Top 10 Tuesday: Books I’d Want with Me While Stranded on a Deserted Island

Welcome to Top 10 Tuesday! This is a weekly challenge hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, and this week’s challenge is about books I’d want with me while stranded on a deserted island!

This was a fun one to think about! At first, I was thinking about my all-time favorite books that I would definitely want to take with me anywhere I went (or, you know, anywhere I was stranded indefinitely), but I was also trying to think of which ones I was least likely to get tired of. Chances are, if I’m stranded on a deserted island with only ten books, I’m likely going to be rereading these several times. So I had to consider which ones I wouldn’t tire of easily. I was also trying to think of books that were eye-opening for me, and that I could get something new out of with each reread. These would also be valuable picks to bring to a deserted island! Finally, I tried to think of some long ones that would kill a lot of time. Those also seemed like logical choices. Anyway, here are the ten books I settled on that I would hope to have on hand if I were ever stranded on a deserted island!

To learn more about a book, click on the photo to find the Goodreads synopsis.

1. “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins

I just love these books and have already read them four times, so why not read them a few more times on this island? I have a boxed set with the series, so can that count as one book?? If not, I’d settle for just bringing the first one!

2. “Uglies” by Scott Westerfeld

This is my other favorite YA series that I love to reread! Again, I might be cheating by listing a series as one installment on this list, but I could settle for just the first one again…

3. “Just Listen” by Sarah Dessen

This is my comfort read. Anytime I’m in a reading slump or just need a pick-me-up, this is my go-to book. And I figured a book like this would be perfect when stressed and stranded on a deserted island!

4. “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott

I’ve only read this one once (so far), but it’s another that I just found so comforting and endearing! It makes me happy, and it’s also really long so it would keep me entertained for quite a while!

5. “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston

This is one of my all-time favorite books, and it’s also one of the most challenging books I’ve ever read. I know if I were to reread it, I would notice and learn something new each time (which I love!).

6. “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini

It’s been a while since I’ve read this one, but I remember it being really powerful and that it featured strong female characters. This is another one that I would probably have new takeaways with each reread, and I think reading about strong, inspiring women would also help with my own determination and fortitude while inexplicably stranded on this deserted island.

7. “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë

I chose this one for the same reasons as the previous few books I listed! It’s long, features a strong female character, and is challenging and well-written in a way that each reread would bring something new to the experience.

8. “The Martian” by Andy Weir

This is such a great and entertaining book! Also, I thought it was fitting since the main character is stranded on Mars, and I’m apparently stranded on a deserted island. It would be my only chance to really relate to the main character!

9. “Like Water for Chocolate” by Laura Esquivel

There’s’ so much going on in this book that I would definitely be able to notice something new each time I read it, and it would give me a lot to think about. Also, the magical realism would really help me escape from my unfortunate circumstances of being stranded on this deserted island!

10. “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas

I’ve never actually read this one, but I’ve wanted to for a long time! And now that I’m stranded on a deserted island, I finally have the time to tackle it! This book is incredibly long, so it would be a great one to keep me entertained for a long period of time. (In reality, though, I do hope I’ll get around to reading this one without needing to be stranded somewhere.)

Have you read any of these books? What would your top ten be?

Let me know in the comments!