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 Rapture by Maguire. The main character, Agnes, is disguised as a monk and works as a scribe.
I was reminded of Book of Colours by Robyn Cadwallader, an historical novel about three people who are drawn together over the creation of an illuminated manuscript of prayers.
Books with oranges on the cover! My next link is to Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller. I have read a few books by Claire Fuller, the most recent was Unsettled Ground. I enjoyed the theme of disenfranchised grief, which was also explored with a little more fanfare in The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden.
My copy of The Safekeep has the most beautiful end-papers, and I have to admit it’s the reason I bought the book. I did the same with Charlotte Ree’s memoir, Heartbake.
Heartbake focuses on the time immediately after Ree’s divorce, as does Leslie Jamison in her memoir, Splinters.
Next month (June 7, 2025), we’ll start with my pick for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction, All Fours by Miranda July.
Most of your covers look to also be linked by things to eat – oranges, eggs, pears and what looks like grapes on Unsettled Ground! Splinters might be the odd cover out.
https://rosereadsnovels.wordpress.com/2025/05/03/six-degrees-of-separation-rapture-by-emily-mcguire/
I hadn’t noticed that until you pointed it out!
Yes, I thought so too!
Here’s mine: https://anzlitlovers.com/2025/05/03/six-degrees-of-separation-from-rapture/
Your site won’t let me in – again – it says I’m not logged in (I am) and doesn’t like my perfectly OK password. Good old WordPress! Here’s what I said: ‘An interesting chain, with a couple of challenging authors: Borges and Joyce. I’m drawn to the Hartigan – an author I don’t know. But all your choices look well worth exploring’.
Oh, how funny Kate. I very nearly linked to Robyn Cadwallader’s book too, mainly because of its illuminated manuscript themed cover, but it’s a more subdued cover than Maguire’s so I went in a different direction.
Oops, I forgot to include my link: https://whisperinggums.com/2025/05/03/six-degrees-of-separation-from-rapture-to/
Great chain, I have The Book of Colours to read, you’ve just reminded me about it.
Here’s mine. https://wp.me/payaAS-2aM
My connections this month seemed to either relate to names or humour – somehow I made it from Rapture to At Home by Bill Bryson. I might try to build some connections using a common theme next month.
https://aidanvale.blogspot.com/2025/05/six-degrees-of-separation-may-rapture.html
From your chosen authors, I only know Clare Fuller’s work. Your first link looks intriguing – well as usual, they all do! Here’s mine: https://margaret21.com/2025/05/03/six-degrees-of-separation-from-rapture-to-the-island-of-sea-women/
That’s a great chain. I’ve read Bitter Orange and I think I’ve read The Book of Colours.
Here’s my chain for this month: https://portobellobookblog.com/2025/05/03/6degrees-of-separation-for-may-2025-from-rapture-by-emily-maguire-to-the-extraordinary-hope-of-dawn-brightside-by-jessica-ryn/
Interesting, I have a few other books with oranges on the covers, and a pear or two. Here’s mine. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2025/05/03/tcls-6degrees-of-separation-for-may-3-2025/
I haven’t read any of these, but I do have The Safekeep on the TBR, which I’m hoping to read soon.
Here’s mine, with a religious theme this month: https://shereadsnovels.com/2025/05/03/six-degrees-of-separation-from-rapture-to-the-graces/
I was surprised where my chain ended! I had difficulty with this one as I started it several times and they just fizzled out. Here is my final version from Rapture to Persuasion:
https://booksplease.org/2025/05/03/six-degrees-of-separation-from-rapture-to-persuasion/
and you got 3 covers with fruit!
I so enjoyed Book of Colours, and that’s a very striking cover for The Safekeep. I’ve yet to read it but I’m assuming pears have a meaning in it.
Here’s my chain: https://alifeinbooks.co.uk/2025/05/six-degrees-of-separation-rapture-to-the-gun-room/
I haven’t read or heard of any of these but Safekeep sounds appealing as I am currently on a riverboat cruise heading towards Amsterdam!
Here is my chain: https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2025/05/six-degrees-of-separation-from-rapture.html
Good chain. I had some trouble finding links this time but I managed in the end.
Same as Helen’s ^^, I ended up with a religious theme. The last one is a book about the Camino de Santiago by a good friend of mine. I know I’m biased but it*s a wonderful story.
Here is my list:
https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2025/05/six-degrees-of-separation-rapture.html
Nice work! Linking due to beautiful end papers!
https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2025/05/03/six-degrees-of-separation-rapture-by-emily-maguire/
All new books to me… and loving the covers on each one! Here is mine – https://www.ladyinreadwrites.com/full-circle-from-rapture-to-more-and-back-again/
Pingback: #SixDegrees of Separation May 2025 – findingtimetowrite
End papers linkage is genius! Have just posted mine, a bit earlier than my usual delayed efforts. It’s always tricky starting with a book I’ve never heard of…
Pingback: Six Degrees of Separation: From Rapture to Pirate Queens (May 2025) – Literary Potpourri
Late to the party but finally got my chain up.
Rapture