Mevlüt Alpay maintains 56-year reading habit in Adana

Mevlüt Alpay, a 68-year-old resident of the Sarıçam district in Adana, has maintained a dedicated reading habit for 56 years. His passion for literature began at age 12 after receiving a copy of John Steinbeck’s ‘East of Eden’ as a gift.

Alpay, who worked in the book marketing industry starting in 1988, has continued his devotion to reading following his retirement in 2010. He is a regular member of the İnce Memed Public Library, which he describes as his second home. He reads for at least two hours every day, noting that he feels incomplete if he misses a day.

Beyond his personal reading, Alpay actively encourages others to visit the library. He has successfully introduced 10 to 15 friends to the facility by sharing his interest in the books he discovers. Mehmet Berk Çam, the director of the İnce Memed Public Library, noted that Alpay is an exceptionally active reader, often finishing at least two books per week.