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 Dominic Amerena’s novel about authors and publishing, I Want Everything.
The main character in Amerena’s novel takes part in medical trials, which is also a theme in Catherine Chidgey’s The Book of Guilt.
The themes of The Book of Guilt gave me strong Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro vibes. And like Guilt, Never Let Me Go was an unsettling mix of old-fashioned and dystopian.
I have a couple of Ishiguro’s books on my TBR stack, but I’ll link to his novella, Come Rain or Come Shine.
A few years ago, MTC did a production of Come Rain or Come Shine, paired with Tim Finn’s music. It was wonderful. Later this year, I’m seeing a new MTC production, Rebecca, based on Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel.
My last reference on this blog to du Mauier was back in 2014, when I reviewed Fictitious Dishes by Dinah Fried. It’s a coffee table book for literature lovers.
I mentioned in my review that one of my favourite images in Fictitious Dishes was that of the hors-d’oeuvres from The Great Gatsby. I’ve linked to Fitzgerald’s book many times before, so instead I’ll take a side-step and link to a recent re-imagining of the classic – Gatsby by Jane Crowther.
Where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
Next month (November 1, 2025), we’ll start with a bit-late-for-Halloween-but-anyway… novella, We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson.
Yay, I love seeing The Book of Guilt pop up here and there:)
Here’s mine: https://anzlitlovers.com/2025/10/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-i-want-everything-to/
Enjoyed your chain Kate including the reference to Kazuo Ishiguro which I’ve read, as I have Fictitious dishes. Surprised to see that pop up.
Here’s my chain … https://whisperinggums.com/2025/10/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-i-want-everything-to/
Oh… Shirley Jackson next time… hm… Here’s mine. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2025/10/04/tcls-6degrees-of-separation-for-october-4-2025/
For once I have read some of the books in your chain – Never Let Me Go, Rebecca and The Great Gatsby. And I’ve read the next starter book – We Have Always Lived in the Castle!
Here’s my link – https://booksplease.org/2025/10/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-i-want-everything-to-the-sunne-in-splendour/
Rebecca! This is I think my favourite book, and honestly I think I could find a way to connect it just abut any other book.
Here is my link – quite a few Australian books this time around: https://aidanvale.blogspot.com/2025/10/six-degrees-of-separation-oct-i-want.html
For once I’ve read some of these books, Never Let Me Go, Rebecca and The Great Gatsby. And I’ve read the Shirley Jackson book too 🙂
You’ll be all set for next month then!
The Chidgey is one of my books of the year. I Want Everything to Gatsby makes a good circular chain!
Here’s mine: https://alifeinbooks.co.uk/2025/10/six-degrees-of-separation-i-want-everything-to-the-tempest/
I didn’t pick up on creating a circular chain but you’re right 😀
I love Rebecca and also enjoyed Never Let Me Go. I’m looking forward to next month’s chain as I’ve actually read the Shirley Jackson book!
https://shereadsnovels.com/2025/10/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-i-want-everything-to-soot/
I struggle to set a Halloween book each year (I don’t read horror!) so Jackson’s creepiness is the best I can do.
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Love Rebecca! Great chain. Always enjoy seeing where everyone ends up!
Here’s mine for this month: https://portobellobookblog.com/2025/10/04/6degrees-of-separation-for-october-2025-booksky/
wow, what a fabulous list!
I’ve loved this one by Ishiguro, so just added The Book of Guilt to my TBR, as well as his short-story I have never read!
Rebecca is so good!
https://wordsandpeace.com/2025/10/04/six-degrees-of-separation-everything/
I’m sure you’ll enjoy The Book of Guilt!
Thanks, as always, for doing this.
I read one of your books, Rebecca, great story, also read some by Ishiguro but am not a big fan.
Here is my list:
https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2025/10/six-degrees-of-separation-i-want.html
I’m in two minds as to whether re-read Rebecca before I see the play in a few weeks.
I can see that dilemna and wouldn’t know what to do there, either. I watched the film years before I read the book.
I was visiting a friend last weekend who had just read Rebecca for the first time and loved it. I had brought her Long Island by Toibin, so I guess that is why I used it, forgetting we had done it last year – oops!
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2025/10/six-degrees-of-separation-from-i-want.html
I have used books in a chain more than once, and always manage to find a new link 🙂
I haven’t read any of these books, but ‘I Want Everything’ sounds interesting, so it’s going on my wishlist.
Here’s mine. It’s my first time, so hopefully I did it right lol: https://adeleboundinbooks.blog/2025/10/05/6-degrees-of-separation-2025-october-4/
I Want Everything was really interesting – my book group had a great discussion about it, particularly because all of the things that we loathed in certain characters were actually very close to the bone!
I can’t comment on your page for some reason so will comment here.
Oh, lucky you! Seeing Ruth Cracknell perform must have been wonderful.
I began my chain with plagiarism too. I had no idea JK Rowling had been accused of plagiarism, that must have made headlines at the time.
I wonder why you can’t comment? I’m not tech savvy, so I’m not sure what it could be. Maybe WordPress is experiencing issues?
Yes, it was wonderful. Such an amazing actress! I still remember it all these years later.
Rowling was in the news a lot at the time. I don’t think the case actually went anywhere, though.
I’m not tech savvy either, but never mind. There are always work-arounds.
Great timing! I just finished reading an article about the JK Rowling plagiarism case that said the suit failed. The judge said the contrast between the two story concepts and ‘feel’ of the stories was stark, and that the suit was not credible.
Shoot! I forgot! I’ll be around to read everyone’s posts though.
I haven’t read the first book but the other six picked themselves:
https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/2025/10/six-degrees-of-separation-from-i-want.html
Sometimes the chains unfurl with ease!
I loved Never Let Me Go. The Book of Guilt is one I hope to read soon, Pet was amazing. Rebecca by the MTC is something to look forward to!
https://rosereadsnovels.wordpress.com/2025/10/04/six-degrees-of-separation/
The Book of Guilt is gripping! And there are many layers to the story, depending on how deeply you want to read into it.
That makes The Book of Guilt sound even more intriguing! Alternate worlds/parallel universes are one of my favourite genres and I expect this author will do it justice. Thanks for the recommendation.
Finally have time to read the posts. I love the cover of Come Rain Come Shine–those gizzmos you put in single 45 records! Cool. Nice chain.