You know the situation. Your friend keeps talking about a book they’ve just read. ‘It’s the greatest book, ever!’ they say. ‘It’s witty/astute/heart-rending/awe-inspiring/jaw-dropping/sensational/life-affirming.’ Eventually, you succumb to their enthusiasm and borrow said book only to find you hate it, or worse, are so bored that you can’t make it past page 50. When you return the book you’re met with an expectant, ‘So … what did you think?’ And you have to awkwardly say that you didn’t really enjoy it that much. But you explain that it’s probably because you didn’t get it; the literary equivalent of, ‘it’s not you, it’s me.’
But there is a better way! You could sit down and have a frank discussion about the good points and the bad. You could listen to someone else’s outlook. You could consider what you took from it, because even if you hate a book, they usually have something to offer: an idea, an emotion, a point-of-view. These, for me, are the prime reasons for going to book clubs. They’re a chance for discussion, to look at things from different angles and to open you up to new opinions.
Book clubs sometimes have a daunting or pretentious reputation, as if you’re expected to have a degree in literary theory and be able to discuss the rhetoric of temporality and narrative discourse. But actually, they come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you like vampire detective novels, academic volumes or literary tomes, there’s something for everyone. And all sorts of readers can get something out of attending.
If you’re a book fiend or budding author, they’re a great opportunity to analyze and discuss what makes a great novel. Or maybe a place to share your despair that such a pile of rubbish was published while your books remain in manuscript form. If like me, you’re a flaky reader, book clubs give you the impetus to finish the book and the drive to spend more time reading.
I’ve been told that book clubs aren’t that common in Turkey so as encouragement I’ve pulled together a list of Istanbul clubs that you can find on Facebook. Also, please post details of any other clubs in the comments below.
However, if the time, or the place, or the ambiance of those listed below don’t take your fancy, then I would implore you to find a few people and set up your own book club. I’ve been to clubs ranging from two people to twenty, discussing everything from high-brow literature to tween-fiction, and I have always found them insightful, interesting and enjoyable.
Istanbul Book Club Suggestions:
Global Minds Book Club
Fiction and non-fiction books from around the world, discussed by people from around the world.
Bağdat Caddesi Book Club
Based on the Anatolian side and held every 4-6 weeks, fiction books
Istanbul Book Club
A bi-monthly book club held on the European side
This post was originally published in February of 2014. It was updated for relevance on December of 2018.
There’s also quite a lot of more casual chatting about books at the Ebru Book Exchange on Şeyhbender Sokak in Asmalımescit, down the road from Babylon in the building on the right that houses Çitlembik Publications. It’s open Mon-Fri 5-7pm.