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 I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith.
This quote from Smith –
Perhaps he found beauty saddening – I do myself sometimes. Once when I was quite little I asked father why this was and he explained that it was due to our knowledge of beauty’s evanescence, which reminds us that we ourselves shall die.
– links perfectly to the sentiment behind Susan Cain’s book, Bittersweet.
Bittersweet draws on a number of real-life stories, including that of Min Kym and her stolen violin. Kym has since turned her story into a memoir, Gone: A Girl, a Violin, a Life Unstrung.
My next link is to a book that’s been on my TBR stack for years and I’ve picked it because it also features musical instruments – Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia. Bellweather Rhapsody is about high school music students trapped in the Bellweather Hotel because of a blizzard.
Trapped musicians leads me to Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto. Despite having read and loved much of Patchett’s work, I’m yet to read Bel Canto, but that didn’t stop me from acquiring her latest – Tom Lake.
I’m finishing with another book with ‘lake’ in the title (it’s also waiting patiently in my TBR stack) – Hella S. Haasse’s novella, The Black Lake.
I went on a musical journey from castles to lakes – where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
Next month (November 4, 2023), we’ll start with Western Lane by Chetna Maroo, a novella that is part of the read-along for Novella November 2023 (and it also made the Booker Prize 2023 shortlist!).
Great links Kate … I also find it hard to say no to books that feature music or musicians (and I have read Bel Canto. A long time ago but it was a good read.)
Here is my Six Degrees: https://whisperinggums.com/2023/10/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-i-capture-the-castle-to/
Are you moderating the comments? I hope not, otherwise you will get this twice (as I can’t see my first one but got no “moderation” notice! Do delete one if that’s the case.)
I enjoyed your links, and like you find it hard to resist books about music and musicians. I’ve read and enjoyed – a long time ago – Bel canto.
Here is my chain: https://whisperinggums.com/2023/10/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-i-capture-the-castle-to/
I just loved I Capture the Castle when I was a teenager, and so I have gone on a rather nostalgic journey this time. I read Bel canto some time ago and I’ve read several of Ann Patchett’s books since. Here is my link:
https://residentjudge.com/2023/10/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-i-capture-the-castle-to/
Done!
https://anzlitlovers.com/2023/10/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-i-capture-the-castle-to/
So far from your chain, I’ve only read Bel Canto: but that may change. Here’s mine: https://margaret21.com/2023/10/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-i-capture-the-castle-to-morality-play/
My husband didn’t care for Bel Canto much, so I’ve never read her books. Here’s mine https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2023/10/07/tcls-6degrees-of-separation-for-october-7-2023/
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I think you would like Bel Canto and I really enjoyed Tom Lake. I’ve also had Bellweather Rhapsody on my list for a long time. Maybe I should see if there is an audiobook. I read a book by Hella S. Haasse that I found disappointing quite a long time ago. Here is my chain:
http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2023/10/six-degrees-of-separation-from-i.html
I am on my way to a football game in New York in the pouring rain, and while I am a fan, I don’t think it will be a fun day. I have a book and an iPad hidden away.
I have both Tom Lake and The Black Lake on the TBR (I loved Patchett’s The Dutch House and Haasse’s In a Dark Wood Wandering). Here’s my chain:
https://shereadsnovels.com/2023/10/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-i-capture-the-castle-to-the-woman-in-white/
I love that Smith quote you used so much! At it makes me want to pick up the next link in your chain – Bittersweet. Lovely post.
Here’s my chain! https://emwithpen.com/2023/10/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-i-capture-the-castle-to-the-strange-and-beautiful-sorrows-of-ava-lavender/
I’ve not read your first or last books, but I’ve read all the ones in the middle! I signed up for Susan Cain’s e-newsletter and have been enjoying it. Tom Lake was a lovely plane read for me last month.
I like how your start with this beautiful quotation. Great chain!
I have only read Bel Canto from these.
https://wordsandpeace.com/2023/10/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-an-english-teen-to-a-renowned-japanese-author/
Bel Canto is one of my all time favourite books – nice to see it in your chain!
Nice work! I have not read any of those. Here’s my link: https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2023/10/07/six-degrees-of-separation-i-capture-the-castle-by-dodie-smith/
I’ve been following you for awhile and even participated in the 6 Degrees a couple times. I did it again, my blog is up at: https://mybecky.blog
It’s always fun trying to find the chain and it’s even more fun looking at the chain of everyone else. So, thanks for giving us the oportunity.
I have read a couple of books by Ann Patchett but none of yours. Some were good, others not so much. It’s sort of hit or miss with her novels.
My Six Degrees of Separation took me from I Capture the Castle to The Secret River by Kate Grenville.
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I’m looking forward to reading Tom Lake, especially since I loved Bel Canto. With apologies for the by now habitual lateness, I’ve linked above.
Here’s my link: https://tinyurl.com/6jzua9a7
Bel Canto is the only one from your list I have read, but (as always) I am tempted to add at least some of the others to my reading list.
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better late than never!! here is mine – https://www.ladyinreadwrites.com/what-remains-is-beautiful-always/