Six Degrees of Separation: 1984

October 17, 2014 Six Degrees of Separation 11

How goes it, Bookworms?

I’m pretty excited today, because I’m jumping back into one of the coolest memes in the book blogosphere. That’s right. The Six Degrees of Separation meme (hosted by Annabel Smith and Emma Chapman) chose 1984 as their jump-off point this month, and, well, I couldn’t NOT participate. Big Brother would be displeased. (I fear Big Brother! Truly, I do. Especially the reality show. I don’t get it.)

sixdegrees11. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (review): I don’t have to have GOOD reasons to link books together, do I? I borrowed my college roommate’s copy of 1984 and it had one large blue eye on the cover of it. I just don’t read that many books that feature eyeballs as cover art. It made an impression. Thus my decision to link to The Bluest Eye

2. The Color Purple by Alice Walker (review): My reasoning here is twofold. First, The Bluest Eye is an intense discussion of the difficulties of life faced by African American women… And incest. Much like The Color Purple. Seriously heartbreaking stories, the both of them. Also, though, they’ve got colors in their titles. It makes me think of my reading rainbow. I love that rainbow… Siiigh. Speaking of rainbows…

3. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (review): Man, do I love Rainbow Rowell, and not only because her name is FABULOUS. Her books are fabulous, too. Attachments was her first novel, and I feel like it doesn’t get enough love. It’s the sweetest little novel about a couple who falls in love through mild internet stalking. Swoon. Also, the leading man in Attachments is named Lincoln, which leads me to…

sixdegrees1984

4. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith: I don’t know what it is about putting historical figures and/or classic literary characters into bizzaro situations that makes me so happy, but oh it does! I don’t find it irreverent, I find it wonderful. Well, it’s also irreverent, but I love it. Hence, I’m brought to the next book on my list…

5. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H Winters (review): I loved the crap out of this book. It was just so innovative. I mean, sea monsters?! Steampunk underground cities? Swarthy pirates right and left? I couldn’t help myself. One of my favorite elements of this book was that a lot of the respectable wives of the respectable gents were actually kidnapped natives from deserted islands. A fitting metaphor for certain arranged marriages, no? The culinary delights provided by some of these former island princesses put me in mind of the lovely fare J Maarten Troost encountered on his travels through the South Pacific which leads me to…

6. Headhunters on My Doorstep by J Maarten Troost (review): J Maarten Troost has adventures so you don’t have to. This book had me laughing so many times, I just can’t help but demand that people pick up some Troost. Next time you think it’s a good idea to move to an equatorial atoll, think again. It’s a wild ride, y’all. Gooooood times.

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And there you have it! Dystopian England to the equatorial atolls of the South Pacific in 6 easy steps! Have I mentioned I love this meme?!

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11 Responses to “Six Degrees of Separation: 1984”

  1. Jancee

    The reasons you give for linking books always make me laugh! Also, I love Big Brother (the reality show). I say in public that I like it because it’s a fascinating experiment in sociology. Really, though? It’s one of my guilty pleasure shows because it’s just fun.

    • Words For Worms

      Oh, I know a ton of people who dig Big Brother… I just don’t get it. Then again, I’m guilty of watching Dance Moms, so I really can’t say anything.

  2. Charleen

    Attachments really doesn’t get enough love… which makes me even more sad that Landline disappointed so many people. Makes me think they’re even less likely now to give her other adult novel a try.

  3. ThatAshGirl

    I enjoyed Attachments. But then the concept of a hot IT guy, works for me.

    On a side note, my IRL book club just re-read 1984 in September…it was a very back to High School flashback.

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