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 Patricia Lockwood’s No One is Talking About This. The first half of the novel explores the ridiculous and fleeting nature of opinions and advice in the online world. Lockwood writes –
Modern womanhood was more about rubbing snail mucus on your face than she had thought it would be. But it had always been something, hadn’t it? Taking drops of arsenic. Winding bandages around the feet…
The obvious link is to the book I’m currently reading, Kaz Cooke’s You’re Doing It Wrong. Cooke examines the history of ‘bad and bonkers advice’ given to women. It’s both fascinating and frightening.
You’re Doing It Wrong is the second book I’ve read for the 2022 Nonfiction Reader Challenge. The first was Really Saying Something by Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward.
Woodward was in a relationship with Andrew Ridgeley for many years, so my next link is to his memoir, Wham! George & Me.
From fact to fiction, Teddy Wayne’s novel, The Love Song of Jonny Valentine, tells the story of a teen rock star.
Jonny Valentine is managed by his mother. Similarly, in Pretty Ugly by Kirker Butler, Bailey is managed by her mother to become a child beauty pageant star.
In an effort to sabotage her own pageant career, Bailey eats cookies while the treadmill is ‘running’. It’s darkly humorous, as is Lionel Shriver’s The Motion of the Body Through Space, which features a middle-aged man who begins training for a grueling triathlon, despite having never previously exercised.
From unwanted advice for women to rock stars and running – where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
Next month (March 5, 2022), we’ll begin with a modern classic, The End of the Affair by Graham Greene.
Great chain Kate, though I’ve not read any. I love that you’ve chosen a Graham Greene for your next book.
My chain went in very different directions! https://whisperinggums.com/2022/02/05/six-degrees-of-separation-from-no-one-is-talking-about-this-to/
I read the Greene so many years (decades) ago that I’m planning a reread before putting together next month’s chain.
I haven’t read any of them either, Kate, but that’s never stopped me joining in! https://anzlitlovers.com/2022/02/05/six-degrees-of-separation-from-no-one-is-talking-about-this-to/
Often I haven’t read books in my chains! (this month is a rare example of having read them all).
Well done!
That first link sounds interesting. I look forward to reading your review. Here’s my post https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2022/02/05/tcls-6degrees-of-separation-for-february-5-2022/
I haven’t read any of these, though I do know Lionel Shriver of course. from We Need to Talk About Kevin. Graham Greene I have read of course – but definitely due for a re-read so thanks for that. Here’s my chain: https://margaret21.com/2022/02/05/six-degrees-of-separation-from-no-one-is-talking-about-this-to-the-liars-dictionary/
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I haven’t read either of them either, so you’ve certainly introduced us to some new books. Here’s my chain:
https://residentjudge.com/2022/02/05/six-degrees-of-separation-between-no-one-is-talking-about-this-and/
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And now I have an earworm! Very much like the sound of You’re Doing it Wrong
I haven’t read any of your books either, but I like the sound of Pretty Ugly and The Motion of the Body Through Space. Can’t believe you start with a books next month, which I’ve actually read (didn’t enjoy it, though).
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I’m sure I’ve said this before in response to you posting about Bananarama, but I adore Keren. She was one of three pop stars I wanted to be during my formative years. She’s up there with Gillian Gilbert and Clare Grogan. I really must get hold of a copy of Really Saying Something.
Meanwhile, I’ve got survival on my mind this month https://thinkaboutreading.wordpress.com/2022/02/05/six-degrees-of-separation-from-no-one-is-talking-about-this-to-pachinko/
Always a pleasure to make my own list and then read yours.
I have read a book by Lionel Shriver (We need to talk about Kevin) but didn’t even know she’d written another book. I’ll have to investigate.
My Six Degrees of Separation ended with The Cost of Sugar by Cynthia McLeod.
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I haven’t read any of these, but they are fun links!
Mine: https://wordsandpeace.com/2022/02/05/six-degrees-of-separation-daughter-and-mother/
“You’re Doing It Wrong” is one I’d like to read.
I am not familiar with any of these except GG, but was impressed you reviewed the Lockwood book. You made it sound more interesting than the New York Times did, Kate. I tried to read a book by Lionel Shriver a few years ago but it was hard to get into and the library wanted it back before my second attempt!
Here is my chain: https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2022/02/six-degrees-of-separation-from-no-one.html
Constance
I thought I commented here earlier but it looks like it didn’t work. Will have to remember what I wrote.
First of all, I haven’t read any of your books but some of them sound very interesting. But, this time I have read the book you chose as the starter for next month, that’s a change for once. LOL
Looking forward to seeing what others came up with. Thanks for all of this.
My Six Degrees of Separation ended with The Cost of Sugar by Cynthia McLeod.
Looks like I posted twice now. Sorry.
You’re doing it wrong sounds like something all women hear way too often. I also have a Lionel Shriver on my list today!
Have a wonderful February!
Elza Reads
Always enjoy this, even better when I have read the first book. Have read Graham Greene before, will have to remind myself of which one as it was some years ago. https://www.bookshelfdiscovery.com/blog/six-degrees-of-separation-february-2022
A very long time since I read Greene as well, so I’ll be trying to squeeze in a re-read.
Thanks again for sponsoring this monthly challenge, Kate. Here’s my entry for this month: https://www.notesinthemargin.org/2022/02/05/6-degrees-of-separation-6/
Haven’t read any of these, but great list! I’m always amazed by how different everyone’s chains are 🙂
Interesting picks. I haven‘t read any of them. Is the Wham biography on the more shallow side?
No, was actually quite thoughtful (as opposed to what you frequently find in celebrity biographies- a chronological recount of events with the odd extra insight!).
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I haven’t read any of the books in your chain, but I used to love Bananarama and Wham when I was a child (or young teen), so those two books tempt me slightly.