This ancient Mesopotamian epic follows the story of Gilgamesh, a demigod king who rules over the city of Uruk. Unhappy with his reign, the gods create a wild man named Enkidu to challenge him. However, Gilgamesh and Enkidu become close friends and embark on several adventures together, including defeating the demon Humbaba and killing the Bull of Heaven. After Enkidu's death, Gilgamesh becomes obsessed with finding immortality, leading him on a journey to meet Utnapishtim, the only human who has been granted eternal life. The narrative explores themes of friendship, mortality, and the meaning of life.

Set in the late 16th century Ottoman Empire, this novel explores the conflict between East and West, tradition and innovation, through the lens of miniaturist painters. When a renowned artist is murdered, his colleagues must solve the mystery while grappling with the changes in their art brought about by the western Renaissance. This complex narrative intertwines love, art, religion, and power, offering a deep exploration of the struggles between old and new.

"Memed, My Hawk" is a novel set in the harsh and lawless rural Turkey of the 1920s. It follows the story of a young boy, Memed, who becomes an outlaw and a local hero after standing up to the corrupt authorities and feudal landlords who oppress his village. The novel explores themes of love, revenge, and social justice, and is a powerful indictment of the social and economic conditions of rural Turkey in the early 20th century.

Set in the small city of Kars in northeastern Turkey, the novel follows a Turkish poet who has spent several years in political exile in Germany. He returns to Turkey during a time of political unrest, with tensions high between religious and secular factions. As he becomes embroiled in the turmoil, he also becomes involved in a romantic relationship with a beautiful woman. The city is cut off from the rest of the world by a relentless snowstorm, leading to a series of tragic events. The novel is a contemplation on love, faith, and the tensions between tradition and modernity.

In the sequel to the story of a defiant Anatolian peasant boy, the protagonist continues his struggle against the oppressive feudal landlords. Despite being declared an outlaw and having a bounty on his head, he does not give up his fight for justice and equality. The narrative explores the harsh realities of rural life and the deep-seated traditions of the Anatolian people, while also delving into the protagonist's inner battles and his unwavering determination to resist tyranny.

This book is a compilation of six essays that delve into the ideological and practical facets of communism. Each study examines different aspects of communist theory and practice, from its origins and evolution to its implementation in various countries. The authors critically analyze the successes and failures of communist systems, exploring the impact on societies that have adopted these principles. The essays also consider the psychological and sociological effects of living under communist regimes, providing a multifaceted perspective on one of the most influential political ideologies of the 20th century.

This novel follows the life of a young Turkish girl growing up in the 1950s and 60s, exploring her experiences in a rapidly changing society. The protagonist navigates the complexities of her family life, her struggle with her identity and her eventual emigration to Germany. The book explores themes of female empowerment, cultural clashes, and the immigrant experience, all told through a unique narrative style that blends reality with dreams and folktales.

This anthology is a comprehensive collection that spans six centuries of poetry, offering readers a rich tapestry of poetic expression from the English literary tradition. Compiled by two of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, the book serves as both a historical overview and a celebration of the art form, featuring works from the earliest English poets to contemporary voices. Through its carefully curated selection, the anthology highlights the evolution of poetic styles, themes, and the enduring power of poetry to capture the human experience in all its facets. It is an essential volume for both students and enthusiasts of poetry, providing a deep well of inspiration and a broad perspective on the development of English verse.

The book is a poignant exploration of the lives of squatters in the outskirts of Istanbul during the 1970s and 1980s. Through a blend of magical realism and stark social commentary, it tells the story of a community of rural migrants who, in search of better prospects, build a shantytown named "Flower Hill" on the city's periphery. The narrative delves into the daily struggles, dreams, and communal bonds of these individuals as they grapple with the harsh realities of urban poverty, political upheaval, and rapid modernization that threaten to erase their makeshift neighborhood. The novel is a tapestry of interconnected tales that together paint a vivid portrait of resilience and survival amidst systemic marginalization.

The novel focuses on a man searching for his wife in Istanbul, who disappeared without a trace. In his search, he discovers a secret, surreal world in the city and starts to understand his wife's involvement in political activism. The narrative is interwoven with stories from a column written by his wife's half-brother, which the protagonist believes may hold clues to her disappearance. The book is a complex exploration of identity, storytelling, and the role of literature in society.

"The Twelve Labours of Hercules" is a classic mythological tale that chronicles the exploits of Hercules, a Greek hero renowned for his strength and courage. The story revolves around twelve daunting tasks, known as labours, which Hercules is ordered to complete as a form of penance. These labours range from slaying ferocious beasts and capturing mythical creatures, to cleaning vast stables and fetching golden apples from a guarded tree. Through these trials, Hercules demonstrates his valor, cunning, and resilience, solidifying his legacy as one of the most iconic figures in Greek mythology.

