5 Books for a Deserted Island

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

If you could bring 5 books to a deserted island, what would you bring and why?

There are 2 kinds of people here, I think. I asked my spouse and he said "a couple of survival books, a book with shiny or metallic pages/binding I could use or inserted mirrors, and then the longest thick-papered book I could find for helping to start a fire.

I, of course, could rest easy knowing he's got our survival planned, and made a list of things that would be nice for a vacation/to read out loud to him while he's building our shelter and signalling for rescue.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

1. Once and Future King - it's long and gives me hope when I am sad.
2. Way of Kings - long and Kaladin totally had it worse than a deserted island.
3. Metamorphoses - so many stories and so many more you can spin from them.
4. The Dispossessed - lots of great discussion material, especially when he's a poli sci guy.
5. Something by Oscar Wilde...Importance of Being Earnest, maybe? - obviously we'd need to put on a play while waiting for rescue.

[CBRetriever]

The Name of the Wind - I know this will work because I read it six times one summer
Wilderness Survival for Dummies - gotta have one book like this
The Lord of the Rings - compilation
Beowulf - A Verse Translation Nce + Shakespeare/ Hamlet 2e Nce + Austen/ Northanger Abbey Nce - because I'll finally have time to read it
and a blank waterproof notebook

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Ohh, the notebook is a good idea!

[Jacqueline]

1 Harry Potter Omnibus
2 How to build a raft
3 Dummies Guide to Surviving on a deserted island
4 Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Omnibus
5 not sure.

[Jemppu]

Brideshead Revisited: The Sacred and Profane Memories of Captain Charles Ryder - something that hasn't got old after years.

Moominpappa at Sea - as hasn't this childhood classic. And what more comforting on a desert island, than to be reminded how one's dreamed of such isolation.

The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck - I think I'd need a comic of some kind. Another one from childhood, which could and would be read over and over and over again during camping trips and stuck on summer house. It's this, or some Calvin and Hobbes.

This one - for toilet paper. (Edit: oh, hey. Works fine for your fire kindling purposes too).

...and then I feel I'd need an illustrated encyclopedia of some sort. One book I hadn't yet read, and which had some way of grounding you to reality, and keeping your mind active and educated.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

80 pence a sheet! My goodness! Hopefully you'll read it first, a sort of combined utility 16 pound book haha!

[Jemppu]

Allison wrote: "80 pence a sheet! My goodness! Hopefully you'll read it first, a sort of combined utility 16 pound book haha!"

Doubles finely for toilet reading ^^

[Kristin B.]

I like your spouse's style, Allison. My very practical brain approves. But for the sake of argument, let's pretend I got stranded with other practical stuff and can use the books just for entertainment!

Since Jemppu picked Scrooge, I'm stealing The Complete Calvin and Hobbes. ;) I wouldn't even have to go get it, it's already on my shelf. It is SUPER heavy and could be used as a weapon, or a makeshift table, or to hold things from flying away. And it has hours and hours of delightful snarky entertainment. Plus, I could use Hobbes as a model for my very own imaginary friend. I think it would work out better than a volleyball named Wilson. (And if I find pigment, I can use the weekday comics as a coloring book!)

Totally also stealing Jacqueline's pick of The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Lots of content so it would keep me going for awhile. Plus, it covers a range of topics and even planets and universes. Toss in some great dry wit and it will keep me from falling into despair.

I also think Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch. And not just because it's at the forefront of my mind because the show just came out. It's been a favorite of mine since I first read it a few years ago. It's fun and gives me hope. Also, I'm not super good at mentally picturing book characters on my own. So having the show means that I can create better mental additions to the book myself and keep me entertained for longer. (This is where a notebook would come in handy so I could right my own stories. But I don't want to give up a book choice for that, so let's say I make ink from berries I find on the island and create some type of paper from wood pulp.)

Fahrenheit 451. I know it's super short, but I love it. And I think reading about people who carry books in their minds would comfort me.

I'm having trouble picking a last one. If I could somehow get an omnibus of the Temeraire series (His Majesty's Dragon) I would say that. But that's probably never going to be a thing. So I'm torn between A Man Called Ove and The Book Thief because they are both so beautifully written and I think some days I would want to be able to have a good cathartic cry. I think ultimately it would have to be Ove, because I think The Book Thief would be just a little TOO depressing.

Of course if we all get stranded on the same island, we could have a whole library! (And no more interruptions to reading time from pesky jobs or non-readers.)

[Beth]

Whenever somebody asks this question, I can never think of five things.

Pride and Prejudice and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, since they are pretty much the only books I've read several times and still enjoy.

The Way of Kings since I've never read it and it would fill quite a bit of time. And if I hated it (doubtful) it could provide a couple years' worth of kindling. ;)

[Trike]

How to Build Wooden Boats: With 16 Small-Boat Designs

How to Survive in the Wilderness

How to Live Off-Grid

DIY: How to Build a Solar Water Distiller: Do It Yourself - Make a Solar Still to Purify H20 Without Electricity or Water Pressure

The Complete Calvin and Hobbes

[Jacqueline]

I’ve been thinking...is this “you’re stranded on a deserted island” or have I made the conscious decision to go there? If it’s the second one I would change the how to build a raft and survival for dummies to Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre along with Complete Harry Potter and Hitchhikers Guide. Oh and the Complete Footrot Flats. It’s a New Zealand comic featuring a Border Collie.

Otherwise I will add either P&P or Jane Eyre to my original list to make up the 5.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I believe the general conceit is that you are on an island you wish not to remain on permanently, but lack the ability to leave.

That comic sounds adorable!!

Is there a non-kindle omnibus of HP and HHG? I looked but I only saw the 7 volume series.

[Jacqueline]

There is one for Hitchhikers Guide because I bought it for my son for Christmas a couple of years ago. It has all 5 books in one big book.

Since this is a fictional island I’m saying that there’s a book with all 7 HPs. I have one with all of the Chronicles of Narnia so somewhere there should be one with all of the Harry Potters. If there isn’t there damn well should be.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Haha I like your style, Jacqueline!!

[Trike]

I don’t know what my 5 books would be. Certainly The White Dragon by McCaffrey. Probably also Protector by Niven.

However, I *do* know what my 5 music CDs would be:

Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude by Jimmy Buffett
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

The Low Symphony by Philip Glass
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

Sylvia Hotel by Cheryl Wheeler
https://youtu.be/HkqyQJDj5ME?list=OLA...

London Calling by The Clash
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

Four Symphonic Works by Duke Ellington

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Ahh, you just reminded me of a slightly different question! If I don't start a new general chat thread in the next day or so, please nudge me. I try to space out how many times I start new thought exercises, I don't want you to fall behind in your reading. I mean...I wouldn't want to impose >.>