My recent trip to Istanbul was one of my most inspiring journeys to date. I’m preparing a full city guide based on the trip, but in the meantime, wanted to share a reading list of wonderful books that celebrate Turkish history and culture. Have you spent time in Turkey…? Let me know if there are any titles I should add to the list!I
Istanbul: City of Majesty at the Crossroads of the World by Thomas F. Madden
Turkish Delights by Philippa Scott
(I picked up a used copy of this while in Istanbul, great for design lovers)
Last Train to Istanbul: A Novel by Ayse Kulin
Lords of the Horizons: A History of the Ottoman Empire by Jason Goodwin
The Grand Bazaar Istanbul by Serdar Gülgün
(eager to get my hands on a copy of this out-of-print beauty)
Midnight at the Pera Palace: The Birth of Modern Istanbul by Charles King
The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak
Splendors of Istanbul: Houses and Palaces Along the Bosporus by Chris Hellier
Turkey Unveiled: A History of Modern Turkey by Nicola Pope and Hugh Pope
Anatolian Days and Nights: A Love Affair with Turkey, Land of Dervishes, Goddesses, and Saints by Angie Brenner and Joy E. Stocke (for those that enjoy travel writing)
Turquerie: An Eighteenth-Century European Fantasy by Haydn Williams
(lovely coffee table book that explores how Turkish culture influenced Europe)
Istanbul: Memories and the City by Orhan Pamuk
Birds Without Wings by Louis de Bernieres
Istanbul: The Imperial City by John Freely
Living in Istanbul by Kenize Mourad
Ottoman Chic by Serdar Gülgün (a must for design fans)
Strolling Through Istanbul: The Classic Guide to the City by Hilary Sumner-Boyd and John Freely
The Bazaars of Istanbul by Isabel Bocking and Laura Salm-Reifferscheidt
I’m so excited about this list! I’ve been trying to diversify my reading, and I found a few books I can’t wait to read. I’ve also heard good things about Kurt Sayit and Sura on Netflix.
I’m looking forward to your post about your trip. I visited Istanbul a few years ago and my, what a city!! I was amazed by everything and long to return!
May I suggest my book Twelve Camels For Your Wife, a humorous look at my 49-year love affair with Turkey, available on Amazon.