best travel books turkey

5 Best Turkey Travel Guides & Travel Books

• Post author: Avoid Crowds
• Post published: December 27, 2020
• Post category: Travel Guides
• Post comments: 3 Comments

Updated: March 13, 2024

Istanbul, the cultural and historical hub of Turkey, attracts millions of travelers every year. To make the most of your trip, it’s important to properly plan your itinerary and familiarize yourself with the local customs and norms. Our handpicked selection of the best travel guides for Istanbul can help you do just that. These books are full of insider tips, practical information, and recommendations for the top tourist attractions, restaurants, and experiences. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, these travel guides are an essential tool for exploring this vibrant and bustling city.

With so many things to see and do in Istanbul, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. But with the help of a good travel guide, you can navigate the city with confidence and make the most of your time. From the stunning architecture of the Hagia Sophia to the colorful bazaars of the Grand Bazaar, there’s something for everyone in Istanbul. Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in history and culture, or simply relax and enjoy the local cuisine, these travel guides will help you make the most of your visit to this incredible city.

• All books have been handpicked by us!
• Books with bad reviews are left out.
• This post includes affiliate marketing links on which we can earn a commission.

Lonely Planet Turkey

Lonely Planet’s Turkey 16 is the ultimate travel guide for anyone planning a trip to this fascinating country. From the bustling city of Istanbul to the breathtaking landscapes of Cappadocia, this guide covers it all. With up-to-date information, insider tips, and cultural insights, you’ll have everything you need to make the most of your trip.

What sets this guide apart from the rest is its focus on providing travelers with the best possible experience. With its NEW top experiences feature, you’ll get a visually inspiring collection of Turkey’s must-see sights, as well as recommendations for lesser-known hidden gems. And with its NEW pull-out “Just Landed” card, you’ll have all the essential information you need to make your journey from the airport to your hotel a smooth one.

Whether you’re traveling solo or with your family, Lonely Planet’s Turkey has something for everyone. From its detailed planning tools for family travelers to its honest reviews for all budgets, this guide is the perfect choice for anyone looking to discover the beauty and diversity of Turkey. So don’t miss out on this comprehensive guide, start planning your trip to Turkey today!

Rick Steves Istanbul: With Ephesus & Cappadocia

If you’re looking for an insider’s guide to Istanbul, look no further than Rick Steves’ Istanbul: With Ephesus & Cappadocia. This guidebook provides comprehensive coverage for a week-long stay in Istanbul and beyond, with top sights and hidden gems, recommendations on how to connect with local culture, tips on avoiding crowds and tourist traps, and more. With self-guided walking tours, detailed neighborhood maps, and strategic advice from Rick Steves Europe tour guides, you’ll have everything you need to fully immerse yourself in the wonders of East and West.

Whether you’re interested in visiting world-famous monuments, shopping in the lively Grand Bazaar, or relaxing in a traditional Turkish bath, Rick Steves’ Istanbul has got you covered. The guidebook is also packed with practical resources, such as a packing list, a Turkish phrase book, and a historical overview, to help make your travels as smooth and stress-free as possible. With over 400 pages of in-depth information, this guidebook is the perfect companion for your trip to Istanbul, Ephesus, and Cappadocia.

Fodor's Essential Turkey

Fodor’s Essential Turkey is a comprehensive travel guidebook that provides in-depth information and recommendations to help you plan your trip to Turkey. It features multiple itineraries, detailed maps, colorful photos, honest recommendations on sights, restaurants, hotels, shopping, and more. The guidebook also provides historical and cultural insights, special features, and a Turkish language primer. It covers destinations such as Istanbul, the Sea of Marmara, Ephesus, Izmir, Bodrum, the Turquoise Coast, Cappadocia, and the Black Sea Coast. The guidebook is written by local writers to help you find hidden gems, and is part of Fodor’s Essential series, which includes guides for other countries such as Greece, Spain, France, Israel, and Morocco.

A Traveller's History of Turkey

A Traveller’s History of Turkey is a comprehensive guide that takes you through the rich and diverse history of this fascinating country. From prehistory to the present day, this book covers the civilizations that have shaped the cultural and historical landscape of Turkey. With its concise and readable style, A Traveller’s History of Turkey delves into the legends and treasures of the region, including the Flood of Noah, early civilization of Catal Huyuk, Alexander the Great, Romans, Seljuks, Byzantines, and the Golden Age of the Sultans. It also explores the impact of the great changes brought about by Kemal Ataturk in the 20th century and the strong position Turkey holds in the world today. Get ready for a journey through time with A Traveller’s History of Turkey!

The Rough Guide to Turkey

“The Rough Guide to Turkey” is a comprehensive and updated travel companion that brings to life the vast and diverse landscapes of Turkey, from the bustling streets of Istanbul to the serene beaches of the Turquoise Coast. Designed for travelers seeking both iconic sights and hidden gems, this guide is filled with expert recommendations, practical travel tips, and detailed itineraries that cater to all types of adventurers. Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins, savoring local cuisine, or embarking on outdoor adventures, this guide ensures a richer and more authentic experience.

Who Should Consider This Guide and Why:

• 🌍 Culture Enthusiasts: For those eager to dive into Turkey’s rich history and vibrant cultural tapestry.
• 🏞️ Nature Lovers: Ideal for adventurers wanting to explore Turkey’s natural wonders, from the Kackar Mountains to Cappadocia.
• 🍴 Foodies: A treasure trove for culinary explorers seeking the flavors of Turkish cuisine, from street food to gourmet dining.
• 🛤️ Off-the-Beaten-Path Travelers: Perfect for those looking to venture beyond tourist hotspots and discover Turkey’s lesser-known locales.

Turkey - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

The Culture Smart! Turkey guidebook provides a comprehensive look at the cultural norms and customs of Turkey. With a mix of Western and Eastern influences, the Turkish culture can be complex and difficult to navigate for travelers. This guidebook offers a historical background of the country, highlights key values and attitudes, and provides practical tips for communicating and avoiding cultural missteps. The book also emphasizes the hospitable nature of the Turkish people and stresses the importance of showing interest in their culture for a more meaningful travel experience. Get to know the locals and have a more authentic trip by using Culture Smart! Turkey as your essential guide to Turkish customs and culture.

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This post has 3 comments.

Please review/revise your descriptions of the travel guides. On more than one occasion you reference Italy instead of Turkey.

Thank you very much for letting us know. This mistake has been fixed.

I appreciate your Turkey itinerary article post. I look forward to your new informative travel blog posts.

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Ten books for travelling to Turkey

Ten Books to Read about Turkey One of the world’s few trans-continental nations, Turkey is where east meets west, Europe meets Asia, and religion meets modernity. The capital city, Istanbul – once Byzantium, and then…

8 Oct 19 · 2 mins read

Ten Books to Read about Turkey

One of the world’s few trans-continental nations, Turkey is where east meets west, Europe meets Asia, and religion meets modernity. The capital city, Istanbul – once Byzantium, and then Constantinople – has been at the centre of empires, including Greece, Rome, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire. Today, Istanbul is one of the world’s great cities, home to a world-class collection of monumental architecture, and a vibrant contemporary heart that still thrives in the ancient city.

Befitting this grand history, Turkey has inspired writers both ancient and modern. Here at Odyssey traveller, we’ve uncovered ten books most likely to interest the traveller to Turkey: covering ancient history, poetry, contemporary politics, and even a cookbook.

If you’re interested in Turkey, you may also be interested in our previous articles about the Ottoman Empire:

• Treasures of the Ottoman Empire
• From Anatolia to the Ottoman Empire
• Istanbul, Imperial City

You may also be interested in some of our lists:

• Ten Unimaginable Destinations (including the underground city of Derinkuyu)
• Ideas for Visiting Turkey

The Silk Road in World History

by Xinru Liu

Historians use the term ‘Silk Road’ to refer to the complex of ancient trade routes linking East Asia with Central Asia, South Asia, and the Mediterranean world. This network of exchange emerged along the borders between agricultural China and the steppe nomads during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E.-220 C.E.). In their quest for horses, fragrances, spices, gems, glassware, and other exotic goods from the lands to their west, the Han Empire extended its dominion over the oases of the Takla Makan Desert. Eventually this domination became the lengthy land routes linking China to the caravan city of Palmyra in the Syrian desert, or the sea route linking Northwest India, the Arabian and Red Seas, ending in Alexandria. These routes meant that Chinese silk reached the Mediterranean world, while other goods flowed back to China.

The Silk Road survived the turmoil following the end of the Han and Roman Empires and reached its golden age during the Early Middle Ages, as the Byzantine Empire and the Tang Empire became centres of silk culture, establishing the models for high culture across the Eurasian world. Islam extended silk culture to an even larger area, paving the way for an expanded market for textiles and other commodities. By the 11th century, however, the Silk Road was in decline because of intense competition from the sea routes of the Indian Ocean. Using supply and demand as the framework for analysing the formation and development of the Silk Road, Liu’s 2010 book examines the spread of new ideas, religions, and values into the world of commerce, thus illustrating the cultural forces underlying material transactions. This effort at tracing the interconnections of the diverse participants in the transcontinental Silk Road exchange will demonstrate that the world had been linked through economic and ideological forces long before the modern era.

Birds Without Wings

by Louis de Bernieres

In the long-awaited successor to Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, de Bernieres vividly brings to life a small village in southwestern Anatolia in the waning years of the Ottoman Empire. Birds Without Wings is populated with characters as real as our best friends, launched into the maelstrom of twentieth-century history. De Bernieres uncovers a world where nationalities and civilisations intermingle; a village where everyone speaks Turkish, but write in Greek letters. It is a place that has room for a professional blasphemer; where a brokenhearted aga finds solace in the arms of a Circassian courtesan (who isn’t Circassian at all); where a beautiful Christian girl named Philothei is engaged to a Muslim boy named Ibrhim. But all of this will change as Turkey enters the modern world. Epic in sweep, intoxicating in its sensual detail, Birds Without Wings is an enchantment. de Bernieres insists it exceeds its better-known predecessor. Discover for yourself.

The Guardian called it “a Turkish take on War and Peace”. Read their interview with Bernieres here .

