I am nearly halfway through Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian,and I am greatly enjoying it. It is an interesting take on the Dracula story, and quite a bit of it takes place in Istanbul, Turkey. I have always thought Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries sound very exotic. Turkey is especially interesting as it sits at the crossroads of East and West Europe. At one time I went through quite a phase, and I have a neat little stack of big and little books on Turkey. I pulled out two picture books that I haven't looked at in ages. Since I am reading about the place, I might as well look, too, and really get a feel for what is going on and where! The Splendors of Istanbul is a gorgeous book of nearly all photos of houses (that seems too plain a word to describe these living abodes!) in Istanbul. Actually the title uses "Palaces" and that is certainly what I would call them--all along the Bosporus. I tought of scanning some of the rooms, but how to choose!! Actually the houses look like Russian dachas--what I imagine I would see in Pasternak's "Doctor Zhivago"! I wonder which culture influenced which?
Turkish Style is another lavish book filled with beautiful photos. This one has interiors, exteriors, gardens, businesses, streets. There are loads of little details--gorgeous tiles, winding staircases, fountains. Living there--at least this version of Turkey--must be like walking into Scheherazades's 1001 Arabian Nights. It is so utterly foreign--I can't think of anywhere here is the US that is reminiscent of this culture. These are definitely good books to put you in mind of Byzantium! Now I just need a little spicy Middle Eastern cuisine!