Arrived Sunday night from a mini-vacation in Istanbul, which was confirmed as one of my favorite European (and Asian) cities (if not really the favorite).
Of course there was some book shopping involved, this time at the Robinson Crusoe bookshop in Beyoglu’s main street. It’s reputedly “Istanbul’s best foreign book shop” and it has a great vibe, with its tall shelves in dark wood. I especially appreciated their section on Turkey and came out with three souvenirs, all ideal for my Istanbul/Constantinople/Byzantium theme of the One, Two, Theme Challenge:
(View from our hotel)
- The Flea Palace by Elif Shafak
- The White Castle by Orhan Pamuk
- Strolling Through Istanbul: The Classic Guide to the City by Hillary Sumner-Boyd and John Freely
The Sleepless Reader 
9 comments
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February 17, 2011 at 10:12 am
nymeth
What a lovely photo! Any chance we can have a holiday recap post and do some vicarious travelling through you? 😛
February 17, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Scribacchina
Mmmm, bookshop traveling… I need to keep that in mind next time I hit the road!
And I second Nymeth’s request 🙂
February 17, 2011 at 3:28 pm
amymckie
All books sound excellent! I would love to go to Istanbul some day, it really sounds like a great city.
February 17, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Steph
Ack! So jealous. This is why I need to live in Europe – travel is soooo easy.
February 17, 2011 at 6:23 pm
Melissa
Jealous.
February 18, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Ti
What a great shot. I love the perspective.
February 19, 2011 at 1:36 am
Arti
This is so cool! I had the chance of visiting Turkey a few years ago but for certain reasons could not make it. Your photo reminds me of the opening scene of “Room With A View” (Helena Bonham Carter)… I know they are two different cities, but your view is so beautiful.
February 26, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Alex
@nymeth: I thought about it and am always a bit weary that people are not that interested… Will be in Japan in April and will definitely post something on the trip!
@Scribacchina: If you do do it, please also post some photos, I’m always curious about other people’s book shopping 🙂
@amymckie: It really is, I highly recommend it!
@Steph: When I was living in Portugal everything in the rest of Europe also seemed very far away. It was a discovery living in Belgium, situated at the heart of everything.
@Melissa: 🙂
@Ti: I’ll let Andre know, photography is his new hobby!
@Arti: Love that movie (and book) and can completly relate to that connection!
February 28, 2011 at 8:45 am
Monica
Hi there,
Istanbul is on my places to visit list. Lovely shot, and oh, what an enticing sounding book shop too!