16 Books About Turkey (Türkiye) for Deeper Insights

For those looking to explore its past, present, and literature, there is no shortage of books about Turkey, the country (or as it’s now named, Türkiye). Sitting at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, this nation has a long, complex history, and therefore a multitude of stories to tell.

The following selected fiction and non-fiction books about Turkey offer glimpses into the soul of the country, from its political history (very prevalent at the time of writing) to its social norms, from ancient traditions to modern-day challenges.

Here are the best books to read about Turkey, to better understand this nation at a deeper level:

I’ve included Amazon links to each book, but you can also read where to get e-books and audiobooks for free and how to listen to audiobooks on Spotify for alternatives. (Check out how to gift Kindle books and how to gift Audible for other digital versions.)

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Fiction Set in Turkey

1. The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk

The Museum of Innocence is a poignant exploration of obsessive love and the passage of time. The novel tells the story of Kemal, who falls in love with a woman named Füsun, but is unable to marry her.

As Kemal collects mundane objects that remind him of Füsun, he constructs a museum of memories, a metaphor for his obsessive love and the painful search for meaning in a world full of fleeting moments.

The Museum of Innocence in Istanbul

Pamuk established a real-life Museum of Innocence in the Çukurcuma neighbourhood of Beyoğlu, Istanbul, and you get free entry if you bring a copy of the book (there’s a ticket in the 83rd chapter).

“The museum, which I thought was a solitary monument to my love, has turned into a monument to all the people who love.”

Orhan Pamuk is one of Turkey’s most celebrated authors, known for his deep, philosophical explorations of Turkish identity, history, and culture. His works have earned him numerous accolades, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2006.

Pamuk’s other notable works include My Name is Red, Istanbul: Memories and the City, A Strangeness in my Mind and Snow, among others.

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2. The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak

The Bastard of Istanbul delves into the complex relationships between generations of women in a Turkish family, exploring themes of identity, history, and memory. It also tackles the taboo subject of the Armenian Genocide and its impact on the Turkish psyche.

“There are things in this world that we are better off forgetting, but there are also things that must never be forgotten.”

British-Turkish author and essayist Elif Shafak is one of Turkey’s most prominent contemporary writers, known for her rich storytelling and exploration of social issues. Her works have been translated into numerous languages, and she has become a significant voice in the literary world.

Her other most notable works are Three Daughters of Eve, The Forty Rules of Love and 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World. Her hotly anticipated latest novel, There Are Rivers in the Sky, will be published 1st July 2025.

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3. The Time Regulation Institute by Ahmet Hamdi Tanpinar

Translated by Alexander Dawe and Maureen Freely

The Time Regulation Institute is a surreal and satirical novel that critiques the modernization of Turkish society in the 20th century.

Originally published as a newspaper serial in 1954, the story follows the life of Hayri Irdal, who becomes involved with an eccentric institute that aims to regulate time, mirroring Turkey’s broader struggle with its Westernization.

Ahmet Hamdi Tanpinar is a celebrated Turkish novelist, poet, and essayist. His works explore the tension between traditional Turkish culture and the pressures of modernization.

“There is nothing more ridiculous than people who are busy trying to regulate time.”

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4. Birds Without Wings by Louis de Bernieres

Birds Without Wings tells the story of a small town in Anatolia during the decline of the Ottoman Empire, capturing the human toll of war, nationalism, and the fall of an empire. It explores the lives of villagers and the deep connections they share, even as political upheavals tear them apart.

Louis de Bernieres is a British author known for his works exploring historical and cultural conflicts. He is best known for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.

“A country is not just its borders, but the lives of its people, and their stories.”

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5. Dear Shameless Death by Latife Tekin

Translated by Mel Kenne and Saliha Parker

Dear Shameless Death follows the struggles of a Turkish family in the midst of societal change, blending surrealism with harsh realities. The novel critiques the hardships of modern life in Turkey and the pursuit of personal identity in a rapidly evolving world.

