Six Degrees of Separation is a meme hosted by Kate over at Books Are My Favourite and Best. It works like this: each month a book is chosen as a starting point and linked to six others to form a chain. A book doesn’t need to be connected to all the titles on the list, only to the one next to it in the chain.
This month we’re starting with either our current book club choice or the book we’re reading which for me is Estelle Birdy’s debut, Ravelling, set-in working-class Dublin.
Birdy’s writing reminds me of Kevin Barry’s whose That Old Country Music is one of my favourite short story collections.
Music leads me to Ben Shattuck’s The History of Sound, a beautiful, cleverly structured collection, bookended by a love story and its continuation.
The first and last stories of Shattuck’s collection were skilfully adapted for the screen as was Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book starring Glenn Close, almost outshone by young Emily Matthews.
Moving on a season, which some of us in the UK are happy to do this year, leads me to Lee Cole’s Groundskeeping, an unusual campus novel which begins in autumn with a new academic year.
Last year I read Kari Leibowitz’s How to Winter which offered advice on getting though my least favourite season.
Seasons again with Sara Baume’s wonderfully poetic Spill Simmer Falter Wither which takes us through the entire cycle.
This month’s Six Degrees has taken me from one Irish novel to another by way of two short story collections, a beloved classic and the four seasons. Part of the fun of this meme is comparing the very different routes other bloggers take from each month’s starting point. If you’re interested, you can follow it on Twitter with the hashtag #6Degrees, check out the links over at Kate’s blog or perhaps even join in.
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Stoppit! You’re always giving me recommendations. Ravelling goes on the list (Irish. Gotta be good). Luckily I’ve read three, though I dd’t get on with Sara Baume – my loss apparently. I like the idea of The History of Sound. I think I should stop there …
Sorry, although, as I’m sure you know, not really! I will warn you that Ravelling’s a bit of a doorstopper, though. The History of Sound is a treat, as is the film.
Noted. *sigh*.
I love seasonal reading and all of these sound terrific, the only one I’ve read is The Summer Book which is a real favourite; lots for my wishlist!
I think this week’s weather had an influence on my thinking here! Pleased to have expanded your wishlist.
Me too, I’m in favour of seasonal reading. I think there may well be some more titles added to my ‘want to read’ list from this post (again!). I already have Spill, Simmer, Falter, Wither in my Sept hopefuls shoebox of books.
Sorry! You’re in for a treat with the Baume. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Nice chain Susan – the covers all look great together!
Thanks, Cathy. I think the Ravelling cover sets them al off a treat!
I haven’t read any of these but have been meaning to read The Summer Book for years. And yes, I think a lot of us are ready for autumn this year!
It has all been a bit much, hasn’t it! The Summer Book’s a treat, both film and book.
How to Winter appeals! It’s been a cold wet winter here, I wish I’d heard of this book three or four months ago!
Ah, sorry to hear that. I’m expecting that for us this year which I should welcome after a long dry summer.
I didn’t mean to sound so whingy! My area has been in drought so the rain has been desperately needed. Im just ready for a few warm, dry days.
Not at all! My partner will tell you I’m a terrible whinge-bag in winter.
I love how you moved through the seasons.
Thank you. Clearly on my mind after the change over the past few weeks!
BTW, I read How to Winter last year. Spoiler alert – in order to really flourish in and enjoy winter, you might consider moving to Scandinavia rather than spending it in rainy, damp, chilly grey Britain! Seriously, I think you will find it helpful; I especially liked some of the ideas and new concepts discussed.
I read it last year and found I’d already adopted quite a bit of its advice but you’re right about the Scandis who know how to do it!
Great chain. Good to see a mention of Kevin Barry as I loved The Heart in Winter which I read when it was shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize and whose other books I’ve been meaning to read ever since.
Thanks, Cathy. Thoroughly enjoyed The Heart in Winter!
I loved Spill Simmer when I read years ago – must see if Baume has written anything recently…
It’s my favourite of hers. She seems to be writing more non-fiction these days.
Good chain. I recently read and enjoyed The Summer Book and only last night I tried to watch the movie, but too many commercials on that site. I will look for it elsewhere. How to Winter brings to mind Katherine May’s Wintering which I read during Covid lockdown–it helped.
Thank you. I can see that commercials would ruin The Summer Book. So much of the enjoyment is about the landscape and the relationship between the grandmother and her granddaughter with very few events. I have Wintering on my list!
I’m so tired of trying to watch things the way it is today. Commercials even when you pay for streaming. Wintering was the right book at the right moment. I don’t know if I’d have found so much in it at another time.
It’s tedious, isn’t it, and breaks the mood.
We ruined t.v. Just ruined it. I watch reels and youtube videos now. It is too hard to focus with all those ridiculous breaks.
Great chain!
I thought that you were going from The Summer Book to her The Winter Book, but you did use winter!
Mine: https://wordsandpeace.com/2026/09/05/six-degrees-of-separation-initials/
I did, but had to go through autumn first! Thanks for the link.
I really love the title Spill Simmer Falter Wither–it has such a Lewis Carroll touch. Must look it up. The Summer Book was wonderful–must look up the adaptation. Loved your links as always, Susan!
Thanks, Mallika! The Baume is an old favourite of mine. Always happy to give it a mention. I was a bit wary of the film of The Summer Book but it’s very true to the spirit of the novel.
I love the seasonal theme going on here as we slide very quickly into autumn. Only book I have read is the beautiful The Summer Book.
Thank you. I’m breathing a sigh of relief, at least for now. The Met. Office seems to think there may yet be another blast of heat this month.
That summer to autumn shift sounds good this year! Roll on winter…
It was a relief for sure, although I can’t dredge up much enthusiasm for winter.