A Traveller's History of Turkey

by Richard Stoneman

Turkey has been at the centre of empires for millennia – Persia, Rome, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire. All of these civilisations have made their mark on the landscape, architecture and art of Turkey. A Traveller’s History of Turkey offers the traveller a concise and readable account of the region from prehistory to the present day, covering everything from the Flood of Noah, the early civilisation of Catal Huyuk, through the treasures of Troy, Alexander the Great, the Romans, Seljuks, Byzantines, and the golden age of the Sultans. Finally, the book considers the great changes wrought by Kemal Atatürk in the early 20 th century, before exploring contemporary Turkey, which is increasingly a powerful force on the world stage.

Turkey: A Short History

by Norman Stone

In Turkey: A Short History the celebrated historian Norman Stone deftly brings the reader through the complex story of Turkey’s history, from the arrival of the Seljuks in Anatolia to contemporary Turkey’s attempts to join the European Union. Stone’s account is of epic proportions, populated by larger than life figures: Genghis Khan, Tamerlane, Sultan Süleyman the magnificent, and Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. For six hundred years, Turkey was at the heart of the Ottoman Empire. Stone vividly brings the global reach of the Ottomans to life, showing how they brought Islam to the gates of Vienna, and controlled territory extending from North Africa to the Persian Gulf to the River Volga.

Stone examines the reasons for the astonishing rise and slow decline of this world empire. Paralleling today’s debates over the position of Turkey (placed between two continents), in the 19 th century, the Ottoman Empire was at the centre of the Eastern Question, as the Great Powers argued over a declining empire. Stone concludes the book with a trenchant examination of the Turkish republic created in the aftermath of the First World War, a place where east and west, religion and secularism, and tradition and modernisation, are vibrant and sometimes conflicting elements of national identity.

Istanbul: A Poetry of Place

by Ates Orga (editor)

When Mehmed the Conqueror first wandered through the ruins of the Byzantine palace, the words of the Persian poet Ferdowsi were on his lips: ‘The spider spins his web in the Palace of the Caesars/An owl hoots in the towers of Afrasiyab’. Mehmed was not alone in being inspired to poetry by Istanbul. As the capital of two great empires, confluence of Asia and Europe, Istanbul has been immortalised by legions of poets throughout her long history, from paupers to sultans, natives and visitors alike.

This pocket-sized book collects some of the finest poems about Istanbul, from Jason and the Argonauts to the fans of Galatasaray Football Club. Poems in this collection include the exquisite love poetry of the Ottomans, epic sagas of Turkish nationalists, the epigrams of sultans, and romantic couplets of visiting diplomats. Reflecting the long cosmopolitanism of this trans-continental city, the collection includes poetry by Turks, Jews, Kurds, gypsies, Armenians, Greeks, and Russians. The collection also includes work by W B Yeats, Sergei Esenin, Nazim Hikmet, Charles Kingsley, Lord Byron, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, Bedri Rahmi Eyuboglu, Orhan Veli, Vita Sackville-West and Suleyman the Magnificent.

The Fall of the Ottomans: The Great War in the Middle East

by Eugene Rogan

By 1914 the powers of Europe were sliding inexorably toward war, and they dragged the Middle East along with them into one of the most destructive conflicts in human history. In The Fall of the Ottomans, the award-winning historian Eugene Rogan brings the First World War and its immediate aftermath in the Middle East to vivid life, uncovering the often-ignored story of the region’s crucial role in the conflict. Unlike the static killing fields of the Western Front, the war in the Middle East was fast-moving and unpredictable, with the Turks inflicting decisive defeats on the Entente in Gallipoli, Mesopotamia, and Gaza before the tide of battle turned in the Allies’ favour. The postwar settlement led to the partition of Ottoman lands, laying the groundwork for the ongoing conflicts that continue to plague the region today. A sweeping narrative of battles and political intrigue from Gallipoli to Arabia, The Fall of the Ottomans is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the Great War and the making of the modern Middle East.

My Name is Red

by Orhan Pamuk (trans. Erdag M. Goknar)

At once a fiendishly devious mystery, a beguiling love story, and a brilliant symposium on the power of art, My Name Is Red is a transporting tale set amid the splendor and religious intrigue of sixteenth-century Istanbul. One of the most prominent contemporary Turkish writers, Orhan Pamuk was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2006.

The Sultan has commissioned a cadre of the most acclaimed artists in the land to create a great book celebrating the glories of his realm. Their task: to illuminate the work in the European style. But because figurative art can be deemed an affront to Islam, this commission is a dangerous proposition indeed. The ruling elite therefore mustn’t know the full scope or nature of the project, and panic erupts when one of the chosen miniaturists disappears. The only clue to the mystery–or crime? –lies in the half-finished illuminations themselves. Part fantasy and part philosophical puzzle, My Name is Red is a kaleidoscopic journey to the intersection of art, religion, love, sex and power.

A New York Times review notes how the book “brush[es] up against our own tradition’s questioning of the place of art”. Read Richard Eder’s review here .

Turkey Unveiled: A History of Modern Turkey

by Nicole and Hugh Pope

In what has been described as a ‘deeply revealing guide to modern Turkish culture and politics’ ( The New York Times Book Review ), Nicole and Hugh Pope provide a glimpse into a culture that has long been misunderstood. Turkey Unveiled is the only book in many years to attempt to fill a gap in perception with regard to this extremely complex country, and the paperback edition includes an epilogue that brings the book totally up to date, with coverage of the most recent developments in Turkey.

Throughout the last generation Turkey has opened up to the outside world, increasingly revealing a pluralistic and dynamic society. The authors, who speak fluent Turkish and have reported from Turkey for over a decade, provide a rich mosaic of contemporary Turkey and its formative past. The strengths and weaknesses of the Ottoman Empire, the Armenian tragedy, the ongoing Kurdish struggle, and the controversial legacy of the brilliant but autocratic founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, are all here. They also provide portraits of new leaders who have broken taboos and ushered in new freedoms at a time when other forces attempt to pull Turkey back into the Middle Eastern vortex. Nicole and Hugh Pope, combining analysis with understanding, make recent developments in Turkey intelligible for both the general reader and the millions of visitors welcomed by a burgeoning tourist industry.

If you wish to read about some of the more controversial aspects of Turkey’s history, Christopher de Bellaigue’s Rebel Land: Unraveling the Riddle of History in a Turkish Town (2009) examines the Armenian tragedy.

A Peace to End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East

by David Fromkin

The Middle East has long been a region of rival religions, ideologies, nationalisms, and ambitions. All of these conflicts – the hostilities between Arabs and Israelis, and the tensions between Iraq’s competing sects – are rooted in the arrangements, unities and divisions imposed by the Allies after the First World War. In A Peace to End All Peace, David Fromkin reveals how and why the Allies drew lines on an empty map, remaking the geography and politics of the Middle East. Focusing on the formative years of 1914 to 1922, when all seemed possible, he delivers in this sweeping and magisterial book the definitive account of this period, showing how the choices made put the Middle East on a road that led to the conflicts and confusions that continue today.

Anatolia: Adventures in Turkish Cooking

by David Dale and Somer Sivrioglu

Turkish-born (and Sydney-based) chef Somer Sivrioglu and co-author David Dale reimagine the traditions of Turkish cooking, presenting recipes ranging from the grand banquets of the Ottoman Empire to the spicy snacks of Istanbul’s street stalls. In doing so, they explain their take on the classics and reveal the surrounding rituals, myths, jokes and folk wisdom of both the old and new Turkey.

Somer and David bring us more than 150 accessible recipes with rich colour photographs, shot on location in Turkey. Also included are feature spreads on local Turkish chefs and producers and their specialities, adding another fascinating layer to the book. Take a unique glimpse into the worlds of old and new Turkey with this beautiful, multidimensional cookbook.

Visit Turkey with Odyssey Traveller

Odyssey Traveller organises cultural tours to Turkey. Our tours take you from Istanbul to Cappadocia in eastern Turkey, before winding back up along the west coast. On our journey, you will see many of Turkey’s most important heritage sites: the Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Goreme Open Air Museum. Our trip also includes a walking tour through the archaeological ruins of ancient Ephesus (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Antalya. In order to ensure you have a memorable trip, our private tour takes a cruise down the Bosporus and visits the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul.

On our trip, we provide hotel accommodation along with a number of meals at a local restaurant, so that you have many opportunities to try the many delicious varieties of Turkish food. In order to ensure an authentic and informed experience our tours are led by an expert tour manager, joined in each location by an experienced local guide. Click here to see the full itinerary and sign up.

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Lonely Planet’s  Turkey  is our most comprehensive guide that extensively covers all the country has to offer, with recommendations for both popular and lesser-known experiences. See the minarets of Istanbul’s Old City, hot-air balloon over Cappadocia, gaze at the magnificent Aya Sofya; all with your trusted travel companion.  

Inside  Lonely Planet’s  Turkey  Travel Guide: 

Up-to-date information -  all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreak

NEW top experiences feature  - a visually inspiring collection of Turkey’s best experiences and where to have them

What's NEW feature  taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas 

Planning tools for family travellers  - where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kids

NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card*  with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel

Highlights   and itineraries  help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests

Eating & drinking in Turkey  -  we reveal the dishes and drinks you have to try

Colour  maps and images throughout

Insider tips  to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

Essential info   at your fingertips  - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices

Honest reviews for all budgets  - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss

Cultural insights  give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics

Covers  Istanbul, Thrace, Marmara, Gallipoli Peninsula, Troy, Izmir, North Aegean, Ephesus, Bodrum, South Aegean, Ankara, Cappadocia, Black Sea Coast, Antalya, Eastern Mediterranean and more

eBook is available in ePub, MOBI and PDF.

ISBN: 9781786578006

Edition: 16th

Publication Date: May 2022

Writers: Jessica Lee, Brett Atkinson, Mark Elliott, Steve Fallon, Virginia Maxwell, Iain Stewart

640 pages, 640pp color, 110 maps | Dimensions: 128mm × 197mm

Next edition due: December 2024

Which guidebook is right for me?

Country, city & regional guides.

