Desert Island Books

The other day I was merrily listening to Desert Island Discs on radio four. I tuned out for a bit while I was listening (I can never concentrate on radio) and started thinking about what books I would want with me should I ever get stranded on a desert island (although I am hoping the likelihood of that happening is slim to none). I limited myself to five books but placed no other restrictions. It was surprisingly hard to decide. Would I want books I've already read? Or ones I've not? Would it be dangerous to take something I've not read in case it's rubbish? Would I want fiction? Non-fiction? A play? Poetry? Seriously, the possibilities are endless.

After all that effort I went to in my head I thought I'd share the list with you.

1. The Regeneration Trilogy - I AM NOT CHEATING, PROMISE. I have this trilogy in one book (which is a beast) so it is only one book and not three. I love Pat Barker, you all know I love the First World War, and I love anything that is linked to shell shock/neurasthenia. This trilogy is brilliant and I would happily read it over and over again.

2. The Woman in White - I think I've made my love for Wilkie Collins clear on numerous occasions now. This was my first foray into his writing and will always be my favourite. It's a good size, a good story and wonderfully written. Plus Marian is just a total babe.


3. Bleak House - I have not read this Dickens but I have seen a brilliant BBC adaptation. I think a Dickens would be great as a reminder of home (albeit a slightly skewed version of home) and long enough to keep me going for a bit.

4. To the Lighthouse - it's short but oh so dense. Another one of my favourites (definitely my favourite Woolf) and one I can re-read and interpret differently every time.

5. The Complete Works of Shakespeare - is this cheating? I think not, I have the complete works in one book so technically... I adore Shakespeare, always have and probably always will. I can re-read his plays and take different things from them each time. There is something for every mood - romance, comedy, tragedy, history, sheer unadulterated violence (I'm looking at you Titus). I know this is a cliché choice but, for me, it is clearly the most obvious choice. To demonstrate quite how much I loveth the bard and how obvious it is: for my birthday the other week my best friend bought me Shakespeare postcards and my sister got me a poster on which the entire text of Much Ado About Nothing is written (have you seen these?! They are awesome).  So now my room is practically a homage to Willy-Shakes. 

I would love to hear what your desert island books would be and whether it is a difficult decision or an easy one. TELL ME!

This would obviously be the view from the desert island.

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