Ok bookworms help me out here.

[dingdongmeggymooonhigh]

Having seen a few threads recently about much loved and cherished memories of wonderful books read as a child has made me a little envious.

I was never read to as a child or encouraged to read ever which I can't do anything about now other than having a go at reading some of those books now!I'm thinking of making up for lost time.I don't know where to start though.

I have really made every effort to get ds interested in books which is working, he is hooked!

Could you recommend something to get me started, just one thing, Harry Potter doesn't really appeal I was thinking of something more old school that I could get my teeth into?

Secret Diary of Adrian Mole and any of subsequents always crack me up (I have grown old with him-he's exactly my age!)

Crikey Moses I have been so stunned at the wonderful suggestions here so many books I have never heard of. I have finally got round to writing that xmas list that dh has been pestering me for and it has perfume,lingerie,bookssssssssssssssssssss a mahoosive list of them!
Moondog Stog of the dump - made me laugh!
Aloha, stop making your ds sound just so adorable it's making me broody for another baby.
Binkie I've seen the films and I'm not very good at reading the books after, it may sound daft but it loses the appeal, a bit like if someone tells you the ending of a film IYSWIM. I don't read now, books that is but voraciously get through magazine after magazine and sunday supplements like they're going out of fashion and I want to change all that

I liked Jennings too

was also a fan of Biggles in fact had a bit of a crush on him.

have to disagree with Acnebride, Swallows and Amazons was great. got me keen on sailing at a young age.

am actually (and this is really rather embarrassing) a member of the swallows and amazons society. not sure why, my brother-in-law joined and he joined us all in a friendly gesture. they have a surprisingly interesting newsletter.

Nobodies mentioned Lorna Doone

Shame you find it hard to read books after seeing the films as the movies, by nessessity, leave so much out. HP s a great example of this, but so is everyother movie of a book I've seen.

I'd never go and see a film of a book I'd liked.
It would ruin it for me.
Tried 'Five Children and It' with dd-it was like eating a burger as opposed to a Wagyu beef steak.

dingdong, as a guess I think Diana Wynne Jones (who writes so well she the oppposite of disappoints if you discover her as an adult) would be ideal to start with. Here's a list of all her books .

Also, it's more of a teenage than child book, but if you haven't ever read Cold Comfort Farm (Stella Gibbons) you have such a treat in store. I think you would like it.

If I could choose to do one thing from my childhood all over again, it would be to read the whole Swallows And Amazons series, and all those hours spent fantasising that I was Nancy and spending childhood holidays in the Lake district in complete imaginitive immersion.

Wow Blu that is lovely It's never too late though eh? Hence starting this thread.

Blu, I was always Titty

what about those lovely books about the girl becoming a ballet dancer who is in love with her friend who is such a good pianist he will (of course) become a concert pianist.... can't remember the name.... can anyone shed light? They are FAB !

oooh, something something sadlers wells i think.....

The Wolves Of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aitken which I absolutely adored.

The Talking Parcel by Gerald Durrell.

As well as the others mentioned here, specially Anne of Green Gables.

Is that ballerina/concert pianist one 'The Swish of the Curtain'? Can't remember who it's by, though.

fennel, me too me too

Haven't read the whole thread but for me "Anne of Green Gables" and "The Secret Garden" would be top of the list, followed by "The Railway Children" and other E. Nesbit books. I have re-read these so often. I also loved Noel Streatfeild.

Watership Downs! I loved it! I must reread it I think.

Nightynight, does the "me too" refer to:

a) crush on Biggles
b) being Titty
c) being a current member of Swallows and Amazons society?

hmm. how many embarrassing admissions have I made on just one thread?

was the Talking Parcel about a parrot and a steam engine called Hermione? I LOVED that book.

How about 101 Dalmations? Truly a book for all ages of reader!
A while ago I went through a phase of reading "boys own" type classics and they're really good, cause they're pacy and entertaining - I really enjoyed Last Of The Mohicans and King Solomon's Mines, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

Blu, my pile of books on the quilt would be all of the Little House on the Prairie series. If ever stories were travestied by their TV adaptations Lovely books.

Fennel thats the one!

First time I had heard the name Hermione and didn't know how to pronounce it until lately. And the parrot would use rare words all the time so they wouldn't be forgotten. I still have my copy, ready for dst to be old enough to enjoy it.

The Hobbit
Lord of the rings
Peter Pan
Alice in wonderland
Through the Looking Glass
The Earthsea Trilogy - Ursula K LeGuin
The Dark Is Rising series - Susan Cooper
Duncton Wood and Stonor Eagles Series's William Horwood.
Ring of Brightwater
Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nhym (SP)
Could think of lots more but think this list is long enough for now. Happy reading

Was swish of the curtain Noel Streatfield?

To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee. Did this at school and loved it. Have a much read copy on my book shelf now.

Think that I must be Marina's twin. Can recommend all of those. Also

The Little White Horse Elizabeth Goudge
Any penelope Lively
Any Rosemary Sutcliffe
Dodie Smith (101 dalmations, starlight barking, capture the castle)
Helen Cresswell Moondial
Susan Cooper Dark is rising series
RL Stevenson Treasure Island
Most Alan Garner
Christine Pullein Thompson's horse books
Enid Blyton
Am ashamed to admit that I've bought about 50 books for dd (now 5) that I can't wait to read to her and have had to read again
Have fun