Welcome to Litsy!

My first book for #readingoceania24 and it‘s a great one! I learned a lot about the people and culture of Oceanic islands.

My favourite quote: we are a ‘Sea of Islands rather than islands in a far sea‘.

I‘m using this for #tonga, and it would also work for #papuanewguinea or #fiji.

Thank you so much for sending it to me, Holly, and I enjoyed reading along with you. I‘m so lucky that you sent me two books that I would never otherwise have read.

This book was a great find for #ReadingOceania2024, as anthropologist Hau‘ofa is steeped in Oceania. I particularly appreciated his way of looking at the region and the short fiction piece makes me want to read the book it came from. This one is best read one or two pieces at a time. #Tonga (would also work for Papua New Guinea, Fiji, or arguably any of the Oceania countries)

In the first 2 essays of part II, Hau‘ofa encourages a different way of looking at Oceania, not as isolated, disparate places, but a cohesive whole bound by family ties. This is how it was before the intrusion of European influence and how the peoples of these places remain interconnected today.

Helen, I have to admit I found the second essay in part II a teeny bit dry in places. 🫢 @squirrelbrain

Epeli Hau‘ofa was born to Tongan parents in Papua New Guinea and went on to become an anthropologist specializing in the South Pacific. He also wrote fiction and nonfiction and was passionate about Oceania.

Helen, I‘m pretty proud of myself for this find! I‘ve read the Foreword and Part I and it‘s really interesting so far. He was clearly deeply respected and incredibly thoughtful. I think a couple of pieces a day is the right pace.

#readingoceania24

I‘ve only just read the preface and the first essay, Holly, and I can already tell this is going to be a fascinating book.

I keep Googling and making notes, (which countries are in Melanesia - Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea) and also so I can remember which countries are covered in the book.

At the moment I think I‘ll use it for #tonga for sure but may add some more obscure ones if they‘re covered.

Holly, I love, love, love that you sent me books from Hawaii / Pacific Islanders / Oceania! ❤️❤️❤️

Flicking through the books - I don‘t think I‘ll need any other books for #readingoceania24 - it‘s all here!

I love the local bookmark and the sticky notes are so cute!

And thank you so much for your newsy note - I‘ll email you soon! 😘

Have a lovely Christmas!