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Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Top Ten Tuesday: Island Fever


This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic asks the old cliché question:  If you were stranded on a deserted island, which books would you want to have with you?  Really, the only one I'd need would be How to Get Yourself Rescued From a Deserted Island for Dummies.  That would get me off the island and back to my large home library pronto.  Voilà!  Problem solved.  Since this prompt (obviously) didn't really speak to me, I decided to spin it a little to make it more fun.  How about Top Ten Most Memorable Books With An Island Setting instead?  I've read lots of books set on islands big and small.  For this list, I'm going to focus on the latter.

If you want to hop on the TTT train, click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl for all the details.

Top Ten Most Memorable Books With An Island Setting
(in no particular order)


1.  Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery—This novel, the first in a beloved series, is set on Prince Edward Island, Canada.


2.  And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie—Eight strangers are invited to Soldier Island, a fictional speck of land on the English coast, in this classic murder mystery. 


3.  Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton—On another made-up island, this one near Costa Rica, dinosaurs are alive, well, and available for viewing if you've got the dough.  Sounds awesome.  Until things start to go horrifically awry...


4.  Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko—This historical middle-grade novel, the first in a series, is about a boy who lives with his family on California's Alcatraz Island.  Before reading this series, it had never occurred to me that children might have lived in the vicinity of the infamous prison, but they absolutely did!  Crazy.


5.  The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See—Jeju, a small Korean island, is the setting for this fascinating historical.  It's about the island's female free divers, traditionally the breadwinners for their families, and how their trade changes over time.


6.  Death in the Family by Tessa Wegert—The first in a compelling mystery/thriller series, this one is set on a private island in the Thousand Islands region of New York state.  When a murder occurs during a family get together, Detective Shana Merchant and her partner are called out to investigate.  Atmospheric and engrossing, it's a tense page-turner.


7.  Little Black Lies by Sharon Bolton—Bolton's written a bunch of intense thrillers, but this one is my favorite.  It takes place in the U.K.-owned Falkland Islands.  The mystery concerns a missing child whose disappearance in such an isolated and dangerous locale is at first assumed to be a tragic accident, but is soon determined to be something much more sinister...


8.  Moloka'i by Alan Brennert—Set on Hawaii's famous island leper colony, this is an intriguing and eye-opening historical novel.


9.  The Lewis Trilogy (The Blackhouse; The Lewis Man; The Chessmen) by Peter May—Scotland's Hebrides Islands are the setting for this atmospheric trio of mysteries.


10.  The Weight of Lies by Emily Carpenter—In this tense family drama, a woman visits fictional Bonny Island, Georgia, the setting for a horror novel turned cult classic written by her mother.  Determined to write a biting tell-all, she uncovers some astonishing secrets about her own family and past.

There you have it, ten memorable novels I've read that are set on small islands.  Have you read any of them?  What are your favorite books with small island settings?  Which titles would you like to have with you on a deserted island?  I'd truly love to know.  Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!  
 

62 comments:

  1. Great twist on the topic. I hadn't done this particular one and so it was fun to choose my favourite books (though I had to overdo it, of course).

    And you're right, I would need a survival for dummies book. Jana even chose them as her first ones. LOL

    My TTT.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A lot of people included survival books on their lists today! I guess I'm not the only one with zero talent in that arena :)

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Marianne!

      Delete
    2. You and me both. Mind you, I doubt having a book like that would help me at all. I love crafting but DIY ... mmh, not my thing.

      Delete
  2. I think I would def bring a few Agatha Christie's with me

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've only read three of hers and, to be honest, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE is the only one of them I REALLY liked. I know I'm a huge outlier when it comes to her, but I don't love Christie although I do love mystery/suspense novels. Weird!

      Thanks for popping in, Tee!

      Delete
  3. You have some of my favorites on here: Island of the Sea Women and Moloka'i. Just seeing their titles makes me smile. And a few others I've been meaning to read, Al Capone in particular.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have really enjoyed the Al Capone series. I wish there were more books in it. It has a unique setting, interesting characters, and great writing. I hope you enjoy it if you give it a go!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Helen!

      Delete
  4. Now I want to reread the Anne of Green Gables series.

    My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-books-id-want-with-me-while-stranded-on-a-deserted-island/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've read the first book numerous times and I've been listening to the sequels on audio this year. The subsequent novels aren't as good, in my opinion, but I'm still enjoying them.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lydia!

      Delete
  5. This is a great list! Though I have to admit that I tend to forget the first three on your list are set on islands. I guess there's just so much else going on that it slips my mind...

    My TTT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha. I totally get what you're saying, but those were the three that came to my mind first so I guess the island settings were memorable for me.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Nicole!

      Delete
  6. I like what you did with this topic! The first that popped into my mind for this was The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh, I haven't read that one yet, although I'm pretty sure I have a copy of it around here somewhere...

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Deanna!

      Delete
  7. Love your take on the topic! I definitely think the deserted island fantasy is overrated too, haha :) But they're fun to read about!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? I mean, I love the idea of lots of uninterrupted time to read and relax, but I'd much rather do it in my own home than on a deserted island!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lindsey!

      Delete
  8. What a great list, Susan! And I've actually read many of them. Totally agree on the Peter May books, Little Black Lies, The Island of Sea Women, Jurassic Park and And Then There Were None. Putting many of the rest of them on my list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not surprised in the least that you've read most of these books. You may have even recommended some of them to me!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Kay!

      Delete
  9. I love your take on the topic! Anne of Green Gables is the only one I've read of these so far (though several are on the TBR), and it's for sure a favorite. Great choices!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I adore ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. I've read it many times, both as a child and as an adult, and I love it each time. Such an endearing classic!

      Thanks for stopping in, Ali!