• Top experience collections
• Regional itineraries recommended by experts (from a couple of days to multi-week)
• 3D illustrations and guided tours of key sights
• Extensive coverage of history and culture
• Detailed maps throughout - includes walking maps and a pull-out planning map

EXPERIENCE guides

(country, city & regional).

• Led by local experts that reveal their favorite experiences and hidden gems
• Personal itinerary building tools
• Seasonal planning calendars
• QR codes unlock additional online content

POCKET guides

(city & regional).

• Special features cover most popular sights
• Content organized by neighborhhod
• Recommended 1, 2, 3 and 4-day itineraries
• Guided walking tours

Turkey Books | Satisfy your wanderlust

Picking crushed pistachio off your kunefe . Watching the fishermen casting their lines into the leaden Bosphorus. Wandering the winding streets of Istanbul or taking a break at the Blue Mosque. Turkey is a country that fascinates many and has undoubtedly found its way into our hearts. And we think the best way to capture its raw beauty (other than eating it’s delicious Turkish food ) is through reading Turkey books or novels.

Read on for 6 of our favourite books from Turkish authors (or set in Turkey), to spark your wanderlust and prepare you for a trip to Turkey , the land of hot air balloons, hammams and hazir .

Give these a listen instead, with Audible . Whether you’re an avid Kindle reader or prefer the feel of pages beneath your fingertips, it’s also worth trying out audiobooks; the perfect way to read all of these books if you’re busy and on the go. Audible actually offers a free trial Get it here! , or you can take them up on their special offer, which gets you 50% off their membership for 3 months. Get that offer here! .

Snow – Orhan Pamuk

Pamuk must be Turkey’s most successful author on the global stage, and for good reason. A fascinating writer with spellbinding storytelling, his works are all worth a read but Snow is my favourite, and winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize for literature.

Chronicling the return of Ka, a poet, to his native Istanbul and later Kars (a small town) for his mother’s funeral, the book is set amidst a snowstorm, giving it its name. It’s a beautiful take on politics, love and religion, and the perfect way to discover Pamuk.

Last Train to Istanbul – Ayşe Kulin

Another bestselling Turkish novelist, you’ve probably heard of this book.

It’s a lovely read and has quite a number of characters that I really grew to love and empathized with. Essentially it takes place during World War II and tells the story of two Turkish sisters, Selva and Sabiha, living in Paris who must escape the Nazis.

The Bastard of Istanbul – Elif Shafak

It’s a deliberately shocking title, which reflects the story itself. This colourful story centres around Asya, a young woman (the ‘bastard’) and her extended family. It’s a clash of cultures (American and Turkish), a passionate portrayal of love, of suffering and of gritty yet gorgeous Istanbul. A real page-turner!

Birds Without Wings – Louis de Bernières

He is not Turkish, but author de Bernières really captures the spirit of Turkey and particularly a small (fictional) village going through growing pains in this book.

You might know the writer from Corelli’s Mandolin , which became a Hollywood film, and Birds Without Wings would also lend itself to film, since it’s very visual in its descriptions. It’s a little dense but also has some interesting humour. A must-read, particularly if venturing beyond Istanbul on a visit.

The Janissary Tree – Jason Goodwin

Goodwin studied history at Cambridge and fell in love with Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire, later writing a historical account of it, Lords of the Horizons . But it was when he turned his attention to fiction that he hit the literary jackpot, with The Janissary Tree .

This is the first in a series with the main character, Yashim, a eunuch and a Turkish detective in 19 th century Istanbul. The books have been translated into 40 languages, so thousands of readers can’t be wrong!

Portrait of a Turkish Family – Irfan Orga

It might not be fiction but Orga’s autobiography feels almost like a dream. The book follows the author’s life – a privileged boy born into a rich Ottoman family, whose fortunes change over time. It’s melancholic, it’s fascinating and it really showcases the streets of Istanbul. So much so that you have to read it before you go and ensure you visit some of the sights he includes. This one is absolutely unputdownable and rounds out the list of the 6 books you must read before you visit Turkey.

Read next: Here is the ultimate list of must-read travel books , selected by some of the best travel bloggers! Or check out our suggestions for books about Jordan , the best South African novels or books to read before visiting Brazil !

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10 of the best books set in Turkey - that will take you there

These novels – and one classical epic – evoke the cities, landscapes and cultures of Turkey ‘you’re unlikely to find on a beach holiday’ More in this series: Germany | Russia | Ireland | Latin America

W hile Turkey can be proud of its literary traditions – especially poetry heavily influenced by Persian verse forms – it is nevertheless a nation without its own Tolstoy, Flaubert or Austen. Only in the 20th century, when the fall of the Ottomans signalled a decisive tilt west, did the country begin to turn out great novelists. Not that these writers received the acclaim they might have enjoyed elsewhere – for while the country’s film industry has largely come to prominence by peddling glossily escapist versions of the country to global audiences, its novelists have asked the harder questions, often paying for their pains with state harassment, prison spells or worse. Put another way, some of the books I’ve selected will take you to a Turkey you’re unlikely to know from your beach holidays.

Not that this need deter you: if this is a literature often preoccupied with dark and difficult issues – despotism, domestic violence and minority rights, not least for Armenians – it’s delivered with consummate verve and distinctive style, not least by Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk, Elif Shafak and other Turkish writers now deservedly being published abroad, such as Ece Temelkuran. Expect your reading to take you to Istanbul, Turkish fiction’s undisputed centre of gravity, but also to the provinces, sometimes with foreign writers. Among these are Louis de Bernieres, whose Birds Without Wings, arguably his masterpiece, was inspired by a visit to the haunting abandoned settlement of Kayaköy on Turkey’s touristy Mediterranean coast.

The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak

A 2006 coming-of-age novel about Turkish teenager Asya (the bastard of the title) and her Armenian-American cousin Armanoush, whose visit to her Istanbul relatives catalyses the dramatic emergence of family secrets from Turkey’s turbulent past. Shafak’s head-on treatment of the Armenian events of 1915 – for which Armanoush unhesitatingly deploys the taboo term genocide – saw her prosecuted in 2006 for insulting Turkishness. She was spared a long jail term only when the charges were dropped. This spirited and atmospheric portrait of mothers, sisters and daughters – the men of the family are mostly carried off in their 40s by a curse that persists to the end of the novel – builds to a genuinely shocking finale.

Memed, My Hawk by Yashar Kemal

Kemal’s 1958 epic is perhaps the best-loved of all Turkish novels. This is an Anatolian Robin Hood, but set in the 20th century, when feudalism persisted in Turkey’s far-flung regions. Memed, born to poverty and back-breaking servitude among fields of thistles, takes to the mountains and raises a band of brigands to win local hearts, win back Memed’s captured beloved and break the grip of the unjust local agha (lord). A hymn to freedom and social justice, this classic is steeped in the soil and lore of southern Turkey’s Çukurova region, where Kemal was raised.

Human Landscapes from my Country by Nazim Hikmet

This epic novel in verse was largely written in prison, where Nazim, as Turkey’s greatest modern poet is universally known, spent much of his life; it was not published in Turkey until after Nazim’s death in 1963 and only published in English in its entirety in 2002. Daringly experimental, with vivid vignettes of Turkish life delivered in a fractured movie style, Nazim’s masterpiece flits from a train travelling between Istanbul and Ankara to a steppe prison, a hospital, battlefields, bedrooms and elsewhere. A challenging read, Human Landscapes nevertheless adds up to a magnificent portrait not only of ordinary and often marginalised Turkish lives, always at the heart of Nazim’s art, but of the 20th century. A committed communist who died in exile, Nazim remains a divisive figure in modern Turkey. But even those who brand him a national traitor do not deny the power of his writing, at its peak in these pages.

The Towers of Trebizond by Rose Macaulay

It’s a tribute to a novel with so outlandishly potty a premise – a camel train of High Church intellectuals bound for the Black Sea town of Trebizond (Trabzon) variously intending to write travel books, convert the heathen locals and liberate their women, and defect to the Soviets – that it seems to speak more illuminatingly of Turkey than any number of non-fiction travelogues. There’s much to admire in the detailing of the landscapes, in the author’s patent affection for her characters – even the walk-on parts – and in the signature mix of farce and melancholia. Macaulay’s 1956 novel, her last, is a uniquely affecting and funny period piece which not only conjures 1950s Turkey but is at once brilliantly revealing on love, sex and loneliness.

Snow by Orhan Pamuk

Istanbul has served as the setting for most of Orhan Pamuk’s novels, is home to his remarkable literary Museum of Innocence, and inspired his acclaimed memoir of childhood. But Snow (2002) takes Pamuk as far as he can go from his home city while remaining in Turkey – east to the remote border city of Kars. In other regards, however, this is hardly a departure from Pamuk’s trademark fictional world. In Kars to report on an epidemic of suicides among young women, a poet journalist finds himself entangled in a gathering mesh of dark politics and of his own emotional attachments as a blizzard descends, cutting off the city from the outside world. This exploration of secularism and Islamic extremism finds Turkey’s literary colossus at his most profound and unsettling.

Birds Without Wings by Louis de Bernieres

This 2004 novel, by the author of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin , stands as perhaps the great epic of end-of-empire Turkey. The setting is a provincial Mediterranean town at the beginning of the 20th century where diverse communities – Turkish, Greek and Armenian – co-exist as they have for centuries. But the wars that rage across the wider country – there are graphic evocations of life in the trenches during the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign – signal the end of the Ottoman empire and momentous change. De Bernieres’ richly rendered cast – goatherd and peasant girl, imam and agha – fall in love and go to war as the author delivers a brilliantly clear-eyed history lesson on the end of Ottoman cosmopolitanism, not least the tragic population exchanges which in 1923 called time on Christianity in Anatolia.

The Time Regulation Institute by Ahmed Hamdi Tanpinar

A hilarious tragicomedy, Tanpinar’s great novel (1954; translated into English in 2014) is a merciless send-up of the 20th-century reforms that set out to remake Turks as westerners. The novel’s focus is the titular institute whose Orwellian objective is to brings the country’s clocks into line and so correct the citizens’ casually oriental attitude to timekeeping. This bitingly timely satire, which dared to do for Ataturk what Animal Farm did for Stalin, offers a devastating commentary on what Tanpinar himself described as the country’s late arrival into the modern world. The action revolves around a cast of Istanbul mavericks whose attempts to keep up with a world in a state of flux strands them between hopes for a bright future and nostalgia for a familiar past.

