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 the book you finished the December chain with (or the last book you read) – for me, that was Esther Freud’s My Sister and Other Lovers.
Freud’s novel is about two girls growing up with a challenging mother, as is Kate Kruimink’s novel Heartsease.
Heartease was on my 2025 list of picks from reading sample chapters, as was Idle Grounds by Krystelle Bamford, which is the first one I bought after compiling the list.
The blurb for Idle Grounds reminded me of the opening scenes in Ann Patchett’s Commonwealth.
I have Patchett’s upcoming novel, Whistler, on the list of books I’m looking forward to this year.
I have a bunch of books on the list from authors I’ve read (and loved) before, including Land by Maggie O’Farrell.
There’s mention of a ‘particularly loyal dog’ in the blurb for Land, which immediately reminded me of the gorgeous Finn in Charlotte Wood’s The Weekend.
It was all about anticipated books for me this month! Where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
Next month (February 7, 2026), we’ll start with a book that topped lots of 2025 ‘best of’ lists – Flashlight by Susan Choi.
I enjoyed Commonwealth when I read it back in 2021 (review here: https://lesleysbooknook.blogspot.com/2021/04/commonwealth.html). I’m looking forward to Whistler, and would like to try to read some of Patchett’s earlier works. I spent 2025 reading all of Maggie O’Farrell’s books, and I’m quite excited about Land!
Flashlight! Interesting. Apparently it was Barack Obama’s favourite book of the year – at least my American friend, who has just read it, told me. Your chain was about anticipated books, but my chain reminded me of some books I’ve not thought about for a while, but that seem really apposite for now. Here it is: https://whisperinggums.com/2026/01/03/six-degrees-of-separation-from-the-third-chopstick-to/
I am keen this year to read more of Ann Patchett after reading Bel Canto last year, and I also have Woods The Weekend sittingon my bed head waiting for me to read it after it was recommended by a friend. Here is my first one of the year and here’s to many more. I hope we all have a happy and fruitful 2026: https://aidanvale.blogspot.com/2026/01/six-degrees-of-separation-jan-from.html
Books to look forward to is a great theme! I liked Commonwealth and The Weekend, hope you do too. Heartsease is appealing.
https://rosereadsnovels.wordpress.com/2026/01/03/six-degrees-of-separation-daisy-jones-and-the-six-by-taylor-jenkins-reid/
Nice work! https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2026/01/03/6-degrees-of-separation-2/
I am SO hoping to get the ARC for O’Farrell’s Land! But if I don’t, I’ll buy a copy. Here’s my link https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2026/01/03/tcls-6degrees-of-separation-for-january-3-2026/
Reallyt looking forward to Whistler. Here are my links: https://alifeinbooks.co.uk/2026/01/six-degrees-of-separation-shadow-ticket-to-rebecca/
Happy New Year to you!
I can’t wait to read Maggie O’Farrell’s new book!!
Here’s mine for this month.
https://portobellobookblog.com/2026/01/03/6degrees-of-separation-for-january-2026-from-hungry-by-grace-dent-to-daisys-vintage-cornish-campervan-by-ali-mcnamara-booksky-%f0%9f%92%99%f0%9f%93%9a/
Whistler and Land are both books I’m looking forward to this year too! Here’s my chain for this month:
https://shereadsnovels.com/2026/01/03/six-degrees-of-separation-from-the-night-circus-to-a-small-circus/
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I am also an Ann Patchett fan, plus she has her own bookstore! I’ve been to Nashville for conferences but unfortunately that was before she opened it. Happy New Year!
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2026/01/six-degrees-of-separation-from-horse.html
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Nice links!
I enjoyed Patchett’s writing, until…. Commonwealth!
Here is my chain: https://wordsandpeace.com/2026/01/03/six-degrees-of-separation-ordinals/
I have enjoyed a few of her writings but not all. I did not read Commonwealth, so I might never touch it.
What a great collection of titles and all new to me! I’m looking forward to joining in this year, here’s my first linkhttps://justreadingabook.wordpress.com/2026/01/03/6-degrees-from-frenchmans-creek/
Nice idea again. Thanks.
I started with Wide Sargasso Sea, from there, it was easy to find books that sprang to mind. I haven’t read any of your books but read a few by Ann Patchett and one by Maggie O’Farrell.
https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2026/01/six-degrees-of-separation-wide-sargasso.html
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Sorry I’m late with this: yesterday was a rather busy day.
https://anzlitlovers.com/2026/01/04/six-degrees-of-separation-from-the-discarded-image/
I haven’t read any of the books on. your chain but a couple do intrigue me. I am late posting today but here is mine. https://www.ladyinreadwrites.com/walking-with-wonderful-words-and-wandering-through-wondrous-worlds/
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Finally able to take part, despite some social and technological challenges – and I did talk myself into a bit of a corner with my last link for December…
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