Hi Bookworms! Writing 4-5 book reviews a week is kind of intense. So! I decided to join a little tradition the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish started known as Top Ten Tuesday. Every week there is a new category and book nerds like myself make top ten lists.
Today’s category is: Top Ten Books For I’d Want on a Deserted Island
I’m going to make a few assumptions here. First, I’m assuming that these books are primarily for entertainment value. I mean really, who wants to read a list of books that’s all local field guilds and raft building for dummies? Nobody, that’s who. So. Here goes.
- Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell. It’s a great story I could read over and over again. Plus, it’s really long. If I’m going to have THAT much time on my hands, I want something with substantial.
- Harry Potter by JK Rowling. Yes, I’m completely aware that this is TECHNICALLY 7 books. However, this is my imaginary island, so there is no reason I can’t be the proud owner of the world’s first single bound edition of the HP saga. Is explanation as to why even necessary? I mean, the only danger here is that I become even more fixated on the fact I can’t apparate. Still bitter.
- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. The whole friggin series, again. I am trying to max out my pages here, people. Jamie and Claire have pretty much the greatest love story of all time. Anthologies, people. Imagine with me!
- Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I love historical fiction- the longer the better. Epic tales of medieval chaos? Yes please.
- The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. I’ve discussed by limitations with Shakespeare, but I’m thinking that if I were stranded on a desert island. I could really get into the plays by putting on productions with coconuts. I’d totally carve a realistic coconut skull for Poor Yorrick to get my soliloquy on.
- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. It’s one of my favorites, and Jane is possibly the greatest heroine literature has ever known.
- Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. This is another big long tome, all the better for having endless time on your hands. Bonus? I know the entire soundtrack to the musical, so I totally have a mental symphony going on while I read. Book, music, all in one. Winning!
- The Stand by Stephen King. Nice and long. Epic tale of good and evil. Reminder to watch out for sketchy characters like Randall Flagg.
- Can’t Wait To Get To Heaven by Fannie Flagg. Fannie Flagg is my happy place. I always feel uplifted and smiley when I finish one of her novels.
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. The March girls’ trials and tribulations would put my “stuck on a deserted island” plight into perspective. Bwahahahha no it wouldn’t! But escapism is an under-rated diversion.
Wait, wait. Is Sawyer on my island? It’s cool, Jim. Enjoy Taylor Swift!
Quirky Chrissy
“Outlander! Outlander! We have your woman!” -Southpark.
That is all.
Words for Worms
Dangit Chrissy! Now my inner monologue is going to be Cartman voice all day. Thanks!
Ashley F
Bahahaha.
Mel
Les Miserables is a big favorite of mine but my family will now be cursing your name because the minute I hear or think about it I start caterwauling the 10 and 25th anniversary editions of the play for the next week.
Words for Worms
Does your family not hear the people sing? They can’t appreciate a castle on a cloud? Are you… On your own?
Ba dum bum. 🙂 Sing it proud! (How excited are you for the movie?!)
ashley
#4, 8 and 9 I have yet to read. But the rest I would agree! Oh, and I would like a Sawyer on my island too!
Words for Worms
Who doesn’t want Sawyer on their island? Sigh. He’s one dreamy con artist.
Brittany
Harry Potter for sure! I could reread those books forever.
I haven’t read Outlander but a deserted island would be the perfect place to start. Lots of time to read!! 🙂
Words for Worms
Yes, the deserted island doesn’t sound so bad… As long as there is food, water, shelter, and Sawyer.
Brittany
Oh, I forgot – LOVE your picture of Sawyer hahaha
Marianne Crowe Loes
“but I’m thinking that if I were stranded on a desert island. I could really get into the plays by putting on productions with coconuts.” This is now my favorite answer to this question!
Words for Worms
Why thank you! Really I was just imagining a replacement for the skull in Hamlet, but I feel like I need to get past the whole “I can’t read this” thing and move into the “I can’t read this but I can produce this fabulous coconut review” thing…
Marianne Crowe Loes
I also agree with your suggestion of Pillars of the Earth. I love historical fictions too. Have you read any of Follet’s other works, like World Without End or Fall of Giants? I loved Fall of Giants but haven’t picked up the next one in the trilogy. It’s kind of expensive and I’m waiting for someone to tell me whether it’s worth it or not.
Words for Worms
World Without End I read and loved, but I haven’t tackled the Fall of Giants yet. Like you, I was put off by the price tag LOL.
Marianne Crowe Loes
Oooh, you should read Fall of Giants. It’s set in one of the most interesting time of history, World War I, which really turned Europe’s society on its head. The book has points-of-view from all ends and is facinating.
Liesel Hill
Great list! I should have thought of Pillars of the Earth. Totally want to read that one! I’m just finishing Les Mis and I would definitely recommend it for the desert island! Btw, if Sawyer’s on your island, I’m totally coming there to read with him! 😀 My TTTs are at Musings on Fantasia and LKHill. Happy Tuesday! 😀
Words for Worms
Pillars of the Earth and World Without End (the sequel, like 300 years later) are both great. A historical fiction buff like yourself would devour them! 🙂 Just checked out your lists- kicking myself for not thinking of Game of Thrones!
thatashgirl
OMG Outlander. I was reading them just before I went to Scotland a few years ago. *sigh* And I love that you love Gone With the Wind. This is one of my fave books and classic movies of ALL TIME.