The Iliad by Homer

Neither quite a novel nor Turkish, Homer’s great war epic nevertheless has to be here. For this epic poem – the novel of its day – reminds us that the land now known as Turkey has inspired the greatest stories from the start. The Iliad’s power remains its astonishing immediacy, with the fine warriors of the Greeks and Trojans falling as fodder to the flashing blades of Achilles and Hector as the two sides’ gods connive from on high to influence events on the plains of Troy. Rarely has there been such interest in this monumental work, with a 2016 translation by Caroline Alexander , the first by a woman, emphasising latent anti-war themes.

The Janissary Tree by Jason Goodwin

Literary Istanbul is a tough old neighbourhood, thick with the detectives created by writers including Barbara Nadel, Selcuk Altun and – my pick – Jason Goodwin. Yashim, the star of Goodwin’s excellent historical mysteries, not only solves crimes but is also notable as an Ottoman eunuch, cultured bohemian and gourmet. In The Janissary Tree (2006), the first of the five Yashim novels, our man investigates a series of murders that shake Istanbul’s military corps in the 1830s, some 10 years after the Sultan has slaughtered the Janissaries, once the elite force of the Ottoman Empire.

The Time of Mute Swans by Ece Temelkuran

This bestselling 2017 novel, set in 1980s Ankara, is a resonant tale of two children from sharply contrasting backgrounds whose friendship blossoms as pitched battles rage on university campuses, rightwing militias terrorise poor neighbourhoods and a military coup looms. When swans from Russia put down in an Ankara park, the two children hatch a plot to save them from the chaos.

Jeremy Seal has written several books on Turkey. His next, A Coup in Turkey , will be published by Chatto in 2021

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10 BOOKS TO READ BEFORE TRAVELING TO TURKEY

Are you going to be traveling to Turkey soon? Before you start packing your bags, it might be a good idea for you to learn a little more about the area. The best way to gather information about any destination is to read about it.

Reading books can help you get a small taste of Turkey and familiarize you with the culture and history before you go. Are you not sure where to begin with creating your reading list?

Check out this quick-reading guide to find out which books can give you the best representation of Turkey.

1. John Freely’s Istanbul

John Freely has been exploring Istanbul for over 40 years, so if anyone knows about the city, it’s him. He’s written over 30 books about the history and culture of Istanbul.

The book contains everything you need to know about the streets and mosques of the city. You can use it as a quick reference guide while you walk the same streets or use it to familiarize yourself with Istanbul before you visit.

2. Istanbul: City of Majesty at the Crossroads of the World- Thomas F. Madden

Thomas F. Madden will take you through the complete history of Istanbul from the beginning. The book is broken up into four parts, Byzantion (667 BCE-330), Byzantion Constantinople (330-1453), Ottoman Constantinople (1453-1923), and modern-day Istanbul (1923-2016).

Madden doesn’t only show you the history of the country with words. There are illustrated maps inside that display the various states of the land throughout the years.

3. Portrait of a Turkish Family- Ifan Orga

The Portrait of a Turkish Family is about loss. You will follow the trials of the Ottoman Empire through the eyes of the Orga family. The Orga’s lost everything they had due to the first World War.

They weren’t the only ones who suffered a loss, however. Many were hurt when the empire fell, but from loss comes the development of a great nation.

4. Turkish Delights- Philippa Scott

No, this book isn’t about the delicious Turkish sweet. It’s about art, which is just as delightful. When Constantinople fell, the West became greatly influenced by Turkish art.

In the book, you’ll see to what extent while learning more about Turkish paintings, textiles, ceramics, fashion, garden design, architecture, and fashion. That’s only the tip of the iceberg.

5. My Name Is Red: Orhan Pamuk

My Name is Red got Orhan Pamuk, a Nobel prize in literature and for a good reason. The book follows the murder of an Ottoman book illustrator.

As you read the mystery unfold, you’ll also see many detailed tidbits about the history of the Ottoman Era.

6. Ataturk: The Biography of the Founder of Modern Turkey- Andrew Mango

As the name suggests, this book is the biography of the founder of modern-day Turkey. It will take you through the fall of the Ottoman Empire up to the rise of the Republic. You’ll learn about Ataurk’s politics and military career.

You won’t only be reading about this great leader’s accomplishments. The book also beautifully displays who he was as a person. You’ll learn about his family, his dreams, feelings, desires, and goals.

7. Splendors of Istanbul: Houses and Places Along the Bosphorus- Chris Hellier

If you’re going to be taking a cruise across the Bosphorus, then it may be helpful to learn about the sights you’ll see along the way. Splendors of Istanbul: Houses and Places Along the Bosphorus can tell you all about it in great detail.

You’ll learn all about the mansions and waterside villas before taking your cruise. This book is a masterpiece not only for those who are visiting Istanbul but for those who have a passion for architecture in general.

8. Constantinople: City of the World’s Desire- Philip Mansel

Before it fell, Constantinople was a bustling city full of trade, intellect, and religion. This book focuses on the history of Constantinople as well as the culture and people. You’ll be reading much about the wealthy families who lived inside the city.

Each of these families contributed to the empire to expand and grow into something more significant.

9. Crescent and Star: Turkey Between Two Worlds-Stephen Kinzer

In the newest edition of this book, you’ll get to know all the aspects of Turkey’s history from the Ottoman Empire up to the present day. You’ll get a feel for the real powers of the Turkish army.

Stephen Kinzer also describes the diplomatic potential of the state and gives the reader a taste of the country’s religious aspects. On top of politics, religion, and military, you’ll also read about some of the pleasures that Turkey has to offer, such as cafes, ruins, and mountain outposts.

10. Living in Istanbul- Kenize Mourad

The best way to learn about a country is to hear about it firsthand from someone who lived there. Kenize Mourad takes the reader through the hidden delights of Istanbul throughout the book.

There is a certain magic about the architecture and waters in Istanbul that the author goes over in great detail.

Do a Little Reading Before Traveling to Turkey

Are you traveling to Turkey? It may be a good idea for you to do a little bit of light reading before leaving.

You’d be surprised at how much books can help you attune to the cultural, religious, and historical aspects of the country. Add some of these books to your reading list and brush up on your knowledge.

As accurate as the books are, nothing can prepare you for how amazing Turkey actually is. One of the best ways to view the country is by going on a tour. Contact us to learn more.

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Lonely Planet Turkey (Travel Guide) Paperback – Folded Map, May 24, 2022

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Inside Lonely Planet’s Turkey Travel Guide: 

Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreak

NEW top experiences feature - a visually inspiring collection of Turkey’s best experiences and where to have them

What's NEW feature taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas 

Planning tools for family travellers - where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kids

NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card* with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel

Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests

Eating & drinking in Turkey - we reveal the dishes and drinks you have to try

Colour maps and images throughout

Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices

Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss

Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics

Covers Istanbul, Thrace, Marmara, Gallipoli Peninsula, Troy, Izmir, North Aegean, Ephesus, Bodrum, South Aegean, Ankara, Cappadocia, Black Sea Coast, Antalya, Eastern Mediterranean and more

The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet’s Turkey , our most comprehensive guide to Turkey, is perfect for discovering both popular and off-the-beaten-path experiences. 

Need a city guide? Check out Lonely Planet’s Istanbul for an in-depth look at all the city has to offer. Going for a short break or weekend? Pocket Istanbul is a handy-sized guide focused on the can’t-miss sights. 

About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day. 

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'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – Fairfax Media (Australia)

• Print length 640 pages
• Language English
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• Publication date May 24, 2022
• Dimensions 5.1 x 1 x 7.7 inches
• ISBN-10 178657800X
• ISBN-13 978-1786578006
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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lonely Planet; 16th edition (May 24, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 640 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 178657800X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1786578006
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• The Best Books On Istanbul...

7 Books Featuring Istanbul You Need to Add to Your Reading List

With its rich history and beauty, Istanbul has been a source of inspiration for many art forms, especially literature. From fictional stories to photography, historical accounts to a comprehensive city guide, we took a look at some essential Istanbul reads.

Istanbul: memories and the city.

This novel, by Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk, has been said to be an autobiographical memoir that inspects how Istanbul has changed drastically in terms of culture. Deeply melancholic, the book is filled with memories by Pamuk, literary essays by writers connected to Istanbul by some means, and photographs by famous photojournalist Ara Güler as well as other photographers chosen personally by Pamuk.

The Bastard of Istanbul

Strolling Through Istanbul: the Classic Guide to the City

Written by Hilary Sumner-Boyd and John Freely, this book allows readers to explore Istanbul on foot as the authors relate the story of historic monuments and sites that go back to the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. There’s also plenty of secret histories and sights that you’ll likely not come across on a regular tour of Istanbul. With practical tips and vivid descriptions, this is definitely a befitting companion for history enthusiasts who are interested in the details of the city and its rich past.

The Museum of Innocence

The other famous novel by Orhan Pamuk that revolves around Istanbul, The Museum of Innocence became quite popular because of the actual museum that was opened in Cihangir and was inspired by the novel. The novel’s protagonist Kemal is a wealthy businessman who falls in love with Füsun, a distant relative of lower income. Set between 1975 and 1984, Kemal begins to collect memorabilia that relay the story of their love and in the actual museum, these antique items are on display as if their love story is real.

Istanbul: the Ultimate Guide

Quite encyclopedic in its comprehensive scope of the city, Istanbul: the Ultimate Guide has pretty much everything you need to know on more than 600 pages. Written by travel writers Saffet Emre Tonguç and Pat Yale, the guide uncovers such details as Russian churches hiding on the rooftops in Karaköy or an old wooden house belonging to a Turkish artist in Beyazıt. It’s definitely a unique journey that looks at both the popular touristic sights as well as the secret tales hiding in the back streets.

