6 Degrees of Separation: from Beezus & Ramona to Live Without You

Happy Monday!

Reader, I just had the best three-day weekend. I didn’t do anything exceptional; the most ambitious thing I did was get a haircut (for the first time in approximately three years). Most of the time was spent on things like filling out my taxes, bleaching my shower, and cooking. But it was so nice to be able to do those things without rushing or feeling like I was letting other responsibilities fall behind, the way things have felt this semester. Today it’s back to work as usual, although one day this week I get to help a coworker with our library’s first-ever storytime in the park! There are still things that I want to get done around my home, and I’m realizing that my to-do list will probably never be completely empty, but I got a bit closer this weekend, and the chance to breathe and look after everyday stuff was very helpful.

Today’s post is a first for me! I’m participating in #6DegreesofSeparation hosted by Kate at booksaremyfavouriteandbest. The gist is that everyone starts with the same book, then finds another book that relates to it somehow, then one that relates to the second, until you’ve got a chain of six additional books. It’s a twist on the theory that every person on earth can somehow be connected to any other person in six or fewer steps, and provides an opportunity to talk about random books we love (or don’t). It sounds like fun, so I’m going to give it a try!

Starting Point: Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary

Genre: Contemporary Juvenile Fiction

I read it in: 2004, approximately

My Rating: ⭐⭐

I know, this is somewhat a classic and everyone loves it…except me. I wouldn’t have gotten along with Ramona when I was a child, and so I didn’t enjoy reading about her!

1. The Silence by Don DeLillo

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, possibly light Science Fiction depending on your interpretation of certain plot points

I read it in: 2020

My Rating: ⭐⭐

Link to previous book: I had high expectations but ended up disliking them and only giving each two stars

2. A Poetics of Orthodoxy by Benjamin Myers

Genre: Nonfiction – Prosody, Theology

I read it in: 2021

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Link to previous book: Published in 2020

3. Fifteen: A Compilation of Poems by Amie Woleslagle

Genre: Poetry

I read it in: 2020

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Link to previous book: Written by someone I know personally

4. Wedding Score by Amanda Tero

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction (novella)

I read it in: 2019

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Link to previous book: Written by bloggers I have gotten to know over the past few years

5. The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr

Genre: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction

I read it in: 2014

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (although a reread might challenge this)

Link to previous book: Protagonists are pianists

6. Live Without You by Sarah Grace Grzy

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction/Clean Romance

I read it in: 2019

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Link to previous book: Before the stories start there is a tragedy which the characters continue to grapple with throughout the book. Alternatively: the books start out sad but somehow I still enjoyed reading them.

I wouldn’t have guessed we could get from Beezus & Ramona to Live Without You in just six steps, but there you go!

Have you ever done this kind of post/challenge? Did this post turn up anything interesting to you?

You can see the rest of the linked posts on the host’s website!

Until the next chapter,

Jana