There's a radio show in the UK called Desert Island Discs. It's a bit of an institution and has been broadcasting since the 40s. The premise is as follows: Each week a guest, playfully referred to as a "castaway" during the programme, is asked to choose eight audio recordings (usually, but not always, music), a book and a luxury item that they would like to take if they were to be cast away on a desert island. The castaway often has a sentimental reason for their choices, and will discuss the significance of the selection with the presenter.*

• N.B: as well as the book of their choice, they’re given The Complete Works Of Shakespeare and The Bible, or an alternative religious book of their choosing.

SO, flipping the concept round to suit this community, my discussion prompt is: what would be your EIGHT books, ONE musical recording, and ONE luxury item to keep you company as you are castaway? As per the additional books in the original, I'm throwing in a "Complete Works" by an author of your choice (not forcing Shakespeare on everyone!!) and a religious text if you want them as free choices!!

To go first, mine would be: Anthology of Twentieth-Century British and Irish Poetry, edited by Keith Tuna (this would keep me busy and remind me of home/family) The Expendable Man, by Dorothy B Hughes (one of my faves, would not get bored rereading) The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame and illustrated by Inga Moore (sentiment) And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie (one of my favourite authors, again wouldn't tire of rereading!) To The Lighthouse, by Virginia Woolf (never read it, but SO keen to and I believe it's one of her masterpieces!) Unwell Women, by Elinor Cleghorn (to remind me that despite being castaway many have suffered worse fates than I!) Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen (I've watched the 1992 BBC series so many times that reading this would be like having Alison Steadman with me on the island! Sentimental and entertainment!) I Who Have Never Known Men, by Jacqueline Harpman (I think rereading this in my new setting would strike new resonances!) I will take the Shakespeare complete works option!!

My music choice would be 'The Lark Ascending', by Ralph Vaughan Williams (nostalgia, love and really could listen to this all day!)

My luxury item would be a king-size patchwork quilt.

Looking forward to seeing the books, recording and luxury choices!!

P.S.: if you fancy a laugh, I do recommend looking at some of the luxury items that people request. You can find lists and lists on Wikipedia. My favourite was someone who requested the entire Victoria & Albert Museum (one of the best/biggest museums in London) which feels like a real cheat code!!