Ara Güler’s Istanbul

One of Turkey’s most renowned photojournalists, Ara Güler is known as “The Eye of Istanbul,” because of his stunning black and white photography that captured the city in its prime. This book shows the everyday lives of Istanbul residents between 1940 and 1980 underneath a sheath of melancholy stuck between tradition and modernity. The photos are also accompanied by text from Orhan Pamuk.

Istanbul: the Imperial City

Written by American physicist, teacher, and author John Freely, Istanbul: the Imperial City is an essential and in-depth historical guide to Istanbul. Freely not only follows Istanbul from its foundation to its present, but also is able to capture the feel of its everyday life. The book also has a geographical index of all of Istanbul’s historical sights and museums, which is an excellent source for travelers.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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The Best Tours of Istanbul and Turkey

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Good Travel Guidebooks – Turkey

Last Updated on May 2, 2019

For  maps of Turkey,  click here .

A Handbook for Living in Turkey

My friend, former-coauthor and TTP colleague  Pat Yale  has written the definitive book for those intending to  buy a house and live in Turkey . It answers all the questions: buying, restoring, finding and directing workers, buying furnishings, gaining legal residency, opening a bank account, etc.  More…

Istanbul’s Bazaar Quarter: Backstreet Walking Tours

Who isn’t interested in seeing the  real   Istanbul , from the  Grand Bazaar  to the  Spice Market ? This guide doesn’t just take you through the markets, but into them, and introduces you to individual artisans and their wares.  More…

Sinan Diaryz: A Walking Tour of Mimar Sinan’s Monuments

The  Ottoman Empire ‘s greatest architect has left us a treasury of wonderful works. This book is the key that opens it.  More…

The Road to Ruins: Lycian Turkey, Fethiye to Kaş

Tricia Emptage ‘s comprehensive, enlightening and humorous guide to ancient ruins and modern village life along Turkey’s Lycian Mediterranean coast.  More…

Lycia , a Complete Archaeological Guide

Turkey’s  Mediterranean coast  from  Fethiye  to  Antalya includes  spectacular scenery  and nearly a hundred  ancient cities . This authoritative, comprehensive, high-quality 300-page guide shows you them all.  More…

Lonely Planet Turkey

Ah, what can I say? I wrote the  original edition (1985) and the six editions that followed. It’s now in other authorial hands, but is still the best-overall practical on-the-road guide for budget travelers, with some suggestions for more upscale travel.  More…

Lonely Planet Istanbul

I wrote the  original edition  of this one, too, though other authors now update it. It’s a good, comprehensive guide to the city with lots of maps, photos, and a wider range of hotels and restaurants than  Lonely Planet Turkey .  More…

Rough Guide Turkey

A worthy competitor to Lonely Planet Turkey, its committee of authors covers the country in depth and with attitude (sometimes a bit too much of both?)

Rough Guide Istanbul

A fine guide to the city, though it follows the current guidebook fashion of going too far off the tourist track, recommending places and activities that might be enjoyed by someone who has moved to the city for a few months, but might be a bit too obscure and time-consuming for someone who has but a few days here.

Frommer’s Turkey

I wrote the first seven editions of this guide, but the current book is a completely rewritten effort. Extensive descriptions of hotels and restaurants make it easy to pick those special places to stay and to dine that make your trip memorable.

Dorling Kindersley Istanbul

Beautifully designed and lavishly illustrated, this fine cultural, historic and artistic guide is a great way to learn about the city. The practical information tends to be less up-to-date and useful than that in  Lonely Planet Istanbul  or  Rough Guide Istanbul , but the cultural stuff is much better.

Turkey: Bright Sun, Strong Tea

Not a guidebook, rather my  humorous travel memoir  good for cultural and societal background.  Excerpts, autographed copies &  more…

Kate Clow’s guide to the scenic footpath she pioneered is a must-see for anyone  hiking  it.  More…  ( ISBN 0-9539218-0-8)

St Paul Trail

Kate Clow’s second great  cross-country hiking  trail has its own guidebook, which you’ll want to carry with you.  More…

—by  Tom Brosnahan

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World » Asia » Middle East

The best books on turkey, recommended by elif shafak.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 BOOKER PRIZE

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak

Turkey’s most read author, Elif Shafak , describes Istanbul as ‘a she-city with a female personality’. She chooses five books on Turkey, including a biography of the she-city in all its vibrant energy and intensity.

Fragments of Culture by Deniz Kandiyoti & Ayse Saktanber

Rethinking Modernity and National Identity in Turkey by Sibel Bozdogan & Resat Kasaba

Colonial Fantasies by Meyda Yegenoglu

Istanbul by John Freely

Tales from the Expat Harem by Anastasia Ashman & Jennifer Gokmen

1 Fragments of Culture by Deniz Kandiyoti & Ayse Saktanber

2 rethinking modernity and national identity in turkey by sibel bozdogan & resat kasaba, 3 colonial fantasies by meyda yegenoglu, 4 istanbul by john freely, 5 tales from the expat harem by anastasia ashman & jennifer gokmen.

B efore we start talking about my five book choices, I would like to give you a bit of an overview of Turkey . I think Turkey is a surprisingly complex and multilayered country. It is a tapestry of many lifestyles woven together with colours so dazzling it is not always easy to discern the patterns underneath. It has a secular political culture and an intriguing history of westernisation/modernisation that goes all the way back to 1789 – the beginning of the reign of Sultan Selim III who is also known as the Reform Sultan. The fact that the country has not been colonised by Western powers in the past is an important detail that sets it apart from many other Muslim societies.

“The fact that Turkey has not been colonised by Western powers in the past is an important detail that sets it apart from many other Muslim societies”

Let’s start with your first book,  Fragments of Culture: The Everyday of Modern Turkey by Deniz Kandiyoti & Ayse Saktanber. 

There are two other reasons why I recommend this book. Firstly, it quite innovatively focuses on the sociology of daily life in an ever-shifting, ever-changing society. ‘Daily life’ is an area that has generally been ignored in the literature on Turkey. Many of the books about the country tend to concentrate on its political machinery, state institutions, and/or ideological formation. But as you turn the pages of this book you will feel the pulse of the society.

Tell me about your next book,  Rethinking Modernity and National Identity in Turkey  by Sibel Bozdogan & Resat Kasaba. 

Turkey has gone through a tremendous transformation after the 1980s as its state institutions, political and cultural elite and the role of the army have been opened up to discussion. Here is a book that sheds light on this bouncy journey and helps us to understand better today’s debates and conflicts.

This is a rich, thought-provoking collection for anyone interested in the construction of a nation-state and the Turkish experiment with modernity. It is very inter-disciplinary, drawing upon fields such as history, political science, architecture, popular culture and urban planning.

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The question of how a national identity is formed, consolidated and internalised is one that preoccupies scholars and journalists alike. This book takes a close look at the formation of a collective identity, and elaborates the myriad discourses about gender, family and nation.

The editors say their aim is not to come up with quick-fix solutions or answers, but instead make matters more complicated. And I personally like that. In doing so, they want to show the complexity and diversity of a country which is too often oversimplified by the media and populist politicians everywhere.

How does your next book,  Colonial Fantasies by Meyda Yegenoglu, help people gain an insight into Turkey? 

Though not a book on Turkey per se, I would still recommend this to gain a better understanding of the region, the veil, and the question of ‘otherness’.

How do we create an ‘other’? How do we construct and consolidate the discourses that make us believe ‘we’ are different and better than ‘them’? Yegenoglu elaborates the sexualised nature of Orientalism in an inventive, intelligent way. We are not used to seeing concepts such as ‘desire’ and ‘fantasy’ parading in books on the Middle East , but this book is different.

Yegenoglu’s critical, post-feminist approach explores the western fascination with the veil and the veiled women of the east. It is not a book on contemporary politics, but I believe it helps us to understand how we can and cannot talk about the veil, which is an important and often controversial subject in Turkish, as well as the western media.

And how does it do that? 

Your next book looks at Turkey’s Ottoman past –  Istanbul: Imperial City by John Freely. 

Here is a lovely book that is very different from the ones presented above. Turkey cannot be understood without understanding its Ottoman past.

Modern-day Turkey, of course, is very different from the Ottoman Empire. But a grasp of the Ottoman, as well as the Byzantine empires, is important to see the background of this country. As a novelist I find the Ottoman Empire fascinating, the stories and the subjects so rich.

“Turkey cannot be understood without understanding its Ottoman past”

Freely’s book takes us on a beautiful tour and when we come back we feel stimulated, inspired, both spiritually and intellectually. One of the things that I most like about this book is the way it pays attention to daily life, popular legends, and ordinary people, not only to palace intricacies, court etiquette or historical monuments. One learns a lot while reading this book but at the same time one ‘feels’ a lot.

What kind of things struck you about their daily life?

Your final book is  Tales from the Expat Harem  by Anastasia Ashman & Jennifer Gokmen. 

In the academic/journalistic literature on Turkey it is not easy to come across personal stories. Amidst all the macro theories, political analyses, and sociological overviews, I would also recommend this book because it vividly brings out the voices of expat women in Turkey today. Some of them are married to Turkish men, some of them are working or raising their kids in Turkey, and some of them have travelled throughout the country and never forgotten their experience.

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It is a colourful, humanistic and sincere collection of women’s voices. In this book you will find cultural, social and everyday life details you wouldn’t easily encounter within the confines of mainstream academic literature.

Can you give me some examples of that? 

Well, there are intriguing stories, such as how an American woman from Tennessee finds herself in a village in Anatolia and through the experience she has there with the locals, she connects back to her own childhood. There are lots of stories here. The cultural shocks but also the heart-warming connections built across cultures.

November 8, 2015

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Elif Shafak

Elif Shafak is an award-winning novelist. She is the most widely read writer in Turkey and writes fiction in both English and Turkish. Shafak is also a political scientist, focusing mainly in contemporary western political thought and Middle Eastern studies. 

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20 Best Books Set in Turkey

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Dreaming of visiting Turkey? Here are the best books set in Turkey that will take you there without even having to leave home!

Turkey is vast and has a wide variety of places, landscapes, ancient cultures, rich gastronomy, and traditions to discover.

