Favourites

I spent a significant part of the summer in the company of one of my very favourite books, one that I've now read about seven times or so. Every time, it is just as good as the last time I disappeared into this world between its covers (or megabytes, if you're looking at the audio version). And this weekend, I spent some time in the world created by one of my very favourite movies. Which naturally made me think about that infamous desert island and what reading/viewing material I’d bring with me. We'll ignore that the island might be a bit short on the electricity required to charge my iPod and run my DVD player, call it an irrelevant detail.


Been done before? Absolutely, but not by meone I haven't posted about before and my shoulder’s acting up, so I don't have the energy or brainpower for something more exciting. Besides, I can't wait to see your responses so I can add new books and movies to my list of things to experience.


First, visual entertainment. I decided to update this particular category now that miniseries and TV series are available, as well. For this purpose, a miniseries counts as one item on the list, as does a TV series. Cheating? Not necessarily. This game is been around for a while and it's about time it adapts to the new reality. I’ve arbitrarily chosen 10. For ease of packing.


1. Big Eden.- it always makes me happy

2. Pride and Prejudice (BBC) - I can watch this over and over again and still find new things to delight me

3. Bridget Jones’ Diary - ditto

4. The Ghost and the Darkness - don't know what it is about this one, but it's fascinating and thrilling every time I watch it

5. The Hunt for Red October - ditto

6. Buffy the Vampire Slayer – well, duh

7. The Wire - fantastic writing, each season the visual equivalent of a novel

8. Holiday - 1938, Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, figuring out how to live life

9. Casablanca - timeless

10. Bones - fun, moving, just the right amount of gross


And books


1. Guy Gavriel Kay, The FionavarTapestry - I'll be posting more about this one soon

2. Susanne Clarke, Johnathan Strange and Mr. Norrell - a different take on the Napoleonic wars, adding magic in a thoroughly magical way

3. Elizabeth Kostova, The Historian - to learn and to have shoes scare the crap out of me

4. One of Jennifer Cruisie’s books – for lightness, humor and romance, nobody beats Cruisie. Probably either Fast Women or Faking It

5. Stephen King, On Writing - as this always inspires me to write, I’d need my computer on the island, too

6. Anne Rice, The Vampire Lestat - I used to read this about once a year for inspiration in how to live fearlessly

7. Elizabeth Peters, the Amelia Peabody series (hey, if I can expand the movie category, it goes for books, too)

8. Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice – well, duh

9. Mary Roach’s books - technically not a series, but her take on spies, death, sex and space are not to be missed

10. Kathy Reichs - how can you spend time on a desert island without Temperance Brennan?


What are your choices? One or ten or anything in between.


And just before I go... Laurie and her team No Pink for Profit are in the CIBC Run for the Cure. Pop on over and take a look and if the spirit moves you, please consider sponsoring her.



Comments

Rose said…
Thanks for the video suggestions!!  Just in time for me to seam a baby blanket!!
9:50 PM
Carrie said…
I read that (Kay).  I should reread, cuz I remember not really thinking it was that great.  Try Rumors of Spring(Grant).  Ceremony (Silko).  Um, if you haven't read them, Dark Is Rising (Cooper).  Temple says Dragonlance series, and Xanth series (Anthony).
10:07 PM
Marie said…
In books, I'd take a few of Mary Alice Monroe's books, even the ones I've already read.  I'd have to load a bunch of books onto my Kindle, because it would be easier than narrowing it down to 10 hardcopies.  I think I'd have a few Jennifer Crusies too (Thanks, Lene, for the suggestion).  In movies, I'm kind of a sucker for decent romantic comedies.  They would take my mind off the fact that I was stuck on a desert island.  I like Must Love Dogs, The American President, The Truth About Cats and Dogs, among others.  I'd also take Secondhand Lions and the first Pirates of the Caribbean, both for their charm.  Maybe I'll quit now, before this tome gets too long.
8:58 AM
LynnM said…
<span>This subject came up with a friend and I said Star Trek (all or any) and then I thought "Ed."  
Here's a glimpse: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv_0NDmwMRs&feature=related 
I suppose if I were missing human company and music I'd want this surrogate. 
 
I love your book suggestions but I'd probably choose Anneli Rufus' "Party of One: The Loners' Manifesto" to remind myself what a nice time I was having alone, and how it's not uncommon to enjoy time alone</span>
12:48 PM
Anonymous said…
Genial fill someone in on and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Say thank you you seeking your information.
4:42 PM
Barbara from Nova Scotia said…
You should check out Kerry Reichs, Kathy Reichs' daughter.  Her writing is competely different from her mother's but Oh, so wonderful.  Be prepared to laugh and cry! 
8:32 PM
Jocelyn said…
You have so many that I'd put on my list!  I love that you put Jennifer Crusie there; definitely fun and light in the right way.  And it's impossible to go wrong with Amelia Peabody -- I hate to admit how often I've read those.  Given how much I love Jane Austen, I think I'm going to have to finally watch Pride and Prejudice (I know, I know).  And Kathy Reichs and Bones -- nice.  I think I might add Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series, Connie Willis' To Say Nothing of the Dog and The Doomsday Book, and maybe Charlaine Harris' series, too.  And for movies, my guilty pleasure is Twister; I'll watch it any time it's on.
9:29 PM
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