On a very tranquil summer evening and in a very calm cafe in Cihangir, with classic jazz in the background and a lot of laughs from the tables around, the two friends Aslı Toraman and Naz Beşcan meet, greet and exchange books.

The two girls are the creative minds behind Pestil Books, an Instagram profile that gave life to a common project: to collect books, their stories and to connect their past with new future owners. “I like the smell, the texture of the pages”, says Aslı, while her friend Naz completes with “even the little notes!”

The two have been far too close - best friends, I dare to say - for a little over three years now, but they also recently found out they were kindergarten best friends. “We found a picture of when we were very little and there we are, together already! It was such a coincidence!”, they tell The Dank Project.

Coincidence or not, their work of passion and how much they have in common flow naturally - and so as the creation of Pestil. Naz and Aslı are those kind of friends who during these lockdown days we all experienced in 2020 stayed on the phone for hours talking, sending references to each other and even mail a book or a little treat here and there. In one of those talks, talking about another of their common passion for books, they realized they should be doing curatory together.

“It was very automatic. We were just having a conversation when we said: wait, shall we just do this together?”, say Naz between laughs. So they did. Aslı Toraman has a genuine passion for art. While studying in Italy, a country that is a piece of art itself, she saw herself visiting museums, galleries and - of course - collecting books about it.

“I never wanted art to be my job, I didn’t want that. I do it for love”, she tells The Dank Project. Another one of her passions is vintage - clothing, furniture, books, anything that comes with the weight of living and existing in this world already. “I love how a piece is not only sustainable but always comes with a past story, it is inspiring.”

Naz Beşcan on the other hand, graduated in International Relations but her ultimate dream is to work as an art curator. So since she started college in Istanbul she dedicated her time working on art galleries and such. Later on, Naz went to London to study Contemporary Art and came back to Turkey in 2018 promising to spend more time learning, reading and enjoying art.

“Pestili Çıkmak”

Turkish language holds a lot of words full of meaning. For example, “Pestil” is a name of one from the many deserts in Turkey, made from pulverized fruits – most commonly apricots - that are spread in a thin layer, then left to dry. They also have the popular saying “pestili çıkmak” that is used when someone is extremely tired. The same saying works to refer to something that was already worned out.

“We were on the phone, I was quarantining in my room and my mom entered the room with a slice of pestil. I paused the conversation real quick for that, and told Naz: wait a second, my mom just came to bring me some pestil. Instantaneously we knew that should be the name!”, tells Aslı.

From that, in autumn 2020, they knew how they should proceed with their book curatory business together. It is, however, a work of passion. The duo tries to bring as much content as possible (between 3 to 4 times a week), while having a lot of fun selecting books to be published.

Between garage sales, friends of friends, vintage shops and local walks, the girls do their fundamental selection within the Turkish borders - although the unique books are mostly in English. The dream? To eventually live in a world where they can travel with the sole purpose of finding more rare gems to their business.

Spiral everywhere

Every business flows naturally after the creation of their names, and it wasn’t different for Pestil. Designed by the local graphic designer Gözde Gezgin, their logo presents the intention of a spiral reminiscing the desert, the class and simplicity of a vintage design and it is also very unique.

Pestil Books is focusing now on curating books for their first face to face participation on an event. “We have a selection of books specially curated for the sun-kissed, breezy care-free atmosphere of Bodrum in 74 Escape, a pop-up store designed only for summer in Maçakızı Hotel (Bodrum)”, explains Aslı. “Our selection, inspiring the joy of vacations by the sea, will be there for the whole summer. Make sure to go and take a look while there!”

If you won’t have a chance to visit their space in Bodrum this summer, don’t you worry! You can find their unique selection on Pestil Book’s Instagram profile. Afiyet olsun!