Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Books I’d Want With Me While Stranded On a Deserted Island. I love this! This topic is really making me think… or over-think? If I was stranded… which means reading the same 10 books over and over again… potentially forever…
Hmmm, what to pick, what to pick? Here are my ten:
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Not a surprise for anyone who knows me… I’ve already read this book (and series) multiple times, but if I’m going to be stuck on a deserted island indefinitely, I think I need Jamie and Claire for company.
The Lord of the Rings (one-volume edition) by J. R. R. Tolkien
Is it cheating to pick an all-in-one edition of three books? I’m declaring that this counts! I’ve been wanting to go back and reread LOTR, and with endless reading time to fill, it seems like a perfect opportunity to really dig in and enjoy.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
I’m tempted to just fill my list with all-in-one editions of all my favorite authors, such as a complete-works-of-Jane-Austen volume, if I had one… but I’ll hold back and stick to actual individual books…
In which case, I’d have to pick just one Jane Austen, although it’s a tough choice and I might want to swap for Persuasion. But really, can’t go wrong with any Jane Austen books!
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
I’ve been obsessed with this book since reading it last year and then re-reading it this year. I can’t imagine ever getting tired of re-reading it!
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
I’ve read this book several times already, but each time, it affects me in new and different ways.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
I still have my edition of The Riverside Shakespeare from my college days, and it’s not exactly a light, portable volume. Still, if I were stranded on a deserted island, at least I’d finally have time to get to all the plays I haven’t read yet! (I know I said I wouldn’t do any more all-in-one books, but I had to make an exception for Shakespeare.)
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
I think this is a book that I haven’t spent enough time with yet in my life. I’ve read it only once, and I’ve always meant to go back to it again, at least once. And if not while stranded, then when?
The Far Pavilions by M. M. Kaye
Yet another book that I’ve sworn to re-read at some point. Since it’s over 900 pages, this will last a good long while!
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Such a beautifully written book! I listened to the audiobook my first time around, and I think lying on the beach of my deserted island with this book in hand would give me a whole new opportunity to enjoy it all over again.
The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
This just seems like a really practical choice for a deserted island situation. Although if I were truly being practical, then this list should include a medical book, something on identifying edible plants, and perhaps a book on sending smoke signals?
What books would you want along on a deserted island? Please share your TTT links!
Bookshelf Fantasies 
I chose P&P and Jane Eyre, too. I wouldn’t mind having Outlander with me either!
I had such a hard time deciding which Jane Austen to include! Can’t go wrong with any, I suppose. 🙂
Jane Eyre was on my list, too!
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-books-id-want-with-me-while-stranded-on-a-deserted-island/
I didn’t read Jane Eyre for the first time until just a few years ago, and I do really think I need to reimmerse myself and appreciate it, now that I’ve read it once and know where the plot is going. Perfect choice!
OMG! Another Sparrow lover. It was on my list as well. I’m constantly recommending this book to people and many have never heard of it. I adore Russell!
The Sparrow is absolutely one of my forever books. It made such a huge impact on me! I push it on everyone I know. I love her writing too — although I still haven’t gotten to Epitaph or her most recent. So great to meet another fan!!
Likewise! Women of the copper country I own but haven’t gotten to yet. Look forward to doing it soon and that will complete them all for me.
That’s great — I’ll look for your review! 🙂 I own a copy as well, but I’m so swamped that I don’t see getting to it anytime soon.
Smart to include the Complete works of Shakespeare! And I totally love that you put Pride and Prejudice and The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook on your list. 😀
I love all of these books, but I suppose the survival guide is probably the most essential! 🙂
I love your thinking with Lord of the Rings and the Complete Works of Shakespeare. They would definitely keep you going for a while!
My TTT
Someday I’ll re-read LOTR, even without a deserted island!
Great classics on your list..
Here’s my list!
I love having a good excuse to spend time on classics — I just don’t do it often enough!
Outlander and Song of Achilles are great shouts! Would love to have those with me!
I don’t think I’d get bored so long as I had both of these books close to hand. 🙂
The Sparrow is an interesting choice. I remember it being a tough read, but I did love it!
It’s definitely a tough read, but there’s also so much to unpack about culture, language, first contact, and faith, among other topics! I do need to go back and reread the sequel — I’ve read The Sparrow multiple times, but the sequel only once, and should probably give it another chance to win me over.
The Worst Case Scenario Handbook really tops it all off! Great picks this week.
Lauren @ Always Me
Thanks! I figured I should at least attempt to be practical. 🙂
LOTR is the perfect pick for an island. Happy reading. My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/ten-books-i-want-to-read-by-the-end-of-2021/
Right? I figured it would certainly keep me busy. 🙂
Great list! I think if I was stranded I could possibly (finally) get through LOTR. It’s been a goal of mine for far too long. lol I honestly don’t think I’ve ever heard of The Far Pavilions before… going on my TBR for someday. 😀
I read The Far Pavillions eons ago, but it just came back around to my attention when a book group friend read it (over the course of several months) and kept bringing up elements of it for discussion — reminded me of how powerful it is (despite the length).
These are some great choices. I went in a slightly different direction this week, but if I had played by the prompt’s original rules Jane Eyre would definitely have made my list, too. Such a great read.
It really is! I can’t believe it took me until just a few years ago to finally read it for the first time.