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 begin with Phosphorescence by Julia Baird. My love for this book is no secret, and I found great comfort in Baird’s words during Melbourne’s extended lockdown last year.
Baird refers to forest therapy – there’s a tradition of forest therapy/ forest bathing in both Germany and Japan. The main text documenting forest therapy is Shinrin-Yoku by Dr. Qing Li.
In complete contrast to Li’s forest-bathing, Japan’s ‘suicide forest’ is referred to in a powerful story in Jennifer Down’s collection, Pulse Points.
Also in Pulse Points is a story about children being cared for by their grandparents, which brought to mind Favel Parrett’s beautiful novel, There Was Still Love.
There Was Still Love focuses on the relationship between twin sisters, as does Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld.
The sisters in Sisterland have psychic abilities, as does a key character in Patrick deWitt’s French Exit.
The film version of French Exit has just been released. Another book-to-film that I’m looking forward to this year is Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift.
Where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
Next month (April 3, 2021), we’ll start with the 2020 Booker Prize winner, Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
You’ve set us a really hard one this month Kate!
I thought worst case scenario, people could link to another book with a beautiful cover 😬
Lol. That’s what I did.
Drat, wish I had thought of that!
At least I’ve heard of a couple of your links, and have even read There was still love. I enjoyed your links Kate, even if we did go from forest therapy to suicide forest. You reminded me that I’d love to read Pulse points, too.
Anyhow, here is my chain: https://whisperinggums.com/2021/03/06/six-degrees-of-separation-from-phosphorescence-to/
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This one wasn’t easy, but I think I got a good chain out of it. Here’s mine! https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2021/03/06/tcls-6degrees-of-separation-for-march-6-2021/
I’ll aim to have Shuggie Bain read before next month. It’s been sitting waiting for me since it won The Prize. Sitting out this month though.
The only one of your books I have read is Mothering Sunday. I liked it but it felt too short to me. A movie sounds interesting, although I haven’t been to a movie in probably 14 months! Here is my chain:
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2021/03/six-degrees-of-separation-from.html
Pingback: Six Degrees of Separation: From Phosphorescence to Sunburn | Bookish Beck
I didn’t know where to start with this chain at first! As usual your chain is nothing like mine and I haven’t read any of your books.
Here’s my chain – https://booksplease.org/2021/03/06/six-degrees-of-separation-from-phosphorescence-by-julia-baird-to-the-burry-mans-day/
As ever,your starting link provided an interesting catalyst for our thoughts, even though we Brits can’t read it yet. Here’s mine: https://margaret21.com/2021/03/06/six-degrees-of-separation-in-march/
From Phosphorescence to Mothering Sunday, I was hooked on your chain.
Brilliant Kate, I loved French Exit.
I haven’t read any of your books, but I have read a book featuring the Japanese suicide forest. Disturbing…
It was a bit of a tricky one this month, but we managed it! Here’s my link:
From Phosphorescence to Lassie come home
This was indeed a lot tougher than last month’s book but I enjoyed it just as much. My Six Degrees of Separation led me to Against Hate by Carolin Emcke.
I’d all but given up on Graham Swift but loved Mothering Sunday. French Exit isn’t my favourite deWitt but I’ll never forget Small Frank!
I had never heard about the suicide forest. I definitely would prefer to read the book about forest therapy!
Good timing for your chain as Mothering Sunday is on the 14th here in the UK — though perhaps Australia has a different Mother’s Day (in the States it’s in mid-May)? I read about forest bathing in Losing Eden by Lucy Jones. I’d like to read the Favel Parrett, and I’ve read your final three.
I keep hearing such good things about Mothering Sunday – the book, not the day itself, although I intend to make my children have tea with me at least next Sunday!
Nice! I discovered the concept forest therapy a few years ago, though I have basically experienced it with my husband while walking. I know there are official groups close to use (Chicagoland), so one day I may be curious to see concretely how they do it
I enjoyed putting this month’s chain together, even though I hadn’t read the starting book. I have read Mothering Sunday, which I liked, but all of the other books in your chain are new to me.
I’ve just added my link to Mister Linky. I look forward to next month’s choice!
NOW you’ve got me wanting to read this book! Great chain!
I’ve read Mothering Sunday and There Was Still Love, so I’ve read 2 out of your chain, even if the first book is still teetering on the pile beside the bed! Here is my chain: https://residentjudge.com/2021/03/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-phosphorence-to/
Pingback: Six Degrees of Separation: from Phosphorescence to The Dark Lady of DNA – What I Think About When I Think About Reading
I really want to read Phosphorescence. Maybe I can persuade our library service to buy it, come its UK release in May.
I struggled to get started but my lateral brain this Sunday morning gave me mermaids and then I was off.
https://thinkaboutreading.wordpress.com/2021/03/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-phosphorescence-to-the-dark-lady-of-dna/
I got there in the end —- https://bookertalk.com/6-degrees-from-phosphorescence-to-regeneration/
https://mikaelareads482936734.wordpress.com/2021/03/06/6degrees-of-separation-6th-march-2021-phosphorescence/
I didn’t know what to do with the starter book so I found one that also had a four-syllable title and up came Dyschronia, by Jennifer Mills!
https://anzlitlovers.com/2021/03/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-phosphorescence-to/
It’s been ages since I joined in here, Kate. My chain is now added to the linky. I’m looking forward to Phosphorescence and I loved Mothering Sunday so the two ends of your chain particularly grab me. I didn’t know there was to be a film of Mothering Sunday. I remember when I read it thinking it would make a good film. I’ll be keen to see it once it’s out.
This is great and you’ve reminded me that I must read Mothering Sunday, thanks!
Better late than never right? https://www.melindatognini.com.au/6-degrees-of-separation-from-phosphorescence-to-when-we-say-black-lives-matter/
There was Still Love is definitely on my to-read pile!