"Reynard the Fox" is a medieval European fable and folklore that follows the adventures of a crafty and mischievous fox named Reynard. Known for his cunning and deceitful ways, Reynard often finds himself in trouble with the King of the animal kingdom, Noble the Lion, but manages to outsmart his adversaries each time. Through a series of satirical and humorous tales, the story offers commentary on the hypocrisy of the nobility and the church, and explores themes of morality and justice.

This novel intertwines two parallel narratives, one set in the 13th century and one in the modern day. The contemporary story follows a discontented American housewife who, while working as a reader for a literary agency, comes across a novel about the 13th-century poet Rumi and his spiritual mentor, Shams of Tabriz. As she delves into their story, she uncovers Shams' forty rules of love and begins to question her own life and relationships. The historical narrative, on the other hand, explores the transformative friendship between Rumi and Shams, and how their bond revolutionized Rumi's poetry and outlook on life.

This novel delves into the obsessive love of Kemal, a wealthy Istanbulite, for Füsun, a distant relative and a shopgirl, which begins in 1975 and spans over 30 years. After a brief affair, Füsun marries another man, but Kemal's love remains unyielding. He starts collecting objects that remind him of his love for her, eventually creating a museum dedicated to their relationship. Set against the backdrop of Istanbul's changing society, the story explores themes of love, longing, class, and the power of memory, as Kemal's life becomes a testament to his unattainable desire, encapsulated within the walls of his museum.

"The Eunuch" is a classic Roman comedy that revolves around the convoluted romantic pursuits of several characters in ancient Athens. The plot centers on a young man who falls in love with a courtesan and, in an attempt to win her affections, disguises his slave as a eunuch to gain access to her household. Meanwhile, his friend is also enamored with the courtesan's ward, leading to a series of misunderstandings and mistaken identities. The play humorously explores themes of love, deception, and the social mores of the time, culminating in a resolution that restores order and reconciles the characters.

"The Poetic Edda" is a collection of Old Norse poems from the medieval manuscript Codex Regius, which is a crucial source of Norse mythology and Germanic heroic legends. Composed by various unknown authors over centuries, the compilation includes mythological and heroic poems that explore the creation and end of the world, the exploits of gods like Odin and Thor, and the fates of heroes such as Sigurd the dragon-slayer. Rich in metaphor and ancient symbolism, these poems are fundamental to understanding the beliefs, values, and storytelling traditions of the Viking Age and have had a profound influence on later literature, art, and culture.

"The Apocrypha" refers to a collection of ancient Jewish writings that are included in some versions of the Bible, particularly in the Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate, but are not considered canonical by all Jewish and Christian traditions. These texts include a variety of genres such as historical narratives, wisdom literature, additions to canonical books, and apocalyptic visions. They provide valuable insights into Jewish thought and practice during the Second Temple period and are revered in some Christian denominations for their historical and spiritual significance, despite their varying levels of acceptance across different religious communities.

This book provides an in-depth exploration of Kabbalah, a mystical Jewish tradition. It delves into its historical origins, core philosophies, and spiritual practices, giving readers a comprehensive understanding of its principles and teachings. The book also discusses the Kabbalah's influence on various aspects of Jewish culture and its relevance in the contemporary world.

"The Possessed" is a compelling narrative that combines memoir, criticism, and travel writing to explore the author's deep fascination with Russian literature. Through her experiences as a graduate student at Stanford, her travels to Turkey, Russia, and Uzbekistan, and her encounters with other scholars, the author delves into the works of great Russian authors such as Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Chekhov, while also reflecting on the nature of literature, identity, and the human condition.

"The Bastard of Istanbul" is a novel that tells the story of two families, one Turkish and one Armenian American. It explores the deep, intricate history between the two nations through the eyes of the characters, while also tackling themes of identity, memory, and the past. The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of the women in both families, who carry the burden of their ancestors' secrets, and a young man haunted by the ghost of a long-dead Armenian. The novel delves into the complexities of love, family, and the lasting effects of the Armenian genocide on its descendants.

In this epistolary science fiction novel, two rival agents, Red and Blue, find themselves on opposite sides of a sprawling temporal conflict known as the Time War. As they carry out missions to manipulate the strands of history for their respective factions, their paths cross in unexpected ways. Through a series of secret letters left across time and space, what begins as taunting correspondence evolves into a deep, forbidden connection. The narrative weaves a complex tapestry of time-travel and intrigue, exploring themes of love, identity, and the consequences of actions within the ever-shifting sands of time. As their bond deepens, Red and Blue must ultimately decide where their loyalties lie and what sacrifices they are willing to make for a chance at a future together.

"Life's Good, Brother" is a poignant narrative that explores the emotional and psychological depths of a man grappling with the harsh realities of life in a Turkish prison during the mid-20th century. Through a series of letters and reflective musings, the protagonist, who is a political prisoner, delves into themes of love, longing, and the enduring human spirit. His introspective journey is interwoven with his interactions with fellow inmates and memories of the outside world, painting a vivid picture of resilience and the unyielding hope for freedom and justice amidst oppressive circumstances.