Words for Worms
I sometimes wonder what Scottish people think of Outlander, since Diana Gabaldon is an American, but it doesn’t diminish my swooning. Gone With The Wind is so flipping good, I love it even though I want to smack Scarlett- a lot.
thatashgirl
All I know is I ran around Scotland for 9 days secretly looking for Jamie. These books both thrilled me and at times, totally ripped my guts out.
I have a love/hate thing going on for Scarlett. She’s one of those female leads that you just want to slap but at the same time, you wish you had the balls she did.
It's A Dome Life
Am I the only one hoping you get stranded on an island soon just so I can someday see the coconut Shakespeare plays? I keep thinking I don’t have to wait. You could just make them in your back yard and post them on YouTube…let the coconut carving begin!
Nice choice for books…the longer the better would be my mantra too.
Words for Worms
Oh man, now you’re giving me ideas! The only excuse I can come up with is that coconuts are hard to come by in Illinois… And I’m lazy.
didibooksenglish
I’d love to watch that on You Tube too!
Cindy
If Sawyer’s on the island, can I just go there now? I love Sawyer. And the picture of him reading, with glasses on? *sigh*
I definitely agree with the ones of these that I have read. I’ll have to add the rest to my list.
I just finished re-reading the entire Harry Potter series. And then punished myself by watching the last movie while suffering from PMS last weekend. Thankfully, only the dog was home to witness all of the crying.
I think I’d bring the Game of Thrones series too. Definitely a lot of pages to read there!
Words for Worms
Oh my, I cried so much during the last HP book! And movie… Hot mess right here. Game of Thrones I wish I’d thought of! Except… Sometimes I get mad at Martin for taking the focus off the characters I’ve come to love and adding in more people. And Dorne? I just don’t care for Dorne and their spicy food at all.
Cindy
I know what you mean about Game of Thrones. One of the books had no Tyrion at all – how can you leave him out! I need more Tyrion! Definitely less Dorne and more Tyrion and Daenerys. Will she ever get to Kings Landing? Just fly that dragon over the sea and set it on fire – overthrow done!
Also need to add The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings series. I think those should count as one book too.
chewylicious
omg he’s so hot …shhh wait I didn’t say that….lmao i love a man that reads…*cough* mine doesn’t…well …yeah ….anyways exciting list…i’ve read about half of them and I totally agree…that just means I have to read the rest on that list!
Words for Worms
LOL my husband just read by blog. He texted me and goes “REALLY? Sawyer?! You know that was just an alias right?” It’s alright. If he gets Taylor Swift during a zombie apocalypse, I get Sawyer on a deserted island. Fair is fair.
chewylicious
LMAOOOoooOOOO hahahahaha I banned my husband from reading my blog hahaha mine likes Jennifer Aniston LOL I’ll take Brad Pitt then lol or Sawyer haha
chewylicious
Oh PS you’re award winning! http://www.chewylicious.com/blog-post-long-overdue-awards-thankyou/
June
I am so ashamed – I haven’t read any of these books except for Harry Potter! And everyone has read Harry Potter, so that doesn’t really even count. Sigh. I must expand my literary horizons.
I’m glad to see that you share my love of Sawyer – he was my favorite character on Lost. My husband says I have a secret things for bad boys. But, Sawyer isn’t really a bad boy. He’s like guy who does bad stuff sometimes but underneath it all he’s sweet and funny. Hot bod + angst + secret teddy bear? Yes, please!
Words for Worms
Oh fiddlesticks, there’s no shame in not having read things. You’ve just read different things. What would you take on the island? (In addition to Sawyer, of course?)
June
Hmm well, Harry Potter for sure. There are also a couple of Jodi Picoult books that I really like, so I’d probably bring those (Nineteen Minutes and The Pact). I’ll have to think of some others – those are just the first that came to mind because I’ve read them so much that they must be good!
Lyssapants
Are you as PSYCHED about the new Les Mis movie as I am??? I’ve seen the broadway play twice and I also know all the words! weeeee!
Words for Worms
OMG SO PSYCHED! I’m really happy with the casting too. I don’t know how I’ll make it through seeing it in the theater without singing along, which is unfortunate for the other patrons because my singing is god-awful!
Lyssapants
I’ve already sung to the lyrics in theaters and that was just the preview…
mrscrazypants
Ok so the only one I’ve read on this list is Little Women, but I am STILL laughing at my mental image of your Shakespeare coconut plays!! Please make that happen even if you don end up on a desert island!!!
Words for Worms
Hahhaha I’ll see what I can do about that for you, dear.
didibooksenglish
Interesting list! Yes I know I4ve been living under a rock but haven’t read but the first Harry Potter nor have I read Outlander. Oops! Looks like I better get on it huh? New Year’s resolution 2013 Harry Potter all 7 books and I’ll also add Outlander. I’ve heard so many good things about Outlander. I would also say yay for #5, 6, 7, and 10. Haven’t yet read The Pillars of the Earth either. yeah, yeah I’m getting to it…..:)
Words for Worms
My Books to Read list is always growing! I feel you! 🙂
Erica
I still love you. That is all. And Little Women is still one of my all time favorites. I like to read it several years in between. You get something different every time. I mean, 10 year old self definitely reads it a little differently than 21 year old self…and really 29 year old self might be due to read it sometime soon. You know…before I turn 30.
Words for Worms
Thanks, Tenni. We should re-read Little Women. If only my book list weren’t sooooo looooong…