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Desert Island Books

26 items

The ship is sinking. You have only time to collect about 25 books into a small trunk to sustain you. Which books do you pack? Why those books?

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  • Cover of: The discoverers

    Cover of edition discoverersboor00boor Cover of edition discoverers00boor Cover of edition discoverers00boor First published in 1983 — 21 editions work
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    Sure to engage the mind, this book written by a former Librarian of Congress (US) covered worlds of knowledge and those who made the discoveries.

  • Cover of: You are Not So Smart

    First published in 2012 — 1 edition work
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    Human behavior explained with a sense of humor. Could be especially useful, if not the only survivor on the island.

  • Cover of: Collection of sand

    First published in 2014 — 1 edition work
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    These late in life essays by Calvino read like letters from a dear friend. Would be most appreciated in the lonely isolation on a deserted island.

  • Cover of: Ever since Darwin

    Cover of edition darwinnachdarwin0000goul Cover of edition darwinetlesgrand0000step Cover of edition eversincedarwinr00step Cover of edition eversincedarwinr00goul Cover of edition eversincedarwinr0000goul Cover of edition eversincedarwin000goul First published in 1977 — 23 editions work
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    The first Gould I ever read, this title is dear to me. Would not want to be without Gould's voice indefinitely.

  • Cover of: The Disappearing Spoon: and other true tales of madness, love, and the history of the world from the periodic table of the elements

    Cover of edition disappearingspoo0000kean First published in 2010 — 19 editions work
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    All of Kean's books are excellent, but this one explaining each of the elements of the periodic table and their discoverers would be missed the most.

  • Cover of: The street of crocodiles

    Cover of edition streetofcrocodil00schu Cover of edition streetofcrocodil00schu First published in 1963 — 9 editions work
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    The language Schulz used raised the commonplace to extraordinary. Would want his words to maintain some sparkling magic in the monotony of isolation.

  • Cover of: So dear to my heart

    First published in 1990 — 1 edition work
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    Goyer's sweet stories would probably feel like having a grandma along on the island. She would likely be a great comfort out there alone.

  • Cover of: Where the Sidewalk Ends: the poems & drawings of Shel Silverstein.

    Cover of edition dondeelcaminosec00silv Cover of edition wheresidewalkend00silv Cover of edition wheresidewalkend0000silv First published in 1974 — 21 editions work
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    Can you imagine the frustration of being out on an island unable to refer back to these poems when you cannot remember all the words of "Sarah Cynthia Silvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage out"?! Have to take it.

  • Cover of: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

    First published in 2019 — 3 editions work
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    Drama, tragedy, comedy, poetry, romance, travel -- the bard seems like a great bet to keep the mind engaged. If nothing else, there are all the soliloquies to use as memory exercises.

  • Cover of: The Ultimate Wilderness Survival Handbook

    First published in 2016 — 1 edition work
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    Haven't read this, but would probably immediately be grateful for this info!

  • Cover of: 101 Survival Tips

    First published in 2006 — 2 editions work
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    Haven't read this one either, but it seems like an excellent addition. Would also like Mors Kochanski's book BUSHCRAFT: OUTDOOR SKILLS AND WILDERNESS SURVIVAL, but that doesn't come up in my searches on Open Library.

  • Cover of: SAS survival handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea

    Cover of edition shengcunshouce0000wise Cover of edition sassurvivalhandb0000wise_m4h2 Cover of edition sassurvivalhandb00wise Cover of edition sassurvivalhandb0000wise Cover of edition sassurvivalhandb00wise_145 Cover of edition sassurvivalhandb00wise_031 First published in 1986 — 21 editions work
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    One more survival skills book for good measure. This one has great reviews. Will have to pick it up before we set sail.

  • Cover of: A. A. Milne: Complete Tales and Poems

    First published in 1933 — 1 edition work
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    For the dao of Pooh, the sweetness, the sing-song childhood friend

  • Cover of: The Little Prince By Antoine De Saint-exupéry, 1st Edition , Harcourt, Brece & Worlds New York

    1 edition work
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    The Little Prince managed out there on Asteroid B6-12 with just a rose. He seems like a good companion when stranded.

  • Cover of: 9 Complete Works of P. G. Wodehouse

    First published in 2021 — 1 edition work
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    Of course, I'd rather have a massive collection of all his work, but to have any Wodehouse would be comfort.

  • Cover of: McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of science & technology

    First published in 2012 — 1 edition work
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    AKA Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia. Is there a single volume I should pack that addresses the sciences and tech?

  • Cover of: Our Changing Planet

    Cover of edition ourchangingplane00mack_0 First published in 1995 — 8 editions work
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    This text was my introduction to Earth system sciences. Can you recommend a stronger ESS text? This one is fairly basic, but I want a refresher on the natural forces I'll be exposed to out on that island.

  • Cover of: The Complete Saki

    First published in 1991 — 3 editions work
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    His humor would be missed.

  • Cover of: The complete annotated Gilbert and Sullivan

    First published in 1996 — 1 edition work
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    To amuse the mind and keep a song in my heart

  • Cover of: New international illustrated encyclopedia of art

    First published in 1967 — 1 edition work
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    The mind would long for imagery, I imagine. This is a 24-book set, but some single volume of the visual arts would be a wonderful addition to the trunk.

  • Cover of: Rand McNally World Atlas (Rand Mcnally World Atlas)

    First published in 2004 — 2 editions work
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    A reminder that there are many islands all over the world and that we are not alone on our deserted island

  • Cover of: Campbell Biology

    First published in 2014 — 1 edition work
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    The basics of biology never get old. Always good to refresh on the biochemistry, genetics, botany, zoology, neuroscience, and ecology.

  • Cover of: Astronomy and Astrophysics

    First published in 2016 — 1 edition work
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    Going to be a lot of staring at the night sky, right?

  • Cover of: The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained

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    With too much time on my hands, I'll want some nourishment for the mind.

  • Cover of: Banned in DC

    First published in 1988 — 3 editions work
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    This photo album of the music scene of my youth compiled by women I looked up to and filled with people I admired would certainly be a happy addition on that blasted lonely island.

  • Cover of: Library: A Fragile History

    edition
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History

September 17, 2024 Edited by Vivienne Updated list.
September 17, 2024 Edited by Vivienne Updated list.
September 5, 2024 Edited by Vivienne Edited without comment.
September 4, 2024 Edited by Vivienne Edited without comment.
September 4, 2024 Created by Vivienne Created new list.