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 Flashlight by Susan Choi. I expect others will have some very clever links… mine is not. I have been on the wait-list at my library for Flashlight for ages, and there are still 45 readers ahead of me!
I’m also on the wait-list for the next Literary Wives pick, Mrs Bridge by Evan S. Connell – I doubt five readers will get through it before I need to read it 🙁
Mrs Bridge is set in Kansas. When I think Kansas, I think Dorothy, ruby slippers, and Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood.
I recently finished Swan Song by Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott, a fictional account of Capote writing about his closest friends’ secrets. Swan Song wasn’t great but it did prompt me to get the ‘real’ version, Answered Prayers by Capote.
Answered Prayers is a collection of three essays, linked by theme, as is Levels of Life by Julian Barnes. The third essay in the collection is some of the best writing about grief that I have ever read.
Needless to say, I’m looking forward to reading Barnes’s latest release, Departure.
This turned into a Capote-Barnes chain – where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
Next month (March 7, 2026), we’ll start with a classic (and in celebration of the forthcoming film) – Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.
Well, it’s an original first link! 😂 I want to read Flashlight too and haven’t found it yet.
Mrs Bridge is wonderful, then do read Mr Bridge
I like Capote-Barnes. I have a bit of a fathers, and father-daughter idea in mine, which is here: https://whisperinggums.com/2026/02/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-flashlight-to/
Good morning on this beautiful day in Melbourne!
My goodness, 45 readers ahead of you, I must have been lucky indeed to get my hands on it so soon after the Booker nomination!
Here’s my chain:
https://anzlitlovers.com/2026/02/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-flashlight/
In Cold Blood was an amazing book. I must look out for Swan Song and Answered Prayers.
https://rosereadsnovels.wordpress.com/2026/02/07/six-degrees-of-separation-flashlight-by-susan-choi/
Libraries are great but those waiting lists sometimes 😆
Here’s mine for this month – turned out quite musical!
https://portobellobookblog.com/2026/02/07/6degrees-of-separation-for-february-2026-from-flashlight-by-susan-choi-to-the-second-life-of-nathan-jones-by-david-atkinson-booksky-%f0%9f%92%99%f0%9f%93%9a/
I haven’t read any of these books, but looking forward to next month as Wuthering Heights is one of my favourites!
Here’s my chain for February: https://shereadsnovels.com/2026/02/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-flashlight-to-nights-of-plague/
I’d like to read Flashlight too. In Cold Blood is one of my TBRs I’m hoping to read soon.
https://booksplease.org/2026/02/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-flashlight-to-the-hunter/
I’ve really enjoyed this, thank you! I must get around to reading In Cold Blood and more Julian Barnes; here’s my chain https://justreadingabook.wordpress.com/2026/02/07/six-degrees-from-flashlight/
After the first two I was sure your whole chain would be books you’re trying, yet failing to get a copy for! Here’s mine https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2026/02/07/tcls-6degrees-of-separation-for-february-7-2026/
Nice chain, love that first link
Pingback: Six Degrees of Separation, February 2026 – What I Think About When I Think About Reading
Mine’s up, link via Mr Linky above. Like Whispering Gums, I’ve got a father-daughter thing going.
Sounds like a great chain to me!
https://wordsandpeace.com/2026/02/07/six-degrees-of-separation-from-a-flashlight-to-claws/
Mrs Bridge is a brilliant choice for Literary Wives, and it’s short so those five in the queue might get through it quickly.
Here’s my chain: https://alifeinbooks.co.uk/2026/02/six-degrees-of-separation-flashlight-to-dreamland/
I haven’t read any of your books but have enjoyed the books by Julian Barnes I have read. My book group read Mrs. Bridge about 30 years ago, right before I joined (I bet some of them would not even remember). I always liked Jane Eyre better than Wuthering Heights but I saw the trailer and might see the movie if there is a showing that does not cost $20!
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2026/02/six-degrees-of-separation-from.html
I’m late to the party, but just made it! https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2026/02/07/six-degrees-of-separation-flashlight-by-susan-choi/
Be sure to watch the excellent Paul Newman Joanne Woodward film Mr and Mrs Bridge once you’ve read Mrs Bridge.
I even read the next starter book. Hallelujah! Great one.
This is my list this month which ended with Things Fall Apart:
https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2026/02/six-degrees-of-separation-flashlight.html
As always, have read none of the books on the list. Susan Choi’s books have been on my TBR too long.. 🙁 45 readers ahead of you is a long wait for sure. https://www.ladyinreadwrites.com/armchair-travels-mother-languages/