Desert Island Books

Desert Island Books  

Our castaways in this issue of NB are 3 more members of the Collection development team. 

Between them they look after the DVDs, music CDs, fiction and literature collections for the Dunedin Public Libraries network. Looking after such diverse areas of the collections we thought it would be interesting to see which books have inspired them.

As usual each castaway was given a virtual copy of the SAS Survival guide and asked to choose just five books to keep them company.

Here are their choices:

Glenda – Collection Specialist

Bill Bryson’s A Short History of Nearly Everything - I have started it many times but not had time to complete it. Presumably there would be plenty of time on a desert island. I did manage to finish his book One Summer: America 1927 and loved it. It took me a year (obviously not a library copy…).

Cocktails Step-by-Step: The Perfect Guide to Cocktail Making by Fiona Biggs, ed. – a must for any long desert island stay – especially if there are coconuts lying about.

Jane Austen – The Complete Works. Her books are totally re-readable, and it would be a good reminder of civilised society, sort of…

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome because it is very funny and if there is no rescue boat then at least I could read about one.

Depending on how long my stay on the island would prove to be, then Clarissa by Samuel Richardson, clocking in at 1533 pages should keep me going! (I have read it once, and can recommend it for its wit and virtue!)

Robyn - Collection Specialist

When I'm not catching fish with my bare hands, or clambering up the single coconut tree, I'll be working on my knowledge of physics with The Martian by Andy Weir

Sipping on my freshly-opened coconut, I'd add some glamour to the surroundings by reaching for any one of the Rowland Sinclair series by Sulari Gentill. The most handsome and wealthy amateur detective in the whole of 1930's Sydney who, together with his colourfully bohemian friends, are always stumbling headlong into yet another adventure.

Secret River by Kate Grenville. This is a wonderful saga following the story of one man's experiences in the penal colony of New South Wales, and how he overcame the odds, to not only survive but prosper in a very harsh and brutal environment. The imagery of the Parramatta River is vivid and hauntingly beautiful

Paddling in the warm waters surrounding my desert island I'd recite paragraphs from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen just for the sheer enjoyment.

Finally, given I'm neither a mad dog nor an Englishman I'd shelter from the midday sun under the singular coconut palm and abandon myself to Wild Places by Robert Macfarlane - an elegantly crafted book celebrating the spirit of wild spaces in Britain and Ireland. This is nature writing at its finest.

Jill – Collection Specialist

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty. Andrew Bolton. This book was published to coincide with the exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is one of my most prized possessions. I know the beautiful images of McQueen’s incredible work will inspire me. I may even develop my own line of designer desert wear.

Me Talk Pretty One Day. David Sedaris. David's writing never fails to make me laugh. Hearing that distinctive voice in my head as I read will stop me feeling lonely.

Boy. Roald Dahl. When I was 11, I had a particularly scary teacher who I was completely intimidated by. However, he did introduce us to some great books. This story of Roald Dahl's childhood is still one of my favourites.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Douglas Adams. Another book that will help to lift my spirits. It might be comforting to have a copy with "Don't Panic" written on the front too.

The Complete Works of Shakespeare. This would be a great opportunity to read all of the things I feel I should read. Plus I could act out the plays when I get bored.bored.