Adventures in Ink
If you enjoy adventure, history, and humor, I recommend reading these two timeless book series.
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." - Helen Keller
If you enjoy adventure, history, and humor, I recommend these two timeless book series: "Tintin", and "Asterix". These multi-layered stories are incredibly educational, captivating, filled with humor, and relevant for all ages. I’ve read these books both as a child and adult, and now share countless moments of laughter reading these with my kids (ages eight and five), who are captivated by the tales, and sparking discussions about history, culture, and travel.
Tintin is an investigative reporter who embarks on thrilling adventures around the world with his faithful dog Snowy.
Hergé incorporates dramatic pacing, comic timing, and meticulous research into his stories — with expertly drawn panels. Tintin’s unwavering sense of justice and curiosity propel the narrative forward.
Here are three Tintin books I recommend starting with:
“The Blue Lotus”(1936): Sino-Japanese tensions and the opium trade.
“The Broken Ear” (1937): Political conflict between two fictional South American countries.
“The Calculus Affair” (1957): Scientific espionage during the Cold War.
For further resources, you can get the box set of 23 books here. You can watch the movie “The Adventures of Tintin” (2011; directed by Steve Spielberg), and the animated Tintin series where each book is covered in two 30 minute episodes.
Asterix is set in 50 B.C., in a small Gaulish (northwestern France) village that resists Roman occupation thanks to a secret potion that grants superhuman strength.
Each book is a history lesson in disguise, and involves a mystery or obstacle that the main characters Asterix and his best friend Obelix have to solve or overcome.
The constant humor, word play, and beautifully drawn art makes these books a classic.
Humorous character names include: Vitalstatistix (Gaulish village chief), Unhygenix (fish monger), Crismus Bonus (Roman centurion), Ekonomikrisis (Phoenician merchant), and Surplus Dairiprodus (Roman merchant).
I recommend starting with: “Asterix the Legionary”, “Asterix and the Laurel Wreath”, or “Asterix and Cleopatra”. The entire box set of 38 books is available here.
I hope that these books give you and your family immeasurable joy, laughter, and learning.
