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 Maggie O’Farrell’s new release (and already a best-seller), Land.
I’m tuning in to Maggie’s talk at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. One of the great things that came out of COVID was being granted online access to international writers festivals and author talks. One of the most memorable I attended was Matthew McConaughey talking about his book, Greenlights.
My review of Greenlights was very brief. There’s a few other books I’ve written one-line reviews for, including My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh.
I heard Moshfegh speak at the 2022 Melbourne Writers Festival about her strange fairytale, Lapvona. She wrote the novel as a way of understanding the death of her brother.
Akshi Singh wrote her book, In Defence of Leisure, also after experiencing the death of her brother.
In Defence of Leisure delves into the work of psychoanalyst, Marion Milner. Another book that uses the work of a real-life psychoanalyst (in this case, Jacques Lacan) is Scaffolding by Lauren Elkin.
I was completely seduced by the cover of Scaffolding. I have no problem buying a book for the cover, and did it most recently with Ellena Savage’s The Ruiners.
I went from author talks and brothers to psychoanalysts and book covers – where will other chains go? Link up below or post your link in the comments section.
Next month (September 5, 2026), start with your book group’s current selection (if you’re not in a book group, start with the book that you’re currently reading).
Ooh, Mister Linky. That’s new!
Agreed, the ability to attend online events is brilliant. I’m yet to read Greenlights but think the audiobook narrated by the author will be the way to go, that accent! I’m also easily seduced by great book covers, too. Accents and covers. Scaffolding’s cover does look intriguing.
I’ll be starting next month’s chain with Wreck by Catherine Newman.
New? No, I think it’s been there forever Rose. I rarely do it, because I’m not sure what it achieves, but every now and then I put my link in. Does it achieve much for you Kate?
Huh! I used the laptop this morning and obviously only noticed the link for the first time. Usually I use my phone.
That would probably do it, and now you say it, that’s probably why I rarely use MrLinky, ie because I mostly check Six Degrees on the relevant Saturday morning on my phone.
Interesting about covers. That Scaffolding one doesn’t greatly jump out at me. Of these books the one I absolutely love is Land. The Savage is dramatic, as is Lapvona. To me!
As for next month, interesting. I will probably go with my reading group’s August read, because I will have read that, given we meet at the end of the month. The September read I may not get to that month as I’ll be travelling in Europe.
Here is my link: https://whisperinggums.com/2026/08/01/six-degrees-of-separation-from-land-to/
I’m always interested by your chain: and the last idea of going with a great cover is inspired. Here’s mine: https://margaret21.com/2026/08/01/six-degrees-of-separation-from-land-to-the-french-intifada/
Love the creative links. I took bought scaffolding for the cover, but haven’t read it yet.
I was interested in covers too: from a bestseller to more of a literary niche with The Boy Who Loved Dolls…
I’m easily seduced by a great cover 😄
Here’s my chain for this month: https://portobellobookblog.com/2026/08/01/6degrees-of-separation-for-august-2026-from-land-by-maggie-ofarrell-to-all-the-hidden-truths-by-claire-askew-booksky-%f0%9f%92%99%f0%9f%93%9a/
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I like the idea of writing one-line reviews. Sometimes that’s all you need to say!
Here’s my chain: https://shereadsnovels.com/2026/08/01/six-degrees-of-separation-from-land-to-tea-on-sunday/
I also started with author talks, after hearing Maggie O’Farrell speak about Hamnet – possibly at the Edinburgh Literature Festival, although I cannot remember for sure. I haven’t read Land yet but fully intend to.
I’m in favour of short reviews although I’m not sure I could manage a one liner. Here’s my chain: https://alifeinbooks.co.uk/2026/08/six-degrees-of-separation-land-to-porterhouse-blue/
Pingback: Six Degrees of Separation, August 2026 – What I Think About When I Think About Reading
Scaffolding is on my wishlist because I recently read and lived Elkin’s Flâneuse.
I look at the Mr Linky because it’s quicker to open people’s links to their posts from there. I know, it’s just so hard to scroll down to the comments!
So hard to type loved instead of lived as well, apparently.
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I was in Ireland last week and visited many bookstores where I saw Land but I tried to only buy books not available at home because my luggage was getting very heavy!
I remember your review of Scaffolding but haven’t read any of these authors but O’Farrell.
After 17 years in publishing, many hours of which were agonizing over covers, it was interesting to see how the internet changed criteria. For example, white covers rarely “pop” online so are rare or very very carefully designed. The industry needs people to (if not buy) be intrigued by a good cover. One that never fails to appeal but I still haven’t felt like reading the book is The Essex Serpent.
Anyway, here is my chain: https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2026/08/six-degrees-of-separation-from-land-to.html
Constance
Interesting chain. I’ve been lazy again and chosen the word LAND in the tile.
Nice idea for next month. Unfortunately, we already had the book we read in my local club (The Correspondent) as a starter book and I cannot get the one for my online group. But I’m sure I’ll find an idea.
Maybe I take one of my last book club reads.
Fun links — especially the one-line reviews.
I started off with another book by the same author but ended up buying a used copy of a book I remember fondly: https://www.joyweesemoll.com/2026/08/01/six-degrees-of-separation-land-to-home-at-grasmere/
I really like the cover of Land – it definitely caught my eye. I’m expecting the book to be just as good. I also like the idea of one line reviews – I must have a go at that.
https://booksplease.org/2026/08/01/six-degrees-of-separation-from-land-to-the-burry-mans-day/
Very fun links!
I stayed on Land: https://wordsandpeace.com/2026/08/01/six-degrees-of-separation-land/
I love the way we all go off in completely different directions; this is great – I would say the cover of Land is enough to make me buy it (I hope it will be the same on the paperback!)
Nice work. I envy you [in the nicest possible way!] getting to attend the festivals. Books on the Banks in Cincinnati, OH, is nothing like the ones you’ve attended.
Cool chain! I have not read any of the books on it though have been meaning to read the first two on your list..
Here’s my chain: https://residentjudge.com/2026/08/02/six-degrees-of-separation-from-land-to/
That’s an interesting chain, I like your one line reviews! I’m always so late to the party on this challenge, but here are my books: https://maamej.wordpress.com/2026/08/12/six-degrees-from-land-to-no-friend-but-the-mountain/