This week I'm talking about Books I'd Pack for a Desert Island. I first saw this list topic on Top Ten Tuesday when it was over at The Broke and the Bookish but I never got to do it. Now I'm going to leave the how-to-survive books at home and hope that I get stranded with someone who can do all that because survival off the grid isn't really in my skill set. I'm going to work more on getting a tan and reading! Really that'd be better for everyone.
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy - This is one of those books I really never expected to read but lately it's been calling me. I really enjoyed a mini-series adaptation of it and I heard an interview with someone talking about how readable in small doses it really was so I've been seriously considering and it'd be perfect to mix in with the rest of these.
Lost and Found by Jayne Ann Krentz - I do like a bit of suspense and Krentz's books never let me now. Plus they're not typically the most memorable so it'd probably be a great to reread if I'm there for awhile.
Sullivan Island by Dorothea Benton Franks - I've been wanting to read her books for ages so I'll toss the first one in.
At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon - I read a more recent book in this series and really loved it though it's kind of a quiet read. I'd like to go back to the first book and really get to know the characters.
The Alienist by Caleb Carr - I read this book back when it first came out and remember enjoying it. We watched the series when it was on and I'm really curious to see how they differ but have yet to feel like I really have time.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls - No real reason for this one other then I've been wanting to read it for ages. Also it's a bit different from the other books.
Untraceable by Laura Griffin - I love romantic suspense - heavy on suspense and Griffin never disappoints. Also, like the Jayne Ann Krentz, I don't find these the most memorable even though I really enjoy them so it's a potential reread.
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente - I've heard good things about this one though I don't remember much about just what that was! It seems like it'd be a nice surprise.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson - I love Jackson's subtle creepiness and somehow never got around to this one.
And just for fun I'm going to throw in a few series I've been wanting to read or reread:
The Mary Russel Series by Laurie R. King
Mrs. Pollifax series by Dorothy Gilman
Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James series by Deborah Crombie
So I don't know how I'm getting to this desert island but clearly it's not in a way that involves baggage restrictions! What books would you take if you were going to be stranded on a desert island?
Nice list Katherine and I'd add The Pearl Sister to this lot as well, but when you get to it listen on audiobook because its so good on it. And as a plus you get to "see" quite a bit of Australia.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fun topic! I could do this one all the time, and pretty soon the island would be full of books lol. The Storm Sister looks good, love the cover with the northern lights. Seems like I've heard Deborah Crombie's books are good too, maybe on your blog?
ReplyDeleteFun list!
I really enjoyed The Glass Castle when I read it. Definitely worth getting to. Great list!
ReplyDeleteHaha, you better have an over-large beach bag to bring all those non-survival books with you! Good titles, I only read The Glass Castle and Untraceable. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI would be so confused trying to decide what books to take with me on a desert island. Just too many to choose from.
ReplyDeleteI have Sullivan's Island. One of these days I'll get around to reading it.
I'm also looking forward to continuing the Lucinda Riley series. I loved the first book and have already purchased the second...just need more time to fit it into my reading itinerary.
ReplyDeleteGreat topic and great choice of books. I'm not sure I'd be able to narrow it down to 10 though. LOL
ReplyDeleteI bought War and Peace as an audiobook when I had some special price Audible credits. I figured it's the only way I could nudge myself into reading it at my age, ha ha. Maybe I'll set a month aside for it next year. It's a fab desert island choice because it certainly would generate a lot of reading time.🌴
ReplyDeleteI have read the Fairyland prequel and the first book, and the setting descriptions and world building are out of this world! The characters are crazy quirky, too. It's supposed to be MG, but I think it's a bit lofty for most readers under 11-12. It's a shame because I know some people won't read MG and they definitely are missing out on this one. 📚
Most of the islands that I read about, you wouldn't want to get stranded on! *giggles* This always sounds like an easy topic but it can be hard to pick just ten that you want to take-I tend to cheat and go with ten series!
ReplyDeleteHa ha. I'd be hopeless in a survival situation, too! I'd be the one holed up in a cave or something with a book while someone else did all the work :)
ReplyDeleteI'd really like to read The Alienist too, not to mention Lucinda Riley's book series. I hope you'll get to read at least some of these soon.
ReplyDeleteRonnie @ Paradise Found
I kind of wish someone would leave me on an island for a while with a pile of books. I would need someone there to do all of the survival stuff as well. I haven't read any of the books that made your list but I do have a few of them on my tbr pile.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! We could share all these and my ten and we'd be good. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt depends on how long I would be on the island. If it was for a year or more, I'd want one of those magic books from various fantasy novels that can become any book you want to read. (Basically, a magic Kindle.) Barring that, I'd choose very thick multi-book volumes like a complete Shakespeare, a complete Sherlock Holmes (OK, that one's 2 volumes but I'm going to count it as one), the Bible, a really good (and fat) poetry collection... basically, books that I could read, reread, and think about, that have lots of material packed into them. Oh, and I'd want at least one nonfiction book about how to survive on a desert island! Of course, if I were only going to be there a month, I'd pick stuff I'm more interested in reading over the short term.
ReplyDeleteLove that you're plan includes someone else doing all of the survival work! Wouldn't it be great to have that and all the time in the world to read?!
ReplyDelete