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 the 2021 Stella Prize winner, The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld.
I generally attempt to read all of the Stella Prize shortlist, all the better when I’ve had a head start, as was the case with The Bass Rock. Because of my Stella Prize reading, I rarely read much from the Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlist, which is announced around the same time. When this year’s Women’s Prize shortlist was announced, the book I most wanted to read was Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller. It’s now in my to-be-read-in-the-near-future stack (this is different from the much larger to-be-read stack!).
Also in my to-be-read-in-the-near-future stack is another new release with ‘ground’ in the title – Higher Ground by Anke Stelling (it’s set in one of my favourite cities, Berlin).
Staying with ‘ground’, my next link is to The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. I was reminded that I’m yet to read it when I saw an advertisement for the television series based on the book.
It’s always book before movie/tv show. The other book that I’ve moved to the top of the reading stack so that I can watch the series is Us by David Nicholls.
I’m really behind on my Nicholls. Also in the TBR stack is Sweet Sorrow.
Sweet Sorrow is a tragicomedy set around the main character joining a Shakespearean theatre company. It immediately makes me think of Così by Louis Nowra, which is a play about a group of misfits ill-equipped for the theatre but attempting to stage Mozart’s opera, Così Fan Tutte.
This chain was all about my TBR stack (also, so many red covers)! Where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
Next month (July 3, 2021), we’ll start with a nonfiction modern classic, Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss.
I like the distinction you make between your to-be-read-in-the-near-future stack and the to-be-read stack. I think I’d have to add a third group – to-be-read-someday-never
I reckon I have some in that stack as well 😬
That made me laugh. I have one of those too 🤣
My second and third are all on one shelf but … why am I kidding. LOL
… who am I kidding?
I just read/reviewed Unsettled Ground in May–it is so worth it, as is Us (I’ve reviewed it as well) and Underground Railroad–also now a tv show.
Hoping to squeeze Unsettled Ground on to my #20BooksofSummer list.
Ooops–I could edit my post. I meant to congratulate you a well-joined chain! Very good work.
I have different TBRs too, but one of mine is “those that must be read soon” because they are review copies and reading group scheduled books. Then “those I want to read soon”, and then “those I’d really like to read”. The next lot, “those I probably never will read” are the ones I really need to consider decluttering, and I do, but not as viciously as I should. I love that you’ve confined your list to your TBR books because we can see what we should be seeing reviews for – one day.
Here is my link: https://whisperinggums.com/2021/06/05/six-degrees-of-separation-from-the-bass-rock-to/
Yes, one day! Book group books always get moved to the top of my TBR stacks as well. Can’t say the same for ARCs – I’ve long ago given up on keeping up!
I feel that way re ones sent on spec, but those I’ve agreed to accept I feel I must do stick with them.
I have distinctions in my TBR piles as well! And now I have to add e-books that I have purchased with the vain hope that I will read them one day too. I haven’t read any of the books in your chain, but I do have The Underground Railway on the e-reader.
Here’s my link:
https://residentjudge.com/2021/06/05/six-degrees-of-separation-from-bass-rock-to/
Harder to order e-books because there’s not the same visual reminder. That said, I have my whole TBR list on a spreadsheet and simply highlight with different colours to identify the ones I want to read sooner rather than later.
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Here’s mine: https://anzlitlovers.com/2021/06/05/six-degrees-of-separation-from-the-bass-rock-to/
I’ve got three red covers too!
I hadn’t noticed until I composed the pic and then thought that it looked unbalanced because of the distribution of reds!
OMG I MUST read that book Cosi – it is my favorite opera! Here’s mine! https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2021/06/05/tcls-6degrees-of-separation-for-june-5-2021/
It’s great fun. It was made into a movie many years ago (you may be able to get a hold of it), and I was fortunate to see the play performed two years ago.
Do read Unsettled Ground and The Underground Railroad. I found both to be very involving reads. And here’s my chain: https://margaret21.com/2021/06/05/six-degrees-of-separation-in-june/
Yes, I will get to them! I have very much enjoyed Fuller’s other books, so looking forward to Unsettled Ground.
She gets better each time.
We thought the same on the first link – to the Women’s Prize for Fiction. I have Unsettled Ground in my TBR pile and it’s on my 20 Books of Summer Reading Challenge list so I’m hoping that means I get to it soon.
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I can see that I’ll have to organise my TBR list too – I keep lurching from one I must read this book now to I should read this one soon etc.
Ha! We both linked to Unsettled Ground and had stint on an underground railway. Us is a lovely bit of vicarious travel. Hope you enjoy it.
I have book stacks like that too 😊
Great link again, even though I hadn’t read the book. From your list, I have read Underground Railroad, fantastic book, as well as his new one.
My Six Degrees of Separation led me to The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields.
And hurray, finally, we will start with a book next month that I have read.
Thanks for all the effort you put in. I think we all greatly enjoy it.
Thanks for mentioning the Stella Prize. I got stuck on it and built my whole #sixdegrees around it. Did you read the other nominated books and was Bass Rock your winner as well?
Here is my list: https://cathysreadingbonanza.wordpress.com/2021/06/05/six-degrees-of-separation-with-australian-wildlife/
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I’m going to have to start dividing my books into TBR and TBR in the near future!
I read that The Bass Rock was very violent (not necessarily disqualifying but sometimes I want to be in the mood) but The Underground Railroad was so disturbingly violent I could not read past the first chapter. That night I went to my book group for the wine and did not participate in the discussion.
I organized the TBR from one particular room for the summer (adding a few library books because they take priority if they can’t be renewed). But right now I am enjoying politician Stacey Abrams’ new thriller.
Here is my chain, mostly rocks and fairy tales: http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2021/06/six-degrees-of-separation-from-bass.html
I have been having so much difficulty commenting on WordPress blogs that I created an account but it turns out that doesn’t really make a difference. It is most annoying.
My post is up. I can’t wait for this evening when I can read them all! https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2021/06/05/six-degrees-of-separation-bass-rock-a-novel-by-evie-wyld/
I always enjoy these chains every month. Mine is up: https://www.notesinthemargin.org/2021/06/05/6-degrees-of-separation-from-the-rock-to-the-institute/
I haven’t read any of the books in your chain this month, but I enjoy books about the theatre so Sweet Sorrow and Cosi both sound interesting. Here’s mine:
https://shereadsnovels.com/2021/06/05/six-degrees-of-separation-from-the-bass-rock-to-the-last-summer/
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Another great chain, Kate. The Underground Railroad is a tough but essential read. I haven’t watched the TV series yet. Nicholls is a very reliable read isn’t he. And I also have the Fuller on my TBR – looking forward to it. Meanwhile, thank you for facilitating an indulgent Scotland-based post with this month’s starting point. I always enjoy this meme, but this one especially so!! https://leapinglife.com/2021/06/06/six-degrees-of-separation-from-the-bass-rock-to-catriona/
I should get my TBR sorted better and learn to make a folder with award winning books. I tend to miss out on a lot of great books! I liked the “grounded” path you took for the Six Degrees, something different!
Elza Reads 6 Degrees – One tomato short of a fruit salad
I’m getting better – only posted this a day later, still at the weekend! Usually I am 4-5 days behind. And I haven’t even read this month’s starter book.
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Mine’s up. This month, I enjoyed adventuring with a bunch of women who try to find ways to be true to themselves.
https://thinkaboutreading.wordpress.com/2021/06/06/six-degrees-of-separation-from-the-bass-rock-to-the-lowland/
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