      Delete
  10. Fun twist! I've seen a few lists this week that were about "Books With An Island Setting." I'll have to remember this one whenever I need to change up the topic... The picture of P.E.I is beautiful!

    Here's my list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh really? I haven't seen anyone else do the topic. It was a fun list to make.

      PEI looks gorgeous, doesn't it? It's on my travel bucket list for sure.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lectrice!

      Delete
  11. That's a good selection. I really enjoy an island setting in books, I think my first experience of that was probably something by Enid Blyton or Treasure Island. The Lewis trilogy is so good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do, too! I'm guessing my first introduction was probably ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS. I've always enjoyed island settings.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Cath!

      Delete
  12. I loved your take on this topic! I don't think of Anne of Green Gables as being on an Island, but of course it was!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep and it sounds like the loveliest island in the world, doesn't it? I hope to visit it someday.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Wendy!

      Delete
  13. Love the twist you took on it! Great choices!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Amy! This was a fun list to put together. Glad you enjoyed it :)

      Delete
  14. Nice twist Susan. I have actually read a few of these.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I had fun with it and there were lots more books I could have added to the list. Island settings (in books anyway) always appeal to me.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Carla!

      Delete
  15. Awesome twist on this week's topic! The only one I've read was Moloka'i, but that one really stuck with me. I'm definitely going to have to check some of these out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same! It's a beautiful novel. I bought the sequel as soon as it came out, but I still haven't read it. Soon, hopefully.

      Thanks for popping in, Leah!

      Delete
  16. Ooh, great twist on the topic, I love this list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Lucy! It was a fun one to put together. Glad you enjoyed it :)

      Delete
  17. I like your take on this. Anne of green Gables- such a great choice as an island setting. Jurassic PArk too!

    The Christie one also.

    Island Sea Women is totally new to me but I saw a movie once about free diving- that has me super curious.

    The Falklands I'd love to read more of.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Jeju divers are super fascinating. If you Google them, you can find some interesting YouTube videos about them.

      I love May's descriptions of The Falklands! If you like gritty mysteries set in wild, windswept places, you'll like him.

      Thanks for popping by, Greg!

      Delete
  18. I was going to play this angle with the topic, but I couldn't think of enough books set on islands that I read. I loved Anne growing up (who didn't?), and I still aspire to visit her island home someday

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought of a bunch of them, but I've always enjoyed books with island settings. I'm not a big beach person myself, but I do love to visit them in fiction!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sam!

      Delete
  19. I read Jurassic Park recently and liked it more than expected. Happy reading. My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/ten-books-i-want-to-read-by-the-end-of-2021/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually like the movie better (I'm a big Jeff Goldblum fan), but the book was still a fun read. Glad you enjoyed it!

      Thanks for stopping in, Stefani!

      Delete
  20. What a fun twist! I love water settings, so this a great list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too! I'm not a big water person in real life, but I do like an island/water setting in fiction.

      Thanks for popping by, Laura!

      Delete
  21. I love the Anne of Green Gables series as well. Interesting twist! Here is my list: https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2021/07/ttt-stranded-on-desert-island.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's pretty irresistible! A beautiful setting, lovable characters, engaging stories - what's not to love?

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Cindy!

      Delete
  22. I love the twist you gave on the topic this week! Prince Edward Island would definitely top mine as well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It looks so amazingly beautiful! I'd love to see it in person.

      Thanks for stopping in, Hannah!

      Delete
  23. Fun take on this week's TTT. I love all those beach pics you included...especially the one with the penguins! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? They make me want to be on a beach right now, although I always prefer a cloudy, broody beach day to a bright, sunny one. The penguins are cute, aren't they?

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lark!

      Delete
  24. Love your spin on this week's topic and that Agatha Christie book was the first one that came to mind for me. Such an eerie and unforgettable story!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? It's the only book I've read by Christie that I really loved. I've read a couple of her others and they were pretty meh for me. This one, though? It's a classic for a reason!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Suzanne!

      Delete
  25. A very good selection. I'm your follower #826. May you follow me back?
    Have a nice day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by, Rocio. Your blog looks great! I just wish I knew Spanish better. Mi espanol is muy deficiente!

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  26. This is a great twist on the topic! It’s funny how such an idyllic setting such as a remote island frequently is the backdrop to crime novels! Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None has long been on my TBR.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? I think it's the contrast that makes it work so well. An island out in the middle of nowhere should be a nice, peaceful place to be, but in a crime novel there's always danger around the bend...

      Thanks for stopping by, Rabeeah!

      Delete
  27. Anne of Green Gables and Jurassic Park are good choices. I need to read both of them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you enjoy them when you do. I can't say I loved JURASSIC PARK, but it was a fun read. ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, though? One of my favorite books of all time!

      Thanks for popping in, Jess!

      Delete
  28. Love your take on this topic and such a great list! PEI is pretty much at the top of my list of literary places I want to visit but I'll skip the other islands you mentioned!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha. PEI is at the top of my list as well. It looks so amazingly beautiful.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Katherine!

      Delete
  29. Love your twist on the topics this week! Honestly, with everyone picking practical books about island living, I was starting to feel bad about my chances surviving in such conditions. That idea never even crossed my mind..

    You have so many great selections! Though, jeez, there's an awful lot of death and destruction on some of these islands...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True! Since I read mostly mysteries and thrillers, there's always a lot of death and destruction in my reading. Maybe I need to read about a nice, quiet, peaceful island where nothing bad ever happens...

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Christopher!

      Delete
  30. I really need to try and read the Anne books at some point as I grew up on the 80s movies. Also, "And Then There Were None" is one of the spookier Christie adaptations I've seen! Thanks so much for the visit to Finding Wonderland last week. I appreciate it. :)

    ReplyDelete

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