#6Degrees of Separation:
#6Degrees is a monthly link-up hosted by Kate at Books Are My Favourite and Best. I love the idea. Thank you, Kate. See more about this challenge, its history, further books and how I found this here. This month, we are supposed to start with our book group’s current selection.
Nice idea for next month. Unfortunately, we already had the book we read in my local club (The Correspondent, in April 2026) as a starter book and I cannot get the one for my online group. And the last ones were all German books. Also, the current online book is in Finnish and not translated. But, I decided to use the last online book we read that has an English edition: "Shutter Island" by Dennis Lehane.
Book Description:
"An arresting psychological thriller in which two US Marshals hunting for an escaped mental patient unveil a nightmare world of CIA drug trials, Nazi inspired eugenic work, and repressive mind control.
In the year 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels and his new partner, Chuck Aule, come to Shutter Island, home of Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane, to investigate an unexplained disappearance. Multiple murderess Rachel Solando is loose somewhere on this barren island, despite having been kept under constant surveillance in a locked, guarded cell. As a killer hurricane bears relentlessly down on the island, hints of radical experimentation and covert government machinations add darker, more sinister shades to an already bizarre case. Because nothing at Ashecliffe Hospital is remotely what it seems."
Once again, I decided to go with a word in the title, it was too good an opportunity to pass.
A great description of life on a plantation, first in the Caribbean, later in Louisiana, the life of the slaves and the free, lots of history, an incredibly rich account of the lives people had to lead.
An interesting book about a wonderful part of this world with a harrowing past. The island was used as a leper colony from 1903 to 1957. People who were banned there wouldn’t return into normal life until a cure was found.
This book reflects on the lives of the people on this island, how they got there, how their everyday life as, how life was for those left behind, how the people in the little village just opposite the island was. The author managed to illustrate all this through a family who was involved in the whole history.
There are a couple of families in Sweden with children of the same age. The Melkerson family goes on holiday on a skerry, a little rocky island in Sweden. Together with oder holiday children and children from the island, they have the most fabulous holidays. A lovely children's story.
The Native American girl Karana ends up on a deserted island where she spends the next eighteen years alone. The story tells about her life, her struggles to survive.
We have the Greek Kostas and Turkish Defne live on Cyprus, the divided island. They fall in love but - as usual in such cases - their love is forbidden.
Not just a children's book, the story is also interesting for adults, quite some excitement going on, you need to guess what might happen next and won't succeed every time.A lot of drama and action in the story. A true classic.
The connection between the first and the last book? Like last month, the titles all contain the same word: ISLAND.
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I must have read Scarecrow Island as a child because I read all her books but I don't remember it.
ReplyDeleteI had missed your review of Shutter Island but I agree - a dramatic and somewhat terrifying story but not really ideal for discussion. I had considered it for my library's community read but ultimately chose Frozen River instead.
Same as most of her books, it was even turned into a tv series. If you can get it, try to watch it. It's so cute.
DeleteI hadn't heard about Frozen River but just googled. Sounds interesting. And I am sure there was much to talk about.
Thanks for the comment, Constance.
Great chain! I loved Treasure Island (of course) and Island of the Blue Dolphins, though I didn't read that until I was an adult at teachers college.
ReplyDeleteI've also read a novel about life in a leper colony, it must have been soul destroying, honestly, when we look back at medical care in the past, it seems unendurable. There is always more to be done, but most of us are very lucky really.
Thanks, Lisa. I read Island of the Blue Dolphins as a student, middle school age but the follow-up, Zia, as an adult. Loved both of them.
DeleteAnd The Island is talking about the time shortly before they find a cure. So, your book must have been a lot earlier and I'd be much interested in it, if you remember the title.
That's impressive. I'm sure I don't have this many books with the word Island in the title. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Davida. Maybe I just like the sea and islands, I don't know. I was surprised myself.
DeleteI've been wanting to read Shutter Island for ages. On the list it goes.
ReplyDeleteI doubt I would have read it if it hadn't been for my online book club, Sarah. But in the end, I was glad I did.
DeleteIsland of the Dolphins was a big part of my childhood. Treasure Island was an also read, but didn't impact me personally as much.
ReplyDeleteSame here, Joy. It was a great read.
DeleteI have not read Shutter Island, but have seen and enjoyed the movie version based on the novel.
ReplyDeleteI want to read The Island and also The Island of Missing Trees.
I have read Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell twice. Did you know that Karana is based on a real life person? I recently visited the Santa Barbara Mission last week. The remains of the real life 'Karana' were buried at the Santa Barbara Mission.
I wrote a blog post about my visit to the Santa Barbara Mission, which was published earlier today. My post features a photo of the plaque about the real life 'Karana'. https://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2026/09/new-to-me-little-free-library-in-santa.html
Thank you so much for that, Lisa. I had head that Karana was a real life person but hadn't gotten to your post, yet. Will have a look in a minute.
DeleteI am sure you will love the two books you would like to read. Enjoy.
You're welcome! I figured you'd heard that Karana was based on a real person, so I thought you might find it interesting to learn where the real life 'Karana' was buried.
DeleteI did find it highly interesting, so thanks again.
DeleteLovely chain! I've got a few books with Island in the titles but I think I've read many books set on islands - I'll have a look later to see if I'm right.
ReplyDeleteI've read two of the books you've listed - The Island and Treasure Island and want to read The Island of Missing Trees. I've read two of Elif Şafak's books and loved both of them.
Thanks, Margaret. I think books taking place on islands are often interesting. In the case of The Island and The Island of Missing Trees, they are very special ones, as well. I also love Elif Şafak and this book of hers is about Cyprus which, of course, is highly interesting. Enjoy.
DeleteNice!
ReplyDeleteI have only read the last title, a classic.
Here is the last book I read with Island in the title, that was last September: https://wordsandpeace.com/2025/09/20/buddy-read-notes-from-an-island-chapter-7-and-essay/
Of course, Emma. I think most people know Treasure Island and an avid reader would have read it at one point. I think you might like all the others on my list, as well.
DeleteThanks for your link, I'll have a look.