Category Archives: Book reviews

If you like Blyton: The Secret of Cliff Castle by Mary Pollock

Posted on May 2, 2018 by Fiona

I think it is safe to say that if you like Blyton, then you will also like Mary Pollock. WHEN IS ENID BLYTON NOT ENID BLYTON? When she’s writing under the pseudonym Mary Pollock. But then you already knew that, … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews, Other Authors | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The Magic Faraway Tree, part 3

Posted on April 26, 2018 by Fiona

The last chapter I read ended after they returned from the weirdly wonderful Land of Dreams. I wonder where they will be off to next! THE LAND OF TOYS In another random moment of the tree having a schedule the … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ripping Things to Do by Jane Brocket

Posted on April 21, 2018 by Fiona

You may recognise the name Jane Brocket, she wrote the recipe book Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer as featured quite a few times when Stef has tested out the Blytonian recipes. I’ve been reading Ripping Things to Do with interest … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews, Other Authors, Toys and Games | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Magic Faraway Tree, part 2

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Fiona

We left Jo, Silky and the others in The Land of Spells last time – he had just been turned the right way up. MOON-FACE (AND OTHERS) IN WONDERLAND The next disaster, which perhaps borrows a little from Alice in Wonderland, … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

If you like Blyton: Mischief at Midnight by Esme Kerr, part 3

Posted on April 4, 2018 by Fiona

Last time I left you with lots of questions, and hopefully now there will be some answers. But first, another question… IS EVERYONE INSANE? The protesters all have crazy names and Edie ends up at their encampment. Janet’s supposed to … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews, Other Authors, Reading Recommendations | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Magic Faraway Tree

Posted on March 21, 2018 by Fiona

Having finally read the first book in the series, I figures I should just crack on with the second! That raises a minor point though, what’s the series called? The Enchanted Wood series, or The Faraway Tree series. Both are … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Enchanted Wood, part 3

Posted on March 7, 2018 by Fiona

I’m only just over half way through the book (57% according to Goodreads) and I’ve already written two posts! There is just a lot to write about between all the characters, new lands and crazy adventures. I’m sure there will … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

If you like Blyton: Mischief at Midnight by Esme Kerr, part 2

Posted on February 28, 2018 by Fiona

Here is part two of my review, where a lot of things hot up. HALF-TERM Next up is an exceat weekend – done a little bit differently from the Malory Towers or St Clare’s half-terms that we are familiar with. … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews, Other Authors, Reading Recommendations | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Enchanted Wood, part 2

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Fiona

So here we are, ready to see what lands the children will visit and what other strange characters they will meet. THE FIRST LAND AND THE SLIPPERY-SLIP Arriving at the top of the tree the children creep through a hole … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Enchanted Wood

Posted on February 7, 2018 by Fiona

For those who are unaware – I have a shameful secret. I have never read The Enchanted Wood or any of the other Faraway Tree books. Take away my Famous Five Club badge and don’t tell me the next password … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Reblog: Five Go off to Camp by March House Books

Posted on January 26, 2018 by worldofblyton

In a change to the schedule, I thought it was best to bring you something rather than nothing given my no show last week. I’m struggling a lot at the moment to write and read due to work stress and … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

If you like Blyton: Mischief at Midnight by Esme Kerr

Posted on January 24, 2018 by Fiona

Mischief at Midnight is set at Knight’s Haddon, a girls’ boarding school, and the first chapter or two sounds rather like Malory Towers. ON THE SURFACE The language is different – but it has a clear posh boarding school sounds … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews, Other Authors, Reading Recommendations | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

If you like Blyton: The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow by Katherine Woodfine

Posted on January 12, 2018 by pippastef

The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow. Now if that doesn’t sound Blytonian I don’t know what does. It makes you think of the Five Find-Outers and Dog, which is a good place to start.  However what I’ve read of the … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews, Other Authors | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Enid Blyton’s Book of Christmas Treats

Posted on December 22, 2017 by pippastef

I was lucky enough to find a copy of this in my branch library a week ago and knew I had to have it for the blog. Much like the Christmas Stories I reviewed last year this is a collection … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews | Tagged , | Leave a comment

If you like Blyton: The Mysterious Boy by Julie Robinson

Posted on December 15, 2017 by pippastef

It’s a bit late I know but it is a crazy time of year so I hope you’ll forgive me. As stated I am going to take a look at Julie Robinson’s first book The Mysterious Boy. Julie is someone I … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews, Other Authors | Tagged , | 4 Comments

The Mystery of Holly Lane, part 2

Posted on November 17, 2017 by pippastef

So last week I hadn’t managed to read all of the book, so I only reviewed half of the book. This week I will look at the other half. Shall we begin?   The mystery deepens  As the mystery moves … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Mystery of Holly Lane, part 1

Posted on November 3, 2017 by pippastef

So I’ve managed to do that thing where I don’t manage to get through the entire book when I set myself this blog to write about on Monday. I don’t think I actually have a copy of this book and … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Blyton for Grown Ups: Five Go Glamping by Liz Tipping

Posted on October 27, 2017 by pippastef

Before you worry, this is not another of the Bruno Vincent’s grown up Famous Five, but a play on the idea of four people and a dog experiencing camping or glamping and “getting back to nature” but with a few added … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews, Other Authors, Reading Recommendations | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Blyton for Grown Ups: The Language of the Dead by Stephen Kelly

Posted on October 20, 2017 by pippastef

WARNING: THIS BOOK IS NOT AS COSY AS SOME OF THE OTHERS I HAVE REVIEWED FOR YOU. SOME READERS MAY NOT BE COMFORTABLE WITH THE STORY’S CONCLUSION. However, I read it, and I’ve got nothing else to bring you this … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews, Other Authors, Reading Recommendations | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Blyton for Grown Ups: The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne

Posted on October 6, 2017 by pippastef

Betcha didn’t know that A. A. Milne, the father and creator of Winnie the Pooh wrote a mystery novel. Well neither did I until I was out on holiday with my Dad in Weston-Super-Mare and spotted this book on the … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Book reviews, Other Authors, Reading Recommendations | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment