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Original poster

Bookworm: A Memoir of Childhood Reading by Lucy Mangen

37 replies

HumphreyCobblers · 14/04/2018 08:43

Anyone else reading this?

I am a third of the way through and I am enjoying it so much. I recognise so much of what is in this book. I have slightly irritated my DH by reading bits out to him from nearly every page as I laugh in amused recognition at her experiences. It slightly reminds me of the childhood favourites threads you often find here, the first time I saw one of these I felt I had found my people.

I have just got to the Enid Blyton chapter and am in whole hearted agreement with her discussion on the limitations of updating vocabulary, having similarly struggled with working out the definition of 'colours' in school stories.

OP posts:
MillicentMargaretAmanda · 15/04/2018 20:03

I just lost my entire day reading this! (Possibly a fitting tribute to it!)

Original poster
HumphreyCobblers · 15/04/2018 20:37

It is great, isn't it? So many memories resurface. I have just read the Antonia Forest section, it made me so happy.

OP posts:
southeastdweller · 15/04/2018 21:14

I've bought a copy. Looking forward to reading it next week.

mrsmuddlepies · 29/04/2018 15:20

It is brilliant! So many happy memories of particular books re-surfacing.
Lucy mentions Mumsnet in the book. Lucy, if you are reading this, well done and thank you. Bookworm is a wonderful book and a terrific read.

Toomanytealights · 29/04/2018 16:14

Saw this and wondered if it was any good. Quite liked the Susan Hill one which discusses books she's read. A book on childhood books sounds perfect, I love children's books.

weebarra · 29/04/2018 16:24

Oh, I need to add this to my TBR pile.

Sadik · 04/05/2018 21:36

Just finished this, it's just delightful. Adding my thanks to LM now she's come out as a MNer :)

CristalTipps · 21/05/2018 19:21

I am loving this book! I am rationing myself to make it last because I haven't read something this enjoyable and nostalgic in a while. What a good idea.

I started reading the Teddy Robinson part, not placing it at all, until she mentioned his purple dress in his little suitcase, and it just all came back to me! I'm considering filling the gaps in my childhood reading now...

annandale · 21/05/2018 19:24

Yes I loved it.

plus3 · 27/05/2018 23:46

I have just finished it ...made me cry in so many places because the memories of these books were just so vivid. We are the same age - her favourite books were my favourite books...quite emotional after reading it actually

ChessieFL · 28/05/2018 07:59

I loved it. I read almost all the books she mentions so there was very little in there that didn’t ‘speak’ to me. Lovely cover too!!

Piggywaspushed · 28/05/2018 08:18

What exact age is Lucy?

I have read lots of stuff on the 50 book thread and have this on my TBR list but am not sure my reading tastes coincide with hers. I was a voracious reader as a child but can't remember every book I read certainly but know I did not read Sweet valley High and Mallory Towers aside, was not a Blyton fan. I was more Noel Streatfeild. Laura Ingalls Wilder and then Susan Cooper.

Can anyone tell me what other books she covers (roughly?) before I decide whether to buy? There is one everyone keeps mentioning on the other thread that I haven't even heard of!

Piggywaspushed · 28/05/2018 08:19

Oh , it's Antonia Forest... goes right over my head...

southeastdweller · 28/05/2018 09:20

She was born in 1974 so she's either 43 or 44. Roald Dahl is mentioned, and Where the Wild Things Are, Tom's Midnight Garden, and The Worst Witch. Can't think of anyone else at the moment.

stargirl1701 · 28/05/2018 09:29

Oh, I loved this book. I read it in one day. It follows my path almost exactly. I didn't know The Phantom Tollbooth though. Just got that out of the library.

PickleNeedsAFriendInReading · 28/05/2018 09:30

Loved it too and it was such a perfect description also of my childhood and love for books

ChessieFL · 28/05/2018 09:36

Piggy, if you look at it in a bookshop or library there’s a list at the back of all the books she discusses so you could have a look at that and see what you think.

Piggywaspushed · 28/05/2018 10:55

I only ever buy books online chessie Blush

Piggywaspushed · 28/05/2018 10:56

southeast The Worst Witch I did love. Never was a Dahl reader apart from James and the Giant Peach.

SittHakim · 28/05/2018 11:00

If you like this you may also like Francis Spufford's The Child that Books Built, which I absolutely loved.

ChessieFL · 28/05/2018 12:39

Piggy I meant you could look at it in a bookshop to decide if you thought it was worth reading then buy online.

Piggywaspushed · 28/05/2018 13:31

I know chessie. I can't honestly remember the last time I set foot in an actual bookshop! I'd probably be more aware of how much I was spending if I did tbh..

I used to take my DCs into town to pick out books when they were younger. Now they just stare haplessly at the shelves for a while and we shuffle out. Maybe I'll give it a go tomorrow!

PickleNeedsAFriendInReading · 28/05/2018 14:09

Interestingly, I really hated The Child that Books Built, as it just didn't resonate with me at all (even though I was a child that books built!), but Lucy's one was much more apt for me.

IamEarthymama · 31/05/2018 23:50

To those of you who buy online.
I really struggle with this unless it's an another I really love, Terry Pratchett, Ben Aaronovitch, C J Samson for example.
I need to feel the book, look at the book, touch the book.

Maybe all those years working in libraries?

Piggywaspushed · 01/06/2018 07:50

Well, yes , I used to be the same but books cost more in bookshops and I very rarely go shopping. All those years of having two boy children has put paid to relaxing shopping trips! Not all of us work in a town centre either where we can browse bookshops to and form work.

However, I did go to Waterstones yesterday and they didn't have the Lucy Mangan book! Or any Jane Harris!