Books We'd Want on a Desert Island
- List of the Month
- September 2023 (see all)
- Description
- Stranded on a desert island, acting out our own little Robinsonade, what books would we want by our side? Something comforting? Something uplifting? Something useful? Our List of the Month this September is devoted to the Books We'd Want on a Desert Island. Each participant may vote on five titles. Given the subjective nature of the list, please do not downvote titles.
1
50,634 members
452 reviews
½ 4.5
Score 103.76
Added 2023-09-13, 05:36 PM
- 28 Members
- scampus, anglemark, JohnGorski, Karlstar, kleo, PuddinTame, lizzy50usa, helena2109, FAMeulstee, willowcove, CarltonC, remikit, Crypto-Willobie, EMS_24, Eowyn1, aadyer, vwinsloe, al.vick, Michael.Rimmer, SF_fan_mae, Karen74Leigh, elahrairah, Charon07, kevin.mcgee, SusanNock, MichelleAbbott, Wyrd1, lfmcmillan
- Explanations
- elahrairah: i imagine that being on a desert island might occasionally be stressful or upsetting and so it would be important to have a large and familiar and comforting volume to lose myself in.
2
31,910 members
170 reviews
½ 4.6
Score 64.09
Added 2023-09-14, 10:23 AM
- 19 Members
- JohnGorski, haydninvienna, mstrust, CarltonC, remikit, Crypto-Willobie, sturlington, susanbooks, thalassa_thalassa, Hartsellang, MichaelLynnSr, JAlison.Stirling, tealadytoo, closer, Boand, Yuki-Onna, Carrieida, Charon07, slimikin
- Explanations
- Hartsellang: Always something more to discover in this collection. Each play, each sonnet, all have such depth. Enjoy them again and again and discover something new each time.closer: I love his works & I try to read a sonnet or play every monthBoand: No explanation necessary!
3
71 members
½ 3.3
Score 41.77
Added 2023-09-14, 05:21 PM
- 12 Members
- JohnGorski, dara85, lizzy50usa, remikit, EMS_24, Tess_W, LLoLaguayasaminaj, beehappy, closer, Louanne, mombot, MichelleAbbott
- Explanations
- closer: I read and study my Bible every day, but I would change this version to the Jewish Publication Society's TANAKH translation 2nd edition of The Jewish Study Bible.
4
by Ryan North
827 members
19 reviews
4
Score 38.74
Added 2023-09-15, 06:09 AM
- 11 Members
- Moloch, wdwilson3, PuddinTame, PitcherBooks, masterdeski, MaskedMumbler, Agnesium, Jeanne.Laure, SF_fan_mae, hotblack43, JAlison.Stirling
5
by Jane Austen
5,441 members
33 reviews
½ 4.6
Score 36.5
Added 2023-09-15, 07:58 PM
- 11 Members
- PuddinTame, lizzy50usa, helena2109, PitcherBooks, susanbooks, al.vick, TBR313, beehappy, tealadytoo, kevin.mcgee, mombot
6
21 members
Score 34.89
Added 2023-09-13, 05:38 PM
- 10 Members
- stillramona, hipdeep, cpg, charl08, masterdeski, ManWithAnAgenda, sqr3cls3, SealedArchive, CeciliaClark, MichelleAbbott
- Explanations
- CeciliaClark: If I were stranded on an island, I would want to know how to make things that would keep me alive and make being stranded, an adventure not a terror.
7
by Stephen King
19,900 members
370 reviews
½ 4.3
Score 29.73
Added 2023-09-18, 07:36 AM
8
4,846 members
48 reviews
½ 4.3
Score 28.23
Added 2023-09-14, 12:25 PM
- 8 Members
- anglemark, kaixo, LolaWalser, haydninvienna, EMS_24, thalassa_thalassa, Karen74Leigh, CharlesTheB
- Explanations
- LolaWalser: Great company.
9
3,920 members
46 reviews
½ 4.5
Score 26.67
Added 2023-09-14, 12:27 PM
- 8 Members
- EerierIdyllMeme, LolaWalser, abbottthomas, baystateRA, CarltonC, EMS_24, susanbooks, MaskedMumbler
- Explanations
- EerierIdyllMeme: Apparently they say that someone has hit middle age when they no longer believe they will one day read Proust. Maybe I would actually read it if I were trapped on a desert island.LolaWalser: Inexhaustible.abbottthomas: Like LolaWalser said…..baystateRA: I picked mostly big novels that would stand up to lots of rereading, with more nuances and themes coming to light each time. I ALMOST got to the end of In Search of Lost Time several decades ago, but stopped. I still don't know why!
