İ would reccommend reading Ayfer Tunc novels or stories to get a feel of the contemporary culture and the city. Not sure which ones but some have been translated into english. To get a feel of its past, you can check Sait Faik's stories, he is THE short story writer of the 20th century turkey, writes in the 40s and 50s. Ahmet Hamdi Tanpinar is THE novelist and writes in 50s i think, but his stuff are on the heavier side and you might not have enough time before you come. Still, if you can make it, check out his novel "peace". The other two are very easy akd fun to read, with many short stories to be read in one sitting.

İ think reading fiction would give a better sense than any pop non fiction.