Unbelievably, we’re more than halfway through the year and Six in Six, hosted by Jo of The Book Jotter, is back again! I love taking part in this as I think it’s the perfect way to look back at our reading over the first six months of the year.
The idea of Six in Six is that we choose six categories (Jo has provided a list of suggestions or you can come up with new topics of your own if you prefer) and then fit six of the books or authors we’ve read this year into each category. It’s more difficult than it sounds, especially as I try not to use the same book in more than one category, but it’s always fun to do – and always a bit different as my reading tastes and patterns seem to change slightly each year.
Here is my 2024 Six in Six, with links to my reviews:
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Six books set in countries other than my own
1. Silence by Shūsaku Endō (Japan)
2. The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng (Malaysia)
3. Water Baby by Chioma Okereke (Nigeria)
4. Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hosein (Trinidad)
5. The Nightingale’s Castle by Sonia Velton (Hungary)
6. Spitting Gold by Carmella Lowkis (France)
Six classic crime books not by Agatha Christie
1. The Undetective by Bruce Graeme
2. Impact of Evidence by Carol Carnac
3. Opening Night by Ngaio Marsh
4. Fear Stalks the Village by Ethel Lina White
5. They Found Him Dead by Georgette Heyer
6. Deadly Duo by Margery Allingham
Six books with a touch of fantasy
1. The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton
2. The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden
3. Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones
4. The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks
5. Doomed Romances: Strange Tales of Uncanny Love by various authors
6. The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo
Six authors I’ve read for the first time this year
1. Akimitsu Takagi (The Noh Mask Murder)
2. Zadie Smith (The Fraud)
3. Alexander Lernet-Holenia (Count Luna)
4. Paul Gallico (Thomasina)
5. Neil Jordan (The Ballad of Lord Edward and Citizen Small)
6. Benjamin Myers (Cuddy)
Six books about real people
1. The Tower by Flora Carr (Mary, Queen of Scots)
2. The Household by Stacey Halls (Angela Burdett-Coutts)
3. The Black Count by Tom Reiss (General Thomas-Alexandre Dumas)
4. The Angel Makers by Patti McCracken (Zsuzsanna Fazekas)
5. Clairmont by Lesley McDowell (Claire Clairmont)
6. The Reckoning by Sharon Penman (Llewelyn ap Gruffydd and Ellen de Montfort)
Six book covers that catch the eye
1. The Beholders by Hester Musson
2. The Book of Secrets by Anna Mazzola
3. The Burial Plot by Elizabeth Macneal
4. The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye by Briony Cameron
5. The Puzzle Wood by Rosie Andrews
6. The Long Shadow by Celia Fremlin
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Have you read any of these books or authors this year? Are you taking part in Six in Six?
She Reads Novels 
I’m impressed – it doesn’t sound easy at all and I don’t think you have any overlaps!
It does take some time to put these posts together, but I do it every year and I think it’s a good way to look back at the first six months!
I’m not sure I could even think to fill in all these categories as well as you do, Helen, even though I’ve read 40+ books so far! But, as Jane suggests, so impressive what you’ve done. Of course I’ll have read the Diana Wynne Jones title but I’m afraid that’s about it, I’ve not even read all the other authors let alone read their novels …
It’s not easy, although I make it harder for myself by not repeating titles in more than one category. I did enjoy the Diana Wynne Jones book and hope to read another one at some point!
I was starting out pretty well on the first two lists, having read quite a few, but then we parted. Your covers are really nice.
I’ve read lots of books with beautiful covers this year. It was difficult just choosing six!
You always think of such good categories when you do these posts!
Thank you! I enjoy putting these posts together.
As always, Helen, an amazing selection of categories, books and authors. I sadly haven’t read any of these, but quite a few of these authors are on my to-try list 😊
I know you’ve already read my Six in Six post, but here it is for anyone else who might be interested: https://thebookwormchronicles.wordpress.com/2024/07/09/%f0%9f%93%9a-my-six-in-six-2024-edition/
Thank you, Jessica! I hope you’re able to try some of these authors soon.
Impressive lists! I like that you don’t repeat the books/authors in any of them. I’ve read four of these titles and have one on my wish list.
Luckily, I’ve usually read more than 36 books by this point in the year, so I don’t need to repeat anything. It does take a while to fit them all into categories, but it’s fun to do!
BTW, did you already post your review of Enlightenment? If so I have missed it.
No, I’m very behind with reviews but slowly catching up. I’ll be posting that one soon – maybe next week!
I enjoy taking part in this one too. I have only read a few of your classic crime books, I’m tempted to read Cuddy soon.
I thought Cuddy was very impressive, although it took me a while to get used to the writing style.
Thank you for taking part and supporting every year. I loved some of those covers, all seemed to link somehow.
Here is to the next 6 months of reading.
Yes, I hope the next six months of reading are as good as the first! I’m glad you like the covers I chose – there are so many beautiful ones around at the moment.
I’m impressed by the breadth of your reading. Even with doubling up on some titles I would fail miserably with most of the categories. The one about real people would be very tough.
It does take a while to put these posts together and fit books into categories! You can choose any categories you like, though – I use different ones each year to suit my reading patterns.