Next month’s country offers a variety of fairy-tale landscapes according to ListAKA.* One of its most famous is the town which is named "cotton castle" in the native language. With its mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces (i.e., terraces of carbonate minerals) such as the one pictured here, it’s no wonder people view it as a magical place.
The country also boasts one of the largest & oldest covered markets in the world with 61 covered streets & over 4,000 shops which attract between 250,000 & 400,000 visitors daily. There, you can also dine on a feast including the famous kebabs this country is known for made from an exotic fusion of Central Asian, Caucasian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, & Balkan cuisines.
And remember the story of Odysseus & the Trojan Horse? It’s this country that houses the ruins of this immortal city.
So Which Country are We Adventuring to Next?
The modern site of Troy which is Turkey!
While exploring possible suggestions for Turkey, I found the anthology included here which won’t work for the book club, but may appeal to you as a personal read as it did me. (Despite its ugly cover, it does have a number of rave reviews.) The book details the stories from 32 women from 7 different nations who have established lives in Turkey for work, love, or adventure over the past 40 years. “Poignant, humorous, and transcendent, these narrative essays take readers to weddings and workplaces, down cobbled Byzantine streets, into boisterous bazaars along the Silk Road, and deep into the feminine stronghold of steamy Ottoman bathhouses. The outcome is a stunning collection of voices from women suspended between two homes as they redefine their identities and reshape their worldviews.” This book is now on hold waiting for me at my library.
HAVE ANY BOOK CLUB SUGGESTIONS?
Just let us know your Turkish suggestions by Tues., Jan. 15 11PM ET. (That's NYC time. See this converted to your local time below.)
We'll use 2 suggestions from book club members, 2 suggestions from Mia (the book club co-founder) & 2 of my suggestions to compile a list of 6 books on which book club members will provide their thoughts. The book judged as best from the list will then be read.
Please note - We're specific in our books, they must:
Largely occur in the location specified unless the world described is an alternate reality
Be written by an author born there who has spent a good portion of their life there
Exist in paperback & ebook available on both Amazon & Kindle at least in the US & hopefully elsewhere
* (2016) Top 10 Things Turkey is Famous for. ListAKA. Retrieved from https://listaka.com/top-10-things-turkey-is-famous-for.