10
38,985 members
724 reviews
4.2
Score 26.2
Added 2023-09-14, 04:55 PM
- 8 Members
- se71, charl08, Karlstar, macygma, remikit, vwinsloe, CeciliaClark, Wyrd1
- Explanations
- CeciliaClark: This book is for my entertainment. I enjoy Douglas Adams' way of looking at the world and since there are no Terry Pratchetts in the choices, Mr Adams is my next best.There are many books on this list which I would like to read again and many books not on the list I would take if I could however of this list Douglas Adams book makes me smile.
11
79 members
½ 4.3
Score 23.01
Added 2023-09-13, 04:45 PM
- 7 Members
- anglemark, paradoxosalpha, EerierIdyllMeme, LolaWalser, Hartsellang, helenar238, Wyrd1
- Explanations
- LolaWalser: This, but not this version; I'd definitely want with me the Powys-Mathers one (based on the French translation by J.C. Mardrus), lavishly expanded with Powys-Mathers' own faux "Arabian" poetry (at least as good as FitzGeraldian Khayyam).Hartsellang: The diversity of its frame story. Ever leading the thoughts here and there. Dreamy. Agreed that other versions are more expansive.
12
3,873 members
60 reviews
4.9
Score 22.62
Added 2023-09-14, 03:04 PM
- 7 Members
- charl08, PuddinTame, ferness, Agnesium, KeithChaffee, SusanNock, Wyrd1
- Explanations
- KeithChaffee: classic entertainment that will never grow stale
13
by George Eliot
618 members
3 reviews
4.2
Score 21.89
Added 2023-09-18, 10:01 AM
- 7 Members
- thewordygecko, helena2109, goldenlobo, baystateRA, susanbooks, mombot, SusanNock
- Explanations
- baystateRA: I picked mostly big novels that would stand up to lots of rereading, with more nuances and themes coming to light each time. I think there's no question this one would fit the bill.
14
by Betty Smith
16,614 members
444 reviews
½ 4.3
Score 21.12
Added 2023-09-18, 05:11 PM
- 6 Members
- dara85, amysisson, worksmarts, macygma, dottieph, jeanie0510
15
- 6 Members
- pitjrw, BonnieJune54, CharlesTheB, elahrairah, helenar238, mombot
- Explanations
- elahrairah: i've only read the first volume, and found it an intense experience. perhaps on a desert island i would be able to enjoy the second and third volume at my leisure.
16
- 5 Members
- CDVicarage, perennialreader, tina1969, tealadytoo, Boand
- Explanations
- Boand: The most evocative and wonderful mystery I know.
17
21,916 members
188 reviews
4.1
Score 17.44
Added 2023-09-16, 07:17 PM
- 5 Members
- EerierIdyllMeme, CarltonC, aadyer, MichaelLynnSr, cipeciop
- Explanations
- EerierIdyllMeme: Tom Stoppard, asked this question, said he would want this with English and Italian on facing pages, so in addition to having something to read you'd be able to learn a new language. I really liked this answer.
18
176 members
1 review
4.9
Score 16.12
Added 2023-09-17, 11:31 AM
- 5 Members
- kleo, JAlison.Stirling, elahrairah, DoomLuz, kevin.mcgee
- Explanations
- elahrairah: this collection is bursting with ideas and dreams, for when the problems of the world-as-is are overwhelming...
19
by Tim O'Shei
5 members
1 review
Score 16.12
Added 2023-09-15, 10:23 AM
- 5 Members
- PuddinTame, saskia17, MareF, mombot, SkateGuard
20
- 5 Members
- yoyogod, abbottthomas, haydninvienna, MareF, tealadytoo
- Explanations
- abbottthomas: It came down to Shakespeare or Wodehouse for my fifth book. What would you do?haydninvienna: What @abbottthomas said, but then I picked both anyway.
21
91 members
1 review
4.2
Score 14.79
Added 2023-09-15, 03:10 PM
- 5 Members
- MaskedMumbler, Hartsellang, hotblack43, SealedArchive, CeciliaClark
- Explanations
- CeciliaClark: I have the build a boat book, sustainable project book, and this one because I like the idea of self reliance and know full well that I do not know enough about how to achieve this.
22
- 4 Members
- SF_fan_mae, JHemlock, ManWithAnAgenda, elahrairah
- Explanations
- elahrairah: the odyssey, but with rabbits. a book about facing the challenges of the world.
