DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS: Kristian Parker

Our favorite  MM authors a.k.a. castaways are asked, what books, songs and luxury item would they take to a desert island?

This is a monthly series inspired by LezReviewBooks.com’s ‘Desert Island Books’, which in turn is based on BBC’s ‘Desert Island Discs’.

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Let’s welcome our October castaway, Kristian Parker!

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DESERT ISLAND BOOKS:

A desert island with a ton of books? I’m in. Thank you to Never Hollowed By The Stare for the opportunity.

1. The Tales of the City
God, I loved these stories when I was first coming out. I’d never read gay characters being portrayed so positively before. It was a profound impact. I re-read them about once a decade and fall in love with them all over again.
Mrs Madrigal is one of the best characters ever. I loved that Armisted Maupin revisited them all many years later. It worked so well.
So, I’d definitely want these on the island for rainy nights in the shelter I’ve magically created out of palm leaves.

2. Charles – Con Riley
I absolutely adored this book. It has everything. Two main characters who are way too easy to fall in love with. Plus, there’s action, drama and all done against a beautiful backdrop of Cornwall.
The story features the ultimate opposites attract when rich party boy, Charles Heppel, finds himself working at a school and sharing a flat with Hugo, someone who was nearly ordained. The character arcs for both of them in this story are top notch.

3. Two Tribes – Fearne Hill
This book has been nominated for all sorts of awards and is very well deserved. Set in the 90s, it’s a second chance romance for two schoolfriends who let life get in the way for twenty-five years before crashing back into each other’s lives.
I loved every page in this book. Fearne Hill created two flawed and totally believable characters that I find myself cheering for. It’s definitely re-read material.

4. Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings – Lily Morton
I enjoy every Lily Morton book that I read. This one stands out for me. Set in gorgeous York, we follow the love story of Levi Black who has recently moved to the area and Blue Billings a stunning young man with supernatural gifts.
It’s so good, as is the sequel. Blue is a fragile and damaged soul who brings out the protective instinct in me. I’m hoping for more adventures with these two. Plus, it’s very cosy if I was feeling a bit homesick on my fabulous sun-kissed island.

5. Tribal – K Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn
The two Tribal stories were some of the first I read when I fell down the MM romance rabbit hole. They were also the ones that made me realise I wanted to stay, writing and reading. I think they are so well written. The slow gay awakening of two friends is so true to life. They don’t develop at the same time, and we really work for that HEA.
I’m due a re-read but so many books, so little time. On the island, I’ll be more than happy to delve straight back in.

6. North Point – Thom Collins
The Jagged Shores series by Thom Collins is brilliant. I absolutely love visiting the Northeast coast of the UK so to find an action-packed series set over there is perfect. The fictional seaside town of Nyemouth seems to attract murderers. This first visit sees Arnie Walker and his song AJ intent on a summer vacation. Of course, that plan falls apart spectacularly.
I really enjoy how Collins weaves the story, keeping readers guessing. His characters are also so believable that you are really cheering them on as they fight to expose the truth.
If it was too hot on my island, I think this reminder of the sea on the east coast of the UK would make me count my blessings.

7. Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte
Who doesn’t love a psychopath hellbent on revenge, a spoilt young woman intent on playing two men off against each other and a family saga that spans generations?
When I first read Wuthering Heights as a teenager, I realised just how powerful words could be. I can never tire of this story so it’s an essential item on the island.

8. His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman
This series is probably the best I’ve ever read. The world that Pullman created is second to none. Lyra is a wonderful character with flaws and a temper. However, if I had a daughter, I would force her to read these stories.
It’s a rollicking adventure in a parallel universe that has talking polar bears, magical items and a battle between good and evil. I would spend many a night on my desert island, losing myself in this world once more.

9. The House on the Cerulean Sea – TJ Klune
This is a recent read for me. However, it’s one that I will go back to without a doubt. I absolutely loved it. Such a wonderfully written and hope filled story, it would lift my spirits on the island.
I wouldn’t do it justice in a paragraph, other than to say if you haven’t you must.
Plus, the character Chauncey really got to me and I’ve no idea why. I can’t even think about him without welling (or type evidently as I wipe away a tear).

10. Cloud Atlas – David Mitchell
I really enjoy David Mitchell’s writing style. He flits all over the place, through time and space. Cloud Atlas isn’t my favourite of his but I’d take it to the island. It’s a connected collection of short stories that span through time. If I needed a break from reading on the island, I could daydream in the sunshine about expanding those stories.

DESERT ISLAND PLAYLIST:

This could go on forever, so I’ve limited it to 10

LUXURY ITEM

As many notebooks and pencils that the island can handle so I can write everything down and come up with some interesting stories. I’ve got to pass the time somehow.

Actually, does Tom Hardy count as a luxury item? If he does, forget the notebooks.

ABOUT KRISTIAN PARKER

I have written for as long as I could write. In fact, before, when I would dictate to my auntie. I love to read, and I love to create worlds and characters.

​I live in the English countryside. When I’m not writing, I like to get out there and think through the next scenario I’m going to throw my characters into.

​Inspiration can be found anywhere, on a train, in a restaurant or in an office. I am always in search of the next character to find love in one of my stories.  In a world of apps and online dating, it is important to remember love can be found when you least expect it.

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A big thank you to Kristian Parker for joining us on this month’s Desert Island Castaways!

Check out our other Castaways:
Natalina Reis
V.L. Locey
 J.P. Jackson
A.E. Wasp
Elle Keaton.
Elouise East
J.K. Jones
Colette Davison
B.A. Tortuga
Casey Cox
Amanda Meuwissen
A.M. Johnson
Becca Seymour
Alexa Piper
Rick R. Reed
C.P. Harris
K.L. Hiers
A.E. Lister
S. Rodman
Kaje Harper
M.A. Church
Karenna Colcroft
Aiden Ainslie
J. Hali Steele

Hope you enjoyed this post. Don’t forget to check out next month’s Castaway.

What books would you take with you to a desert island?
What’s on your desert island playlist?
Who would you like to be the next Castaway?

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