It’s time for #6degrees. Start at the same place as other wonderful readers, add six books, and see where you end up.
Honestly, I picked this month’s starting book, Second Place by Rachel Cusk, because of the gorgeous yellow cover. Yellow is my absolute favourite colour.
But yellow is not my first link. Instead it’s to My Salinger Year by Joanna Rakoff – there’s a superb scene in Rakoff’s memoir that features Rachel Cusk.
I enjoyed watching the film version of My Salinger Year earlier this year. Also watched this year was the film version of French Exit by Patrick deWitt.
I loved French Exit but haven’t written a review yet… why is that?! I never wrote a review of one of my 2020 favourites either, Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner.
Fleishman is in Trouble focuses on the continuing friendship between three college friends, which provides the link to Life After Truth by Ceridwen Dovey.
Most of the action in Life After Truth takes place at a reunion, which links to Fred Uhlman’s novella, Reunion.
My review of Reunion was brief and it makes reference to my equally short review of Akhil Sharma’s brilliant novel, Family Life.
I planned a yellow-themed chain but instead went with films, friends, reunions and reviews. Where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
Next month (October 2, 2021), we’ll start with a (frightening) short story, The Lottery by Shirley Jackson.
