Based on the BBC radio programme ‘Desert Island Discs’, we’ve adapted this idea to ask castaways to list up to eight books, one song and one luxury item that they couldn’t do without on a desert island.
The rules are fairly simple, any type of book can be selected, but we ask that at least half are lesfic. Choices should be justified in a paragraph or two. Any type of music is allowed. The luxury item must be inanimate and of no use in escaping the island or allowing communication from outside.
E.J. Noyes’s Desert Island Books
My book choices
‘Wild‘ by Meghan O’Brien
Let’s face it, I’m going to need something a little bit sexy if I’m going to be stuck on an island by myself. But that aside, this book is one of the best shapeshifter-y novels I’ve ever read.
‘Fortune’s Favorites‘ by Colleen McCullough
The Masters of Rome series was my first real literary love, and I wrote to Ms. McCullough to tell her how I’d loved her books to literal tatters and she sent me a hardcover of this book along with a lovely note.
‘Breaking Character‘ by Lee Winter
I adore celesbian stories but I really struggle with ice queens. Lee has created the perfect Ice Queen Lite™ in Bess, and also quite possibly the sweetest character ever in Summer.
‘Seabiscuit‘ by Laura Hillenbrand
This book is a fascinating look at a magnificent horse, the people surrounding him and the climate of racing during the 30’s and 40’s.
‘Rabbits of the Apocalypse‘ by Benny Lawrence
Maybe it’ll give me some ideas for how to survive? Failing that, I know it’ll always make me laugh.
A huge dictionary
May as well learn some fancy new words, right? Watch out world, my first novel when I get off the island will be full of words like ‘spanghew’, ‘quodlibet’, ‘sphacelate’ and ‘legerdemain’.
‘Paper Love‘ by Jae
Such a sweet romance. And it’ll help me pretend I’m in Germany instead of on an island…
‘The Good Daughter‘ by Karin Slaughter
I have no words for this book. Beautifully written and constructed, though a little dark, and full of twisty goodness.
