We're halfway through 2022 and it's time again for Six in Six, hosted by Jo of The Book Jotter. This event (or exercise, as I like to think of it) has been around since 2012. I use it to reflect on the path my reading is taking each year. Jo provides a list of suggested categories, but you're welcome to come up with six of your own. The idea is to fit six books, authors, events, etc. from your first half reading into each of six categories.
Six New-to-Me Authors:
- Mary Lawson (A Town Called Solace, Crow Lake)
- John Green (The Anthropocene Reviewed)
- John Boyne (The Absolutist)
- Damon Galgut (The Promise)
- Maggie O'Farrell (The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox)
- Bonnie Garmus (Lessons in Chemistry)
Six Repeat Authors:
- Amor Towles (The Lincoln Highway)
- Anna Quindlen (Write for Your Life)
- Erik Larson (In the Garden of Beasts)
- E. Lockhart (Family of Liars)
- Emily Henry (Book Lovers)
- Kristin Hannah (The Four Winds)
Six Fiction Favorites:
- A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson (links to my thoughts )
- The Absolutist by John Boyne
- Love & Saffron by Kim Fay
- Book Lovers by Emily Henry
- The Promise by Damon Galgut
- The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell
Six books from the nonfiction shelf:
- The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green (links to my thoughts)
- Devil in the Grove by Gilbert King
- In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
- Laundry Love: Finding Joy in a Common Chore by Patric Richardson
- South to America by Imani Perry
- The Yellow House by Sara M. Broom
Six kindle daily deals I've purchased this year, but have not yet read:
- The Daughters Of Yalta by Catherine Grace Katz,
- The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
- Road Ends by Mary Lawson
- The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
- Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
- Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
Six bookstores I've visited in 2022:
- MacIntosh Books + Paper - Sanibel, FL
- Gene's Books - Sanibel, FL
- R.J. Julia Booksellers - Madison, CT
- Strand Book Store - NY, NY
- Shakespeare & Co - NY, NY
- Book Culture - NY, NY
Visit Jo's post to read more Six in Six and leave a link to yours!
These are wonderful lists! I also discovered Mary Lawson recently and look forward to reading more. Winter Solstice is a lovely book--I hope you enjoy it. It would be a perfect Christmas-time read. I am adding the Maggie O'Farrell novel to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteMary - I am hoping to read the rest of Mary Lawson's books this year. I just love her writing! Winter Solstice is a favorite from decades ago, but I remember next to nothing about it. After loving my reread of The Shell Seekers a couple of summers ago, I'm hoping for a similar experience.
DeleteOh, JoAnn! Winter Solstice is absolutely so wonderful. One of the very few books I reread and reread. Read it at Christmas time. Why I've been thinking I should read it again this December!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - I remember loving Winter Solstice ages ago. A year or two ago I reread (and loved!)The Shell Seekers. Pretty sure Winter Solstice will be the same.
DeleteHi JoAnn,
DeleteWhew! I am "Anonymous." I knew I left a comment, but somehow or other I ended up being anonymous. I thought I was losing it. I loved The Shell Seekers, too, by the way. My error in posting a comment, btw.
Judith - I wondered if you were "Anonymous" lol! Didn't want to ask in case it was someone else... your comment about Winter Solstice tipped me off. ;-)
DeleteThat is so funny! I guess you know my favorites pretty well!
DeleteWhat great lists - so fun as well. Mary Lawson has become a favorite author and OMG, The Absolutist proved to be something I had not expected to love but did. I just became aware of a book called The Good Soldier which I now need to add to my TBR as well. Haven't been to The Strand in years but - love that store.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I've read two of Mary Lawson's books this year and am hoping to get to the others before January... really love her writing. Also planning to read another John Boyne in the fall. Do you mean The Good Soldier by Ford Maddox Ford? It's a classic, but I don't know anything about it. The "big" Strand is always a treat! Last year they opened a smaller store on the Upper West Side (in a former Book Culture location) that is close to my daughter.
DeleteVicki - I think this event is more popular among UK book bloggers, but I've participated most years. It's been several years since I've been to the main Strand store. Last year they opened a smaller store (which was previous one of Book Culture's locations) on the Upper West Side. Since it's close to my daughter, we tend to go to that one now.