Due to its strategic position, located between Europe and Asia and between three seas, Turkey has been a historical crossroads between Eastern and Western cultures and civilizations. Its territory has been home to several great civilizations, and many battles have been fought throughout history.

Fish, olives, nuts, coffee… If we talk about food, there is an immensity of foods that define Turkish gastronomy. However, the omnipresent dish that you will find in all restaurants is the famous kebab – other must-sees in its gastronomy include the yogurt drink (Ayran) that accompanies all meals and the most delicious dessert ever, baklava.

And if you are wondering what to do in Turkey, let me tell you that the list is long, but first, you should know there are thousands of historical sites to visit.

Here are a few to give you an idea of the diversity of adventures that Turkey has:

• Enjoy the relaxation of a Turkish bath.
• Visit Pamukkale, a huge “cotton castle.” A geological formation created by thermal waters with a high content of calcium and bicarbonate, one of the most curious landscapes in Turkey.
• Fly in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia. Scattered throughout the valleys of Cappadocia, in Central Anatolia, there are peculiar rock formations that make up a unique landscape. Hundreds of balloons of all colors invade the sky every day to see the sunrise.
• See Tuz Gölü, in central Anatolia. One of the saltiest lakes in the world, even saltier than the Dead Sea.

Turkey has been home to some of the most beloved writers of the 20th and 21st centuries. It has important literature that ranges from revolutionary political poetry to fiction novels, where the exotic mysteries of the country and the culture of the citizens stand out.

Also, Turkish literature is internationally recognized, and some of its literary works have been translated into more than 40 languages.

If you want to take an imaginary tour (or you plan to travel to Turkey), I invite you to continue reading and choose some books from the list to be part of your reading list!

Here you will find the 20 best fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books set in Turkey. We update our book lists frequently, so please share your favorite Turkish novels. Let’s get started!

Grab your favorite books set in Turkey here:

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Novels and Fiction set in Turkey

Motherland Hotel by Yusuf Atilgan

Translated by Fred Stark

Motherland Hotel is not an easy book to read. It has received critical acclaim for its experimental style, psychological depth, and bold depiction of the protagonist’s sexual obsession.

Zebercet is a lonely, introverted middle-aged man with a monotonous life that takes place within the walls of the hotel he runs. He is the last member of a prosperous Ottoman family.

The hotel is run down, has nine rooms, and is located near the railway station. Nothing exciting ever happens, except for his routine sexual relationship with the cleaning lady.

One day, a woman arrives at the hotel to spend the night, and she promises to come back next week. Zebercet’s monotonous life changes radically. He waits for her, fantasizes, and becomes obsessed with the mysterious woman, gradually losing his sense of reality.

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The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak

This book will surely transport you to Turkey and make you feel the colors, the aromas, and the magic of its streets.

Between Fiction and reality, history and magic is the story of Armanoush, a young woman who recently arrived from Arizona in Istanbul to find her roots.

It is an interesting novel with strong female characters, which tells a family story that was affected by one of the darkest episodes in history: the Armenian genocide.

The Book of Devices by İhsan Oktay Anar

Translated by Gregory Key

You will want to share this book with your friends. The book follows the story of three generations of Ottoman inventors living on Galata Hill.

Yasef Celebi is the inventor, he dreams of earning large amounts of gold and ruling the world, but his inventions do not get the approval he expected. The invented devices are described in detail in the book, represented with illustrations intended to explain how they worked.

As we follow Yasef Chelebi and his two successors on their quest for the secret of perpetual motion, the crumbling Empire undergoes drastic changes in the background, and Istanbul – the city of his dreams witnesses coups, westernizing reforms, and the advent of technological innovation.

The Janissary Tree by Jason Goodwin

The story takes place in Istanbul in 1836, with the Ottoman Empire standing on the cusp between tradition and modernity that will destroy it. But just as a radical change in the Empire’s policies is to be announced, a wave of assassinations threatens the fragile balance of its power.

Are the Janissaries, who for 400 years were the army of the Empire, making a brutal comeback? This history and mystery novel will not let you close the book until you finish it!

The Janissary Tree is the first book in the Investigator Yashim series. Check out the rest of the series;

• The Snake Stone (Book 2)
• The Bellini Card (Book 3)
• EVIL EYE (Book 4)
• The Baklava Club (Book 5)

Memed, My Hawk by Yashar Kemal

Translated by Edouard Roditi

Memed, My Hawk is a 1955 novel by Yaşar Kemal. It was Kemal’s debut novel and is the first novel in his İnce Memed tetralogy.

Memed, a young boy from a village in Anatolia, is abused and beaten by the villainous local landowner, Abdi Agha. Having endured great cruelty towards himself and his mother, Memed finally escapes with his beloved from him, a girl named Hatche.

When he finally gets away, he is to set up as a roving brigand, seeking revenge. Will he get it?

Snow by Orhan Pamuk

Translated by Maureen Freely

In Snow, Orhan Pamuk talks about the problems of a contemporary Turkey that is torn between East and West, between tradition and modernity. It is a poetic novel that walks through love and the desire for happiness and questions and delves into power, politics and its violence, and religion.

Ka is a Turkish poet exiled in Germany for 12 years who returned to Turkey in the early nineties. He travels to the remote city of Kars, in the far northeast of Turkey, to write an article about the upcoming municipal elections and the wave of suicides among young women who have been forced to remove their veils to go to school.

At the same time, the beauty and melancholy of the snow that does not stop falling drives him to write 19 poems in just three days, which is the time in which the novel takes place.

The Time of Mute Swans: by Ece Temelkuran

If you want to read something beautiful and moving, this is the way to go. The story is about a coup in Turkey, told through the eyes of two children: Ayşe and Ali.

Set in 1980, in Ankara, Turkey, it reveals the warring elements of Turkish society — between democratic leanings or communism and the harsh crackdowns of a dictatorial government; between rich and poor; between beauty and terror.

It reveals the reality of life in Turkey in the 1971-1980 era with two coup d’etats and a bloody social history. 

Two children: one from a family is living in misery, and one well-off form an alliance amidst the turmoil. And they hatch a plan.

For the first time in generations, mute swans have migrated from Russia to the Black Sea and a park at Ankara’s center. For the generals, they are an affirmation, and their wings must be broken, so they can’t fly away. But if the children can save one swan, won’t they have saved the freedom of all?

Three Daughters of Eve by Elif Shafak

The story takes place in Istanbul in the year 2016. Peri is a wealthy Turkish woman, a mother, a housewife, and a contributor to charities. She is mugged as she heads out with her daughter to a dinner party.

As she fights off her attacker, an old photograph falls out of her bag, a Polaroid of Peri and three other people in Oxford. A relic of a past – and a love – that Peri had tried desperately to forget.

Arriving at the party and looking at the wealthy guests, Peri’s mind is racing with memories conjured up by her nearly lost Polaroid. Memories from the time when she was first sent abroad to attend the University of Oxford, where she had become friends with the charming, adventurous Shirin, a fully assimilated Iranian girl, and Mona, a devout Egyptian American.

Three Daughters of Eve is a marvelous lesson in the clash between modernity and tradition and the vicissitudes of personal struggle. A must-read that entertains and informs without preaching.

Orlando by Virginia Woolf

Orlando is the first novel in history to feature a transgender person. A fictional biography of a gentleman, Orlando, born in the 16th century, during the reign of Elizabeth I of England, and lived until at least the first third of the 20th century.

During this time, Orlando lives a passionate love affair with a Russian woman named Sasha, writes a very long poem, and accepts a position as ambassador to Constantinople. One day he changes sex for no apparent reason.

She lived for a while with some gypsies. Returning to London as a woman, she marries a sailor and meets some of the foremost literary personalities of the age.

Non-fiction books about Turkey

Istanbul: Memories and the City by Orhan Pamuk

Istanbul is not a novel, a chronicle, a travel guide, or an autobiography, but it is all that and much more!

Orhan Pamuk, a winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2006, was born in Istanbul and continues to write and live in the same place today.

The 37 chapters of this book are full of stories, memories, and photographs that Orhan Pamuk offers us to learn about his intimate life and the city’s history uniquely as only a local person can.

Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities by Bettany Hughes

If you are interested in history, this book will help you learn more about this great city, and at the same time, you will enjoy an entertaining read based on impeccable research.

Bettany Hughes is a historian and host of television programs. As well as having written a large number of books, she has also directed many documentaries for the BBC, National Geographic, Discovery, The History Channel, and ABC.

She has done much research on Istanbul’s six-thousand-year history in this book. 

A city with three names: Byzantium, Constantinople, and Istanbul, and has been the capital of four empires: the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Latin Empire of the Crusaders, and the Ottoman Empire. And a city that is the seat of both the Christian patriarchy and the Islamic caliphate.

And finally, the book contains:

• Black and white illustrations
• Photographs that help better understand and contextualize some parts of Istanbul’s history

Tanpinar’s ‘Five Cities’ by Ahmet Hamdi Tanpinar

Translated by Ruth Christie

A book that is more than just that, it is a historical, architectural, musical, and literary picture of four Anatolian cities – Ankara, Erzurum, Konya, and Bursa – to which the author adds Istanbul.

If traveling with the imagination is what you are looking for, Tapinar does an excellent job of describing the five capitals of the Ottoman Empire and the passage of the different civilizations that settled in them.

Constantinople by Edmondo de Amicis

This book will make you believe that you have been there, at the same time and place as the author, even though more than 100 years have passed since it was written and published.

Edmondo de Amicis has done such a thorough and well-done job that it is almost cinematic; you can visualize what you are reading.

It is the record of the author’s visit to Istanbul before World War I. He practically describes the entire city, giving a detailed history of the splendid ancient buildings and monuments and plenty of everyday anecdotes from his own experiences. He describes the people who live in different parts of the city, from the exclusive residential areas to the slums.

This book will provide enriching reading for history buffs or those planning to visit Istanbul themselves.

Istanbul: The Imperial City by John Freely

A book that presents a new part of the city we know, the time before the Ottoman Empire in Istanbul.

