Revisiting Childhood favorites... - Page 2

arcadata · 09-03-2011, 07:36 AM

Some of my old faves as a child hold up well to adulthood - Sue Townsend's The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4 for example. (I wish that was available for the Kindle since my old copy is only held together by scotchtape!)

Re:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joseph R

I would immediately purchase a "Choose your own adventure" book if it were to come to Kindle!

The Choose Your Own Adventure books (mostly by R. A. Montgomery) are available on Kindle (there are around 30 of them)

HomeInMyShoes · 09-03-2011, 10:04 AM

^Lol. I remember those. I had a good dozen or so of those when they came out.

issybird · 09-03-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

I love to reread childhood favorites. The best thing about being online was being able to track down and repurchase so many of those wonderful books from eBay and other used book sources.

Sometimes I've wondered just why a particular book stuck in my memory, but I've never felt disappointment. Sometimes I've realized that the childhood books were probably an early source of ideas and beliefs I still hold.

Rereading a childhood favorite is like revisiting an old friend.

Before the intrawebs, I did it the hard way. I'd go to old books stores and antiquarian book fairs and leave a list of books I was seeking with the sellers. Over time, I managed to acquire most of my best-loved children's books, many although not all of them of the malt-shop genre. And then Image Cascade started to republish many of my old favorites in facsimile, clean bright copies at a reasonable price compared to the tattered library copies I had procured with such effort and at such cost! Ah, well, the hunt was part of the fun.

I was never disappointed, either. In fact, it was almost scary how I was able to re-enter the mindset that had enjoyed those books so much at an impressionable age. It only adds to my enjoyment to be able to analyze them with the perspective of age and enlightenment.

Catlady · 09-03-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

Before the intrawebs, I did it the hard way. I'd go to old books stores and antiquarian book fairs and leave a list of books I was seeking with the sellers. Over time, I managed to acquire most of my best-loved children's books, many although not all of them of the malt-shop genre. And then Image Cascade started to republish many of my old favorites in facsimile, clean bright copies at a reasonable price compared to the tattered library copies I had procured with such effort and at such cost! Ah, well, the hunt was part of the fun.

I was never disappointed, either. In fact, it was almost scary how I was able to re-enter the mindset that had enjoyed those books so much at an impressionable age. It only adds to my enjoyment to be able to analyze them with the perspective of age and enlightenment.

Were we separated at birth?

I love Image Cascade. I'm hoping they will publish digital versions of their list. I would love to have all the Rosamond du Jardin titles.

Are you familiar with this site that offers used malt shop books at reasonable prices?

shootingMaNs · 09-03-2011, 04:59 PM

I've got a few that I actually still re-read every once in a while. I was in 7th grade the first time I read The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury, and I still re-read it once a year. It's my all time favorite science fiction book.

I haven't read them in a few years, but The Tripod Trilogy by John Christopher is another that I first read in Junior High, and re-read occasionally. I know there is a 4th book, but I never read it until just a few years ago. I have all 4 on my bookshelf upstairs, and just put them on my TBR pile after reading someones post in the "What are you reading now?" thread.

The Teddy Bear Habit by James Lincoln Collier is another favorite. I also first read this when I was in Junior High. I used to check it out from the library a couple times a year when I was a kid. About 8-9 years ago I was at a library sale and found a copy of it. I bought it immediately, and the poor, tattered green hardback sits proudly on my downstairs bookshelf along side my leather bound books.

Joseph R · 09-03-2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcadata

Some of my old faves as a child hold up well to adulthood - Sue Townsend's The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4 for example. (I wish that was available for the Kindle since my old copy is only held together by scotchtape!)

Re:

The Choose Your Own Adventure books (mostly by R. A. Montgomery) are available on Kindle (there are around 30 of them)

Thank you for the link! I have downloaded a sample and yes, it is formatted for a Kindle, so when you get to make a decision, you click on a link that takes you to the appropriate paragraph by itself.

VydorScope · 09-03-2011, 05:40 PM

Wow I have not thought bout CYOA books in decades.... Do you go back and read different routes through and try to take every possible route? I always felt like I had to "win" and worked hard at finding the best route. But once I "beat it" I rarely if ever went back to them... of course I was just a kid...

AlbertaCowboy · 09-03-2011, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VydorScope

Do you go back and read different routes through and try to take every possible route?

Hell no! I cheated like crazy! Hold your place with one finger, flip ahead, and if you see a really really short page, don't read it, go back and pick choice #2!

BeccaAnn · 09-05-2011, 02:23 PM

I loved to read Enid Blyton's "The Famous Five" and the "St. Clare's" series. They are slowly being released as ebook but since they are only available in the UK and other Commonwealth countries, I can't get them. Also, it says that they have updated the language, etc to make it easier for current readers to understand. I worry that the books will be changed a lot from what I read/have and I only bought the books between '88 & '89.

PeterT · 09-05-2011, 07:17 PM

I recently reread all of the Swallows and Amazon books by Arthur Ransome. Some wonderful childhood memories.

I also have to add in the Narnia books to the recently reread, along with the pleasant memories of the "Childrens Bookstore" in Banbury; I had bought the books one by one as I could afford them, and when I had the full set, they let me have (not sure if I had to pay or not) the cardboard display box for the set.

Sweetpea · 09-06-2011, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

I love to reread childhood favorites. The best thing about being online was being able to track down and repurchase so many of those wonderful books from eBay and other used book sources.

