A Little About My Taste: Books, Films, Music & More

From books about economics and society to sitcoms, video games, and a good pizza, a few things I enjoy.

I have quite a wide range of interests, and I don't think my taste fits neatly into one category.

I enjoy reading about economics, politics, history, and society, but I also love watching a good sitcom, listening to pop music, or spending an evening playing video games.

Sometimes I'm in the mood for something serious that makes me think. Other times, I just want something funny, comforting, or entertaining.

After writing about the places I've lived in and visited, I thought I'd share a little more about the books, films, TV shows, music, games, and food I enjoy.

Books — Fiction, Society, and Everything in Between

My taste in books is quite varied. I enjoy novels, mysteries, and books that explore how people and societies work.

One book I particularly like is Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson. Having studied Economics and International Development at McGill University, I've always been interested in why some countries develop differently from others, and how political and economic institutions shape societies.

I also enjoy books that question established ideas or introduce different perspectives. The Mismeasure of Man by Stephen Jay Gould and Flatland by Edwin A. Abbott are two examples.

When it comes to fiction, some of my favorites include The Catcher in the Rye, Of Mice and Men, and The Hunger Games. I also enjoy Agatha Christie novels, especially the mystery and suspense.

In Turkish literature, I've read works by Selim İleri, Gülse Birsel, and Latife Tekin, among others. I enjoy discovering different Turkish writers and their perspectives.

I don't always want to read something academic or particularly serious, though. Sometimes I prefer a novel that I can simply get lost in.

Films — Different Stories for Different Moods

Some of my favorite films include Love, Simon, Zootopia, The Great Gatsby, The Hunger Games, and Crazy Rich Asians.

They're quite different from one another, but that's what I like about films. Sometimes I enjoy stories about identity, relationships, or social issues, while other times I just want something funny or entertaining.

I can enjoy a film that makes me reflect on society just as much as an animated movie that makes me laugh.

For me, a good film doesn't always have to be complicated.

TV Shows — From Turkish Dramas to Sitcoms

I enjoy both Turkish and international television series.

Among Turkish shows, some of my favorites include Kavak Yelleri, Aşk-ı Memnu, and Bir Başkadır. I like how different they are from one another, from relationship dramas to stories that explore different parts of Turkish society.

When it comes to international series, Modern Family is definitely one of my favorites. I love its humor and characters, and it's one of those shows I can return to when I want to relax.

I've also enjoyed How I Met Your Mother and Dawson's Creek.

More recently, I've really enjoyed Heated Rivalry, including its music.

My television preferences depend a lot on my mood. Sometimes I want a more serious drama, and sometimes a familiar sitcom is exactly what I need.

Video Games — Something I've Always Enjoyed

Video games have also been part of my interests for a long time, particularly console games.

Some of my favorites include Uncharted, Tomb Raider, Ratchet & Clank, Sly Cooper, The Sims, Grand Theft Auto, and James Bond games.

I particularly enjoy adventure games such as Uncharted and Tomb Raider, where there's a story to follow and different places to explore.

Then there are games like The Sims, which offer something completely different. Sometimes it's fun to build houses, create characters, and see what happens.

I've enjoyed different types of games over the years, and I think they're another interesting form of entertainment and storytelling.

Theatre and Live Performances

I also enjoy going to the theatre.

When I was in Ankara, I occasionally attended theatre performances, and more recently I went to see Afife in Istanbul.

I've also been to ballet performances.

I like the experience of watching something live. It's different from watching a film or television show at home, and it's something I'd like to do more often.

Music — Whatever Fits the Mood

My taste in music changes quite a lot depending on what I'm doing and how I'm feeling.

I particularly enjoy pop music, and Taylor Swift is one of my favorite artists. I also listen to Rihanna, Katy Perry, Coldplay, and OneRepublic.

Some songs I've enjoyed over the years include Viva La Vida, Empire State of Mind, Complicated, Good Life, Bleeding Love, and I Will Survive.

Lately, I've also enjoyed listening to the music from Heated Rivalry.

I tend to prefer upbeat music when I'm in the mood for something energetic or positive. But sometimes I want something calmer, especially when I'm relaxing.

I don't really have one fixed genre that I always listen to. It depends on the day.

I might add a Spotify playlist here at some point, since I think sharing music is a nice way to introduce people to your taste.

Food — A Few Favorites

I couldn't write about my favorite things without mentioning food.

I particularly enjoy pizza, pasta, mantı, hamburgers, and chocolate.

Italian food is definitely among my favorites. I love a good pizza or a plate of spaghetti, and I enjoy going out for Italian food.

I also really like mantı, one of my favorite Turkish dishes.

And when it comes to something sweet, chocolate is always a good option.

I enjoy trying different foods, but these are some of the things I keep coming back to.

Why I Like a Bit of Everything

Looking at this list, there's quite a mixture.

I can spend time reading about economic development and political institutions, then watch Modern Family, listen to Taylor Swift, or play The Sims.

I don't really see those interests as contradictory. I like learning about serious subjects, especially economics, society, and human behavior, but I also appreciate entertainment that helps me relax and have fun.

Not everything I read, watch, or listen to needs to teach me something. Sometimes I want to think, sometimes I want to laugh, and sometimes I just want to switch off for a while.

My interests will probably keep changing, and I'm sure I'll discover plenty of new favorites along the way.

For now, these are some of the things I enjoy, and a little more about me beyond my education, work, and travels.