It’s the first Saturday of the month which means it’s time for another Six Degrees of Separation, hosted by Kate of Books are my Favourite and Best. The idea is that Kate chooses a book to use as a starting point and then we have to link it to six other books of our choice to form a chain. A book doesn’t have to be connected to all of the others on the list – only to the one next to it in the chain.
This month we’re starting with Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. I haven’t read it, but here’s what it’s about:
Natalie lives a traditional lifestyle – and her followers are sick with envy. Her charming farmhouse on her working ranch is artfully cluttered, her husband is a handsome cowboy, her homemade sourdough boules are each more beautiful than the last. So what if there are nannies and producers and industrial-grade ovens behind the scenes? What her followers don’t know won’t hurt them.
Then, one morning, Natalie wakes up in a strange, horrible version of reality. Her home, her husband, her children—they’re all familiar, but something’s off. Is this a hoax? A reality show? A test from God? Natalie knows just two things for sure: this isn’t her perfect life, and she must escape, by any means possible.
I’m sure there are more creative directions I could have gone in for my first link, but as Yesteryear seems to involve an element of time travel, although apparently with a twist, I’m simply going to link to one of my favourite time travel novels, The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier (1). It’s set partly in 14th century Cornwall, but it wasn’t the historical storyline that interested me so much as the method of time travel itself – psychological via an experimental drug rather than physical – and the implications it has for the lives of our present day (1960s) characters.
Du Maurier is known for her strong affinity with Cornwall, where she lived for many years. Another author who has set several of her books in Cornwall is Jane Johnson – for example, The White Hare (2). This one is set in a fictional Cornish valley which is beautifully and vividly described. Johnson works the legend of the white hare into the novel – a legend which really is a part of Cornish forklore.
Hare Sitting Up by Michael Innes (3) shares a word in the title. It’s the eighteenth book in Innes’ Inspector John Appleby series – and you’ll be pleased to know it’s not necessary to have read the previous seventeen first! In this book, more of a thriller than a mystery, Appleby is investigating the disappearance of Professor Howard Juniper, a top government scientist who has been conducting secret research into biological warfare.
Juniper isn’t a very common name but The Cromarty Library Circle by Shona MacLean (4) features a Miss Juniper, an elderly governess with a dubious past who has taken two young women under her wing to help prepare them for their future lives. According to the author, she based the character on Elizabeth Bond, a real schoolmistress from Scotland’s Black Isle.
In MacLean’s novel, a group of people from the Black Isle town of Cromarty decide to start a circulating library. Another novel about libraries is The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles (5) which tells the story of the American Library in Paris and the people who worked there during the Nazi occupation. There’s also a modern day storyline which I didn’t like very much, but the wartime parts were fascinating and it was good to see that the library staff found various ways to keep the library operating throughout the war.
As Emma of Words and Peace is hosting Paris in July this month, I thought it would be nice to stay with books set in Paris for my final link. Paris by Edward Rutherfurd (6) is an obvious choice as it takes us through the history of the city from the 13th century to the 20th, following six different fictional families through multiple generations. I’ve read and enjoyed all of Rutherfurd’s novels (they’re all written in a similar way) but this isn’t one of my favourites as I found the non-chronological structure confusing.
And that’s my chain for July. My links have included: time travel, Cornwall, hares, the name Juniper, libraries and Paris.
In August we’ll be starting with Land by Maggie O’Farrell.
She Reads Novels 
An excellent chain Helen. I haven’t read that du Maurier, sounds very interesting. I did enjoy the Jane Johnson book though.
Here’s mine for this month: https://portobellobookblog.com/2026/07/04/6degrees-of-separation-for-july-2026-from-yesteryear-to-the-time-travelers-wife-booksky-%f0%9f%92%99%f0%9f%93%9a/
I think The House on the Strand is one of du Maurier’s best. I’m glad you enjoyed the Jane Johnson!
This is a clever chain, and the none that draws me in first is The Paris Library. Really, each of these is worth a place on the TBR. But you know, tottering pile ….
The historical sections of The Paris Library were fascinating and based on fact. Definitely worth a place on the TBR, but I can sympathise regarding the tottering pile!
