Welcome back to the bookish version of Six Degrees of Separation. Here’s how it works: Start with the book suggested by Kate over at booksaremyfavouriteandbest, and see where you end up by linking it to six other titles. It’s easy and it’s fun, and no two chains are the same!
This month’s starting point is with a bestselling work of autobiographical fiction, Postcards From the Edge by Carrie Fisher.
First Degree: In 1981, Carrie Fisher played a role in the movie Under the Rainbow, so that would naturally lead me to my first connection to a book with the same name (but totally different topics), Under the Rainbow by Celia Laskey. I personally think this is an underrated gem and wish it would get more attention. You can read my review here.
Second Degree: The Kansas setting made me immediately think of the obvious choice, The Wizard of Oz; however, it’s Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts that truly captured my heart! This is a historical fiction novel about the story behind The Wizard of Oz‘s creator. It’s early Hollywood (such nostalgia!) and it left me with such a sense of hope and happiness! (You can read my original review here.)
Third Degree: The creator of The Wizard of Oz was from South Dakota so the beginning of Finding Dorothy is set in South Dakota. This led me to Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden, a thriller set on a Native American reservation. While this book wasn’t my favorite, a lot of people did seem to enjoy it. (Read my review here.)
Fourth Degree: Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann is a well-researched nonfiction book that chronicles the murderous scheme to pillage millions of dollars from the Osage Indians of Oklahoma. It also loosely describes the beginnings of the FBI. In April, Martin Scorsese began producing this soon-to-be-movie which will star Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. (Read my review here.)
Fifth Degree: Another book-to-movie adaptation I’m really looking forward to is The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. Set in France, the Nazis have invaded France and Vianne and her daughter have no choice but to become hosts to a German captain who seizes her home. Vianne’s sister, Isabelle, joins the French resistance and fights the Nazis from within France at great risk to her life and those she’s trying to save. It’s one of my all-time favorite books and I can’t wait to watch it come alive on the screen!
Sixth Degree: Another book set in France that I haven’t read yet but has been highly recommended to me is The Paris Wife by Paula McClain. It’s about Ernest Hemingway’s wife, Hadley, and it’s set in the always intriguing Jazz Age Paris with a (now) well-known “lively and volatile group—the fabled “Lost Generation”—that includes Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.”
Next month (September 4, 2021), we’ll start with 2021 Booker Prize nominee, Second Place by Rachel Cusk.
Happiest When Reading 
You’ve given a lot of thought to your links. Early Hollywood would appeal as a setting to me too.
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I think I have The Paris Wife on my shelf… interesting connections here. Thanks!
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I’ve heard really good things about that one. I haven’t gotten to it yet myself, but hopefully soon!
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An interesting chain, from which The Nightingale goes to the top of the list. I’m always intrigued by stories of the French Resistance.
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I love that book so much…hope you do too!
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I tried to get it from the library today. No luck so far. 😦
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I have heard many people praising Winter Counts – and also The Paris Wife. I am currently reading the Alice B Toklas Cook Book, which includes all kinds of fascinating little snippets about her life with Gertrude Stein in Paris and their literary salons – ‘F Scott Fitzgerald came by’, ‘when Picasso came to dinner this is what I cooked’ – what a time to be alive (and, it must be said reasonably affluent!)
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