Welcome to Litsy!

This was my July #FoodAndLit book for #Turkey and my July #DoubleSpin

Although it was slow in parts, and the beginning section isn‘t repeated even though it occurs in the middle of the book timeline, I did enjoy this.

Jahan and his elephant Chota are part of the Sultan‘s menagerie. In time Jahan also becomes apprentice to the chief royal architect. It is full of political intrigue, and spans a large chunk of time in the Ottoman Empire.

No idea why I needed this but I earned it anyway.

This is beautiful historical fiction told around the life of a famous Turkish architect in Istanbul. The writing is beautiful. The apprentice in the title happens to also be a mahmout in charge of a white elephant. Obviously. Unfortunately I think it needed to be shorter. Just imo.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join in if you want!

#ABookADay2023

"He could not help but think if human beings could only live more like animals, without a thought to the past or the future, and without rounds of lies and deceit, this world would be a more peaceful place, and perhaps a happier one."

Here is my haul today! Can't wait to read them! 😍

The Architect's Apprentice by Elif Shafak is a gorgeous book. Lyrical language and characters who you become invested in, it may not be for everyone but I definitely enjoyed it.

From the acclaimed author of The Bastard of Istanbul, a colorful, magical tale set during the height of the Ottoman Empire. In her novel, Turkey‘s preeminent female writer spins an epic tale spanning nearly a century in the life of the Ottoman Empire.

I saw these 2 beautiful looking covers today in an op shop but after a quick look at reviews they did not look good to read. Written by Elif Shafak.
Does anyone beg to differ?

They looked so gorgeous on the shelf but I wouldn't buy them if I won't want to read them.
Have you read either of these?

The husband and I were Unintentional cover twins on this mornings plane ride!

“Busbecq believed there were two blessings in life: books and friends. And that they should be possessed in inverse quantities: many books but only a handful of friends.” I hold the same belief 🙌🏼

My favourite thing to do while I wait is to read. So you‘ll see lots of #whileiwait posts. Today I accompanied dad to run errands. So he ran in and out, and I waited. I hope to finish this book in three days max — it‘s already September, mannn I‘m so behind my goal of 50 books for the #goodreadschallenge2018. I loved Elif Shafak‘s The Forty Rules of Love, and Three Daughters of Eve; I know I‘ll love this one too.

This really wasn‘t my book and so it took me forever to read it. The setting in Istanbul at the time of Sulayman the great was cool, and I did learn about places and things I didn‘t know about. But it seemed to on forever and never really focus on anything. It just sort of meandered endlessly. I just kept thinking I should like it and kept at it. But nope. Not my book.

#readandchill

“Of all the people God created and Sheltan led astray, only a few have discovered the Centre of the Universe - where there is no good and no evil, no past and no future, no “I” and no “thou”, no war and no reason for war, just an endless sea of calm. What they found was so beautiful that they lost their ability to speak.” #firstlines

If you wish to excel at your craft, you have to convince the universe why it should be you rather than someone else.

Resentment is a cage, talent is a captured bird. Break the cage, let the bird take off & soar high

This is a wonderful historical novel that takes you back in time to 16th century Istanbul. 12 year old Jahan is traveling from India to the Ottoman capital accompanying a priceless gift—a white elephant. Jahan is much more than a mahout, however, & he soon finds himself apprenticed to Sinan, the sultan‘s chief architect. Intrigue, friendship, love, betrayal & above all architecture & Istanbul itself feature prominently in the story. Recommended.

As a years long publication project (an archaeological field report) winds down, I‘ve started reclaiming my library. Yesterday, the reading nook was filled with stacks of the articles & books I needed to consult as I wrote the volume. Today, it is back to being a reading nook and I plan to use it as such (finally) as I continue with The Architect‘s Apprentice.

Ha! So many ways to go with this...

“Busbecq believed there were two blessings in life: books and friends. And that they should be possessed in inverse quantities: many books, but only a handful of friends.”

Definitely don‘t disagree with the possession of many books.

“Because...nobody sees you the way I do.”

“Resentment is a cage, talent is a captured bird. Break the cage, let the bird take off and soar high...”

Love this description.

Diving into this one next. Love the cover!

#FallIntoBooks Day 4: #OccupationInTitle - I have a number of Elif Shafak's novels in my shelves waiting to be read.

@DeweysReadathon is almost over. I didn't read much. But I did buy some. I had a wonderful time! #readathon

#bookstagram #elifşafak #architectsapprentice

It's not everyday that you find the last copy of a pretty #book waiting for you in the store!

"Sometimes, for the soul to thrive, the heart needs to be broken, son".

Can't wait weekend - I have so many books I would like to recommend to you 😊😊😊😊😊 Enjoy working days 😂😂😂😉😉😉😉

What about you 😊😊😊 Often, my friends ask me why my bag is so havy 😂😂😂😂 well instead in closet my imaginary friends are in my bag, always close, actually whole imaginary world of my own - in case I need an escape 😁😁😁😁🎒🎒🎒🎒📚📚📚📚👑👑👑👑👑

Atacking the Othoman Empire 😂😂😂😂 I want to read it for months now #inlove #easterncultures I have a such good feeling about this book 👳👳👳👳💟💟💟💟

Reading architect's apprentice while in Istanbul! Love geo-relevant books on holiday. Also football..