Welcome to Litsy!

I‘ve really enjoyed listening to Ollivier‘s books about his walk along the Silk Road over the summer. It‘s a unique look at some of the areas we‘ve been reading about in our challenges over the last few years, and I‘m sad I don‘t have more to read.

Back on track with this beautifully illustrated manga. I read vol. 2 & 3 yesterday, then nabbed vol. 4 and 5. I didn't realize this series was going to focus on multiple stories of different brides, but it centers around a few main characters and their side stories. The artwork is exquisite.

#mangaweekly #historicalfiction

I am loving this series from Bernard Ollivier about his treck across the Silk Road. This all happened in the early 2000‘s but I believe the books were only recently translated into English. In this part of the journey he picks up where he left off in Turkey then travels across Iran and Turkmenistan. My favorite parts are when he connects with locals although it is very apparent this is never a trip a woman would be able to make.

I didn‘t think I‘d get my full 2 miles in before what‘s left of Debby hit us. It held off though and there‘s a breeze! Even skipping the Olympics tonight so I can sit outside and enjoy the wind. Enjoying this audiobook as well! I listened to the first in the series last month for #FoodAndLit

After his wife died Bernard Oliver set out to walk the Silk Road. This trip sounded STRESSFUL. I‘ll definitely read the rest since this book only covered his time in #Turkey. #FoodAndLit

The author likes to juxtapose Omar and Samir‘s characters. While Samir is spontaneous, deceitful, and selfish, Omar is conscientious, honest, and introspective. He feels obligated to lead a moral life whereas Samir seems apathetic toward morality.

Samir, the trickster on the Silk Road, seems to be confident in his ability to use charm to manipulate others into giving him monetary goods. While he seems confident, as the story continues, it becomes more evident his dishonesty has tarnished his feelings of satisfaction and happiness. He is not so in love with himself after all. Omar, the main character, notices Samir seems to “love and hate himself too much at the same time”.

I really thought I‘d like this book, but I‘m struggling to pay attention while reading it. The character development seems shallow, and the humor sometimes falls flat, although I could see upper elementary schoolers liking the humor in this book. The plot is slow and, at least for me, doesn‘t flow well. However, maybe I am just experiencing burn out from reading so much and otherwise would like the book hahaha!

This is one of my chosen books! I love any sort of literature that delves into history/geography, so when I saw the setting of this book was the Silk Road, it caught my eye. Early in the book, I‘m already seeing references to all sorts of religions and cities of the eastern world. I love looking up unfamiliar places on maps, and I could see myself teaching some history/culture/geography while reading a book like this with students.

Love how she's portrayed as "old..." she's 20. ?

Times sure were different back then. Between reading this and Clan of the Cave Bear, I'm pretty damn grateful to be around in this day and age and not when it was normal for 11-13 year olds to have children/get married. #yikes
Also, guy calling her "old" looks to be in his 70s, which makes absolutely no sense ?

Side note: the artwork is absolutely stunning.

#mangaweekly #justmythoughts