I’m sure by now you all know the rules of this monthly fun meme hosted by Books are my Favorite and Best: On the first Saturday of every month, a book is chosen as a starting point and linked to six other books to form a chain. Books can be linked in obvious ways, for example: same authors, same era or genre, or books with similar themes or settings. Or you might choose to link them in more personal ways: books you read in the same holiday, books given to you by a particular friend or books that remind you of a particular time in your life. The choices are endless here!
Our starting point this month is the first book in series that kids all over the world have loved for 20 years.
Nine-year-old Beezus Quimby has her hands full with her little sister, Ramona. Sure, other people have little sisters that bother them sometimes, but is there anyone in the world like Ramona? Whether she’s taking one bite out of every apple in a box or secretly inviting 15 other 4-year-olds to the house for a party, Ramona is always making trouble–and getting all the attention. Every big sister can relate to the trials and tribulations Beezus must endure. Old enough to be expected to take responsibility for her little sister, yet young enough to be mortified by every embarrassing plight the precocious preschooler gets them into, Beezus is constantly struggling with her mixed-up feelings about the exasperating Ramona.
I have 3 other feline siblings and unfortunately fortunately, I am Ramona in this household. Don’t expect much sympathy with Beezus from my Mommy either. She is also a Ramona. I quite strongly suspect that my Aunt Hannelize, felt quite a lot the same towards my Mommy as Beezus did towards Ramona.
2nd Degree: Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn
Yes, we know there is a third sister. But my Mommy couldn’t find a photo with Hyacinth included.
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I don't have a sister but I love reading books about sisters and what a journey you went on here! Beverly Cleary to Shirley Jackson is quite a leap but I loved seeing how you worked it out. There is actually a 3rd sister in the Bridgerton books named Eloise whose story is pretty great and a 4th named Francesca (I think that spelling is right) whose story is quite a bit different from the others. I think you'd enjoy both books!
HI Katherine! I know, quite a leap yes!! But I had fun taking the jump. Six Degrees is always a lot of fun. I hope to read all the Bridgerton Sisters before the end of the year. But I keep on being interrupted by other books…!
Will keep you posted!
Thank you for an interesting chain. I too have only read Little Women – I have tried Jodi Picoult but just couldn't get into her writing. And I've always meant to read the Shirley Jackson, but I think I procrastinate because it looks scary…
I am an only child and I also was determined to have more than one – I have three children now, and my elder daughter and middle child is definitely the Ramona here! By contrast, her older brother and younger sister are peace-loving individuals. As they have become adults they have started to get along much better, but there are still moments of conflict! Nevertheless, I am really glad that they will always have one another.
Until last year I had two Siamese sisters – the smaller was defintely the Ramona in that relationship – she may have been tiny, but she knew how to get her own way! Sadly she died in early 2020; her sister is, I think, now quite enjoying being an only cat and getting all the laps and cuddles (at last.)
My own chain focused on siblings in children's books: https://sconesandchaiseslongues.blogspot.com/2021/05/six-degrees-of-separation-may-2021.html
Hi there Rosemary! Thanks for your lovely message!
I have a love/hate relationship with Jodi Picoult. I haven't read all her books yet, but there are a few that I really couldn't get into as well. Shirley Jackson is worth the try. Not as scary as she's always proclaimed to be. More psychological I would say.
We grew up with Siamese cats and they really are the feisty of the species. I have a cross-bred Siamese who can't stand poor Elza. Elza always has to walk circles around her and then she will still go for the little one. She never had a problem with the other two cats, but she hates Elza. Maybe it's an attention thing. Elza demands a lot of it, as I'm sure you can gather from this post.
Thanks for visiting us!!
From Ramona to Shirley Jackson is a bit of a magnificent leap! Well done!
Now that you mention it….
I’m an only child, I always wanted a brother or sister but it never materialised. I was determined if I had kids they’d have siblings. I love your pics!
Hi Heather! Only child versus siblings. Oh it's a constant debate at school! We were two kids, but I wouldn't have minded to have only one child.
Glad you enjoyed the pics!
I liked the theme! And, one of my favorite memes is the two little girls dressed exactly alike! Ah…my nieces are exactly like that. Oh, the different POVs when one is the older sister and the other is the annoying one! I was definitely the annoying one by the way. HA!
Me and my sister differ by 18 months and my Mom always dressed us alike! She hated it, I loved it!!! Two Christmasses ago, we just had fun and dressed the same way again. Both in our 40's now, but we did have fun doing it!
I had no idea they were making an adaptation of this novel. But I'm marking it down as I write this. thanks for sharing!!!!
Hi Trin! My pleasure! I'm sure we are going to hear a lot about it as soon as release date is dropped.
Aww, thanks for sharing your pics! I have a brother (who is annoying enough) but I always wondered what it was like to have a sister too. I chose to focus on siblings too for this month's #6Degrees, but I think my chosen books are a lot less fun than your picks! And I didn't know Nightingale was up for TV :-O
~Lex
Hi Lex! Having a sister is like having a best friend and an arch enemy all at the same time. Now that we are a bit older (more than a bit I guess), it's not as bad anymore and we are mostly just best friends.
Your books were fun too! Yes!! Very excited for the adaptation for The Nightingale. I hope it will be worth all the anticipation.
I've read a few of these! It was a good theme to go with this month!
Hi Marg! Yea! I had fun with this one and even my big sister enjoyed my post!
Oh, this challenge sounds like so much fun! I'll have to participate sometime. Thanks for introducing me to it!
You really should try it! It's the most fun. I've only missed once so far. The first Saturday of every month, is Six Degrees!
I’m a little sister to three older brothers, so tee hee—I got to be the annoying one. Great chain!
Hi Linda! I have an only an older sister and I know for a fact that I'm a Ramona. Not always proud of it, but at least we get more common sense when we grow older!
I first thought of linking to books about sisters, starting with Little Women. I was a Beezus to my little sister who was a Ramona.
Hi Margaret. You know what they say about great minds (winky face). My sister was definitely also a Beezus. But I got right back at her by being a real Ramona.
Fabulous chain! I love your sisters choices!
Thank you Carol! Loved yours too!
I am/was the annoying younger sister in my family! Excellent chain.
So am I! Sadly enough, it's only me and my sister left from my side of the family. But I still annoy the living daylight out of here any chance I get!
What a fascinating chain – all the different books about sisters. I've read a couple – will check out the others. Enjoy May!
Thanks Beverley! It was fun to join in Six Degrees again. Hope you enjoy the books if you get your hands on them.
Great job! The Glass Castle was something else.
Hi Lisa! It sure was. And to think it's NOT fiction. You really can't make that sh*t up.
I only know Little Women from your list, though my daughter's a big Picault fan. I'll follow some of these up – thanks
Little Women is such an amazing classic. It's on my Classics Club list as well and I need to read it again.