Latife Tekin is a Turkish writer known for her bold narrative style and exploration of the intersection between tradition and modernity in Turkish society.

“We are all trying to escape death, but it is the only truth we can never deny.”

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Non-Fiction & History Books About Turkey

6. Atatürk: The Biography of the Founder of Modern Turkey by Andrew Mango

Atatürk is a detailed biography of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. Andrew Mango provides a thorough analysis of Atatürk’s political vision, his revolutionary reforms, and his lasting impact on the nation.

It’s impossible to visit Turkey and not recognise the face and name of Atatürk, from the museum room at the Pera Palace in Istanbul (below) to the Atatürk Museum in Antalya, he is everywhere, to his face on flags and signs all over the country.

One fascinating fact I learned about Atatürk in relation to literature is that he is responsible for the modern Turkish alphabet. At the time of the “Alphabet Reform” of 1928, the rate of literacy in the country was less than 10%. Replacing the old Ottoman/Arabic script, the new Romanised/Latin letters increased literacy exponentially over the next century, especially among women.

Andrew Mango was a British historian and journalist, widely regarded as an authority on modern Turkey and Atatürk.

“Atatürk’s dream was not just for a new country, but for a new way of thinking.”

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7. Crescent & Star by Stephen Kinzer

Crescent & Star offers an insightful analysis of Turkey’s political landscape, its place in the world, and its unique blend of Eastern and Western influences. Stephen Kinzer examines Turkey’s history, culture, and its evolving role on the global stage.

Stephen Kinzer is an American journalist and author, known for his works on international relations and the history of the Middle East.

“Turkey has always been a bridge between the East and the West, but it must decide which side of the bridge it wants to stand on.”

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8. Empress of the East: How a Slave Girl Became Queen of the Ottoman Empire by Leslie Peirce

Empress of the East chronicles the life of Roxelana (Hürrem Sultan), the powerful wife of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, and her rise from a slave to the most influential woman in the Ottoman Empire.

The story of Roxelana is quite astonishing. Abducted from Ukraine by slave traders, she was brought to Istanbul and placed in the palace harem as a concubine for the ruler of the Ottoman Empire. In an unprecedented move, Suleiman fell deeply in love with Roxelana and married her, refusing any other concubines, and made her a free woman.

Sometimes perceived as a seductress who brought ruin to the Empire, she was one of the most powerful women in Ottoman history and paved the way for the period known as the Sultanate of Women.

Leslie Peirce is an American historian who specializes in the history of the Ottoman Empire and the Middle East.

“She was not simply a consort of the Sultan; she was a woman who shaped the course of history.”

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9. Eat Smart in Turkey: How to Decipher the Menu, Know the Market Foods and Embark on a Tasting Adventure by Joan Peterson

Eat Smart in Turkey is a culinary travel guide that introduces readers to the rich flavours of Turkish cuisine. The book explores traditional dishes, ingredients, and cooking methods, offering a delicious way to experience Turkey’s culture.

This book is a little old (published in 2005). However, as someone who has visited Turkey several times, I can attest to the difficulty in understanding a Turkish menu and what exactly the dishes contain, even with Google Translate, so a reference like this is great to have on hand.

Joan Peterson is a travel writer and food expert with a focus on international cuisine.

“The true taste of Turkey is not just in the food, but in the shared experience of dining together.”

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Memoirs About Turkey

10. Portrait of a Turkish Family by Ifran Orga

Portrait of a Turkish Family offers a glimpse into the life of a middle-class Turkish family during the early 20th century, providing readers with a vivid snapshot of Turkish culture, politics, and history.

Ifran Orga was a Turkish writer and journalist. He spent much of his life in exile but remained deeply connected to the cultural and political landscape of Turkey.

“My childhood was a world of myths, stories, and timeless spaces, much like Turkey itself.”

