The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

30.5 - PJ Reads' Task - As Suggested By Tanja - Six Degrees of Separation
In honor of Six Degrees of Separation (play premiered on May 16, 1990) and Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon (headlined on April 7, 1994, do the following:

A. Read any book off your TBR
AND
B. Read a book that the author is at a maximum of six degrees of separation from the author in Part A. In your post for this task you must explain the connection in order to get credit.

For example:
A. The Black Swan by Mercedes Lackey
B. Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Mercedes Lackey submitted her first story to 'Sword and Sorceress', a fantasy magazine which MZB was its longest editor. That's one degree of separation.

Six Degrees Of Separation - Kevin Bacon
Six Degrees Of Separation

Great task!

Tanja will be the one answering any questions.

Sounds like fun!- Are there any specific parameters for the connections? Does it have to be an author-to-author literary connection or can it be a personal connection like blood relation/marriage? Can it be a connection via character like Arthur Canon Doyle linked via Sherlock Holmes to Laurie King's The Beekeeper's Apprentice? Can the authors be linked via the cover book blurbs- ex. Kristin Hannah comments on a Jo-Ann Mapson book "A wonderful, engaging story"

Thanks! I hope everyone has fun with this task!

Ammendments
* No location/setting connections. An exception is made to this listed on Michele's comment - Bill Bass created the body farm which was the inspiration for Patricia Cornwell's book "The Body Farm".
* No newsletters, lists, award list, interviews connections. An exception is that the interview is by the SAME interviewer such as Oprah or Jon Stewart.
* Co-authors are approved. You are NOT required to read the co-authored book. Simply cite the co-authored book.
* Blood relations are approved.
* Character connections are not approved. An exception is the actor portraying the character in the film version of the book.
* Awards work solely that the authors were up for the same award for the same year AND same category. This is based on the assumption that the authors met or were made aware of another when up for the award.
* I'm not going to check your TBR list to see when you added the book. I'm giving everyone the benefit of the doubt!

FANTASTIC! I love it! Literary connections are right up my alley.

To add to the great questions by Dlmrose, Can authors be linked through friendship? A lot of writers also work with other writers when researching or editing their books. Would these connections (referenced in the acknowledgements for their books) count?

Thanks! SO much fun!

I really like this task! Just to make sure I have the right idea, does something like this work:

Book A: How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls by Zooey Dean

This book was the basis for the TV show "Popular," which starred actress Leslie Bibb. Bibb also starred in the movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic," which was based on the book by Sophie Kinsella. Sophie Kinsella is the real-life sister of author Gemma Townley. So:

Book B: A Wild Affair by Gemma Townley

Or do the connections need to be more book-based? I'm sure I have other choices that work better, but that one was the first one I came to alphabetically!

Great task! Very original.

Dlmrose - Right now I'm focused on the author connection through people. Take a look at Jen B's example. Each step is based through people than characters. However if I find out that the task is too difficult to find connections, I may revisit this idea.

Blood relations work!

And I'll accept the author blurb on another book cover. I will not however accept a blurb which compares a book's author to another author:
* A NO example: "The Next Stephen King!"
*A YES example: Kristin Hannah comments on Jo-Ann Mapson's book "A wonderful, engaging story"


Nicole - the authors can be friends, simply add the reference which acknowledges that connection! Even co-authors work.

Jen B - That works out! That's an excellent example of making a connection outside of a strictly book-based thread!

soudns like fun...not, just have to figure out how to do this one :-)

I really like this task, Tanja!

okay Co authors I can do. I will have to find something.

A fun method of following the trail is to put the author into wikipedia. Click on the links and see where they go. You never know what will turn up!

For example, I was checking out a Wil Wheaton novel. He appeared in Stand By Me which was written by Stephen King. Stephen King's Dark Tower series was going to become a television series directed by J.J. Abrams. J.J. Abrams directed the Lost series. I could read a Lost based book. But then I found out the Dark Tower series didn't go forth so the connection got severed. If this was accepted, it would be 3 degrees of separation.

Cool! I am going to try to make a connection between two of my TBR books. Hopefully ones I own!

What about 2 authors that were interviewed by the same publication? If that counts, would authors interviewed in GoodReads newsletter count? The would be either 2 degrees of separation if it was the same interviewer, or 3 degrees if it was a different one.

