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 Prophet Song by Paul Lynch.
Prophet Song is ‘dystopian-lite’ (set in the future but so similar to the present it feels possible), as is Lionel Shriver’s Mania.
Characters in Mania are shamed online, which relates directly to Jon Ronson’s, So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed.
I heard Ronson speak recently. I booked it at the same time as the tour of another international author – Elizabeth Gilbert. Gilbert gave a general lecture but also made mention of her forthcoming grief memoir, All the Way to the River.
I’ve already read four grief memoirs this year but I’ll link to Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks. Brooks’s husband died on Memorial Day in 2019. She traveled from their home in Martha’s Vineyard to the remote Flinders Island, off the coast of Tasmania, to mourn him.
I’ve only read one other book featuring Memorial Day – Chances Are… by Richard Russo. Coincidentally, it’s also set on Martha’s Vineyard.
Russo’s novel focuses on a group of friends away for the weekend, as does Life After Truth by Ceridwen Dovey.
Where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
Next month (April 5, 2025), we’ll start with Salman Rushdie’s memoir, Knife.
Nice thread!
Here’s mine: https://www.josieholford.com/six-degrees-prophet-song-to-waterland/
I’m keen to read Memorial Days. I missed an event with her this week, because I went to an exhibition launch with Mike Bowers. I’ve read a couple of Brooks’ early non fiction works – Nine parts of desire, and Foreign correspondence, so would love to catch up with this one.
I’d also like to read the Dovey.
Anyhow, here is my weird little chain: https://whisperinggums.com/2025/03/01/six-degrees-of-separation-from-prophet-song-to/
I’ve never read any of Brooks non-fiction but I’ve loved her fiction. I read March last year and really enjoyed the depth OT added to the original Little Women.
Mine: https://aidanvale.blogspot.com/2025/02/six-degrees-of-separation-mar-from.html?m=1
I enjoyed your chain Becky … though I think you left yourself short. You are allowed 6 books after the chosen one.
Sorry I am commenting here but it looks like the only way to comment on your blog is to sign into Google which I don’t want to do. Some Google blogs allow people to sign in in other ways. You might like to check that out?
Oh thanks so much for letting me know. It’s on blogger so I will look into something different. Maybe there’s a plugin I can add or something. If I had to add one more I might add World War Z, for the zombie connection
I found the setting and have changed it so people can comment without signing in. Thanks again.
Mania is a cracking first link. A friend just finished Memorial Days and said the book was exactly what she needed at this time in her life.
I’m a long time admirer of this meme, but a first time player 🙂
https://rosereadsnovels.wordpress.com/2025/03/01/six-degrees-of-separation-prophet-song-by-paul-lynch/
I find dystopian novels problematic, because they make me look too closely at our own world and what we’re doing to it. Still, they’re important. Here’s mine: https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2025/03/01/tcls-6degrees-of-separation-for-march-1-2025/
Geraldine Brooks is the only author I’ve read here: but not that book. Here’s mine: https://margaret21.com/2025/03/01/six-degrees-of-separation-from-prophet-song-to-hard-by-a-great-forest/
I thought Life After Truth was brilliant and whoever thought That Man in America would be back???
Here’s mine: https://anzlitlovers.com/2025/03/01/six-degrees-of-separation-from-prophet-song/
How have I managed to miss Chances Are…?! Here’s mine: https://alifeinbooks.co.uk/2025/03/six-degrees-of-separation-prophet-song-to-the-easy-way-out/
Great chain. I’ve read two of your authors, though not these books: Lionel Shriver and Geraldine Brooks. I really admire both authors, so I’ve put their books on my wishlist.
I didn’t read the starter book, either, but found some links to similar books, I hope.
https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2025/03/six-degrees-of-separation-prophet-song.html
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Why oh why do I always wait until after everyone shares their brilliant links to actually get my thinking cap on? Will have a gander through my bookshelves this weekend and see what I can come up with. Haven’t read Prophet Song, which always makes it a bit harder
I don’t like grief memoirs (I can find plenty of grief in real life, especially in Washington, DC) but I have enjoyed several of Brooks’ novels and I think I shared the story about my friend accidentally getting her Pulitzer flowers!
http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2025/03/six-degrees-of-separation-from-prophet.html
I just got Prophet Song from the library. I didn’t realize it was set in the future because I averted my eyes from the description and just popped in the first CD last night. It will be a contrast from my last audiobook, a mystery by Linda Castillo.
Great connections. The other dystopia you mention sounds good.
https://wordsandpeace.com/2025/03/01/six-degrees-of-separation-songs/
Nice thread.. https://www.ladyinreadwrites.com/beautiful-shining-stars-the-power-of-song-and-dance-and-more/#From_Vision_to_Celebration_A_Song_and_Dance_of_Stories
Pingback: #6Degrees of Separation: From Prophet Song… – findingtimetowrite
I really had to dig deep for something this month. Life is not great here in the U.S. right now. I’m so demoralized I’m just trying to hide. Anyway, my list is here: https://www.notesinthemargin.org/2025/03/01/6-degrees-of-separation-this-ones-for-the-birds/
It’s a bit dystopian in the USA right now so I totally forgot 6 degrees. Thanks for hosting it–I usually am clued in and ready. I really enjoy it.
‘A bit dystopian…’ 🙁 We get the news (through what filters, who knows) but I have actually declared a household media blackout on anything relating to that orange cretin, because it is simply too distressing – but constantly thinking of those who have to live in it.
I don’t blame you. I wish we could.