Sometimes I've wondered just why a particular book stuck in my memory, but I've never felt disappointment. Sometimes I've realized that the childhood books were probably an early source of ideas and beliefs I still hold.

Rereading a childhood favorite is like revisiting an old friend.

I feel exactly like this. I am only miffed that the publisher who holds the rights of most of my favourite childhood books, just doesn't believe in ebooks...

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcadata

Some of my old faves as a child hold up well to adulthood - Sue Townsend's The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4 for example. (I wish that was available for the Kindle since my old copy is only held together by scotchtape!)

You know, I never read these... I did know of them, but our library didn't have them.

crich70 · 09-06-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VydorScope

It was 1985 or 86, and I was a young reading prodigy. I would read anything I could get my hands on. At 10 I was already reading mature litature such as Dean Koontz, Steven King, Tom Clancy (not sure on dates on all of them, they are just examples of the level I was reading at) and I found a book... what a book I found. Her Majesty's Wizard by Christopher Stasheff. I read it to pieces! Scotch tap can only keep a paperback alive so long...

Well it was just re-release for its 25 year anniversary as a ebook! I fired up my nook the moment I saw this and bought it. Then I was scared... what if I start to read it and its not as good as I remember? What if it was great... for a 10 year old, but not so great for an adult? Well I took a chance and ummm forgot to sleep last night LOL. Dragging at work but was very entertaining read. Really enjoying getting acquainted with the hero...

But I wonder... am I odd... or is being worried about revisiting old favorites a valid fear? I would hate to tarnish a warm memory...

I read the same book (hardcover) just a few yrs back an also found it a great read and I'm 40 yrs old. Mr. Stasheff wrote a very good book in HMW.

VydorScope · 09-06-2011, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crich70

I read the same book (hardcover) just a few yrs back an also found it a great read and I'm 40 yrs old. Mr. Stasheff wrote a very good book in HMW.

I just found out there are ELEVEN books in that series! I never knew he made it a series. Only the first one is in ebook right now, which stinks.

Been having a conversation with FridaSF on twitter about book series that should have stopped at the first one, hope this is not one of them!

Funny thing about that book is that when I was a kid I did not pick up on the tension between the rationalist hero and the strong Catholicism of the world he was in. Now the battle between the two is obvious to me.

theducks · 09-07-2011, 10:00 AM

I grew up with (a Family Library):
Doctor Dolittle (series)
Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn
Oz books

(need help here) There was a early 50's Juvenile Mystery series: Male (NOT The Hardy Boys)

VydorScope · 09-07-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

(need help here) There was a early 50's Juvenile Mystery series: Male (NOT The Hardy Boys)

Encyclopedia Brown? Not sure the year on that one...

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09-03-2011, 10:04 AM	#17
HomeInMyShoes Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,226 Karma: 67780237 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: none	^Lol. I remember those. I had a good dozen or so of those when they came out.

09-03-2011, 04:59 PM	#20
shootingMaNs later... Posts: 199 Karma: 2832520 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Endicott, NY Device: Sony PRS-600, iRiver Story HD, Nook Color Kobo Libra H2O	I've got a few that I actually still re-read every once in a while. I was in 7th grade the first time I read The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury, and I still re-read it once a year. It's my all time favorite science fiction book. I haven't read them in a few years, but The Tripod Trilogy by John Christopher is another that I first read in Junior High, and re-read occasionally. I know there is a 4th book, but I never read it until just a few years ago. I have all 4 on my bookshelf upstairs, and just put them on my TBR pile after reading someones post in the "What are you reading now?" thread. The Teddy Bear Habit by James Lincoln Collier is another favorite. I also first read this when I was in Junior High. I used to check it out from the library a couple times a year when I was a kid. About 8-9 years ago I was at a library sale and found a copy of it. I bought it immediately, and the poor, tattered green hardback sits proudly on my downstairs bookshelf along side my leather bound books.

09-03-2011, 05:40 PM	#22
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	Wow I have not thought bout CYOA books in decades.... Do you go back and read different routes through and try to take every possible route? I always felt like I had to "win" and worked hard at finding the best route. But once I "beat it" I rarely if ever went back to them... of course I was just a kid...

09-05-2011, 02:23 PM	#24
BeccaAnn Groupie Posts: 188 Karma: 660 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Spearfish, SD, USA Device: Sony PRS-505	I loved to read Enid Blyton's "The Famous Five" and the "St. Clare's" series. They are slowly being released as ebook but since they are only available in the UK and other Commonwealth countries, I can't get them. Also, it says that they have updated the language, etc to make it easier for current readers to understand. I worry that the books will be changed a lot from what I read/have and I only bought the books between '88 & '89.

09-05-2011, 07:17 PM	#25
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,693 Karma: 79983758 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	I recently reread all of the Swallows and Amazon books by Arthur Ransome. Some wonderful childhood memories. I also have to add in the Narnia books to the recently reread, along with the pleasant memories of the "Childrens Bookstore" in Banbury; I had bought the books one by one as I could afford them, and when I had the full set, they let me have (not sure if I had to pay or not) the cardboard display box for the set.

09-07-2011, 10:00 AM	#29
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,249 Karma: 61360164 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	I grew up with (a Family Library): Doctor Dolittle (series) Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn Oz books (need help here) There was a early 50's Juvenile Mystery series: Male (NOT The Hardy Boys)