Many thanks to our community partners and sponsors for their support and contributions. All events and programs are free and open to the public.

Kick-Off Celebration
Launch party to introduce the author and programming events.

Thursday, February 2 - 7:00 p.m. - Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera

ON-GOING: One Book One Marin Online Book Club
A reading forum open to the Marin community. Questions, insights and comments are encouraged!
www.marinlibrary.org

ON-GOING: Mill Valley Library Blog
A reading forum open to the Marin community. Questions, insights and comments are encouraged!
www.millvalleylibrary.net/blog

Myths and Magic of Turkey
A fascinating presentation on Western Turkey by historian, photographer and Turkish native, Mehlika Seval, will cover everything from classic sights to see in Istanbul to what attire visiting women should really wear. Meli will share timely travel updates about her favorite riverfront restaurants, hot air balloon rides over the moonscape of Cappadocia, top shopping secrets, authentic textile weavers, and how best to explore biblical sites in the footsteps of St. Paul.

Saturday, February 4 - 11:00 a.m. - Larkspur Public Library

Travel To Turkey: A Slide Presentation With Jale Robertson
A native of Turkey and co-owner of Blue Odyssey, a travel company specializing in tours to the Mediterranean, Jale Robertson is a licensed professional guide who has been leading trips to Turkey since 1992. Jale makes the past come alive with her enthusiasm and knowledge of the region. Hear her suggestions about where to visit, eat and shop, how to dress and sites you just can’t miss.

Tuesday, February 7 - 7:00 p.m. - Fairfax Library
Thursday, February 8 - 7:30 p.m. - Belvedere-Tiburon Public Library
Saturday, February 11 - 11:00 a.m - South Novato Library
Wednesday, February 15 - 12:00 p.m. - Civic Center Library
Tuesday, February 28 - 7:00 p.m. - Corte Madera Library
Saturday, March 24 - 11:00 a.m. - Novato Library

Turkish Cooking: A Demonstration with Jale Robertson
Join Jale as she unveils the rich aromas of Turkish cuisine. Jale will share her knowledge of each dish’s history and key ingredients and discuss regional specialties. She will demonstrate techniques and provide samples. (90 min.)

Wednesday, March 7 - 12:00 p.m. - Civic Center Library
Thursday, March 8 - 7:00 p.m. - Corte Madera Library
Thursday, March 29 - 7:00 p.m - Novato Library

Book Group Discussions
Join a library book group for a lively, engaging discussion of The Oracle of Stamboul. Carol Benet Ph.D., a popular Bay Area book group leader, will facilitate the discussion at some locations. Benet received her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, where she won an Outstanding Teaching Award.

Tuesday, January 17 - 1:00 p.m. - Novato Library
Tuesday, January 17 - 7:30 p.m. - San Anselmo Public Library
Wednesday, February 8 - 7:00 p.m. - Larkspur Public Library
Thursday, February 9 - 10:00 a.m. - Corte Madera Library
Tuesday, February 21 - 7:30 p.m. - Belvedere-Tiburon Public Library*
Monday, March 12 - 7:00 p.m. - Pt. Reyes Library
Tuesday, March 13 - 6:15 p.m. - Mill Valley Public Library**
Wednesday, March 7 - 7:00 p.m. - Margaret Todd Senior Center
Wednesday, April 11 - 12:00 p.m. - Civic Center Library*
Thursday, April 12 - 7:00 p.m. - Fairfax Library*
Tuesday, April 17 - 6:15 p.m. - Mill Valley Public Library
Wednesday, April 18 - 7:00 p.m. - Novato Library

*w/Carol Benet Ph.D.
**reviews first half of novel

ISTANBUL! The Visual Culture of a City
Bridging two continents, the former Byzantine and Ottoman capital is rich in treasures such as the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace. This presentation by art historian, teacher and traveler Kerrin Meis includes a virtual tour of the magnificent mosques, mosaics, museums, cafes and historic hotels featured in the novel. Flavors of Turkish Cuisine will be served.

Tuesday, February 21 - 7:30 p.m. - San Anselmo Public Library

Meet the Author
Michael David Lukas will discuss his writing process and how he came to be a writer. He will share his stories and inspire yours. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the author up-close. Teens welcome!

Thursday, March 1 - 7:00 p.m. - Fairfax Library
Thursday, March 29 - 7:30 p.m. - Belvedere-Tiburon Public Library

Turkish Carpets: A Presentation by Pamella and Conroy Cavanna of Carpets of the Inner Circle
For over 30 years Pamella Cavanna has been buying and selling rare and antique carpets. In 1996 she was joined by her son Conroy. Experts in the field, they will discuss the design, construction, and care of Turkish rugs. As in the novel, they work directly with Turkish dealers, and will share their stories and their rugs.

Tuesday, March 13 - 7:00 p.m. - Stinson Beach Library
Monday, April 2 - 7:15 p.m. - Inverness Library
Saturday, April 7 - 11:00 a.m. - South Novato Library
Thursday, April 19 - 7:00 p.m. - Novato Library

Topkapi (1964) - Movie Screening
A fun-filled heist film about the attempted theft of a jeweled dagger from the Topkapi Museum in Istanbul. Directed by Jules Dassin and starring Melina Mercouri and Peter Ustinov (who won the Oscar for his performance). (2 hrs.)

Thursday, March 8 - 7:00 p.m. - Belvedere-Tiburon Public Library

Teslim Performs Turkish and Sephardic Music
Teslim features two well-known Bay Area musicians: violinist Kaila Flexer and Gari Hegedus on oud, Turkish saz, and Greek lauoto. This talented duo performs Turkish and Sephardic music, in addition to original compositions based on these traditions. Don’t miss this!

Saturday, March 10 - 1:00 p.m. - Pt. Reyes Library
Thursday, March 17 - 2:00 p.m. - Bolinas Community Center
Thursday, March 29 - 7:00 p.m. - Civic Center Library
Wednesday, April 4 - 7:00 p.m. - Fairfax Library

Golden Thread Fairytale Players
A presentation of Nasrudin’s Magnificent Journey to Samarkand, a theatre performance incorporating story, music and dance from the Middle East, for children 5 and up.

Thursday, March 29 - 4:00 p.m. - Belvedere-Tiburon Public Library

Art and Architecture of Istanbul: A Presentation by Kerrin Meis
Art historian Kerrin Meis will present an illustrated lecture on the artistic and architectural wonders of Istanbul. Formerly an art history teacher at SFSU, Meis lectures frequently on a variety of art topics and leads study tours in France.

Thursday, April 5 - 7:00 p.m. - Corte Madera Library
Saturday, April 21 - 11:00 a.m. - Novato Library

Culminating Celebration:
Michael David Lukas and Michael Krasny In Conversation
Author Michael David Lukas will join KQED host Michael Krasny in a discussion of the novel at this special culminating event.

Wednesday, April 25 - 7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.)
Angelico Hall, Dominican University of California

Many thanks to our community partners and sponsors for their support and contributions.
All events and programs are free and open to the public

Looking for additional opportunities to expand your cultural experience of Turkey? Visit these websites/events:

The Turkish Cultural Foundation – Dedicated to promoting and preserving Turkish culture and heritage worldwide.

The Art of the Anatolian Kilim – Currently on view at the de Young Museum - Among the world's finest collection of antique rugs and carpets produced by nomadic tribes in the Asian part of Turkey.

Locations and Contact Info