23
697 members
10 reviews
½ 4.3
Score 14.4
Added 2023-09-14, 02:40 PM
- 4 Members
- hipdeep, yoyogod, konallis, Jeanne.Laure
24
301 members
1 review
3.8
Score 14.22
Added 2023-09-14, 01:15 PM
- 5 Members
- PitcherBooks, mstrust, masterdeski, Karen74Leigh, CeciliaClark
- Explanations
- CeciliaClark: I would prefer not to die of plant poison in my first week of being stranded, so this book seemed a worthy addition.
25
by Harper Lee
78,945 members
1,434 reviews
½ 4.4
Score 12.38
Added 2023-09-14, 04:55 PM
- 4 Members
- Karlstar, lizzy50usa, PitcherBooks, MareF
26
- 4 Members
- abbottthomas, FAMeulstee, MaskedMumbler, elahrairah
- Explanations
- abbottthomas: Rather like Proust, on my desert island I should get through it at last.elahrairah: the odyssey, but in dublin. another great work that i have only read the first third of and fully intend to get round to the second and third thirds one of these days...
27
8,844 members
90 reviews
½ 3.5
Score 11.22
Added 2023-09-22, 03:06 PM
- 4 Members
- wdwilson3, saskia17, ASmallHolding, SF_fan_mae
28
29
- 3 Members
- Karlstar, wdwilson3, SealedArchive
30
- 3 Members
- CDVicarage, perennialreader, MarigoldJackiFitz
31
by Joshua Piven
3,324 members
33 reviews
½ 3.3
Score 10.4
Added 2023-09-14, 05:45 PM
- 3 Members
- charl08, abbottthomas, masterdeski
- Explanations
- abbottthomas: This is the only ‘survival’ manual on my shelves so had to come even though it offers advice on escaping kidnappers from a moving a car and dropping out of a burning building.
32
33
34
16,421 members
300 reviews
4.1
Score 9.77
Added 2023-09-18, 09:04 AM
- 3 Members
- ASmallHolding, al.vick, MarigoldJackiFitz
35
by Ken Follett
27,399 members
755 reviews
4.2
Score 9.71
Added 2023-09-21, 09:45 PM
36
35,153 members
273 reviews
3.9
Score 9.56
Added 2023-09-17, 06:37 AM
- 3 Members
- scampus, Michael.Rimmer, aramilf
37
685 members
21 reviews
½ 3.5
Score 9.4
Added 2023-09-13, 05:39 PM
- 3 Members
- stillramona, hipdeep, masterdeski
38
52 members
3
Score 9.4
Added 2023-09-16, 09:11 AM
- 3 Members
- BonnieJune54, SealedArchive, CeciliaClark
- Explanations
- CeciliaClark: This book epitomises why they kicked me out of the D&D club for being too realistic about my character needs. Choosing this one is about sustainable living, safety, security, and eventually, comfort.
39
3,901 members
84 reviews
4.1
Score 9.23
Added 2023-09-15, 09:15 PM
- 3 Members
- CDVicarage, BonnieJune54, JenMDB
- Explanations
- BonnieJune54: I get both imaginary friends and some practical advice.
40
4,352 members
36 reviews
4
Score 9.08
Added 2023-09-25, 08:37 AM
- 3 Members
- sturlington, MichaelLynnSr, closer
- Explanations
- closer: Greek myths are a joy to read and think about especially if I'm on a desert island, life could always be worse.
41
746 members
6 reviews
½ 4.4
Score 9.02
Added 2023-09-14, 10:41 PM
- 3 Members
- Tess_W, MichaelLynnSr, closer
- Explanations
- closer: I must read a Dickens novel now and then. Keeps me sane.
42
7,942 members
138 reviews
½ 4.3
Score 8.87
Added 2023-09-13, 04:53 PM
- 3 Members
- worksmarts, macygma, perennialreader
43
- 3 Members
- tina1969, ASmallHolding, jeanie0510
44
- 3 Members
- amysisson, baystateRA, vwinsloe
- Explanations
- baystateRA: I was picking big novels that would stand up to lots of rereading, with more nuances and themes coming to light each time, but when I saw that someone else had picked The Sparrow, I thought, yes, me too!
