Category:Blog, Editor's Corner

Desert Island Discs

By: Tessa Woodward
October 03, 2011

I like lists. Especially lists about books. I uber-especially like reading the lists people make of their top 5 “Desert Island” books. (You know, if you were stranded on a desert island and could bring 5 books what would they be?) So I’ve decided to dedicate this week on the blog (and the facebook page) to lists!

But we’re going to play the game a little differently. Because I like to make up my own rules. So sue me!

Today’s list shall be:

Who are the top five authors you’d like to gossip with? (Living or dead!)

Mine, in no particular order, are:

Lucy Maud Montgomery: Come on, it’s me. Of course I want to chat with one of my literary idols. Even though (having read her journals) I’m sure most of her gossip would be about the local church sewing circle…

Jane Austen: Can you imagine hearing all of the latest on-dits from the woman who made high society social commentary (read: gossip) an art form?

Dorothy Parker: Does this one even need an explanation? Just a martini, maybe.

Julia Quinn: Because she always knows the best gossip! And she’s funny.

Helen Fielding: The woman who created Bridget Jones and her friends must have some crazy stories. Sitting around a pub, laughing about her crazy mates? Gossip perfection.

*An alternate in case one of the other ladies is busy:
J. K. Rowling: Sure, maybe Hogwarts isn’t a real place – though I have yet to see confirmation of that – but I’d love to catch up with what the gang is up to these days!

Who are your top five authors to gossip with?

OTHER DISCUSSIONS HAPPENING IN BLOG Romance

  • Kati_R says: October 5, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    Gasp! I love making lists too. :)

    1. J.K. Rowling- She taught me everything I needed to know and well, I’m sure she’s got the gossip as to who date who on the set of the Potter movies. (just saying)
    2. Julia Quinn- I just discovered her this year (yes, I’ve been living under a rock) and she seems like a fabulous lady.
    3. Dr. Seuss- Our gossip would rhyme.
    4. L.J. Smith- Seriously, when is she going to finish STRANGE FATE?
    5. Elizabeth Boyle- She seems like a fun lady to gossip with. But I’m not doing her laundry.

  • Lucia Macro says: October 3, 2011 at 5:10 pm

    I counted 3 Brontes as one Bronte, and please don’t ask me to pick one. Still, if I had to I’d pick Anne: I’m sure she was a ball of resentment.

    I did take only one Mitford: Nancy, though I suspect she’d send me into “floods” and “shrieks.” I didn’t know Esi also went for Mary Shelley. What went on in that house indeed???!! I’m also obsessed with Wilkie Collins, who wrote two of my faves ever (The Women in White & The Moonstone). He believed he had a doppleganger and named it (him??) Ghost Wilkie. They were quite companiable, though they’d very occasionally argue. You can’t make this stuff up.

  • Esi Sogah says: October 3, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    5! Ok. Definitely Virginia Woolf and Charles Dickens. They are my two favorites and you know Viginia’s got stories. Hmm. Mary Shelley, because I would love to know what was going on in that house. Jackie Collins, because duh. Aaaaaand Shel Silverstein.

  • AmyValentini says: October 3, 2011 at 1:27 pm

    LOL!! Love to mess with rules too! Already posted these five on FB but with more space, I can say why I picked my five.
    Christopher Marlowe – I’ve always been intrigued with the mystery surrounding him. I did a thesis in college comparing his 6 plays to Shakespeare’s and after looking at them line by line – it’s my belief that the two men are one and the same but that’s just my opinion. : )
    Jane Austen – why wouldn’t I? I love her work, I would love to discuss the world with her. One of the first true feminists.
    Daphne Du Maurier – omg! Such an imagination, such a talent. Love to learn her secrets.
    Kathleen Woodiwiss – The Queen of Modern Romance. I would love to spend some time with her and learn all her fabulous writing secrets.
    And last but not least –
    Harper Lee – can you imagine the stories she can tell about her friendship with Truman Capote?!
    Intriguing idea for a discussion, Tessa, might have to borrow the idea and build on it for a posting on my new blog. : ) http://unwrappingromance.blogspot.com


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