An in-depth study of this legendary city through its many different ages. From its earliest foundation to the present day, it is the perfect traveler’s guide.

The author divides the book into Byzantium, Constantinople, and Istanbul. In these pages, John Freely captures the flavor of daily life as well as court ceremonial and intrigue.

The book also includes a comprehensive gazetteer of all major monuments and museums.

Turkish Reflections: A Biography of a Place by Mary Lee Settle

Settle explores an enchanting and historical land where the cutting of a tree is a crime, where goats are sacrificed to launch state-of-the-art ships, and where whole towns emerge at dusk to stroll in the streets.

It is a wonderful book to read if you plan to travel to Turkey. The author navigates both geography and history. He goes around Turkey; he describes each area telling his story so that you learn but at the same time feel part of the environment as if you were in Istanbul and these places were known and loved.

Osman’s Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire by Caroline Finkel

According to the Ottoman chronicles, the first sultan, Osman, had a dream in which a tree emerged fully formed from his navel “and its shade compassed the world”- symbolizing the vast Empire he and his descendants were destined to forge.

The Ottoman Empire was one of the largest and most influential empires. Its reach extended to three continents, and it survived for more than six centuries, but its history is too often colored by the memory of its bloody final throes on the battlefields of World War I.

Finkel gives a monumental account of the rise and fall of the Ottoman Empire, and inside the book, there are many interesting details and illustrations.

Children’s Books Set in Turkey

Around the World in a Bathtub by Wade Bradford and Micha Archer

Bath time is different in all countries, what it does have in common is that children don’t want to know anything about it!

From a hammam in Turkey to a maqii on the Alaskan tundra, this book shares the bath-time battle that happens every night around the world.

These stories and illustrations will make children laugh and learn about the importance of personal hygiene.

I See the Sun in Turkey by Dedie King and Judith Inglese

Translated by Hilal Sen

This story is told by a Turkish child, Mehmet, a bright, happy boy who shares a day in his life in Istanbul, Turkey. Mehmet’s life is quite similar to every other young child’s life in that he eats breakfast with his family, attends school, and enjoys spending time with his friends.

Readers tour the Old City through vibrant illustrations, fishing on the Bosphorus and taking a tram ride past the Hippodrome.

Drummer Girl by Hiba Masood and Hoda Hadadi

Year after year, in the blessed month of Ramadan, little Najma has happily risen to the drumbeat of her neighborhood’s musaharati. She walks through the streets of her small Turkish village, waking each family for the pre-dawn meal before the long day of fasting.

Najma wants nothing more than to be a musaharati herself one day, but no girl has ever taken on the role before. Will she have what it takes to be the drummer girl of her dreams? Find out in this inspirational story of sincerity, determination, and believing in yourself.

The Seven Fairy Mountains of Cappadocia by Linda Socha Jaworski

Küçük, the smallest fairy mountain, is full of worry! Things begin to change in her village, and she desperately wants to help, but could she be part of the problem?

Read The Seven Fairy Mountains of Cappadocia to discover how even the smallest fairy mountain can bring about the biggest change! Join Küçük and her sisters in the land of Cappadocia, where a timeless, magical element still endures, and wishes really do come true!

What Are Your Favorite Books Set In Turkey?

Have you read any of these books set in Turkey? Do you have any favorite books set in Turkey that I should add to this list? Let me know in the comments below!

Where next?

Start with this list of the very best  travel adventure books . It includes great reads that will fuel your wanderlust and have you staying up late to finish them. Also, check out the following series of book lists set in other wonderful destinations:

Books set in Greece | Books set in Italy | Books set in India

Know someone else who wants to read books set in Turkey? Then please pin this post.

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Best list I’ve seen for books set in Türkiye! Thank you!

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5 of the best english-language bookstores in istanbul.

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Istanbul, Turkey: Photo of Kadıköy passenger ferry port at sunset time. Passenger ferry, which is ... [+] coming from Beşiktaş just arrived the Kadıköy port.

Finding a great bookstore while traveling can be just as satisfying as spending the day at a beloved museum or sacred monument—and that’s certainly the case in Istanbul. The city is packed with hidden second-hand bookstores and flea market-style book alleys. The thing is—the majority of these places sell books written in Turkish, which, while beautiful to look at, mightn’t be the most practical if you’re looking for something to bring back to your hotel and read (unless of course, you speak Turkish).

That said, there are a handful of really good bookstores in Istanbul where you’ll find a huge variety of English-language books—from cookbooks and coffee table books to novels and nonfiction. Here are some of the best places to check out if you’re hoping to find a great read while in Istanbul:

Minoa Books & Coffee

Minoa Books & Coffee in Beşiktaş is a stunning spot to explore—whether you’re looking for a new book, fancy stationery, or you just want a pretty spot to stop and have a cappuccino. The independent bookstore and cafe has been around for over a decade and amassed a huge fan base thanks to its great selection of fiction and nonfiction and Instagram-friendly interior decor and art installations.

This massive bookstore chain in Istanbul might not be the most charming—but D&R is still one of the best spots in the city to find English language books and other media (including vinyl, video games, DVDs, and more). You’ll find this bookstore all over the city, including at the Istanbul Airport.

Robinson Crusoe 389

Robinson Crusoe 389 on İstiklal Caddesi is a must-visit while you’re exploring the bustling shopping street. This stunning bookstore is a great spot to stop and read (there are even cozy seating nooks to encourage patrons to stop and sample a book) and while most of the books are in Turkish, you’ll still be able to find a fair amount of English titles.

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Charlotte shooting 4 officers killed while serving warrant, wwe raw results winners and grades after wwe draft night 2, homer kitabevi.

Homer Kitabevi is going to be your best bet if you have a specific book in mind that you’re hoping to source. The sprawling space is probably the most comprehensive collection of English titles in the city and also includes a huge variety of children’s literature as well. This shop also has—true to its name—a great selection of philosophy and classic literature that will be worth seeking out as well.

Kadikoy Istanbul Bookstore

This beautiful bookstore is located just above the ferry terminal in Kadikoy—and it’s well worth checking out while you wait for your ferry to the European side of the city. The selection of English titles at the Kadikoy Istanbul Bookstore is on the smaller side but the views from the second-story bookstore are bar none.

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Are you struggling because of high interest rates? Sky News is keen to hear from people who are due to refix their mortgages this year or are on a variable rate or tracker mortgage or trying to get on the housing ladder. 

Email us your stories at  [email protected]  - or WhatsApp us  here .

UK supermarkets could soon see a "healthier" version of white bread, according to scientists.

A team of researchers at Aberystwyth University will be studying the milling and blending process for white flour.

Peas, beans and oats could be added to wheat flour to boost its nutritional value.

The research project has been funded by Innovate UK, the UK's national innovation agency.

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Parents taking their kids to Taylor Swift concerts this summer might be worried their lack of knowledge will leave them feeling a bit left out.

But what if we told you you could be a mastermind?

That's the promise of a new college course ahead of the biggest pop star in the world hitting the UK in June.

The 7 May course, which is run by the  Glasgow Cylde College and is free, will give members of the public a jam-packed session that will leave them ready for the singer's upcoming  Eras Tour.

Those who enrol in a one-off college masterclass will learn about the pop star's music, set lists, crowd chants and even her "evolving wardrobe and hairstyles".

A statement on the college website reads: "Ahead of her hugely anticipated arrival, Glasgow Clyde College is offering a one time-only masterclass aimed at preparing parents and plus ones of Taylor superfans, providing the full Love Story on all things Eras Tour to help them have the best night of their lives.

"From set lists and crowd chants to need-to-know information on each Era, the masterclass, which is being delivered by a Taylor Swift expert, will give people a whistle-stop lesson that'll leave them ready for the gig."

You can book your Swiftie masterclass here .

The cocoa market is in a particularly turbulent period, with the price of the ingredient falling to its lowest level in a month. 

It comes after prices reached their highest peaks in more than four decades earlier in the year, making it reportedly more expensive than copper. 

Traders had been betting on an acute supply shortage driven by poor harvests in West Africa. 

However, the rally made it more expensive to maintain positions and prompted traders to pull out of the market - leaving the product vulnerable to big price swings. 

The price has now fallen by 16% since the end of last week, offering some relief to chocolate makers/eaters.

The fast food giant has revealed its chefs have created a "larger, satiating burger" in a bid to boost sales, according to Bloomberg. 

The mega-sized burger is reportedly designed to attract customers who want more filling patties. 

It will be introduced in certain markets first to test its appeal. 

McDonald's unveiled plans in December that bosses hope will boost growth by focusing on core menu items. 

The chain has seen sluggish sales, partly due to its perceived support of Israel in Middle East and Muslim-majority markets. 

McDonald's has denied taking any position in the ongoing conflict and said it is not responsible for the actions of its franchisees.

So far, it has launched an ad campaign highlighting what it says are improvements to its Big Mac, quarter pounder with cheese and double cheeseburger.

This is apparently the first time in the company's 84-year history that it has made changes to its classic burgers.

By Emily Mee , Money team

Discovering a hole in your favourite pair of jeans or a rip in your well-worn cosy jumper is certainly irritating - but it doesn't mean those items are destined for the bin. 

In fact, ethical fashion campaigners say that's the last place your items should be going. There is usually plenty you can do to repair them - or even to avoid damage in the first place. That way, you can keep your best-loved pieces in your wardrobe for years to come. 

Katrina Caspelich, from fair fashion campaign Remake, takes the Money blog through what you can do...

Store your clothes better

Clean them before storing them: Always ensure that clothes are clean before storing them. Launder or dry clean them according to the care instructions on the label. Stains and dirt can attract insects and cause fabric deterioration over time.

Use breathable storage containers: Opt for breathable storage containers such as cotton canvas bags or boxes instead of plastic bins. This allows air circulation and prevents moisture build up, which can lead to mould and mildew.

Avoid direct sunlight: Store clothes in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can cause colours to fade and weaken fabric fibres over time.

Hang clothes properly: Invest in quality hangers that provide adequate support to garments. Use padded or wooden hangers for delicate items like suits, dresses and knits. Avoid using wire hangers, as they can cause garments to lose their shape. Don't hang wet clothes on hangers - they can stretch.

