How to Create Your Desert Island Book List

If you were stranded on a desert island for months (or years, think Tom Hanks in Castaway) and you could have any 10 books with you...and ONLY those books, which ones would it be? For those who read, this is a quest that can take your whole life. There is no right answer. But these books are the very best you have ever read; the book you want to find every time you pick up something new. These books are the ones you purchase a special loaner copy for so you will never be without yours. This book list is your unique reading fingerprint. These are your desert island books.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A love of books. You should probably be the kind of person who includes "reading" in a list of hobbies.
• An enjoyment of mental games or lists
• A desire to know those around you or yourself better.
• A way to keep a tally, pen and paper, or computer etc.

1. First you need to think back over everything you have read in your life. You may want to browse through your bookshelves to get going. There will be books that stand out. Write them down on your paper or computer notepad.
2. After you have a good idea of the contenders, set a firm cap on the amount. How many books are you allowing yourself? Five? Ten? You need some hard rules or it defeats the purpose. You probably don't want more than 10. Five might be more interesting. You may prefer to add only books with true merit as you discover them. My personal desert island booklist only has 4 books at the moment...which is probably short-sighted if I am stuck on an island, but I haven't found any more that belong there. Yet. Add blank numbered slots to the side of your list of titles, as many as you decide on.
3. At this point, you may have discovered the series trap. I love book series, but this will mess up your entire book list if you don't figure out some criteria and fast. Does one series count as a book? It is fun to play with as a variation, but it's kind of ridiculous to imagine the crates of books ten series would eat up on your little island. Stick to one book at a time for this list. If there's one book in a series that calls to you that strongly, include it. Maybe there should be a separate question for series. So, if you could only have one, which series would you take with you to your desert island? (If you've read my other articles, you can probably guess mine!)
4. You have your blank slots and your list of titles. Think hard about every book you wrote down. Make sure you judge each fairly; you will have no other reading matter on this desert island. What Color is Your Parachute or The Atkins Diet may have changed your life, but are you really going to want to read either one over and over? Don't automatically reach for the classics either. The Fountainhead blew you away when you read it 10 years ago, but the fact you haven't picked it up since is a clue right there. Put the titles you choose in the right numbered slots. Feel free to cross out and take your time. In the end, you will have your desert island book list.
5. Once your list is done, talk to others about it. Well, maybe not at the boss' dinner party unless you're certain of your reception. But at the next awkward date, a casual movie with friends, a quiet evening with your spouse...whenever you need a fresh perspective on those around you. The first step to the desert island list is to make it. The second is to seek out those who get it. Who get you.
6. Recommend your books to other people. Everyone is different so you have to be selective. But these are YOUR books. Your mission now is to create converts so you can discuss the books with them. We all want to find our desert island books, and help is welcome.
7. Keep your list in the back of your mind whenever you read. You will read a ton of terrific books that are not desert island books; that's to be expected. But when you find one, that incredible read that has you almost in tears at the last page because it's over; that book that makes you laugh and cry and think about long after you have closed the back cover...that is the greatest feeling in the world.

Tips & Warnings

• If, in your discussions, you meet someone with some of the same books on THEIR list, marry them. Okay, that's not always practical. At least make sure you have all their contact info. Remember what I said about reading fingerprints? This person is like you. This is someone who you always will be happy to discuss and get excited about the same books you do. It is extremely rare.
• Desert island books often reveal themselves in a thunderclap of "Aha! I have just finished a desert island book!" But not always. Some creep into your psyche and you find yourself reaching for the book again and again until you finally recognize what it is to you.
• In case you're wondering, my Desert Island books are, in order: 1) Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. 2) A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving. 3) Lamb by Christopher Moore. 4) Deerskin by Robin McKinley. I find it interesting that 3 of the four deal with Christianity from a skewed angle, funny (VERY funny), but with an incredible, sincere passion at the heart and scenes of absolute brilliance. Deerskin is a fairy tale for grownups, with no punches pulled, yet delightful. So. What are your desert island books?
• Your desert island booklist is subject to change. You may find that as new ones are added, old ones no longer are as compelling as they once were. I used to have a complete 10 books with backups; all but a few have dwindled away over the years.
• Anyone who answers the desert island book question with a smug and condescending "Worst Case Scenario Survival Guide" or something like that should be immediately shot down like the unimaginative and soulless drone he is.