I got a brochure about new and upcoming books from Princeton University Press a week or so back, and I’m drooling over a few of the titles in astronomy and astrophysics. Most of them are textbooks, which is cool, since I’ve been toying with the idea of taking some online astronomy courses and there’s nothing like a good textbook on astronomy to grab my interest.

But, it got me to thinking about that game that asks “What would you take with you to keep you occupied on a desert island?” For me, it would be books. Sure, I’d throw a few astronomy books in there, but I’d also take along a hefty pile of science fiction to read, too. I’ve been a subscriber to Analog Science Fiction along with its sister publication, Asimov’s Science Fiction for many years now. They got me through college and grad school and I always have one or the other packed into my carryon bag when I’m flying somewhere.

I first got started reading science fiction when I stumbled across a book in my elementary school library. It was about a robot, and I wouldn’t have taken it out of the library to read except that one of the boys in my class told me that science fiction books were for boys only—no girls allowed. Even then (in the early 60s) I was a budding feminist and my parents had raised me to believe I could do whatever I wanted. So, some mere boy telling me I couldn’t read a book because I was a girl was like waving a red flag in front of a bull. I took it out and was enchanted with the science fiction story. I started looking for more books like it.

By the time I got to high school, I’d found the works of Kurt Vonnegut and Robert A. Heinlein. And from there, it was off to the races for me. I sped through Arthur C. Clarke’s works, particularly after I saw 2001: A Space Odyssey. And, of course, I was a big fan of Star Trek. There are some good memories attached to my early Trek watching days, especially when my dad would join me in front of the TV. I also remember one Friday when I was all set to watch it and a visitor dropped by the house, which meant we had to turn off the TV. I was SOOO angry, and I remember to this day how unfair it was that I couldn’t watch the show. I was a geek even then.

So, in my mythical box of books that would be dropped onto the desert island with me, I’d have some Heinlein, some Clarke, some Bujold, a copy of Ender’s Game, and as many science fiction magazine back issues as I could carry.

As for astronomy books, clearly I’d have to bring along a star atlas for stargazing. And, just for grins and to keep me occupied, I’d probably have along Bad Astronomy, by Phil Plait, because he’s such a damned funny writer.

But enough of MY list. What would you bring along?