And just to clarify- it could be any book by the two authors that you have linked as long as one is listed in your TBR?

Finally- is it cheating to add to your TBR pile now? LOL

Nicole -- If it was during the same interview, it counts. Otherwise if it was separate interviews for separate reasons to be in the same publication, that's a bit of a stretch. However, I will accept if 2 authors wrote for the same publication at the same time!

The two authors have to be linked by the Part A Author who is on your TBR.

Well since I do not plan to hound everyone's TBR lists to verify they didn't add after the fact, it's your choice! LOL! I more or less added the TBR part to help people cut down their lists.

Tanja wrote: "Nicole -- If it was during the same interview, it counts. Otherwise if it was separate interviews for separate reasons to be in the same publication, that's a bit of a stretch. However, I will acce..." I swear I am not being ornery, but how is that a stretch? If the same people work at the magazine and they interview more than one person they are a link (or degree of separation) between the two authors. I thought the idea of separation are people that know each other (even as passing acquaintances)/have contact. It could just be me being confused. I just want you to know I am not copping tude, since you can't tell online! :)

I think I found a useful connection. I was debating reading some spiritual writing by Sue Monk Kidd and found out she is on the advisory board for Poets and Writers magazines along with some other writers. If this is an approved connection (ie serving on the same board or committee) these authors are connected:

James Autry
Russell Banks
Virginia Barber
Billy Collins
Michael Cunningham
Cornelius Eady
A.M. Homes
Beverly Jablons
Sue Monk Kidd
Joanna Rose
Peter Straub

Ok- I am not sure how to count the degrees of separation so does the following work

1st Book is by Noel Hynd-her first editor was also the editor of Robert Ludlum-Matt Damon starred in Bourne Identity and is friends with Ben Affleck who was a costar of He's Just not that into you with drew barrymore who directed the movie based on the book Derby Girl.

This is either 6 or 7 degrees but I am not sure which. Can you let me know? Thanks

Nicole - Advisory Council is approved.

Let me think on the interview part. I am denying it mainly because it isn't as direct as an interview of two authors by the SAME interviewer. Otherwise the method you propose lets any reviewer's columns, critic's corners, newsletters, even lists have a thousand indirect connections which wasn't the purpose of the 6 Degrees of Separation.

If you want newsletters, you can do Cynthia's task 5.4 to read a novel featured in a Goodread's Newsletter. :)

Would a Literary Prize be a Degree of Seperation?
For example, does this work:

(Book 1) The Virgin Suicides by Jeffery Eugenides.
Eugenides won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2003, the year after Richard Russo won it (2002).
(Book 2) Empire Falls by Richard Russo.

Dorothea Tanning was married to Max Ernst, who was formerly married to Peggy Guggenheim. I want to read a Tanning and a Guggenheim, but don't care to bother with an Ernst. Does that work?

Tanja wrote: "Nicole - Advisory Council is approved.

Let me think on the interview part. I am denying it mainly because it isn't as direct as an interview of two authors by the SAME interviewer. Otherwise the..."

I was just curious! I am good to come up with any other connections. There are a lot of writer's boards, so that would make it easy to find a direct and for sure connection! Thanks for your response!

I have Roberta Kray books and wondered how I can get this into a 6 separation please help?

Thanks x

This task is awesome!

Would it work if you used Jonathan Safran Foer and Nicole Krauss because they are married?

I can't wait to start looking!

I'd like to use One Second After by William Forstchen and hopefully link it to another post-apocolyptic book. I'm pretty clueless on how to do all this! I see in the author's autobiography that he has co-authored with Newt Gingrich, which should open up tons of possibilities? (I'm not willing to read anything by Gingrich himself, though!)

Any ideas?

I am thinking of reading a book by Anne MC Caffrey and Elizabeth Scaraborough. Would that work? They co authored some books.

I, myself, am a little confused. Let's say I read Patricia Cornwell's book "The Body Farm" and one by Bill Bass "Death's Acres" that would be one degree? Patricia Cornwell wrote "The Body Farm" based off Bill Bass who created the real body farm which is in Knoxville, TN and Bill Bass wrote "Death's Acres" with a forward from Patricia Cornwell as they are friends.

El - That's good with the previously married connection!

Nicole - NP!

