Welcome to Litsy!

An LA cop accepts the position of chief of police over all the Micronesian islands in the late 1970s to 1980s, and dang was it ever an adventurous true story. Sometimes it was downright scary and at least twice it was hysterically funny thanks to very real cultural differences from island to island. I don‘t think any book could better describe the islands‘ cultures, and adapting to them than this book. Very readable nonfiction. The author is ⬇️

This book works for the #MarshallIslands too! It‘s a very good book. #Micronesia #Palau #readingOceania @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

In 1978, LA cop Bryan Vila went to #Micronesia as it was transitioning to independence to train the local police forces. This could have been a testosterone-fueled meathead of a book, but Vila clearly approached each of the 12 cultures with respect. There are also some quite funny moments. Highly recommend. Also works for #Palau and #MarshallIslands

#ReadingOceania2024

My next ebook for #Micronesia and #Palau for #readingOceania @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB

I included a photography book in the Africa challenge a couple years ago and liked that, so I added this one on for #ReadingOceania2024. It does have some gorgeous pics and focuses largely on sea life, though there are sections on culture, history, politics and more. The text is super tiny and some of the sections are very dry, so a low pick for me, but I learned a lot about #Palau.

Francis Toribiong is the father of scuba diving and the tourism on the #Palau He is very energetic man, devoted to the island, nature, traditions, but also with the sense to prosper. No doubt - his life was exciting, but this book is amateurish written biography of a interesting man. #ReadAroundTheWorld

And because I know you all want to read an environmental textbook about #Palau, here‘s a link: https://bit.ly/3zXSr2V You‘re welcome!

I alternated between skimming & fascinated. The book seemed to switch from sub-GCSE-level to undergrad level in different chapters. But I learnt lots (lifecycle of a jellyfish? Medicinal herbs of Palau, all about Taro…), including the impact of climate change on the coral & islands. Also, LOTS of coral reef pics 🐠

Seriously, Litsy. This is all your fault!Yes, I am currently on chapter 33 of an ecology/biology/biogeography textbook put out by #Palau International Coral Reef Centre.

I‘ve leant about the cultural & ecological importance of taro, how mangroves form, all about dugons, and that corals & jellyfish are related (I‘m sure you knew that already).

Skim reading is happening, but overall I‘m finding this surprisingly interesting! #readaroundtheworld

Just carrying on for my #WeeklyForecast this week. Hope to finish Young Naturalist and get to p250 of Sunne.

And yes, that is a geography/biology textbook at the end there for #readaroundtheworld #palau. If anyone can tell me the cultural/ceremonial significance of taro, that‘d be great - thanks!

Also, an ice cream 🍦. I could use a sweet, light, fun, happy book in the mix for this week, but no plans as yet.

Enjoy your week, lovely littens 🌸