A nice chain. I like the sound of the Michael Innes. Unusual cover/title for a thriller/mystery too!
I read a lot of Michael Innes’ books a few years ago and found them all quite unusual!
A DmD I have yet to read – it sounds good!
I think it’s one of her best!
Another great chain this month Helen, I haven’t read any of your titles and the du Maurier sounds particularly good!
It’s one of my favourite du Mauriers – I must read it again one day!
Well done! I also thought that the modern bits of The Paris Library were… lame.
I thought the modern storyline added very little to the novel. It would have been better without it.
Agreed, 100%!
Very enjoyable chain. Lovely to end up in Paris with Emma!
I didn’t deliberately set out to include Paris in my chain this month, but I’m glad it ended up that way!
I do love The House on the Strand! I remember my mother reading it when I was about ten – it’s the sort of book one wants to discuss while reading, so she mentioned several key plot elements that stuck in my mind. Many years later I persuaded my book group to read The Scapegoat but I think I should try them on this one.
I am looking forward to The Cromarty Library Circle and plan to buy it when I am in Ireland later this month (I hope my traveling companion doesn’t object to all the bookstore visits – we are going to a friend’s daughter’s wedding and have never traveled together before).
I haven’t read The Paris Library but enjoyed another of her books set in France.
Yes, The House on the Strand is a fascinating book and I can definitely see why your mother felt the need to discuss it! The Scapegoat has an equally intriguing plot – they are both in my top three or four du Maurier novels.
I hope you have a great time in Ireland and can fit in plenty of book buying time! I think you will probably enjoy The Cromarty Library Circle.
I have a copy of The House on the Strand somewhere – but apparently not in my library, so it must have been left behind at my parents’ house.
I think it’s one of du Maurier’s most interesting books.
I enjoyed the link through characters’ uncommon surnames!
I read Paris in Paris, so it remains a favorite experience even though I recall also wishing that he had stuck to a chronology.
You’re so lucky to have been able to read Paris actually in Paris – it must have added a lot to the experience! I enjoyed it, but prefer Rutherfurd’s other novels, where he does stick to chronological order.
The House on the Strand is a terrific first link! Loved your whole chain, really.
Thank you! I loved The House on the Strand – one of du Maurier’s most fascinating plots, I think.
I should have tried to go the Paris in July route, but I didn’t! lol
I have read a few Daphne du Maurier novels, but not that one. I will have to look for it!
I wonder if I could have made a whole chain of Paris books! The House on the Strand is one of my favourite du Mauriers – I hope you’re able to read it!
Dear Helen
We liked to read Yesteryear. Isn’t our world an illusion, all but a dream?
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Yesteryear does sound like an interesting book! I’m glad you liked it.
Its always interesting seeing where these kind of chains go. This month I’ve ended up adding The White Hare to my TBR as the folklore ties have instantly intrigued me. Its also news to me that Daphne du Maurier had a novel featuring time travel in it. Although I did at least know of her ties to Cornwall. I’m sure I saw a statue in one town (I can’t remember which) tied to The Birds actually.
The White Hare was an interesting book. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by Jane Johnson so far. Yes, Daphne du Maurier has a lot of ties with Cornwall as she lived there for most of her adult life. I love The Birds!
I so enjoy Du Maurier’s writing, but haven’t read this one yet!!
I love how your chain ends up in Paris. You are most welcome to join us, here is the page:
https://wordsandpeace.com/2026/06/23/parisinjuly2026-all-the-links/
And remember this is not just about reading books:
“During this month,
our goal is to embrace and honor our French encounters
by immersing ourselves in various activities
like reading, watching, listening, observing, cooking,
and indulging in all things French!“
I think The House on the Strand is one of du Maurier’s best. I hope you can read it soon!
I’m definitely planning to join in with Paris in July. Thanks!
Okay, this is amazing. That was a gloriously executed journey to Paris, and I am impressed 😀
Also: the Paris Library was so so good. You’re making me want to take another deep-dive down the “Paris books” rabbit hole 🙂
Thank you! I’m glad you liked The Paris Library. I thought it was fascinating. I love books set in Paris!