Rachel Lee - It's good! Looks to be 5 degrees: Hynd to Ludlum to Damon to Affleck to Barrymore to author of Derby Girl.

Jamie - Authors married to each other work!

Ashley - It's a no to the post-apocolyptic theme. But it is a yes to the co-authored! And I'm sure folks here can help you find more split-offs from Gingrich to a more preferred author!

Jayme - Sure on the co-authored part! That's one-degree!

Michele - That's a fantastic connection! Cornwell's book being based on Bass' real body farm and then reading Bass' book! One degree!

Since you accepted book blurbs, what about a writer reviewing another writer's book in the NYT? I don't think it would be one degree, but someone that the one writer works with had to have contacted the other writer doing the reviewing and hence the connections.

I'm sorry -- I didn't mean I meant to use the theme as the degree of separation, but that I need degrees of separation to get TO another post-apocolyptic themed book. If that makes sense. It seems like it should be easy, but maybe not.

This is a tough task for me because research really isn't my thing. I'm just hoping someone here knows of someone in Congress who wrote something I'd like to read! Are there any mystery writers in Congress, LOL?

EDITTED

Petra - Prizes won't work. It falls under the same reason why I wouldn't do a list or the same publication. HOWEVER if there was a prize winner's banquet/convention/etc and both authors were at that same event, I'd accept that. Now it has to be the SAME PRIZE for the SAME YEAR for the SAME CATEGORY. Be sure to cite the reference when you make the post.

Ashley wrote: "I'm sorry -- I didn't mean I meant to use the theme as the degree of separation, but that I need degrees of separation to get TO another post-apocolyptic themed book. If that makes sense. It seem..."

Books Written by Senators in the 111th Congress

Nicole - That's fantastic! A writer reviewing another writer's book in the NYT is good. So (fictional example here) if J.D. Robb wrote a review on Stephen King's It, then that's a connection. You could read a book by King so long as Part A was a book by J.D. Robb.

Wasn't there a task previously where you had to read 2 books by related authors? Like a mother and a daughter or a married couple. It might be useful to check that thread.

Ashley - I'll try to research some angles later on today! Hopefully others might help out :)

I found another interesting connection:

Jonathan Safran Foer took an introductory writing class with Joyce Carol Oates.

Also, he co edited The Future Dictionary of America with David Eggers.

Ashley wrote: "I'm sorry -- I didn't mean I meant to use the theme as the degree of separation, but that I need degrees of separation to get TO another post-apocolyptic themed book. If that makes sense. It seem..."

This link has sections "Books Written by U.S. House Representatives" and "Books Written by Others and Former Members"

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/tt/books.tt

Tanja, Roberta Kray was married to 1 of the Krays. There was a film done about them that had Martin & Gary Kemp starring in that. Gary & Martin was in Spandau Ballet and also Martin was in Eastenders. But have no idea how else I can read a book that ends with that, unless I read a book called The Road to Nab End (think its to do with the East End).

Thanks, Tanja.

How about this connection:

book 1: Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

This book was published by a division of Schuster & Schuster called Charles Scribner’s Sons.
Charles Scribner’s Sons also publishes works by Stephen King.
Stephen King also publishes under the pen name of Richard Bachman.

Book 2: Blaze by Richard Bachman.

Thanks Tanja. I have already read both of those so I will work on another connection :)

Ashley wrote: "I'm sorry -- I didn't mean I meant to use the theme as the degree of separation, but that I need degrees of separation to get TO another post-apocolyptic themed book. If that makes sense. It seem..."

It's not post-apocalyptic, but William S Cohen (former secretary of defense) wrote Dragon Fire, which is a political thriller.

Ashley wrote: "I'd like to use One Second After by William Forstchen and hopefully link it to another post-apocolyptic book. I'm pretty clueless on how to do all this! I see in the author's autob..."

Ashley,

Gingrich was the Speaker during the Clinton administration--they definitely met! I'm sure you could connect Clinton to a ton of people, including Maya Angelou, any former/current presidents, world leaders, etc.

Also, Gingrich was on The Daily Show last night, so he's connected to Jon Stewart (or, I'm sure, any number of journalists).

