Do you want to join my club? We are going to read favourite childhood books. Remember last year we read Anne of Green Gables and Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret? I liked that. I want to do more of that. Yes! I’ve decided to pare things back a bit and go back to my roots. I’m going to choose some books that I loved to read as a kid, and some books that I wish I had read.
The first book choice for Retro Readers is ‘James And The Giant Peach’ by Roald Dahl. I have read this book, but it was long ago… and I have seen the film countless times too. I love Roald Dahl. I love Sophie Dahl. I love Dahl in general. Yum.
Let me know if you would like to read along too. One of the bonuses of Retro Readers is that you can read the book/s aloud to people in your house, if you are having trouble finding time for a quiet read on your own. You could even record yourself reading chapters, and then play them to small (or large!) people you might live with or know. That would be cool too!
We’re going to do a book a month. So you’ve got the whole of September to read about James and ladybugs and seagulls and nasty aunts. If you finish early let me know and I’ll get you to write a review!
You can sign up below (a form should be showing within this post!) or you can comment to sign up if you can’t see the form in your reader/browser! Both ways work for me!
Would you like to read retro with me?
xx Pip
PS :: (I must admit that in our regular book club I did not manage to get through Pride and Prejudice. Shame on me. Things have been super busy and complicated, and it seemed like P&P was a bit complicated too. I will try again when things are a bit more settled.)
I can't believe I missed this -please start again. My regular book club books send me to sleep! How about The Witches – or Charlottes web?
I have just found your blog and am so disappointed I missed signing up in September. I really, really hope you decide to start this up again!
Hi just found your reading club! Ive actually started doing a similar thing myself so would love to join!
sarah
I would also love to join up to this & have linked your lovely little logo to my blog. I hope you decide to start this up again 🙂
http://cardinalvirtues.blogspot.com/
Hi there, I just stumbled onto your retro reading club, and so would love to join!
You don't happen to be taking up newbies do you? I'd love to join 🙂
Just starting Pip, looking forward to the journey… thanks,xx
Portia
Hey Pip,
Well, its never too late and I have just started reading James and the Giant Peach…
Thanks for the inspiration…xx
A book club! How fun to spend a little time with our noses in between pages full of talking centipedes, earthworms and grasshoppers!I'm peachy keen.
Jessie x
Hi Pip,
Love this. i listened to it in the car on the way to and from work. I don't think I've ever read it – bad as I'm a librarian!can't wait for the next one!
And yes, although I love Austen, it is 'worthy' and this is so much more just fun!
Joxo
Dying to know what your splendid idea for Octobers book is!
Hi Pip, one review completed. I enjoyed reading this….and in honour of the book I made ginger and pear muffins.
Janine! Oh YAY! Hang tight for the next book title… and YES! Write a review, for sure! Let me know when you do, so I can let everyone else know that you did! xx
Hi Pip, I have finished this book. I enjoyed reading this. I vaguely remember the teacher reading out loud to use this book when I was at primary school. Do we have to review this on our blog?? Also do you know what we will be reading next month?? lol I know so many questions lol
I'm in! I'm *sure* I've read "…Henry Sugar", definately rings a bell!
Hi Pip,
would love to join you all too! What a great way to start with Roald Dahl. Still waiting to find someone else who has read his short story collection 'The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar' so can't wait to meet new Dahl fanatics.
Hi Pip, I have just joined your book club, I couldn't resist, I love reading children's books, Kind Regards.
I was so excited to read James and the Giant Peach. The St Kilda Library Catalogue revealed I was in luck. I raced down there just to borrow the book but, alas, the spot on the shelf where it should have been was bare and depsite all the good detective efforts of myself, my partner in crime and a staff member from the library, we could not find it anywhere. I borrowed and read Matilda instead – which was lovely and just as good as I remember it, though not James and the Giant Peach! Mystery….
I am taking consolation in the discovery (thanks to you Pip), that Roald Dahl day is on my birthday! Hurrah!
any excuse to read RD!
Have you seen the movie? Fabulous too
I'm in. Does it sound silly that even the smell of the pages in the books is something I really love!?
i've just got james and the giant peach from the library – i'm ready to go!
I'd love to join!! Such a cute book too : )
Count me in! I'm looking forward to sitting down with a good book 🙂
oh pip – such a great book – i have started reading it with my biggest little boy and can't wait to read it again….love it love it love it…your full of such lovly wonderfulness
OMG! I love the Dahls (yes, both, are there aný more out there?)
I'd be happy to read along!!!!!!!!
I have signed up and I have the book ready.
~c~
I'm in – already have the book. Great idea.
I'd like to join in.
This is beyond amazing and I am so excited! I have my personal blog which Im posting from now, and http://thebook-journal.blogspot.com/ which is my all things book related blog that I have recently started. Me and my two blogs are ready to go =]
Anne of Green Gables was my favourite childhood book, I'm so sorry I hadn't found your blog in time for that one! Definitely will join up for the Dahl though, lovely idea.
Jen x
I haven't signed up, because I feel like I've cheated, as I read this recently to the munchkin, AND we have it on audio book – so rather familiar with it all at the mo. I have very special memories of this book – of a time when I thought I was too big to be read to any more, yet was totally carried away by the fantastic story. Have fun.
I've signed up and very much looking forward to reading this to my little man.
My Dad has just bought Me a copy of P&P but I have so many other books to get through first!
B xxx
Yes! I would love to read retro with you. Great idea Pip 🙂
For my real life bookclub, of which I am a tardy member… I look at a cartoon on my noticeboard before I head to a meeting that says "The time poor bookclub…" Ok…what did everyone think of the dust jacket blurb?
I'm in!!
Love a book club
Listened to this a thousand times with the kidlets but will enjoy reading it again.
You simply must try P&P again
i'm the most excited, pip!
I'm in too! Any excuse to delve back into the world of Roald Dahl is a good excuse!
Awesome idea! My favourte was Anne of Green Gables and I would love to join in. I never read Roald Dahl as a child but am reading him to my daughter – The Enormous Crocodile is the latest one.
I'm off to my local op shop to see if they have a copy of James and the Giant Peach.
I wanted to thank you for your notes from a while back on tips on how to set up a craft blog. They were invaluable!
Cheers. Lori.
Ah! Roald Dahl, my favourite! At the moment my Pip & I are reading The BFG – one chapter a night before bed. Probably a poor choice, reading a book about giants to a 4(almost 5!) year old before bed! James & the Giant Pach is an awesome book – it's next on our list!
Count me in! My guys are just the right age for this treat!
Hi Pip,
I would love to join the club!
xo
I signed up, any excuse to read Roald Dahl again!
I'm in! The last time I read James and the Giant Peach I was about 9 – the age my daughter is now. She's loves Roald Dahl and this is one of the few she hasn't read, so we will read it together! Looking forward to it.
I've signed up; love being first. Pip you just have to get back and read P & P. It's fantastic.