The books of our childhood will forever shape our love of reading. The worlds of Narnia and Hogwarts will always be a place to fall back into no matter what is going on in the world. If you crave the comfort of these places and characters but are still looking for a more grown up approach and style, we’ve put together this list of where to start looking for that nostalgic, warm reading experience.
Remember the Rainbow Magic series?
Daisy Meadows had us in an absolute chokehold. There was no better feeling than a fairy book with your name being released, and no sadder than it having a different spelling, or not at all! Either way, we were obsessed with the treasure hunts between the pages, and had a personal vendetta against Jack Frost.
Now try:
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah. J Maas
Ancient curses, faerie creatures and huntresses, this is a fantasy world with a rush of romance. Feyre could never have known the consequences she would face. The best part is, it’s also a series so you can stay hooked in the world for pages beyond just the first instalment.
Harry Potter diehards:
A childhood staple, Harry, Ron and Hermione felt like our best friends. The magic and creatures of the wizarding world were dazzling when we first started reading, but the underlying message of the family you choose, and of finding happiness even in the darkest of times if you can remember to turn on the light kept us going until the end. The Hogwarts world is something we could pick up anytime and enjoy just as much, but if you’re keen to expand your horizons, we’ve got you covered.
Now try:
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
This all new fantasy trilogy with a hilarious female anti-hero is set in a school of magic where you either graduate, or die. Friendships are purely strategic, there are no teachers or holidays, and your powers are all you have, until our heroine begins to rewrite the rules. Sharply witty and freshly inventive, A Deadly Education finds there are more important things than just surviving.
For fans of Goosebumps:
Incredible villains and iconic monsters, these were a school library staple. Many a sense of humour came from the witty antics of R L Stine, and the series continues today with eerie spin-offs of beloved characters.
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The Night House
This twisted, multi-layered spin on the classic horror novel follows 14-year-old Richard, sent to live in a remote town with his aunt and uncle. When his classmates start disappearing, Richard must prove his innocence, and preserve his sanity with all this dark magic swirling around, but is he the most reliable narrator for this story?
If the Babysitters Club was your thing:
The best of friends, a timeless series about friendship and unity, with a bit of middle school drama and family turbulence. What was unique about these books for their time in children’s literature was the depth of character these girls had: their vulnerability and fears of being misunderstood and rejected. We learnt a lot about introspection and growing up with the Club as they saved the neighbourhood.
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You Be Mother by Meg Mason
The slightly more grown-up rendition about the inner life of complex characters and the role of women in family, is Meg Masons charming debut You Be Mother. A warm and funny novel about families – the ones we have, and the ones we want – and the stories we tell ourselves about them – along with friendship and tiny little white lies. It’s complex and charismatic and lingers with you for days.
If you never left the world of Narnia:
Children have been tumbling through the wardrobe into Narnia for generations. It was the only series CS Lewis wrote for children, and what a world he created. Unforgettable characters and adventures, four siblings and one eternal winter, it’s a classic for a reason.
Now try:
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
While this story doesn’t have talking lions, the transformative power of words to open doors to other worlds will captivate you. According to January Scaller, there’s only one way to run away from your own story, and that’s to sneak into someone else’s. When she finds a book that carries the scent of other worlds and tells a tale of secret doors, of love, adventure and danger, each page reveals more impossible truths about the world. January discovers a story increasingly entwined with her own.
For the naughtiest girls in the school:
When Elizabeth Allen was sent away to boarding school and decided to become so naughty they would have to send her home, we were cheering from the sidelines the whole way. Until of course, she learnt that at Whyteleaf School, the children make the rules. Then Elizabeth finds out that being bad isn’t as simple as it seems, and she begins to feel like a best friend in a book. It was coming of age before it was cool.
Now try:
Normal People by Sally Rooney
It’s a million copy bestseller for a reason. While our protagonists here move away to college, not boarding school, there is overlap in the themes of making mistakes, discovering what you deserve, and the impact of other people on who you become are. This book beautifully captures what it means to be human, and among all the hype, it truly is just about regular, normal people who can’t stay away from each other.
We hope you find your next read in this list, inspired by those which got you hooked on books in the first place. The month of September is Kids Month here at Booktopia, the perfect time to introduce the young readers in your life to some of these timeless titles for the adventure to continue. Shop one of the Top Picks on our website to enter the draw for prize packs!
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