This was the biggest blast from the past Mackenzie. I read all of these…plus Sweet Valley Twins/High/University…! I had completely forgotten about Ramona, BSC was a firm favourite, I still remember the characters vividly, and I loved Nancy Drew. I also remember the books which took you on your own journey depending on which decision you made, I can’t remember what they were called though. Your post took me straight back to Saturday afternoons in the library reading and taking home piles of books. And YES to Louise’s mention of Mallory Towers, as well as St Clare’s another boarding school series by the same author (Enid Blyton), I loved those too. Thank you for reminding me of this part of my reading history! xx
This stirs so many fond memories Mackenzie. I actually only recognise one of those which is Nancy Drew, although I don’t think I actually read any. We also had a book club, absolutely my favourite thing, choosing the books then waiting for them to turn up the next week. My favourites were books by Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl. The Secret Garden and Alice in Wonderland are still books that I will read over and over. Reading was, and still is my escapism into a world of fantasy and magic.
“Reading was, and still is my escapism into a world of fantasy and magic”. Yes, isn’t reading something that really and truly pulls you in, the best? I’ve seen the animated film from when we were children of Alice in Wonderland, but I’ve never read the book. I will add it to my autumn reading list, thanks for the suggestion! 😊
The book fairs were the best!! I get so excited when they do them at my kids school now…-and have volunteered to help at them too 😂 can’t ever get enough! Nancy Drew was one of the favorites for me too and one I read multiple times a year was Matilda! Still remember how excited I was when that came out as a movie after reading it like 100 times!
I absolutely LOVED Scholastic Book days! And I am absolutely with you on your childhood books - all of them are on my list too. I’m so inspired to do a list like this in my own Substack - thank you for inspiring me and for the nostalgia! 🧡
Oh I loved a book fair - it was definitely my happy place. Even better was being able to go and "work" in the school library once I'd finished my lessons.
Nancy Drew was a firm favourite as well as Mallory Towers (a boarding school based series). And thank you for reminding me of Ramona. Those books were some of the rare occasions where me and my sister both enjoyed the same thing 🤣
Weren’t book fairs the best? 🤗 I love that you enjoyed Nancy Drew and Ramona! I haven’t heard of Mallory Towers but I will check it out, it sounds like something I would like 💗
This was the biggest blast from the past Mackenzie. I read all of these…plus Sweet Valley Twins/High/University…! I had completely forgotten about Ramona, BSC was a firm favourite, I still remember the characters vividly, and I loved Nancy Drew. I also remember the books which took you on your own journey depending on which decision you made, I can’t remember what they were called though. Your post took me straight back to Saturday afternoons in the library reading and taking home piles of books. And YES to Louise’s mention of Mallory Towers, as well as St Clare’s another boarding school series by the same author (Enid Blyton), I loved those too. Thank you for reminding me of this part of my reading history! xx
Sweet Valley High was a big one amongst me and my friends. We were so invested in what was going on with the characters!
Was it Choose Your Own Adventure that you are describing? That sounds kind of familiar.
I love that so many of us loved Ramona! 🩷
Yes! I think that was it! xx
This stirs so many fond memories Mackenzie. I actually only recognise one of those which is Nancy Drew, although I don’t think I actually read any. We also had a book club, absolutely my favourite thing, choosing the books then waiting for them to turn up the next week. My favourites were books by Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl. The Secret Garden and Alice in Wonderland are still books that I will read over and over. Reading was, and still is my escapism into a world of fantasy and magic.
“Reading was, and still is my escapism into a world of fantasy and magic”. Yes, isn’t reading something that really and truly pulls you in, the best? I’ve seen the animated film from when we were children of Alice in Wonderland, but I’ve never read the book. I will add it to my autumn reading list, thanks for the suggestion! 😊
The book fairs were the best!! I get so excited when they do them at my kids school now…-and have volunteered to help at them too 😂 can’t ever get enough! Nancy Drew was one of the favorites for me too and one I read multiple times a year was Matilda! Still remember how excited I was when that came out as a movie after reading it like 100 times!
I 🩷 book fairs. There really is nothing better 😂
Yay, another fan of Nancy Drew! I haven’t yet read a Matilda book but I know that they are popular. I’ll see if my library has it 😊
I absolutely LOVED Scholastic Book days! And I am absolutely with you on your childhood books - all of them are on my list too. I’m so inspired to do a list like this in my own Substack - thank you for inspiring me and for the nostalgia! 🧡
Scholastic book days were the best days, absolutely! It makes me happy that they are still a thing 📚 Aw, I’m glad this inspired you Liz! 🤗
I loved this post so much, it brought so many memories flooding back and I love all the books you mentioned!
Thanks Emily! I love that we all enjoyed reading these books once upon a time 🥰
Oh I loved a book fair - it was definitely my happy place. Even better was being able to go and "work" in the school library once I'd finished my lessons.
Nancy Drew was a firm favourite as well as Mallory Towers (a boarding school based series). And thank you for reminding me of Ramona. Those books were some of the rare occasions where me and my sister both enjoyed the same thing 🤣
Weren’t book fairs the best? 🤗 I love that you enjoyed Nancy Drew and Ramona! I haven’t heard of Mallory Towers but I will check it out, it sounds like something I would like 💗
It was very ‘English girls boarding school’ It was wildly popular when I was little (early 1980s) but it probably v out date these days 🤣
I personally love books from different times and/or eras so I am even more intrigued 🤗 I will be perusing my library for them 💗