Desert Island Books
The Heritage Collections team take care of some of our most precious and rare items which include books, manuscripts, pamphlets and genealogical material. We think this crack team of researchers would be able to work out how to survive on an island pretty fast so which would leave more time for reading. As usual each castaway has been given a virtual copy of the SAS Survival Guide and asked to choose just five books to keep them company. Here are their choices:
Lorraine Johnston – Heritage Collections Librarian
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. Laurence Sterne
Any book that starts with a sentence of 135 words and ends with “It is the story of a cock and a bull – and the best of its kind that I have ever heard” has got to be worth reading again, and again.
Selected Poems of Alfred, Lord Tennyson
I have this at home and it is my go-to book when I’m feeling a bit down.
The Colour of Magic. Terry Pratchett
Or just about any of the Discworld novels. Laugh out loud funny.
A Tale of Two Cities. Charles Dickens
A classic story about a classic time, with some great one-liners in it. Also a bit “heavy” so would while away the time.
The Sign of the Four. Arthur Conan Doyle
This has to be Doyle’s best Sherlock Holmes tale.
Cheryl Hamblyn – Senior Library Assistant
“Only 5 books! – I pack more than that for a weekend out of town.”
1Q84. Haruki Murakami
This would have to be my first choice. I have read it, but so breathlessly that I am sure a re-read will be very rewarding. I am sure I missed things as I sped through. Technically it is 3 books, but when it was published for release outside Japan it was made into 1 book – even Murakami was surprised how large it was! His writing is brilliant and I could savour it this time around.
The Selected Works of Mr T S Spivet. Reif Larsen
This is such a fun book and is full of practical scientific advice which may come in handy. T S Spivet would not let something like being stranded on a desert island phase him, and he would inspire me.
The Worst Journey in the World: Antarctic 1910-1913. Apsley Cherry-Garard
Of course I will be selecting the 1 volume edition published in 1952. I have already pushed the envelope with 1Q84 so will play fair on this one. Why would I choose it? I have always meant to read it, and I guess it could come into the category of “things could be worse”.
Phillip Mann also wrote a series that I would like to read. I came across a reference to The Pioneers in an article about NZ sci-fi and retrieved a copy from our stack. I was very impressed and am sure the genesis of several pivotal books and films in this genre are within the pages! So I would start with Master of Paxwax the first book in The Story of the Gardener. And hope for a quick rescue so that I can get my hands on the next book in the series The Fall of the Families.
The Luminaries. Eleanor Catton
Weighing in at 832 pages, this is a must – quantity and quality is one volume!
Barbara Blake – Senior Library Assistant
Paint Box: 45 Palettes for Choosing Colour Texture and Pattern. Tricia Guild
I am a huge fan and always race out to buy every one of Guild’s books. Her colour schemes are exquisite. Also she is rather clever with cooling blues and turquoises so I could soothe my eyes from the hot desert sun whilst gazing at every page.
Collected: Living With the Things You Love. Fritz Karsh
A collector myself, this is the most eclectic and exciting book I have ever found on the pleasures of collecting. The photographs are sumptuous, the objects interesting, and the whole a wonderfully inspirational read. Now where did I see that interesting shell yesterday? Need to add it to my stash!
Paris, the Novel. Edward Rutherfurd
All of Rutherfurd's titles are firm favourites with my friends, but I have only read a few. They are such large and detailed stories, multigenerational saga's based on place, and I often feel too busy to start. A desert island would be the perfect place to indulge. Then afterwards I could while away further afternoons day-dreaming about Paris.
The Sunshine Sisters. Jane Green
Warm hearted and fun, this author can be relied on for characters you care about and a bit of humour. I do have a bit of a weakness for 'chick lit' and Green is a master of this genre. Only problem is they are so quickly read ...am I allowed a pile? and a box of chocolates to go with it?
Your Mortgage and How to Pay it Off in Five Years: By Someone Who Did it in Three. Anita Bell
Bit of an outlier, I know, for a desert island, but reading this book 7 years ago changed my life. Changed my thinking anyway. Other people must like it too, because it was recently issued as an audiobook and kindle edition. Once I have re-read it, I could sit and plan for astute financial behaviour once I get to return to civilization.
Since this is the last issue of NB for 2017 we would like thank all of our castaways for sharing their favourite books with us. It has been an exercise in extreme angst for some of them, but it has led to some fascinating discussions amongst our staff. It is always so exciting to find someone else who shares your love for a particular book.