Use garment bags: For long-term storage of formal wear or seasonal clothing, consider using garment bags to protect items from dust, insects, and moisture.

Rotate clothing: Rotate your wardrobe seasonally to prevent garments from being stored for too long without use. This helps to prevent fabric deterioration and ensures that all pieces are worn regularly.

Avoid overcrowding: Avoid cramming clothes into storage containers or closets. Overcrowding can cause wrinkles, stretching and distortion of fabric fibres. Leave some space between garments to allow for air circulation.

Store leather items properly: Leather garments should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Use padded hangers to maintain their shape and avoid folding, as creases can become permanent.

Does how you wash clothes make a difference?

What exactly makes a gentle wash gentle? For delicate fabrics, you should always use cool to lukewarm water. (Hot water isn't needed unless you are concerned about bacteria and diseases like COVID-19). 

Pro tip: Be wary of wringing out your wet clothes. It can seriously alter the shape of your garments.

Other options

Wash your stuff less. The only clothes that should always be washed after one wear are underwear and sweaty clothes. Most garments worn regularly should be okay to wear two to three times before washing. Unless your denim has a bad habit of stretching out, experts say you should wash them after three or four wears so they age better. You can also throw them in the freezer to kill bacteria.

Spot clean your clothes. To clean a spot, start by removing any excess spillage and blot away as much moisture as possible with a paper towel or hand towel. NO RUBBING. Use some stain remover or gentle detergent on just the stained spot. Let it air dry or use cool air to speed up the process.

Air dry. Hang your clothes outside, Italian style. For heavier items that could stretch when hanging, lay them out flat on a surface to dry.

When should you dry clean?

Read the care tags! Don't be so quick to adhere to every garment's dry clean only tag - there's lots of chemicals involved that lurk on dry-cleaned wool, cotton and polyester. Plus, lots of brands put those tags on when they lack confidence in our ability to properly and gently wash our clothes.

If it is made of wool, linen, silk, cotton or cashmere - which is likely a majority of your closet - these fabrications can handle gentle hand washes so long as you pre-treat and single wash anything with stains, as well as wash items in groups determined by fabrication and colour.

If you aren't 100% sure what exactly a garment is made of, you can always test a little spot under the sink water to see if you get a ton of colour bleeding, warping or shrinkage before going all in.

If your garment has any fancy embellishments, flocking or beads attached by glue then you should probably take it to the cleaners if it's not just in need of a little spot clean.

Pro tip: When you find yourself at the dry cleaners, you can try asking for alternatives like a liquid carbon dioxide cleaning, which uses pressurized CO2 mixed with other gentle cleaning liquids as opposed to perc.  Another option is requesting a wet cleaning method , a wash that resembles a normal washing machine but utilises special soaps and conditioners for an extra gentle wash.

How do you know when a broken item is repairable, or when it's no longer usable?

It's important to always assess the extent of the damage. Small tears, missing buttons, loose hems or minor stains are usually repairable with basic sewing skills or by taking them to a tailor. 

Considering the condition of the fabric is also important. For example, if the fabric is in good shape apart from the damaged area, it may be worth repairing. 

However, if the fabric is severely worn out or faded in multiple places, it may not be worth repairing. Also, some types of damage such as large holes, extensive fraying or irreparable stains may render the garment unusable or not cost-effective to repair. 

Finally, it's important to consider the sentimental value of the item. If the piece holds sentimental value or is a high-quality piece, you may just want to hold on to it and invest in repairs.

If the item is no longer usable, you could upcycle or repurpose it. Get creative and turn the item into something new. Some ideas include turning old jeans into shorts, using fabric scraps for quilting or crafts, or transforming a worn-out tee into a cleaning rag. 

Donation is another option. If the clothing item is still in decent condition despite the damage, consider donating it to a local charity or thrift store as some organisations accept damaged clothing for recycling or repurposing.

Finally, look for textile recycling programmes in your area. Many communities have textile recycling centres or programmes that accept old clothing, even if it's damaged, to be recycled into new textiles or other products.

How about shoes?

Like clothing, extending the wear of your shoes requires proper care and maintenance. Some ideas include rotating your shoes between different pairs of shoes every day to allow each pair to air out and recover their shape between wears. 

Clean your shoes regularly to remove dust, dirt and stains. 

It's also a good idea to apply waterproofing spray to protect your shoes from water, stains, snow and other environmental damage. Like clothing, it's important to attend to any signs of damage or wear as soon as possible, replacing worn-out soles, repairing loose stitching, and fixing damaged heels to prevent further deterioration. Definitely consider taking your shoes to a professional cobbler for these regular repairs! 

By Connor Sephton , news reporter

Bitcoin has suffered its biggest monthly loss since June 2022 - amid signs that market euphoria is starting to cool.

The world's biggest cryptocurrency saw its price plunge by almost 15% in April.

Even though we're just 12 hours into a brand-new month, Bitcoin is continuing to fall further.

This digital asset is often valued in dollars rather than pounds - and certain price points tend to have psychological significance for traders.

Over the past few weeks, Bitcoin had successfully managed to avoid a big fall under $60,000 (about £48,000).

But all of that changed in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

After the $60,000 threshold crumbled, a sharp drop to $57,000 soon followed.

So... with Bitcoin down 7% over the past 24 hours, what happens next?

Well - traders are now engaged in what can best be described as an arm wrestle.

If Bitcoin manages to hold stable around $57,000, its value may start to recover.

But if selling pressure grows as American investors start to wake up and see what's happened, further declines are to be expected.

Bitcoin has now fallen by 22% since hitting an all-time high of $73,750 in March - which technically puts this cryptocurrency in a bear market.

However, avid enthusiasts will insist this is nothing more than a healthy correction, and Bitcoin's longer-term prospects are good.

One thing is clear: this is a volatile asset, and investors should only put in whatever they can afford to lose.

In what seems to be becoming a daily occurrence, four more lenders have announced mortgage rate rises.

Halifax, BM Solutions and Virgin are all doing so for the second time in around a week. They're joined by Nottingham Building Society.

Halifax are increasing rates on purchase products by up to 0.2%; BM Solutions by up to 0.24%. These begin tomorrow.

Virgin increased rates on products between 0.08% and 0.2% yesterday evening, while Nottingham has lifted rates this morning by up to 0.25%.

Mortgage rates have spiked in the last two weeks as financial markets have moved from pricing in a base rate cut in June to thinking it will come in August. Expectations of three cuts this year are now two.

The backdrop is sticky inflation in the US - and concern the global and domestic battle against rising prices isn't over yet.

Skipton had actually announced some decreases - but any optimism from this proved momentary.

Dariusz Karpowicz, director at Albion Financial Advice, told Newspage: "The atmosphere in the mortgage market is rather grim, with major players like Halifax, BM Solutions, Virgin and Nottingham Building Society repeatedly raising their fixed rates.

"This pattern of frequent rate hikes, sometimes occurring multiple times within a week, is casting a shadow over market sentiment. 

"The anticipated 'spring bounce' is nowhere in sight; instead, we're witnessing a continuation of mortgage woes. 

"Higher rates are expected to dampen buyer enthusiasm and potentially delay any positive momentum. 

"As for when borrowers can expect relief, it hinges on broader economic stabilisation. For now, the outlook remains cautious and subdued."

As April rolls into May, let's take a look at the key money dates to add to your calendar this month. 

A small note before we jump in - May is a month with a couple of bank holidays, so if any of your benefits payments would normally fall on those days, you'll get the money on the previous working day instead.

1 May - Prescription price change

The cost of your NHS prescription, in England, increases by 25p today - from £9.65 to £9.90.

Repeat prescription customers can apply for a prepayment certificate (PPC) which charges a fixed amount for a set period of prescriptions.

However, the cost of a one-year PCC will also rise to £114.50 from £111.60 - a rise of almost £3.

If you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland you don't have to pay for your prescriptions.

9 May - Interest rate decision 

Next week, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will meet for its latest review of interest rates. 

The MPC has decided to freeze the base rate at 5.25% over recent months.

While nothing is guaranteed, the BoE is widely expected among economists to hold the rate once again - thought to be waiting for inflation to get closer to the Bank's 2% target. 

12 May - Free childcare applications open

From 12 May, eligible working parents of children from nine-months-old will be able to register for access to up to 15 free hours of government-funded childcare per week.

You won't be able to claim the hours until September. 

Check if you're eligible here . 

15 May - Subway loyalty points changes

Sandwich giant Subway has outlined a series of measures in its branches regarding its loyalty schemes. 

Customers have until 14 May to use the current scheme before it changes to a new app-only loyalty scheme. 

From 15 May, any points will expire and become unredeemable.

May 24 - Energy price cap announcement

Regulator Ofgem will announce the new energy price cap for the period 1 July to 30 September.

The current price cap (£1,690 a year) is expected by analysts at Cornwall Insights to fall by just over £100 to around £1,559 for the average household per year. 

Spotify hikes 

As we reported in the Money blog, Spotify will hike its prices by around £2 per month...

Depending on a customer's billing date, payment change to the higher rate will fall in either May or June. 

Spotify has said it will email existing customers with one-month's notice of the increase.

By James Sillars , business reporter

A piece of good news to bring you: a welcome fall in oil costs.

A barrel of Brent crude started the week close to $88.

It is trading at $85 today after three days of declines – the latest in Asian trading today.

The major move lower, however, came yesterday afternoon.

Analysts credited increasing hopes of a ceasefire agreement in the Middle East and on rising US crude inventories and production.

It's been another positive start to the day for the FTSE 100 - rising 0.1% to 8.157 points in early deals.

The index has started higher each session this week but, in truth, it has struggled to make big inroads since last week's record closing high.

Banks and miners are leading the way.

Next, however, was among the fallers despite posting a strong rise in full price sales.

The first quarter increase of 5.7% was above market expectations but the retailer, usually renowned for keeping expectations low and over-delivering, maintained its guidance for annual sales and profits.

Its shares were 1.2% lower.

Among the fallers in the wider market was Aston Martin Lagonda.

The luxury carmaker's stock was almost 9% down after posting bigger than expected quarterly losses.

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