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11. My Grandmother: An Armenian-Turkish Memoir by Fethiye Çetin

Translated by Maureen Freely

In My Grandmother, Fethiye Çetin chronicles her grandmother’s life as an Armenian who survived the genocide and eventually assimilated into Turkish society. The memoir is a testament to resilience and the painful process of reconciling one’s past.

This book came up twice in Five Books’ expert book lists in reference to Turkey and its neighbours, chosen by Istanbul-based author and former foreign correspondent Hugh Pope, as well as journalist and author on the Caucasus, Tom de Waal.

Fethiye Çetin is a Turkish lawyer and writer. She is known for her work addressing the Armenian genocide and the complex identity of Turkey’s minorities.

“We cannot simply forget what has happened, but we must seek the courage to acknowledge the truth.”

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12. I Will Never See the World Again by Ahmet Altan

Translated by Yasemin Çongar

During Turkey’s media purge in 2016, journalist Ahmet Altan was arrested and accused of sending “subliminal messages” that encouraged the 2016 Turkish coup d’état attempt. He was sentenced to life imprisonment, though was released in 2021 by order of the Supreme Court of Turkey.

This memoir, written during Altan’s imprisonment, reveals the political tensions and personal cost of living under Turkey’s authoritarian regime. It is a powerful testament to resilience and the fight for freedom.

Ahmet Altan is a Turkish novelist, journalist, and former political prisoner. His works often explore themes of freedom, justice, and political unrest in modern Turkey.

“I will never see the world again, but I will not stop speaking.”

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13. Tales From the Expat Harem edited by Anastasia Ashman and Jennifer Gokmen

Tales From the Expat Harem: Foreign Women in Modern Turkey is a collection of stories from foreign women who have lived in Turkey. The book offers unique perspectives on the challenges and joys of living as an expat in Turkey, blending humor with poignant observations.

Anastasia Ashman and Jennifer Gokmen are both expats who have lived in Turkey and have worked to bring together the voices of other foreign women living in the country.

“In Turkey, the art of living in the moment is something we could all stand to learn.”

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14. The Complete Letters of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu edited by Robert Halsband

This collection of letters by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu offers an unparalleled window into 18th-century Turkey, where she lived as the wife of the British ambassador. Her letters provide keen insights into the culture, politics, and daily life in Istanbul during the Ottoman Empire.

Robert Halsband was a British scholar and editor, renowned for his work on 18th-century literature.

“The Turks are not so much a people of elegance, but of strength and resilience.”

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15. An Istanbul Anthology: Travel Writing Through the Centuries edited by Kaya Genç

This anthology compiles travel writings about Istanbul, offering a diverse range of perspectives on the city through the ages. From ancient times to modern-day, the collection paints a vivid picture of one of the world’s most iconic cities.

Kaya Genç is a Turkish writer and journalist, whose work focuses on literature, culture, and the urban experience in Istanbul.

“Istanbul is a city that changes as you change, always offering new stories with each step you take.”

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Poetry About Turkey

16. The Poems of Nazim Hikmet

The collected poems of Nazim Hikmet offer a window into the soul of Turkey’s most famous poet, whose works reflect the social, political, and emotional turbulence of his time. His poetry, filled with vivid imagery, addresses themes of love, freedom, and revolution.

Nazim Hikmet was a Turkish poet, playwright, and novelist, whose work was heavily influenced by his political activism and his time in prison.

“The revolution is not an event, it is a process of the soul.”

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More Books About Turkey

These books about Turkey offer a deep and diverse exploration of the country, its people, its history, and its culture. Whether you’re interested in historical accounts, personal narratives, or fictional depictions, these titles provide a multifaceted view of one of the world’s most unique nations.

More Fantastic Books & Where to Find Them

For more of what to read where, check out my full Travel Books Guide, filled with book recommendations for different destinations, the most beautiful bookstores around the world, tips on how to get the best deals on audiobooks and e-books, as well as more literary travel.

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