Children today don’t seem to read like they used to. I think this is due to the fact that they have more than 4 channels of tv to watch and the boom of the internet and computer games. Maybe I’m just unlucky to have children that haven’t got the thirst for reading that I had as a child.
Well it got me to thinking which books have we all enjoyed?
I loved Roald Dahl – in particular The BFG, Matilda, The Twits. Charlie and the chocolate factory – especially good in my younger years.
A.A.Milne Winnie the Pooh – still have lots of books including a complete works – on the bookshelf.
C.S.Lewis – I did read all the chronicles of Narnia starting with the Lion, The Witch and the wardrobe.
Judy Blume – especially Forever (which I remember the school banned us year ones (now year 7) from reading after we were all queuing up to read it and they found the bit where she meets “Ralph” – bit thumbed that page I think.
and Letters to Judy: What your kids wished they could tell you – both helping with that growing up period.
My teenage years included reading a lot of Mills&Boon & Jackie Collins – in fact I think I wanted to be the next Jackie Collins when I was 14 so read lots of them.
Adrian Mole – have read the older ones as I aged too. And any other diary type books – with just a thirst for trying to read more Adrian Mole like books.
Books I read at school for English and enjoyed are Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice, William Shakespeare Hamlet, Thomas Hardy Tess of d’urbervilles, Harper Lee To kill a Mockingbird, Charles Dickens Great Expectations.
I am sure there are many many other great books that I read as a child that were important to me and will kick myself I have forgotten them, but these books are part of the reason I love to write.
Have any of them inspired you? Do you have your own favourite childhood book list? Are there any you don’t agree are that great? Is there one particular – or several – books you wish more children would read – or would just like to share how great you think it is?