There are two words to tell this novel written by nobel-prize winning Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk. Dark and Powerful!

The Black Book starts with the short flashbacks of the boy,through his childhood and the story slides mysteriously in the dark shades of his memories in istanbul,the darkest city ever in a book told.The whole story is comprehensive enough to gaze at the beauty of this ancient sparkling
city,the author tries to immaculate the readers and he achieves.  This book requires effort, but it is worth every bit of it.

I especially like the pages where it is told what would we see under if there would be no water in Bosphorus sea and the crazy parts with the old Ottoman head executioner.

Turkish Bath Culture has roots in Roman Baths and its a history of several centuries starting from Ottoman times.

This book provides detailed information about Ottoman Bath Architecture, The Essential Components of the Bath: Tellak and Natir, The Baths and Sex, the most famous baths (hamams) of Istanbul including Cemberlitas Bath, Cagaloglu Bath, Oruculer Bath, Suleymaniye Bath, Sifa Bath, Gedikpasa Bath, Kosk Bath, Vezneciler Bath and many other ones. You will also read many interesting facts about the Turkish baths and life.

A recommended read about Turkish culture.