Welcome to Litsy!

This story mostly takes place in Turkey in the 1990s and is very much a discussion of the intersection of religion and politics. I found it interesting at times and long at other times. It may have been better if I had more understanding of the historical context.

Chosen for #FoodAndLit in July but just now finished.

#audiobook #1001books #ReadTheWorld #ReadingTheWorld #translated #Turkey

This was quite an interesting read. Pamuk certainly has his own unique style of writing. The story is at the same time boring and interesting and you kind of want to not finnish and still you really can't. I think I would have gotten more out of this if I knew more about Turkish politics. I think I want to read more of him just to understand a bit better how he builds his stories. It feels also really unique.

Reading on a train my way to home. This book is not quite what I expected. I'm still finding that I return to it all the time. It is strangely calming read.

Reading at cafeteria 🤓📖

My first Orhan Pamuk. After only couple of pages I feel like this will not be my last. Also I feel like this will be a very quick read even though it's quite a chunkster. Can't wait to get really deep into it! 😍

I took some old books to the used bookstore and got these in return! 😍📚

#Summervacay means I had the time to make these tasty banana pancakes this morning, and spend an lazy hour almost finishing my current read. Still one, tiny chapter to go for tonight though.

#1001books
#Reading1001
#BookAndBreakfast
#Summertime ☀️

Today it‘s raining outside, so it was more tempting to stay indoors and bake bread for the weekend. It smells divine in the kitchen right now 😋

I have been reading the tagged book all month, and it‘s so sloooow going. Interesting in parts, but also very boring in parts. Hope to finish it soon, but can‘t seem to manage more than a chapter at the time before getting sleepy 😴

#Reading1001
#1001books

After a rash of suicides in Kars the poet-reporter Ka shows up to get inspired, report on the suicides & politics, and to try to woo a beautiful and newly single woman. The (snowed out) secular Turkish govt is pitted against the locally elected Islamist govt.
I wish there was more depth to Ka‘s love, but maybe its a critique the author is making? Maybe? I really enjoyed learning about some of the different sides of the politics in modern turkey.

This could've been a beautiful book for me to enjoy. Pamuk writes about so many important topics: religion, fundamentalism, love, passion... His language poetical and calm and soft. Could have. If it wasn't way to long. Pamuks language would've worked with 200-250 pages, that would've been so intense and unforgettable. But 500+? It wears out, gets boring and tiring. More and more I just wanted the book to be over.

@TheAroaOfBooks #BookSpinBingo

What was first, the egg or the hen❓

That describes perfectly my dilemma with this book. Why didn‘t I like it❓Because I didn‘t understand it❓
Or did I not understand it because I didn‘t like it❓

I did a quick research on the internet but I don‘t see through still. I don‘t understand nothing. Maybe because I‘m not familiar with Islam or the other topics Pamuk thematises.

Everything was weird, no thread, no authentic characters. All is wooden.

In 2007 selected for a project where a whole city or region will be reading one book – every one on her/his own or by attending one of the various events.

I liked the books they had chosen the years before, so I wanted to participate again. But, oh my, I bailed quickly. It reminded me too much of Brechts “Stories of Mr K.”

When I discovered this audiobook I thought I‘d give it another try since only runs 2,5 hours.

But again: I‘m fighting.

#winterwonderland #hazyshadeofwinter
I've read this a while ago and enjoyed so when i saw it in a charity shop recently felt I'd get it to reread.
I love the cover which definitely has a hint of winter in the image.

The expatriate poet Ka returns to his native Turkey ostensibly to investigate a growing number of suicides among "head scarf girls" for an article in a German newspaper, but actually to reconnect with the beautiful divorcee whom he knew in college. While there, he's caught up in religious and political intrigue. This book took a long time to read because at many spots reading it is like a chore. However, there are also a number of brilliant parts.

😃📚💝
#wordporn #orhanpumuk

This is the April book for my book club that we'll be discussing this weekend. Overall I enjoyed it and think it will make an interesting discussion. I did find some parts a little rambley at times, but still a good listen.

I really wanted to love this book as it started out with such fresh ways of getting the reader to feel like they are part of the story. The subject is very interesting and relevant as it's about the pros and cons of religious restrictions such as the burka.
But I have to say that either the writing style in general or the translation, plus me not being from Turkey made it an impossible read for me.

