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.
Other Desert Island Choices
Rachel Spangler's Desert Island Books
My book choices
The first 3 books are sentimental favourites. The Outsiders was the first book I ever loved enough to carry with me. Nubbins and the Tractor was a book my grandmother used to read to me every time I would visit her, and while she didn’t live long enough to meet my son, I still told him about her when I would read the book to him. The Horse and His Boy also ties to my son. We’ve read so many classic books together, but I associate this one with a road trip he and I took together and all the adventures we imagined along the way.
The lesfic section was both easier and harder, easier because there are so many books in our genre that would keep me happy and warm in my isolation. I think I went mostly with books that totally whisk me away, immerse me, and yet feel real enough that I would feel like I had friends on the island with me.
The Outsiders by SE Hinton
Nubbins and the Tractor by Frieda Sinnickson
The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
Too Close To Touch by Georgia Beers
(All time favorite first kiss)
Whitewater Rendezvous by Kim Baldwin
(A hint of adventure to keep me sharp)
Curious Wine by Katherine V. Forrest
(The classic standard in romance)
Princess Affair by Nell Stark
(Beautiful escapism)
Alone by E.J. Noyes
(Seems fitting on a deserted island, no?)
My song choice
Reba McEntire’s Greatest Hits Volume 2
The music is pure comfort. My first favourite CD takes me back to simpler time and to an awakening of who I’d become (Reba brought me out).
My luxury item
I assume people don’t count as luxury items, so I’ll do with some way to write. I’d prefer a word processor, but an old-fashioned notebook would do. And as for the item, I toy with things like pillows, as I am a real bear when I don’t sleep well, but as an extrovert, the ability to communicate is foundational to my sanity. A way to tell my stories would be essential to my emotional wellbeing.
About Rachel Spangler
RACHEL SPANGLER is a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist, an IPPY, Goldie, and Rainbow Award winner, and the recipient of the 2018 Alice B. Reader medal. Rachel lives in Western New York with their wife Susan and son Jackson. The Spangler family spends the long winters curling and skiing. In the summer, they love to travel and watch their beloved St. Louis Cardinals. Regardless of the season, Rachel always makes time for a good romance, whether reading it, writing it, or living it.
For more information please visit Rachel online at www.rachelspangler.com or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr.
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