Would you be seen reading a Blyton in public?

[Irene Malory Towers]

I do but tend to be a bit chicken and read them on my kindle in public. I have discretely read some of the physical books in the Marks and Spencers cafe where there are lots of oldies and staid people like me and young mums with young children so I feel I am in good company. But I might branch out and read some with the beautiful covers like the Adventures ones out in public more and if we all do that then we can shout a cheery hello to each other !

[Anita Bensoussane]

Hearing people's different experiences is fun. There was a time when I would cover Enid Blyton books in plain paper in order to read them in public. Over the last five years or so, I've been far more relaxed about reading her books openly on the train or in the park - mainly Knight, Dragon, Armada and Piccolo paperbacks. I probably wouldn't read the books for younger children in public though, especially Noddy! Come to think of it, Noddy wouldn't be my first choice to read at home either!

[Boodi 2]

I have absolutely no problem with being seen reading a Blyton book in public, although as Anita added above, I would draw the line at large format books written for younger children.

[Courtenay]

I would have absolutely no qualms about being seen reading any Enid Blyton book in public. Including Noddy.

[Irene Malory Towers]

I have a couple of the large format books for younger children, the Boys & Girls Circus book and an Adventure book and I must admit I am even embarrassed to read them at home. I only do it when nobody else is around. Maybe i should be bold !

[Nair Snehalatha]

I always love to read Blyton in the proper ambience -- each to one's own ofcourse-- but I.prefer reading them at home-- in a cosy corner --of my room.

[Lucky Star]

I have read Blyton books in public. On trains usually. I don't recall receiving any odd looks from people - although perhaps I was just too engrossed in the story to notice. However she is generally an author I prefer to read at home, curled up by a fire or lying about in a chair.

[pete9012S]

I think John is very brave - I ask myself, would I have the courage to read a Betty Maxey Blyton in public??
I get enough grief even on an Enid Blyton fan forum!!

[Anita Bensoussane]

I've read a Betty Maxey Famous Five on the train and survived to tell the tale!

[Bertie]

I don't do much reading on the train - never been a great traveller and, while much better as I've got older, I still try to limit how much I read so don't tend to read books or novels.
There's obviously other times in public when I do read books - and then, I must admit, I'm not really brave enough to take an Enid Blyton. I try to draw zero attention to myself - good or bad - in public, really. And I figure a grown man reading an Enid Blyton book is much more likely to draw mention / attention than if I just read my PG Wodehouse, Oscar Wilde, Sherlock Holmes, etc.
I love those books as well, so I tend to stick with the likes of those in public and save Enid Blyton for the house.
If the topic of Enid ever comes up - which it does from time to time - then I'll freely stick up for her and say I'm a fan of hers and loved reading many of her books growing up. But I tend to omit the part about still reading them and still loving them just as much.

[Jack400]

I'm reading the EB Society forums in a takeaway, does that count?!

[pete9012S]

I've read a Betty Maxey Famous Five on the train and survived to tell the tale!

Thank goodness nobody from the EBS forums saw you and rang the illustrator police!

[pete9012S]

I'm reading the EB Society forums in a takeaway, does that count?!

I'm impressed Jack! I'll pay for that pizza!!!

[Anita Bensoussane]

I've read a Betty Maxey Famous Five on the train and survived to tell the tale!

Thank goodness nobody from the EBS forums saw you and rang the illustrator police!

It was a risk I had to take to enjoy Maxey to the max!

[pete9012S]

I suppose you could read Enid Blyton on your phone quite anonymously.

This thread reminds me of the blurb about being recognised wearing your Famous Five Club badge, which I did in the mid 1970's.

I imagined a new world of Enid Blyton friends opening up to me when they saw me wearing my little badge.
Sadly, I can't remember anyone even commenting on the badge, let alone being a fellow Famous Five Club member..

Did anyone here wear their badge and encounter another Famous Five fan wearing their badge?