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 Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy. It was on the Stella Prize 2026 longlist. I haven’t read it but I have read others on the list, including Lucy Nelson’s excellent collection, Wait Here.
Nelson’s collection is focused on women who ‘…will never be mothers’. Another book that made the Stella longlist (in 2017) and was also about not being a mother was Julia Leigh’s memoir, Avalanche.
Based on the ‘a lot of snow’ vibe, my next link is to The Ice Storm by Rick Moody. I enjoyed the book but I loved Ang Lee’s film adaptation. There are some upcoming adaptations that I’m really looking forward to, including The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen.
My memory of The Corrections was that it was a ‘family epic’. Another Jonathan that writes ‘family epics’, is Jonathan Safran Foer, and I loved his book, Here I Am.
There’s a wonderful, memorable old dog in Here I Am, as there is in Charlotte Wood’s The Weekend.
I went from wild weather to old dogs – where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
Next month (June 6, 2026), we’ll start with a book by Austrian* author Stefan Zweig – The Post-Office Girl.
*this is in honour of Eurovision being held in Vienna.
Haha Kate. Love the spurious (!!) link to your choice for next month’s book. You’re not excited are you??!
I enjoyed your chain, and had a little laugh because I linked to The weekend last month. It’s a very linkable book.
Anyhow, here is my chain: https://whisperinggums.com/2026/05/02/six-degrees-of-separation-from-wild-dark-shore-to/
Here’s mine:
https://anzlitlovers.com/2026/05/02/six-degrees-of-separation-from-wild-dark-shore/
Back in the saddle again, after a rather long hiatus! I went from lighthouses to books that are seriously misrepresented by their movie versions.
https://bronasbooks.com/2026/05/02/six-degrees-of-separation-7/
This was the hardest one I’ve ever done, but I did it! https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2026/05/02/tcls-6degrees-of-separation-for-may-2-2026/
I’ve just finished Wait Here and loved The Weekend. I think it was you who put me on to Wait Here, so thank you.
https://rosereadsnovels.wordpress.com/2026/05/02/six-degrees-of-separation-wild-dark-shore-by-charlotte-mcconaghy/
Fabulously wide-ranging chain. As usual. I’m staying with the sea the whole time on this occasion: https://margaret21.com/2026/05/02/six-degrees-of-separation-from-wild-dark-shore-to-island-dreams/
I like your links – especially thinking of a lovable dog to get you to the next one!
Here’s mine for this month: https://portobellobookblog.com/2026/05/02/6degrees-of-separation-for-may-2026-from-wild-dark-shore-to-the-dry-booksky-%f0%9f%92%99%f0%9f%93%9a/
Here’s mine – https://booksplease.org/2026/05/02/six-degrees-of-separation-from-to-wild-dark-shore-to/
Have fun in Austria and don’t forget to try Kaiserschmarrn!
Here’s my chain: https://alifeinbooks.co.uk/2026/05/six-degrees-of-separation-wild-dark-shore-to-this-is-happiness/
Here is my chain:
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2026/05/six-degrees-of-separation-from-wild.html
I liked Wild Dark Shore: very original and unpredictable. I couldn’t get through The Corrections but I don’t remember if I found it pretentious or just tedious. The Weekend sounds good, I will get it from the library once caught up on other things.
Is Eurovision even on in the US? I have heard of it but never seen it. Maybe just as well given all the library books trying to get my attention. Also, the bad thing about spring is having to start mowing the lawn again, which is time consuming.
Constance
Fun connections, and I like that we’ll start with Zweig next month!
https://wordsandpeace.com/2026/05/02/six-degrees-of-separation-owls/
Loved The Weekend!
Love your ‘lot of snow’ vibe!
Pingback: Six Degrees of Separation, May 2026 – What I Think About When I Think About Reading
It took me a while to get going on this one. I had to resort to something on the cover.
https://thinkaboutreading.wordpress.com/2026/05/02/six-degrees-of-separation-may-2026/
Thrillingly (for me at least) I’ve actually read next month’s starting book.
And here’s mine. I stay firmly on Terra Australis this time.
https://residentjudge.com/2026/05/03/six-degrees-of-separation-from-wild-dark-shore-to-wild-island/
Interesting chain. I didn’t know they made a film from Corrections. I personally didn’t care for the book, maybe I would like the film?
Here is my list which ended with a Chinese time-traveller in Munich.
https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2026/05/six-degrees-of-separation-wild-dark.html
Pingback: #6Degrees of Separation May 2026 – findingtimetowrite
I thought I already commented here but it looks like I didn’t.
I didn’t know there would be a film of The Corrections. I didn’t care much for the book, maybe the film is better?
Here is my list:
https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2026/05/six-degrees-of-separation-wild-dark.html