Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities by Bettany Hughes - Book Chat

[@lilliannieswender266]

Hi Eston. It's really great to see you again . I really like Bettany Hughes, I've seen almost all of her documentaries on You Tube. She is a very knowledgeable woman. I enjoyed your review of this book very much. Have a great week.

[@EarnestlyEston]

Thanks Lillian. I get amused in her documentaries how she so often manages to find just the right statement to end a segment with and then with a dramatic pause will turn and walk off camera...haha. I would picture her doing this at the end of many chapters in this book as well. She's definitely got a way to make history accessible and relatable!

[@hasanabdulrahmanagha7783]

Thanks a lot. it's really interesting. Did you notice any difference between the Asian side and the European side of Istanbul when you visited it? i.e did you have the same feeling in both parts or could you tell there's a difference.

[@EarnestlyEston]

I didn't spend much time on the Asian side and didn't feel much difference but sadly i only had about 8 days there :( Istanbul is now one of my favorite world cities and I would love to return and spend more time there. I actually want to explore all of Turkey so some day I hope to have another trip where I travel to some of the other cities.

[@pegthebookprizeaddict579]

OH MY! We knew Joseph was coming up🙀. If I wasn’t trying to read all the books on several prize lists I just might have attempted to read along with you! So interested to hear what you think 🤔 of it🙋‍♀️💕📚

[@EarnestlyEston]

Yeah Joseph was bound to happen sooner or later so I just need to dive into it and get it read. I have heard from some who have read at least some of the books that it's very well done. I almost wish I had read the books individually instead of taking on the combined edition but I kind of figured if I broke them down to 4 books it would take me 4 or 5 years to get it all done so might as well finish it all at once I suppose. We've got the Book Festival in DC next week. Are you coming down for it?

[@pegthebookprizeaddict579]

EarnestlyEston Yeah, I saw it advertised but don’t think I will fight the Labor Day weekend drive down this year....expect a full report from you! READ ON!🙋‍♀️💕📚

[@EarnestlyEston]

PEG the BOOK PRIZE ADDICT I would love to see you but totally understand! I need to set down and figure out my plan for it. The last time I went was not well planned and was a bit overwhelming.

[@richardsonreads573]

Joseph and His Brothers? You are an ambitious man!

[@EarnestlyEston]

Yeah I have the feeling this one's going to take me awhile :)

[@RachelMauro2]

Admittedly my interest in Istanbul has been piqued by a YA alternative history series that I enjoy. :p. This seems like a good book!

[@EarnestlyEston]

It took me awhile to get through as there is So.Much.History. in Istanbul! I always seem to enjoy fiction set in Istanbul as well :)

[@nicoangel690]

ZITO MAS !

[@crflamesfan]

I am so glad you enjoyed Istanbul. One of these days I need to sit down and watch her documentaries. Wow, Joseph and His Brothers is a chunker and it sounds very interesting. The other book you are currently reading also sounds like something I would enjoy. Two more books to add to my list. 😃

[@EarnestlyEston]

Thanks! I am glad you chatted Istanbul last year and brought it to my attention :) I don't know why I didn't pick The Magic Mountain or something to start out with for Thomas Mann. But I've heard lots of good things about this fictionalized account of the Joseph story so I'm hoping it's good. I'm going to have to settle in for some long reading sessions to get through it though in any kind of reasonable time! I should have a chat up on Books and Readers in the Early Church pretty soon. It's written in a rather academic style but still very interesting (to me).