45
256 members
15 reviews
½ 4.5
Score 8
Added 2023-09-18, 10:48 PM
- 2 Members
- merrystar, ArchdioceseGalvHou
46
13,263 members
244 reviews
4.2
Score 7.36
Added 2023-09-14, 01:48 PM
- 2 Members
- MaskedMumbler, vwinsloe
47
- 2 Members
- baystateRA, JenMDB
- Explanations
- baystateRA: I picked mostly big novels that would stand up to lots of rereading, with more nuances and themes coming to light each time. It would be hard to leave behind the sequel to Life After Life but I would have my memory of it. Maybe I could reread it once real quick before getting shipwrecked.
48
- 2 Members
- SF_fan_mae, aramilf
49
17,594 members
425 reviews
½ 4.3
Score 7.04
Added 2023-09-22, 10:36 AM
- 2 Members
- joyblue, ManWithAnAgenda
- Explanations
- joyblue: I've enjoyed reading (and rereading) this book for 51 years and counting. It never fails to delight and entertain. I read it as a child, read it to my own children, read it over the phone to a friend after her brain surgery (when she couldn't read on her own because it was too taxing), and reread it regularly when I need a happy boost.
52
- 2 Members
- JohnGorski, nojod
- Explanations
- nojod: This book made me feel so many different emotions for the characters portrayed. I would want to be able to live through those different emotions again and again if I was on a Desert Island away from everything human.
54
by Will Durant
1,165 members
15 reviews
½ 4.5
Score 6.68
Added 2023-09-22, 03:20 PM
- 2 Members
- namfos, MichaelLynnSr
- Explanations
- namfos: Expansive, well-told story of humankinds tragedies and triumphs.
56
- 2 Members
- Tess_W, ASmallHolding
58
59
by Isaac Asimov
6,616 members
84 reviews
½ 4.3
Score 6.4
Added 2023-09-30, 03:45 PM
- 2 Members
- jcumani, Karen74Leigh
60
62
- 2 Members
- PitcherBooks, haydninvienna
- Explanations
- haydninvienna: The first book I knowingly bought an extra copy of because I didn't want to be without it.
63
1 member
Score 5.87
Added 2023-09-27, 09:40 AM
64
- 2 Members
- thalassa_thalassa, JHemlock
65
66
67
- 2 Members
- aadyer, thalassa_thalassa
68
- 2 Members
- charl08, CDVicarage
- Explanations
- charl08: It's so good at describing ice cold temperatures, it would be great for an island with no A/C.
69
by Matt Groenig
135 members
2 reviews
½ 4.6
Score 5.5
Added 2023-09-14, 03:06 PM
- 2 Members
- beehappy, KeithChaffee
- Explanations
- beehappy: If I couldn't watch TV, I would want to read about it.KeithChaffee: every episode gets a 2-page spread, so every time I turn the page, I'll have a full episode of memories to recall
70
99 members
9 reviews
3.9
Score 5.5
Added 2023-09-22, 10:36 AM
71
- 2 Members
- FAMeulstee, macygma
73
25,719 members
436 reviews
½ 4.3
Score 4
Added 2023-09-24, 02:05 PM
74
- Member
- cleed
75
77
- Member
- amysisson
78
- Member
- bearette24
79
- Member
- SkateGuard
80
81
- Member
- perennialreader
82
- Member
- tealadytoo
83
- Member
- AndreaLP
85
922 members
13 reviews
4
Score 4
Added 2023-09-14, 03:00 PM
- Member
- KeithChaffee
- Explanations
- KeithChaffee: a look at the complexities of translating, built around the author's numerous attempts to translate a short French poem; the challenge of writing my own versions will keep my mind occupied
86
88
- Member
- willowcove
90
- Member
- yoyogod
91
- Member
- chellerystick
92
84 members
½ 3.3
Score 4
Added 2023-09-24, 11:50 AM
- Member
- chocorua
- Explanations
- chocorua: I've never read the bible in in its full length and since I'd likely have some time, it would be a welcomed pursuit. Also, having been raised in the Catholic faith and given this book as youngster in catechism, I'd likely find it comforting and additionally, due to interest in the philosophy of religion, I would enjoy comparing and contrasting with The Gnostic Bible (also in my choice of books).
93
75 members
2 reviews
½ 4.5
Score 4
Added 2023-09-24, 11:12 PM
- Member
- helenar238
- Explanations
- helenar238: I can use that desert island time to psychoanalyze myself
97
- Member
- bearette24
98
- Member
- helenar238
99
by John Bunyan
17,638 members
173 reviews
½ 3.7
Score 3.36
Added 2023-09-22, 02:09 PM
- Member
- MichelleAbbott
100
by Michael Ende
12,181 members
229 reviews
4.1
Score 3.36
Added 2023-09-23, 06:35 PM