“So, you are trapped on a deserted island but you can take five books with you. What would they be?”

This is a classic icebreaker that has been used to loosen up attendees at corporate meetings for years. It may sound like a pretty simple question, but the answers are diverse and often difficult to pinpoint for many people. The Niles District Library is working on its own version of this game — minus the island part — and plans to share what local residents are reading.

The library’s goal is to compile the top five favorite adult and youth books from as many people as they can and publish a top 100 when the library launches its new website after Labor Day.

“My coworker and I were discussing one day how we enjoy looking through lists of top books, such as BBC’s Big Reads and TIME’s ALL-TIME 100 Novels, for stuff to read. We thought that would be something fun for the city of Niles,” said Brandon Steven, a member of the library’s community engagement team. “We want people to see what other people in the community like and maybe they will read it themselves. We are also working on a new marketing campaign that involves pictures of different people in our community reading their favorite book with a list of their top 5 to show that everybody reads.”

For me personally, the question has been answered a number of times over the years and has often been expanded to include movies or CDs. (Yes, I understand the logic doesn’t quite work if the island is truly deserted and without electricity, but you get the picture.)

My list is always evolving and changes a bit with my reading tastes and interests. Here is a current version, with the caveat that selections like “Life Rafts for Dummies” and “101 Ways to Cook Coconuts” are off the table.

1. The Bible. I imagine keeping the faith will be a very important factor.

2. The Catcher in the Rye. This coming-of-age story probably helped shape more young people than any other novel of its generation.

3. The Stand. Stephen King may be best known for writing horror stories but this post-apocalyptic tale really is about goodness and the human spirit.

4. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Having read this at a very young age, it had a major impact on me. And Twain’s humor and wit may help keep me sane.

5. To Kill a Mockingbird. Who knows if the soon-to-be released sequel would make the cut but the original is worth reading over and over again for showcasing our humanity and morality.

Others that would be on the short list or have been on past versions include: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Animal Farm, We Were Soldiers Once …, The Lord of the Rings, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, And Then There Were None, The Fault in Our Stars and others.

So what books are you taking along?

Make sure you share your list with the Niles District Library by completing the digital form on the library’s website at nileslibrary.net or by filling out a list at the branch.

Hopefully you won’t get stuck on a deserted island anytime soon but maybe will find a few minutes to reflect on your favorite reads or make some new ones.

 

Michael Caldwell is the publisher of Leader Publications LLC. He can be reached at (269) 687-7700 or by email at mike.caldwell@leaderpub.com.