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 Passages by Gail Sheehy. I feel like this book was in every household in the seventies… perhaps I only remember it that way because it was one that I vividly recall being passed around between my mum and her friends.
Another was A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford – they were all mad for Bradford’s glamorous sagas.
Similar title but a very different book is Jenny Valentish’s investigative journalism-meets-memoir, Woman of Substances. Valentish examines the neurological links between early trauma and self-destructive behaviours.
Another book focused on substance abuse, specifically alcohol, is Elspeth Muir’s powerful investigative/ memoir, Wasted.
Leslie Jamison has written a book about her battle with alcohol – The Recovering. It’s in my TBR stack and I’m looking forward to reading it as I greatly admire her writing. I’ve read a few of her books, and one that sticks in my mind is a long-form essay, 52 Blue. It’s about a whale and it had me on the verge of tears.
I’ve read a few books about whales but one that’s currently in my TBR stack is Soundings by Doreen Cunningham.
From self-help and best-sellers to substance abuse and whales – where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
Next month (April 1, 2023), we’ll start with Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography, Born to Run.
Here’s my chain: https://tasmanianbibliophileatlarge.wordpress.com/2023/03/04/6degrees-of-separation-from-passages-by-gail-sheehy-to-skylight-by-jose-saramago/
I really enjoy how the same starting point can take us in different directions 🙂
I published mine a few hours ago but have been out and about. But here it is: https://whisperinggums.com/2023/03/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-passages-to/
Love your segue to “substances”. Very nifty. And yes, as an adult in the mid 70s when Passages came out, I remember Barbara Taylor Bradford’s book being around and about – but I wasn’t much interested. I don’t think my mum read it either, because we was a mature-age student doing her degree in English and Linguistics at the time.
Here’s mine: https://anzlitlovers.com/2023/03/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-passages-to/
I have never read ‘Passages’ although I certainly did read A Woman of Substance at about that time. There seemed to be one in every beach house I ever stayed in.
Here’s my link here: https://residentjudge.com/2023/03/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-passages-to-a-swamp/
Goodness, that’s a thought -provoking if slightly depressing chain! I’m away from home just now, and having such a lot of trouble with links, as I don’t usually finish posts off on my phone. Maybe I’ve managed to get into Mr. Linky, maybe not. Here’s mine anyway:
http://margaret21.com/2023/03/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-passages-to-night-crawling/
I didn’t read ‘Passages’, but I vaguely remember reading A Woman of Substance.
Here’s my link – https://booksplease.org/2023/03/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-passages-to-the-private-patient/
How VERY eclectic! Here’s mine https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2023/03/04/tcls-6degrees-of-separation-for-march-4-2023/
Ah, whales! 52 Blue and Soundings sound awesome!
Nice bokish memories of your mum! Here’s my link: https://alifeinbooks.co.uk/2023/03/six-degrees-of-separation-passages-to-life-a-users-manual/
Nice chain, I haven’t read any but I like the look of ‘wasted’ so will investigate further. I found it easier to make a chain this month so maybe my brain is adopting to the exercise. My link is https://tinyurl.com/hy7f9fxz
I am sure I read that Barbara Taylor Bradford at some point but I don’t recall being a fan.
I remember seeing Passages everywhere when it came out but I was too young to find it appealing. Sheehy’s obituary is interesting:
https://www.latimes.com/obituaries/story/2020-08-25/gail-sheehy-pop-sociologist-author-passages-dies
It is snowing in Boston and I had such an exhausting week I slept until 11 so this is a bit late. I hope it is still Saturday down under! https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2023/03/six-degrees-of-separation-from-passages.html
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Your leaping off point inspired mine, Kate – the books passed around between my mum and her friends were Superwoman and The Women’s Room. Although A Woman of Substance was another. I’ve rejected housework in my chain.
https://thinkaboutreading.wordpress.com/2023/03/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-passages-to-industrial-roots/
Neat!
Funny to have 2 books with almost same title – woman of substance
https://wordsandpeace.com/2023/03/04/six-degrees-of-separation-a-passage-to-france/
Woman of Substance – takes me back to stealing my Mum’s copy for a sneaky read!
Oh yes, I did the same (as well as her Jilly Coopers and Jackie Collins!)
Yep!
I’m especially interested in seeing other peoples’ chains for this month. Mine is here: https://www.notesinthemargin.org/2023/03/04/6-degrees-of-separation-womens-history-month-edition/
haven’t read any of the books in your chain.. and I am so looking forward to seeing everyone’s chains… https://www.ladyinreadwrites.com/it-is-all-in-the-titles/
Okay! I thought my chain was rather diverse, but you are beating me by far. Women of substances… Ha, that can be interesting.
Have a lovely March!
Elza Reads
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I’m always amazed about your links. Mine are so much more simple. I should try your way one day … maybe.
My Six Degrees of Separation took me from Passages to Silent House by Orhan Pamuk.
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I’m terribly late but at last I finished the chain! https://smithereens.wordpress.com/2023/03/21/__trashed-2/