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 Western Lane by Chetna Maroo, a novella that is part of the read-along for Novella November 2023.
Western Lane focuses on a young girl who plays squash and undertakes a ‘brutal training regime’. It immediately reminded me of Lionel Shriver’s Double Fault, which is also about a young woman, racquet sport, and has themes of grief.
I’ve read nearly all of Shriver’s novels, although had missed her novella, The Standing Chandelier – clearly this is the month to read it!
Like The Standing Chandelier, Adrienne Brodeur’s memoir, Wild Game, describes how a relationship becomes strained because of tension over an object.
Wild Game was supposed to be made into a movie but news of the production fizzled out. Same situation with Charlotte Wood’s The Natural Way of Things.
Charlotte Wood has just released a new novel, Stone Yard Devotional. I haven’t read it yet (waiting for the November reading challenges to finish) but I do know it’s about a woman who, although she does not believe in God, takes refuge in a monastery. This links to the first novella I read for this year’s Novella November – Dolores by Lauren Aimee Curtis, a story about a young girl who runs away from her family and begins life in a convent.
Where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
No matter how or when you celebrate holidays, there’s usually food involved. So, next month (December 2, 2023), we’ll start with the culinary classic, Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain.
Great chain Kate … I’ve scheduled mine to post at 11am today, a bit later than usual as I posted yesterday.
I enjoyed your chain. I’m interested in Charlotte Wood’s new book as it’s apparently set on the Monaro plains which is an area I love. My brother has read it and liked it.
Here is my link now: https://whisperinggums.com/2023/11/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-western-lane-to/
That’s a shame about the films fizzling out.
It’s been ages since there’s been an Australian film that appeals to me.
Well, that was fascinating. Here’s mine! https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2023/11/04/tcls-6degrees-of-separation-for-november-4-2023/
Hi Kate, I’ve been AWOL for a few months, but I’m back this month, and looking forward to see where 6 Degrees took everyone else: https://www.melindatognini.com.au/6-degrees-of-separation-from-western-lane-to-bedtime-story/
I couldn’t bring myself to read The Natural Way of Things, but I have been enjoying her book about writing and creativity called The Luminous Solution, so might need to check out her latest novel.
Nice chain Kate, love that first link!
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All new to me titles in this one. Double Fault does sound good and will join another tennis themed title on my to read list.
Western Lane is on order at my library and now on hold for me. The popularity of squash in certain places (including New England where I live) is interesting: https://playtoday.co/blog/stats/squash-statistics/
Here is my chain: https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2023/11/six-degrees-of-separation-from-western.html
I’ve tried Lionel Shriver but I guess I can only take so much misery in my fiction!
Your chains are always so interesting.
I read one book by Lionel Shriver (We need to talk about Kevin) and it was brilliant. I didn’t know she had written more. So, thanks for that.
My Six Degrees of Separation took me from Western Lane to The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells.
Dolores sounds intriguing.
Here’s my link: https://alifeinbooks.co.uk/2023/11/six-degrees-of-separation-western-lane-to-water/ I’m a little rusty after a two-month break!
Thanks again for featuring novellas and especially Western Lane. I’m also looking forward to Stone Yard Devotional.
Good chain. Sorry, I forgot it was 6D week, so my post just went up! https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2023/11/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from/
Pingback: #SixDegrees of Separation November 2023 – findingtimetowrite
None of these books are familiar to me – and it’s always challenging to start with a book that you haven’t read (and which, to be honest, doesn’t really tempt me). But I did my best…
I have not read any of the books on your chain though each one is appealing… here is my chain – https://www.ladyinreadwrites.com/from-western-lane-to-east-of-the-sun-and-more/ (also in linky)
Here’s my link:https://tasmanianbibliophileatlarge.wordpress.com/2023/11/04/6degrees-of-separation-from-western-lane-by-chetna-maroo-to-elektra-by-jennifer-saint/ (also in Linky). I’ve read ‘Dolores’ and ‘The Natural Way of Things’. ‘Stone Yard Devotional’ is on my list (I spend a lot of time in the Monaro and the Snowy Mountains)