I have read so many posts and articles about how to come up with the best titles for blog posts, articles, books, and more; and each one tells us how important a title is. Titles help make that crucial first impression on readers, and titles do help them make decisions on picking what to read or not to read, especially when today’s audience has so many choices, and time, well, it is not enough for everything, right? So, yes, it is all in the titles!

Now, on to the content for this title today!

Six Degrees of Separation: It is All In the Titles (Well, Almost!)

Back participating in the really cool six degrees of separation bookish meme. The book that starts it off this month is Passages, a self-help book, and this time, the connection, it is all in the titles (well, almost all of it). You can see for yourself soon enough.

This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links below. If you purchase through an affiliate link, I may get a commission at no extra cost to you. Please see the full disclosure for more information. Thank you for supporting my blog.

Passages – The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly – The Fine Art of Small Talk – Flower Talk – Letters to a Writer of Color – The Book of Last Letters – Our Incredible Library Book (and the wonderful journeys it took) – Passages

This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Thank you for your support. Please see the full disclosure for more information. I only recommend products I definitely would (or have already) use myself.

The Pairs

Passages – The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly

Book Descriptions

Passages: Predictable Crises of Adult Life by Gail Sheehy. Learn how to better navigate the challenges of adult life with Gail Sheehy’s landmark bestseller—named one of the ten most influential books of our times by the Library of Congress.

The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly: Life Wisdom from Someone Who Will (Probably) Die Before You by Margareta Magnusson. From New York Times bestselling author of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, a book of humorous and charming advice for embracing life and aging joyfully.

My Thoughts on the Pair

Passages and The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly. The link: this one is not in the titles but the genre and theme of the help. Self-help books about being adults and handling adulthood well.

I have not read Gail Sheehey’s Passages: Predictable Crises of Adult Life, but it sure does sound like one that will be of use to many, including moi. And it is part of a whole series too!

I am linking Passages to The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly, which is another self-help book about being an adult, or learning how to age well. I have been this one in bits and pieces, and it has been a wise and witty read so far, about life and how we can deal with it. While I hope to get a more detailed review of the book when I read it fully, my advice to you: get it for yourself and read it. It really is self-help!

The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly – The Fine Art of Small Talk

Book Description

The Fine Art of Small Talk: How To Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills — and Leave a Positive Impression! by Debra Fine. In this bestselling guide to social success, communication expert Debra Fine reveals the techniques and strategies anyone can use to make small talk in any situation.

My Thoughts on the Pair

The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly and The Fine Art of Small Talk. The link is obvious here – the word ‘art’ in both titles. Like with the first book in this pair, I am reading The Fine Art of Small Talk by dipping into it a little at a time, and loving everything about it.

From that coincidence (intentional, most likely) of the title containing the word ‘Fine’ to the author’s last name being the same, to clever chapter titles (like Prevent Pregnant Pauses with Preparation), and of course, the actual ideas we can use to make small talk and make the best out of it, it is all good within the pages of this fine book.

The Fine Art of Small Talk – Flower Talk

Book Description

Flower Talk: How Plants Use Color to Communicate by Sara Levine (Author) and Masha D’yans (Illustrator). This new book from Sara Levine features a cantankerous talking cactus as a narrator, revealing to readers the significance of different colors of flowers in terms of which pollinators (bees, bats, birds, etc.) different colors “”talk”” to. (picture book for 7 – 11 years, and up)

My Thoughts on the Pair

The word ‘talk’ in the title connects the two books here. Flower Talk is a beautifully illustrated book with a really colorful flower narrator who is wonderfully sassy and oh-so knowledgeable about flowers and how they communicate using colors. The artwork is perfect for this book, and frame-worthy too! I am inspired to try to paint flowers now, just looking at the pages of the book make me happy. But that is not all; I learned so much about how flowers “talk” and, they talk so colorfully too!

This is a must-read for all.

Flower Talk – Letters to a Writer of Color

Book Description

Letters to a Writer of Color edited by by Deepa Anappara and Taymour Soomro with contributions from various writers. A vital collection of essays on the power of literature and the craft of writing from an international array of writers of color, sharing the experiences, cultural traditions, and convictions that have shaped them and their work. You can preorder this book today (it is out March 7th)

My Thoughts on the Pair

In the subtitle for Flower Talk, we have the word ‘color’ that links it to the next book on the chain: Letters to a Writer of Color.

Letters to a Writer of Color is a stunning collection of essays not only for writers, but just about anyone. We get an insight into various facets of life through the eyes of these gifted writers from across the cultural and global diaspora. When Amitava Ghosh talks about authenticity, I am inspired to look for those everyday moments that grasp your heart and promise to stay enshrined in your memory, and use that feeling to be authentic – not only in my writing but also in interactions with others. And similarly, each and every writer presents a look at some aspect of writing (and in a way, of living itself) which teaches and inspires and opens our eyes to a wider view of the world.

Read it – even if you are not a writer.

Letters to a Writer of Color – The Book of Last Letters

Book Description

The Book of Last Letters by Kerry Barrett. Inspired by an incredible true story, this is an unforgettable novel about love, loss and one impossible choice…

My Thoughts on the Pair

Letters are always a wonderful way to connect! And here the word connects these two cool books. I am yet to read The Book of Last Letters which expired on Netgalley before I could get to it. But given that it is a book based on a true story from the WWII (one of my favorite times to read about though I get weepy reading the books), set in dual timelines (again, love this!), and is about letters and love, I know I will adore every last letter in this book! I have since gotten a copy for myself just so I can read it!

The Book of Last Letters – Our Incredible Library Book

Book Description

Our Incredible Library Book (and the wonderful journeys it took) by Caroline Crowe (Author) and John Joseph (Illustrator). The story of one incredible library book and all the children who’ve borrowed it. Fun, rhyming text from Caroline Crowe and bright, joyful illustrations from New York Times-bestseller John Joseph celebrate a love of books and libraries. Readers will pore over the clever details – hot chocolate rings, a hastily taped page and an accidental splash. (Apr 4, 2023; 4 – 8 years, and up)

My Thoughts on the Pair

Having a ‘book’-ish connection is also a great thing, as in the link between these two books. Our Incredible Library Book is coming April 4, 2023 but you should definitely preorder the book.

This book is incredible indeed. Clever rhyming couplets and charming cheery illustrations show the lovely and heartwarming journey of a library book as it makes its way from reader to reader. A perfect way to show the magic of sharing a book and the importance of libraries, books, and reading itself!

Do check out this incredible library book!!

Our Incredible Library Book (and the wonderful journeys it took) – Passages

My Thoughts on the Pair

And like last month’s six degrees, I am closing the circle once again by linking back to Passages for journeys do mean passages, right!

Six Word Saturday: It is All in the Titles

Okay, so this photo is not recent, it is from 2020 to be more specific, but I had been meaning to share this weird coincidence that I noticed when I got these books (one of those free subscriptions I had agreed to when ordering something else) and at a time when we were getting the Sunday newspaper delivered home. I try to write my Saturday post titles with just six words often (whether or not I participate in Six Word Saturday!) but this time around, I recalled this pic. Do you see what I saw then?

For Debbie’s Six Word Saturday at Travel With Intent.

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, the usual list of question for you on my #sixdegreesofseparation post – have you read or heard about any of these books? Your thoughts on those you have read? Also, any recommendations for similar reads? And what do you think of these chains/degrees of separation? What would be on such a list/chain for you? Do let me know and do join in the fun as well once a month (the first Saturday) at booksaremyfavouriteandbest.