ReplyDeleteI really need to get to Book Lovers - and I love that you listed bookstores you've visited! I need to get to more physical stores.
ReplyDeleteAngela - I hope you get a chance to read Book Lovers soon... have a feeling you'll like it! Happy to share a little independent bookstore love:)
DeleteI like this! I might do it myself. It's always good to pause and see where you are and what got you there. Now that you've read Maggie O'Farrell, are you going to read Hamnet? I listened to it last year and thought it masterful and so moving. I enjoyed my first Mary Lawson and want to read Crow Lake as well. I didn't know there was a Shakespeare & Co in NYC. I've been to the one in Paris--I assume they are related.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your July!
JaneGS - I hope you do!! Hamnet will be my next Maggie O'Farrell... just purchased it on a kindle daily deal last week. I've heard the audio is excellent, so will probably make it a read/listen combo. After reading two Mary Lawsons this year, I've decided to read the rest of her work. Just love her writing! I think there are two Shakespeare & Co stores in NYC, but am not sure of the relationship with the one in France - which I'd love to visit one day!
DeleteFun post, but it overwhelms me since it signals that we're half way through the year already. I still have Devil in the Grove on my TBR list based on your review.
ReplyDeleteHelen - It seems like the Six in Six sneaks up on me every year, but it's a perfect time to take stock of my reading year. I'm sure Devil in the Grove will be a book you'll appreciate.
DeleteI love taking part in Six in Six every year and seeing which categories other bloggers choose! I'm glad you liked your first John Boyne book - I've enjoyed almost everything I've read by him.
ReplyDeleteHelen - I've always enjoyed Six in Six, too...and will definitely be reading more John Boyne. Hopefully before the end of the year.
DeleteI loved The Fault in Our Stars (Green) and look forward to reading more by him. A Town Called Alice is on my summer reading stack and I'll start it next month. Glad you enjoyed John Boyne. I'm looking forward to readin gmore by him this fall. I have The House of Special Purpose on my shelf. I also have The Lincoln Highway to read, too. In the Garden of Beasts is on my list for Nonfiction November. Book Lovers is on deck for my next audio listen. I could go on and on, but I'll stop. :)
ReplyDeleteLes - So many books! The state of my tbr pile and wish list are out of control, too... but to many appealing books is a nice problem to have!
DeleteThe Book Lovers looks like such a popular book. I enjoyed reading it too.
ReplyDeleteHarvee - I'm sure Book Lovers will still be on my list of favorites at the end of the year!
DeleteThank you very much for joining in from across the Pond! Glad to know the meme is reaching all parts of the globe. Some good books for me to go and check out.
ReplyDeleteJo
The Book Jotter
Having to post as anon - as Google/Blogger won't accept anything else!
Jo - I've enjoyed Six in SIx for years... a brilliant idea! Thanks again for hosting.
DeleteThis is wonderful! I'm bookmarking to do this as well. The Blue Castle is one of my favorite Montgomery books and I have Winter Solstice on my list to read this year.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I'll keep an eye out for your Six in Six post... this is such a fun exercise! Fingers crossed I get to read both of those books this year... my TBR is out of control!
DeleteI'm glad you bought the Daughters of Yalta and another Mary Lawson novel. Those will be good. The Strand is a fun place to visit and I'm thinking we were there in Feb. 2019 ... You have read some great books this year!
ReplyDeleteSusan - Your review convinced me to read Daughters of Yalta and I'm planning to read all of Mary Lawson's novels... maybe by the end of. the year. There are SO many good bookstores in NYC, but Strand is such a treat!
DeleteHappy Birthday!!
ReplyDeleteTina - Thank you!!
DeleteVery cool. It's good to take stock and see how the first half has gone. I'll have to do this. Thanks! Anthropocene by John Green has been on my list for too long. I'd definitely like to get that one in before the end of the year.
ReplyDeleteHeather - This meme has been around for a while... very helpful to take a look at things midyear. I highly recommend the John Green. He narrates the audio version himself and does a great job!
DeleteLove the pictures and looks a perfectly calm place.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Trin... so peaceful here!
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