck it in the recycling bin as you leave, you'd be doing them a favour.

Not unreasonable to make the suggestion, but unless the property is as advertised as having a full selection of games and books I think it’s more of a bonus than a standard expectation. So many people bring books on devices these days.

I would actually find a 1998 People’s Friend quite retro interesting! Is it maybe meant to be ironic?

I think bookshelves at holiday let's are usually made up entirely of books people have left behind and therefore presumably didn't want to read again. Kindle exists so you can even buy books while you're away or use the equivalent app from your local library.

Absolutely nothing that would bother me ,can honestly say that I never look at the book shelves anywhere that I stay…too busy enjoying my holiday and exploring.
What kind of books would you have preferred?

This! *respect for paying holiday makers? Are you Meghan?!

I have no idea what that is

WTF? We stay at a gorgeous (moderately expensive) Airbnb in France that has a book shelf / magazine rack with some ancient tomes on it, I think it adds to the charm and a nod to how long people have been enjoying the place. I left a recent copy of Good Housekeeping last time we were there, I look forward to flicking through it again in 10 years time.

I feel like doing this. But there’s probably an inventory. And it would no doubt cost me a bomb on Abe Books to replace.

I think I'd quite like that!

I LOVE a holiday bookshelf though. Nothing gives me greater joy on a fly and flop holiday than seeing a shelf of tatty books in the hotel foyer.

Some of my favourite reads have been randomly selected from a hotel (or UK holiday home) bookshelf.

The People’s Friend could in no way be considered an ancient tome. It was old when it was published. I’m not even sure if it’s produced any more?

I doubt it’s been there for 28 years
but it’s nice and random for a casual flick through
what’s the point of putting books in a place like this some p are only there a couple of days so not enough time to start and finish a classic novel

I've just checked my own tired & sad bookcase, and my personal People's Friend annual is from 2003, in between a couple of My Weekly annuals of the same vintage and a Hilary Mantel which looks quite well-thumbed (not by me, sadly, but I do love the annuals). I can't tell you the state of our jigsaws, but I can tell you we've got a board game called Class Struggle. I haven't played it, but I don't believe it's ironic.

I’d be straight in there dreaming of living in the 90s again. Good times.

I'd read it. I love random books in holiday accommodation. If I was a bit up myself I'd take my own books though.

For those who have no idea what The People’s Friend is.

I’m with you OP. A decent selection of books, including cookery books and current magazines, is a joy. And sadly very rare.

I love a People's Friend annual, I'd be delighted.

I've got a friend who looks like the front cover of a People's Friend.
Or the bloke modelling an Arran knit.
I haven't told him.

I always read my mums Peoples Friend magazines when I went to visit. They are so wholesome.

We stayed in a fairly reasonable priced air bnb in May but the books & games were A++++

I’ve never heard of People’s friend though!