It’s time for #6degrees. Start at the same place as other wonderful readers, add six books, and see where you end up!
This month we start with Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin. The story is set in San Francisco, California (also known as the Golden State). Hold tight for a rather tenuous link…
Recently the Golden State killer was arrested, courtesy of a used tissue. Which links me to a fascinating book about forensic science that I was reading at the time the Golden State killer story unfolded – Written on the Skin by Liz Porter.
Porter’s book was a roll-call of crimes that obsessed the media and the public in Australia, which brings me to Sonya Voumard’s The Media and the Massacre.
Voumard’s book focused on the tragic 1996 Port Arthur massacre which prompted Australia’s ban on guns – we have not had a mass-shooting in Australia since. This links me to a book that’s next on my #20BooksofSummer list – Quicksand by Malin Persson Giolito. It’s the story of a fictional mass shooting and the legal case that follows.
Quicksand begins in a courtroom, as does Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doughty.
This chain has about 400% more crime than I would normally include, so my final links are through trees – The Overstory by Richard Powers (I haven’t read it yet but it was recommended by Elle).
I love the cover of The Overstory and it immediately reminded me of another book about trees – Norwegian Wood by Lars Mytting (which might just be the most intriguing coffee-table book ever printed).
From California and crime to a leafy finish, my chain took some unexpected turns – where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
Next month (August 4, 2018), we’ll begin with Atonement by Ian McEwan.
I have Norwegian Wood in my chain for this month though by a very different route.
Maybe we need to start playing Six Degrees snap! as well 😁
Scary stuff!
The forensics book was scary but also amazing – incredible to read about cases solved purely on forensic evidence (which doesn’t happen as often as I would have thought).
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I haven’t read the starter book, but thanks to Sue’s #6Degrees at Whispering Gums, I got an idea for how to start off:)
So here’s mine! https://anzlitlovers.com/2018/07/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-tales-of-the-city-to/
It’s worth a read Lisa, if you ever come across it – quite significant for its time. Although I read it decades ago, I still recall it being very atmospheric.
I’m always interested to see where your chain leads you, Kate – and not just because it’s always in a totally different direction to mine, but because you read such a diverse and interesting range of books!
Which is funny because I don’t feel I read very widely at all! The forensic science book was chosen because I am interested in genetic testing, although the rest of the book (about bones, teeth, skin) was fascinating.
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Haha Kate, loved your first link. Here is my chain https://whisperinggums.com/2018/07/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-tales-of-the-city-to/
BTW you tricked me with your end book as I was expecting Murakami.
But I’m thrilled with the next starter, as I love Atonement.
Have I managed to pick two starter books in row that you’ve read?!
You have
I’m thrilled with the next starter too – Atonement is one of my favourite books!
As usual my chain went in a completely different direction, but also included crime fiction.
When I thought of Atonement my next thought was ‘surely we’ve done Atonement…’ – I think it will be a popular choice – will be interesting to see if the first links are all wildly different or if we start off in similar directions.
I thought we’d had it before too – but that’s because I’ve included it one of my Six Degrees posts!
A cracking list Kate – bravo. Here’s mine, and like other commentators, I also think Atonement is a super starter for next time! 🙂 https://leapinglife.wordpress.com/2018/07/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-tales-of-the-city-to-on-green-dolphin-street/
We might have a record number of participants for Atonement – seems like everyone is ready to go!
Yes, you are really on to something there. How do you pick the titles?
I don’t really have a method for picking titles! I’m always happy to take suggestions; sometimes I look at prize or bestseller lists; sometimes I look at my own shelf or choose an author… I keep a list so usually have a few ideas. I do try to pick a book that hasn’t appeared in chains the month before (strange how often that happens!).
I expected Murakami too! No crime for me this month but I’ve managed to get in a few holiday memories – never far from my mind.
Books are very much tied to where I read them in my memories so I love holiday influences.
I love that cover of Tales of the City! Was it the first edition?
I’m not sure but I wish I owned it…
I absolutely love tenuous links – that’s what makes this meme so great and so entertaining! Not sure any of my links live up to the calibre of your first one but here goes anyway: https://whatcathyreadnext.wordpress.com/2018/07/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-tales-of-the-city-to-the-sign-of-four-6degrees/
My first link was a real stretch but because choosing the starting book, the Golden State killer news breaking, and reading the forensic science book (which is odd because I rarely read true crime) all happened at the same time, I went with it!
Thanks for joining in.
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Great links, particularly the first one! I found this month’s chain easier to get started with than last month’s, even though I haven’t read Tales of the City.
There are lots of good leads in this month’s book (and well worth a read if you ever get the chance).
Well crime is part of our chain also, though family drama is also part of our chain. Muse & Views Bookclub is very much enjoying participating in the Six Degrees meme. Thanks to Shirley and Michèle this month
https://bookclub9.blogspot.com/2018/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-tales-of.html
Thanks again for joining in! I’m wondering, with two people doing a chain, do you go with whatever book someone suggests first or do you take it in turns?
Hi, Often what happens is that one of us starts and then sends it to the other. Sometimes there is just some tweeking but sometimes like this last one, the first person got stuck after a couple of titles and the other went in an entirely different direction and then we tweeked. Shirley always does the blog entry, I can’t get the book pics to line up!
What I love about your chains is that you do them so concisely. I am too wordy and I have never been successful at curbing myself. I have added my link to Mr. Linky.
Felt like I was stretching it with my first one!
Love your meme! It’s super fun to read everyone’s chain and to make one of your own! I love all the forensics your took on…
I rarely read crime so it was an odd direction for me!
Thanks for joining in.
I published my post yesterday but forgot to link it. I absolutely loved Tales of the City when I first stumbled across them, high time I looked them up again (or the TV series).
I need to revisit it as well – I read the series in the nineties and really can’t remember much except that I loved it at the time.
I am a bit late this weekend and have not had a chance to read everyone else yet either. I will have a look tomorrow! https://kathryngossow.net/2018/07/08/6degrees-opium-dens-zombies-and-nightmares/
Never too late (I haven’t had internet access for two days so only now getting to see all of the chains).
Another quirky chain, Kate! And a great choice for next month. Atonement has been in one of my earlier chains too – it’s going to be interesting next month with such a popular choice 🙂
Oh dear, where did that last month go? Life has got in the way this month, so I will just have to watch this from the sidelines.
Your last book sounds like a beauty!
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I finally got my post up!
I LOVE your meme! I play 6 Degrees of Separation with my brother in law every weekend, though I admit that doing it with books sure sounds intimidating!
I promise you that it’s not intimidating – no restrictions on genre or the strength of links – if books are linked in your mind, that’s enough! (Actually, my favourite chains are ones where the links are personal eg. A link between two books read on holiday or lent to them by a friend).
So, if I wanted to participate…
It would be really easy to join in 😊
Very interesting chain this month, Kate! Your first link may be tenuous, but it was very clever. I’m really looking forward to seeing what everyone does with Atonement next month…
This is such a cool idea. I might join in sometime. Thanks!
Just made it before the next chain is due 🙂 https://bookertalk.com/2018/07/18/six-degrees-from-san-fransisco/
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Was a bit late this month but finally posted today! I
ve also added Tales of the City to my TBR.