Books are more than just travel guides. They are man's best friends, helping, enlightening, developing intelligence and imagination. Many such books are in the May top lists of the National Library. Peter Handke, Emile Zola, Vladimir Voinovich, Dato Turashvili, Melinda Nadi Aboni. Of course, there are also Armenian writers of the newest era: Vahagn Grigoryan, Levon Ness, Nshan Abasyan. Books by these authors are featured in our May book list.

Depression, disappointment, regret, complex human relationships... these are the feelings that, along with interest, arouse in the reader's minds of these books, where events also unfold in May. Vaginak Hovakimyan’s historical novel Bloody Summer depicts one of the heroic episodes of the liberation struggle of the Armenian people: the Shakhkert uprising against Persian rule. The events described in the book mainly take place in May.

The abundance of images particularly distinguishes many May books, create conflicting feelings, and evokes strong emotions in the reader. Zola's Nana, perhaps the author's most scandalous novel, is just one of these. The French writer presents the image of a Parisian courtesan, who is worshiped and obeyed, thereby demonstrating the luxury and poverty of those controversial times. Nobel Prize winner Peter Handke's A Short Letter Before a Long Goodbye is a psychologically powerful prose poem depicting the relationship between an estranged husband and wife constantly chasing each other.

The June exclusive selection won't keep you waiting long either. Come to events and exhibitions at the National Library! Follow our pages on social networks.