Oh, Ashley, here's another connection:

Gingrich's half-sister Candice Gingrich once guest starred on Friends. From there you can go to Jennifer Aniston, who was in Derailed, a thriller written by James Siegel. She was also in Rock Star with Mark Wahlberg, who has been in a lot of thriller type movies. There are millions of connections!

This is entirely too much fun. Great idea, Tanja!!!

Just making sure this is okay. I plan to read Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee and In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar. Matar received an accolade from Coetzee for this book.

Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child have co-authored many books. Would it be okay if I read Impact by Douglas Preston for part A and Utopia by Lincoln Child for part B? Or do I have to read a book that they co-authored for part B (example: Riptide)

I saw an interview about a month ago with Steve Berry and James Rollins. They were being interviewed at the same time by the same interviewer. Could I read Altar of Eden by James Rollins for part A and The Paris Vendetta: A Novel by Steve Berry for part B?

Bradbury was invited by Forrest J Ackerman to attend the Los Angeles Science Fiction Society. There he met: Robert A. Heinlein, Emil Petaja, Fredric Brown, Henry Kuttner, Leigh Brackett, and Jack Williamson.


Also for Ray Bradbury: Farenheit 451 was turned into a movie in which Julie Christie played. She also played in Doctor Zhivago, Far from the Madding Crowd, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

In May 2008, bookseller Waterstones asked JK Rowling and 12 other writers (Sebastian Faulks, Doris Lessing, Lisa Appignanesi, Margaret Atwood, Lauren Child, Richard Ford, Neil Gaiman, Nick Hornby, Michael Rosen, Axel Scheffler, Tom Stoppard and Irvine Welsh) to compose a short piece of their own choosing on a single A5 card, which would then be sold at auction in aid of the charities Dyslexia Action and English PEN.

On 1 August and 2 August 2006 JK Rowling read alongside Stephen King and John Irving at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Emma Watson played in the Harry Potter movies and also played in The Tale of Despereaux

And a question:

Another thought..what about authors that could be connected by being part of Oprah's book club of the month..I mean obviously she would have had to have them on her show..?

Fiona (Titch) wrote: "I have Roberta Kray books and wondered how I can get this into a 6 separation please help?

Thanks x"

Fiona (Titch) - This lady has a story! She was married to Reggie Kray of the Kray Bros, organized crime bosses in London in the 50s and 60s. They owned a popular night club where, according to Wikipedia, they mixed with Diana Dors, Frank Sinatra, and Judy Garland. So...I'm sure you can take that somewhere depending on what you like to read.

Katie wrote: "Fiona (Titch) wrote: "I have Roberta Kray books and wondered how I can get this into a 6 separation please help?

Thanks x"

Fiona (Titch) - This lady has a story! She was married t..."

They also met Barbara Windsor who works on Eastenders and worked with Martin Kemp in Eastenders and him and his brother played the Kray twins in their story.

I love readin Crime/Thriller kind of novels. Not sure what I can find in that kind of genre with that kind of separation.

This is a REALLY awesome task. The more I come up with ideas and hear everyone else's ideas, I am coming up with ways to shift my books from other tasks to this one, thereby making more opportunities to add other books I am eye-balling! YAY!!!!!

You also could do something with Jeffrey Eugenides as he wrote The Virgin Suicides which had alot of good actors who were also in other movies based on novels..particularly Kirsten Dunst.

Ashley-

Forstchen is the author of the "Lost Regiment" series which has been optioned by both Tom Cruise and M. Night Shyamalan.

Tom Cruise is best friends with Will Smith. Will Smith starred in the movie I Am Legend based on the book by Richard Matheson.

While I'm here - Tom Cruise is the cousin of William Mapother, who played Ethan Rom on the television show LOST. You could read a book from the Lost list.

Tom Cruise was in The Color of Money, which was directed by Martin Scorsese. Scorsese directed the film adaptations of
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane and The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton.

Also, Scorsese has collaborated with Leonardo DiCaprio in a number of films. Leo has starred in the following film adaptations:
The Basketball Diaries - Jim Carroll
What's Eating Gilbert Grape - Peter Hedges
Revolutionary Road - Richard Yates
Romeo and Juliet - William Shakespeare
Body of Lies: A Novel - David Ignatius
Catch Me If You Can - Frank Abagnale
This Boy's Life: A Memoir - Tobias Wolff


And on and on and on... :oP