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#6Degrees
Six degrees of separation:
From Three Women to a Pea
You are probably going to think I’m crazy, but this time, I have tried to do a REAL “six degrees of separation”, I mean, by finding connections that come to mind with each title. Maybe I also needed to prove myself I could actually do that!
Actually, I prepared this a few weeks ago, and today, as I finalize my post, I realize new connections are coming to mind, so I’ll spare you my first ideas, those are the ones I have today. Which means, I could probably generate a new list every day!!
AND, as I couldn’t easily part with my usual way of doing this meme, I’m offering you 2 chains today!!
After the covers,
you can find the links to my reviews
or to the title on Goodreads
A) Here you go, with the first “traditional” chain”:
1. Three Women
This is the book we were supposed to start with. I haven’t read it and don’t intend to, I’m not interested in feminism.
2. When I hear 3 women, I automatically think of a most famous trio, the 3 witches in Macbeth. I have read many plays by Shakespeare, and actually studied in depth several of them, this one among others. I re-read it a few years ago.
3. I also enjoy a lot how 3 witches are portrayed in Night of Bald Mountain, by Mussorgsky. Which made me think of another book with both night and mountain in the title: By Night the Mountain Burns. I didn’t find it super good, but it’s unique, as it focuses on the oral tradition on an island in Equatorial Guinea, by an author of this country!
4. The burning part made me think of a great book on fire: Fire Season: Field Notes from a Wilderness Lookout. It’s an excellent nonfiction focusing on solitude in that little space up the fire lookout tower, on the wilderness, on what happens in a forest.
5. I had the same impression of confinement in scenes from The Memory Police. It’s a dystopia. And there’s a book within the book, and a character ends up trapped in a very small place up a tower.
The main idea of the book is simple: on a small island, a special police arbitrarily decides that things should disappear, one at a time. Go to my review to see why I really enjoyed it.
6. You almost find the same idea in a fun book Ella Minnow Pea. We are also on an island, and this time, it’s letters of the alphabet that are progressively banned. Fun and smart book!
B) And now, using my own rules for this fun meme hosted by Kate at Booksaremyfavouriteandbest (see there the origin of the meme and how it works – posted the first Saturday of every month), I started with three women and ended up with a riddle!
Come with me!
Here are my own quirky rules:
1. Use your list of books on Goodreads
2. Take the first word of the title offered and find another title with that word in it
3. Then use the first word of THAT title to find your text title
4. Or the second if the title starts with the same word, or you are stuck
1. Three Women
See above
2. Three Lives of Tomomi Ishikawa
From my review: “I devoured very quickly this very smart novel. I loved the quality of the writing, of descriptions and inner feelings. I loved the quirkiness of it all, as you never really know if you are in truth or fiction, and of course I loved the treasure hunt especially in Paris, with the mention of lots of famous or not so famous places.”
3. Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives
An Orthodox book for a change. It focuses “on the impact your thoughts can have, not only on your own lives, but also on people around you, and even on the world at large. Whether your thoughts are positive or negative, they will determine your life and the lives of many.”
4. Confronting and Controlling Thoughts
Another Orthodox book I really enjoyed. The passages quoted come from the Philokalia, a major spiritual work. All the books by Coniaris are very accessible.
It’s about how to stop thoughts from polluting your mind and heart.
5. A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution
I’m ending with 2 books on my TBR. With the huge and rapid development in gene science, I want to read this one and see where we are at now. “What will we do with this unfathomable power?”
6. The Riddle of the Labyrinth: The Quest to Crack an Ancient Code
I want to read this book, because the topic is intriguing: “The Quest to Crack an Ancient Code tells one of the most intriguing stories in the history of language, masterfully blending history, linguistics, and cryptology with an elegantly wrought narrative.” But also because it was written by Margalit Fox, and that’s how I discovered it. You may remember how blown away I was by Fox’s book on Conan Doyle. This lady knows how to write!!
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HAVE YOU READ AND ENJOYED ANY OF THESE BOOKS?
AND WHICH TYPE OF CHAIN
DO YOU PREFER SEEING ON MY BLOG?
I’m in awe! And both chains are so different, too. Thanks for reminding me of Ella Minnow Pea. I’d forgotten all about it.
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Thanks, so sweet. So which style do you think I should do?
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Tough choice! I could suggest that you do both but that might be greedy. I am intrigued by your own very particular version.
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I love the idea of dong two, but I think I won’t, to save some time. Maybe I should stick to my version, because it’s original
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I think you should.
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Thanks
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Going the extra mile here. Cool.
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Which style do you prefer seeing on my blog?
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I like them both.
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Thanks Davida. By the way, each time I see your name, I think of Davita’s harp. Some years ago, I totally binged on Chaim Potok and devoured all his books. Aren’t they good?
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To tell the truth, I don’t think I’ve read any of his books. I know some of the stories from films, though.
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Oh wow, you should try – his latest is the weakest. I think he was dying really when he wrote it.
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I should.
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Both chains are interesting, I think you should go with whatever style you enjoy putting together more.
I haven’t read Macbeth since school.
Thanks for sharing
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Thanks for sharing your opinion on the matter
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Great fun and I love that link to Macbeth – genius! As for which style to pick, I don’t see why a choice is necessary!! You can just go with whatever takes your fancy each month 😀
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Thanks Liz.
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I had mentally made my chain then changed it at the last minute. I like the idea of relying on my Goodreads list – it mostly includes the books I have read although there are certainly things from my childhood I have forgotten. I will try to connect with you on Goodreads.
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Glad you shared about how fluid these chains can be. My Goodreads profile is https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5215426-emma
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Wow! I liked both chains, and am adding some books to my TBR from you first chain! Great work!
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Thanks. Glad it made you find great books
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So you had double the fun and I had double enjoyment! But why are you not interested in feminism?
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Sorry, I think I prefer not to start a conversation on that here
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I had wondered if Macbeth would appear on a chain.
So, have you set yourself a precedent with two chains?!
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Probably not, it takes too much time, maybe I’ll stick to my usual way, as it’s different from usual chains. Or I could alternate, we’ll see
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I like them both!!
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Thanks for your feedback
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Pingback: Review: Fire Season: Field Notes of a Wilderness Lookout by Philip Connors – Hopewell's Public Library of Life
Very glad you followed my recommendation and so enjoyed it
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