Growing Up in Books

I just read this post and was inspired to do something like this myself!

For as long as I can remember, i've always had my nose in a book. My mum and her best friend both taught me to read and write at a young age and I remember feeling grown up because whilst other kids were being told bedtime stories, I was finding them for myself. I was definitely one of those kids that hid under the covers with a torch so I could read way past my bedtime. I feel lucky that I come from a family of readers and that books and imagination have always been encouraged and supported.

In all honesty, I don't remember many of the books that I read growing up but some have definitely stayed with me. When I talked to my mum about writing this post, the first thing she said I should mention is Roald Dahl.

I don't claim to have read all of Dahl's books, but definitely the majority of them. The mix of words and illustrations were perfect and kept me interested and the writing, even now at 24 years old, is brilliant. Roald Dahl was such a natural storyteller and of course, any young girl who loved to read immediately fell in love with Matilda.


At the time I was reading Roald Dahl, I was also discovering Enid Blyton. I genuinely wish that I had read more Blyton as a child as I fear the magic will be somewhat lost on me now. However, I particularly loved the Amelia Jane series and The Children of Cherry Tree Farm.

Two huge collections of books that to this day remain some of my favourites are The Babysitter's Club and Nancy Drew. Nancy Drew paved the way for my actual love of reading. As much as I loved Dahl and Blyton, the Nancy Drew books were real page turners and the mystery was so exciting. I loved them dearly and one day I hope to get them all again... :)

As I grew up, I was still much the same; reading anything I could get my hands on. I read Julius Caesar at the age of 7 and quickly learned to love Shakespeare's sonnets before finding Macbeth and loving it every bit as much as I do now. Shakespeare taught me to love the words and the language in equal parts to the story itself.

I couldn't imagine a childhood without the adventures, mysteries and magical moments that I have experienced because of literature. Even the simplest of books have taught me valuable lessons and more importantly, have taught me that imagination is one of the greatest things that we have. For as long as there are words to read, I will be reading them!