Thank you to the #worldbookday gods for arranging a national snow day on March 1st! Hope everyone who is affected is taking advantage & keeping safe ☃️📚🍷

This book was tough. The writing is very good, But the book is at times tedious, and the characters seem one-dimensional. I found the main character, the poet Ka, to be someone I disliked. This was especially true with his pursuit of the beautiful Ipek. He seemed very childish and insecure in his interactions with her. This is a book that I wish I could have done in a class to have the opportunity to talk about it with others.

Gave it 100 pages, couldn‘t get into it. I wanted to like it, but it just wasn‘t captivating me.

Excited about another mini-bookhaul from the second-hand bookstore!😍 I'm ecstatic about finding the second book in Ferrante's series at such a good price 🔥I can finally follow Elena and Lila's stories!

A very complex novel, with many layers, about the pain an exhiliration of love, a small town torn by religious and political divide, its proventiality and pride, its being caught between east and west; police brutality, fear, theater, head scarves, suicide, innocence and corruption. Mesmerizing, rich in detail, empathy and close observation of humans, their beliefs, their gestures. All the while the snow keeps falling.... ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#RiotGrams--day 8--spine poetry. "Snow" is the title placed second from the bottom and a great book to read for an exploration of Turkey's attempts to grapple with its diverse cultural heritage.

I am trying to avoid planning too much, but these are books that I am already reading (top three) or are coming up for book club, in the library or on a buddy read.
I am listening to the tagged book and it is amazing. His writing is like the best of the classics with a modern sensibility.
#februarytbr #readingresolutions #tbr

My entry for the @24in48 Hour 30 Share the Shame Challenge—an unread book that's been on my shelf for a loooong time. I bought this acclaimed novel in grad school because so many friends recommended it. What's more, when my husband and I combined our shelves after we got married, I inherited another *unread* copy that *he* has been meaning to read for years! So that's double the shame 😬...but at least it's shared/he can't shame me? 🙃#24in48

Happy New Year, all you magnificent Littens!!! 🎊🎆🎆🎆

#snowoncover #jingleshelves
I grabbed this months ago at a library sale and haven‘t cracked it open yet, but before coffee I decided that worked for this prompt! ❄️❄️❄️

I read this book that is #setinwinter years ago and really liked it. I bought a few other books by Pamuk immediately after and have never gotten around to reading them. I really should think about that next time I am buying a ton of books for myself. #jingleshelves

“As much as I live I shall not imitate them or hate myself for being different to them”

#Unique #QuotsyNov17

Thanks, @vivastory to bring this book to my attention!

Excited. Sort of snuck in for this sold out event. The author walked by me! Starting soon!

Has anyone read this yet? I picked up a used copy today. It looks interesting.

In fulfillment of #litsyAtoZ letter P @bookishmarginalia.
The Atwood blurb on the cover says he's trying to "narrate his country [Turkey] into being." I think that's true but he had a lot to say just about being human too. It's philosophical and drawn out and atmospheric, but also quite sly and sarcastic in places. The protagonist is unlikable. But I was still engrossed in the story the author was telling. Will need some next-level thinking

Soooooooooooooooooo close to finishing! 😊

This is my favorite of Pamuk's books, it revolves around a writers return to his hometown in Turkey⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #setinthemiddleeast #maybookflowers

I took my #weather photo last night, hoping the snow would disappear by morning. It hasn't. #newenglandweather #aprilbookshowers

It took a LONG time get get into this book. It came together in the last 100 pages (which is why I never bail), but those last pages make the story worthwhile and also make me think I should reread (unlikely).
In addition to the obvious theme of snow and how it covers all things, there were some serious political undertones. The best part is the complicated (and so realistic) love story between Ka and the most beautiful woman you'll ever meet.

I've been reading this book since before the snow began to fall this year. And now the snow is about to end. If it weren't for the deliberate foreshadowing, I'm not sure what would me going in this novel. I need to know if they'll live happily ever after, if even for a short while.
Kitty needs to be close, but too close. Silly kitty.

On this cold Sunday, a little reading and napping is in order

Can't say I'm enjoying this book but every once in a while there's a line that shakes me up.

This seems relevant considering today is yet another snow day.

I feel like there should be some deep underlying themes to this book....but I'm just not getting it...Except for the ever-persistent presence of snow...I get that!

A beautiful day for some snow-shoeing! Time to warm up with some tea and a book!

We do that to ourselves. #truth

It's a snow day/work from home day! I think I'll read in bed just a bit this morning.

It's the weekend!!!
Interesting book so far. Definitely a lot of snow. Slow read for me

When I can get to work but the ice storm prevents me for attempting the long commute home, I'm thankful for gracious colleagues who let me crash at their place and good books. Missing my kitty (ok, and my husband)

Another morning with these two beauties