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Reading

6 Degrees of Separation: From Fight Club to …

Melinda Tognini February 2, 2019 10 Comments
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Welcome once again to Six Degrees of Separation. If you’re new to this, then all you need to know is that on the first Saturday of each month, Kate from booksaremyfavouriteandbest nominates a book. Participants – which can include you if you wish to accept this bookish challenge – then link that title to six others in any stream-of-consciousness way your mind chooses to operate on that given day.

This month, we’re starting with Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk.

I’ve never read Fight Club nor watched the film; however, I am familiar with the famous line, ‘The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club.’

This made me wonder what other secret clubs there are in literature. Although I’m sure there are plenty of others that are much more secret – and literary – I immediately thought of Enid Blyton’s Secret Seven series, the first of which is simply titled, The Secret Seven.

I did read most books in the Secret Seven series, but the characters don’t stick in my memory the way the Famous Five – Julian, Dick, George, Anne and Timmy the Dog – do. I’m sure the jingle from the 1970s television show helped with that, but I also devoured any Famous Five book I could get my hands on. The first in the series was Five on a Treasure Island.

Another book with a number 5 in the title is The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. I haven’t read this, but it is on my bookshelf. I think I need a TBR list of books I own but haven’t yet read, to go along with my 19 Books to Read in 2019 blog post!

Connected by the use of ‘people’ in the title, is Sally Rooney’s Normal People. I received a copy of the book as a Christmas present from my daughter, after mentioning I wanted to read it. My interest was partly because others recommended it, and partly because it was set in Ireland.

My son also gave me a book for Christmas, Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton. This one is next on my TBR pile.

Trent Dalton will be appearing at Perth Writers Week in February, together with Carly Findlay, whose memoir, Say Hello, has just been released. Carly, who lives with a rare skin condition, Ichthyosis, says on her website, ‘The book is called Say Hello because that’s what I want people to do, instead of ignoring me, looking shocked or scared, or making a rude comment about my face.’

This month, my chain took me from secrets and not-to-be repeated conversations and actions, to childhood adventures, and on to the relationships we have with others. My chain ended with perhaps the opposite of secrets and silences – an invitation to say hello and begin a conversation.

Over to You

Where will Six Degrees of Separation take you?

Join in and let me know where your chain led. You can also head over to booksaremyfavouriteandbest for links to the chains of other participants – it’s always interesting to see the different bookish connections that are made.

Next month we’ll be starting with Chloe Hooper’s The Arsonist, which has been receiving high praise in recent reviews.

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Previous Writing Competitions for Young Writers in Australia: February to July 2019
Next Creative Writing Prompts #3: Hearts and Zippers
Melinda Tognini

story-gatherer & mentor

Related Posts
6 Degrees of Separation: From Sorrow and Bliss to Lost and Found June 4, 2022
Book Notes: So Many Beats of the Heart by Carrie Cox May 31, 2022
So Many Beats of the Heart: In-Conversation with Carrie Cox May 24, 2022

10 Comments

  1. Susan says:
    February 2, 2019 at 6:26 pm

    Genius linking from Fight Club to Enid Blyton! Those are such great covers.

    Reply
    1. Melinda Tognini says:
      February 3, 2019 at 4:28 am

      Ha! Thanks, Susan. Just heading over to see which direction 6 Degrees took you this month.

      Reply
  2. Kay says:
    February 3, 2019 at 1:08 am

    I love doing these chains and also visiting others. Always some wonderful books to learn about. I especially love the look of Say Hello and will research more about that. Thanks for putting ‘new to me’ books on my list!

    Reply
    1. Melinda Tognini says:
      February 3, 2019 at 4:27 am

      Glad you found some books that interested you on my list. I too find myself adding books to my TBR pile after reading other people’s 6 Degrees chains.

      Reply
  3. Literary Feline says:
    February 3, 2019 at 1:09 pm

    I enjoyed seeing your connections–and what a difference from the beginning to the end! I have only read one of the books you mention. The Five People You Meet In Heaven. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

    Reply
    1. Melinda Tognini says:
      February 3, 2019 at 1:22 pm

      Thank you. I’ve just read your chain – thank you for reminding me about Zlata’s Diary, which I read years ago and think I’d like to revisit.

      Reply
  4. maria helena says:
    February 3, 2019 at 6:00 pm

    Enid Blyton was one of my favourite authors growing up.

    Reply
    1. Melinda Tognini says:
      February 4, 2019 at 4:49 am

      Mine, too! I read almost anything I could by Enid Blyton. I was so disappointed when I found out that she apparently didn’t like children.

      Reply
  5. Marina Sofia says:
    February 4, 2019 at 3:47 am

    Oh I do love the transition from Fight Club to Secret Seven – that’s much more my pace and my kind of club, although I seem to remember the sister Susan (not a club member) being quite a pest!

    Reply
    1. Melinda Tognini says:
      February 5, 2019 at 5:01 am

      Oh yes, I remember Susan! She was made out to be a pest – but perhaps she was just experiencing FOMO?

      Reply

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    I would love to know what you think once you have finished them - I always love seeing your perspective on the books you read x
    In 6 Degrees of Separation: From Sorrow and Bliss to Lost and Found
    I found that fascinating too - especially given the reasons for the connection were totally different.
    In 6 Degrees of Separation: From Sorrow and Bliss to Lost and Found
    There are so many fabulous writers in Australia (both fiction and non-fiction), so I love being able to share them with others who might be less familiar with them!
    In 6 Degrees of Separation: From Sorrow and Bliss to Lost and Found

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