This event/exercise has been around since 2012 and I use it to reflect on the path my reading has taken so far this year. Jo provides a list of suggested categories or you can come up with six of your own. The idea is to fit six books, authors, events, etc. from this year into each category.
I'll have a full midyear wrap-up later this month, but Six in Six always helps me get started. Links are to my brief reviews, where available.
Six Books by New-to-Me Authors:
The Fortunate Ones by Ed Tarkington
Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie
The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
Infinite Country by Patricia Engel
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
Six Books by Tried-and-True Authors:
Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri
Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny
Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin
Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton
Six Nonfiction Books I Recommend:
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson
Last Best Hope: America in Crisis and Renewal by George Packer
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds, Ibram X. Kendi
Six Books That Pushed Me Beyond My Preferred Genres:
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw (short stories)
What Kind of Woman by Kate Baer (poetry)
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo (YA fiction)
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry (play)
The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi (self help/how to)
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds, Ibram X. Kendi (YA, NF)
Six Great Audiobooks:
Everything Beautiful in it's Time by Jenna Bush Hager, narrated by the author
A Quiet Life in the Country by T.E. Kinsey, narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden
Good Company by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, narrated by Marin Ireland
Writers & Lovers by Lily Kind, narrated by Stacey Glemboski
Good Morning, Monster by Catherine Gildiner, narrated by Deborah Burgess
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata, narrated by Nancy Wu
Six Bookish Podcasts I'm Enjoying Right Now:
Love it! I see a few on your lists that I've read. I feel like I need to do this. I'm reading so much it's hard to pause and reflect!
ReplyDeleteStacy - I've read a lot more than last year and it is hard to stop and reflect. So glad you decided to give this a try!
DeleteI've not seen this done before, but I really like the way it captures the spirit of half-a=year's reading so concisely. And, of course, we all love bookish lists, so this kind of thing is always fun to read.
ReplyDeleteNow...I'm off to check out some of the book podcasts you listed.
Sam - This is a surprisingly useful/telling exercise. I struggled with reading last year and couldn't come up with interesting categories midyear. Glad to return to it this year.
DeleteThe podcasts I listed are mostly conversational and more informal than others like the NYTimes. I get lots of interesting reading suggestions, with many outside my usual genres.
I loved this JoAnn. I just picked up the new Clair Fuller book from the library: Unsettled Ground. I decided not to read Bitter Orange as I think you (or someone) mentioned animal abuse. Good Morning Monster on audio was excellent but, a tough listen. The story of the young Asian boy from infancy to adulthood sticks with me still.
ReplyDeleteDiane - So glad you enjoyed this! Good Morning Monster was definitely a tough listen... and the story of the young Asian boy is the one that stuck with me, too. Something I could never even have imagined. Will be interested in your thoughts on Unsettled Ground. I may not get to it this year, but want to read it.
DeleteI have never seen the Six in Six, cool list. I feel in love with Kate Quinn with her first book The Alice Network. The true elements of that one was amazing.
ReplyDeletePatricia Highsmith is a name I keep seeing and keep meaning to try. I will rectify that before next month!
Tina - I want to read more by Kate Quinn and The Alice Network will probably be next. I'm listening to a nonfiction audio now (My Place at the Table) for Paris in July and the author has just interviewed Patricia Highsmith for a publication... she sounds like a piece of work, but I did enjoy her book.
DeleteI’ll add My Place at the Table to my list!
DeleteI loved Jenna Bush Hager's new book, I bet it was amazing in audio!
ReplyDeleteAngela - Jenna Bush Hager's book was AMAZING on audio... good thing I had tissues nearby.
DeleteGreat way to look at your reading! I am eyeing Good Company and Convenience Store Woman.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.
Laurel-Rain Snow - I think you would like both of those books, especially Good Company.
DeleteHow have I missed seeing Six in Six? I like this, JoAnn. Lists are such a great way of summing up things.
ReplyDeleteI especially like your list of six recommended nonfiction books. Your list of six books that pushed your preferred genres inspires me to do the same. And I would love to listen to more podcasts.
Deb - I'm surprised you haven't seen this one! It's mostly UK bloggers that participate, but it's such a good way to evaluate where things stand with your reading midyear. I've been on a roll with podcasts the last several months. I've been listening at night before I fall asleep... or sometimes if I wake up and can't fall back to sleep.
DeleteVicki - I think I did this every year from 2012 through 2017 or 18, but then missed several years. It's fun to do it again!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen this book meme before — I like it. You've done great this year!
ReplyDeleteDiana - It may be mostly UK bloggers that participate in this one, but I've always enjoyed participating. Missed the last couple of years, but am happy to get back to it now.
DeleteI enjoyed A Quiet Life in the Country, too. I need to get back to that series!
ReplyDeleteLes - The banter between Lady Hardcastle and Flo was such fun to listen to! Next time I'm in the mood for a cozy, I'll definitely pick up book two.
DeleteYou have so many wonderful books on this list! And what a clever way to reflect back on your reading.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Helen. I'm glad to take part again this year.
DeleteI like your entire listing! making a note of some of them so that at least I get to a few.
ReplyDeleteMystica - This was such a fun post to write.
DeleteFun! I probably have enough books to play along, too. Happy Mid-Year checkin. :D
ReplyDeleteCare - Not having enough books was precisely the reason I couldn't do this last year. I'm having a much better reading year now.
DeleteDone! and it is cool to see so many other bloggers express "how did I miss this?" - is Blogging Back?! LOL I've been SO GOOD to review almost everything I read this year. kinda weird, especially with the l0ve-hate with WP editor...
DeleteCare - Maybe blogging is making a mini-return! I've been trying to at least write a few sentences about all the books I read and have only missed a couple.
DeleteWhat a great way to share some highlights from the year so far! Thank you for sharing this and I'm going to have to join in on the fun!
ReplyDeleteIliana - I just saw your post! So glad you decided to play along, too.
DeleteYour "new to me" authors are also ones I have not read. I've heard of them, many of them but just haven't gotten to them. Great list!
ReplyDeleteTi - I've read some great new authors this year! Bet you would appreciate the six listed here.
DeleteThis really is a great, fun way to reflect back on your reading and it looks like you read a interesting array of books and authors; and I hope the next six months will be as equally enjoyable and successful for you! 😊
ReplyDeleteJessica - I'm pretty happy with my reading so far this year. Didn't know Six in Six was back for another year until I saw it on your blog - thanks!
Deletethanks for the podcasts ... good to know about -- I need these! You've had a great year of reading so far. I'm impressed by the good books you've finished. Also I need to get to the Marin Ireland audio of Good Company. Hope you are having fun -- are you in NY still?
ReplyDeleteSusan - Last year's reading was pretty much a disaster, so I'm pleased with how things are going now! We just arrived in CT yesterday...one of the NYC daughters will take the train up today for a week of remote work :)
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