From a philosophical essay to a system for conscious living. Top 10 book novelties of 2023

The exhibition will be traditionally held in the Gostiny Dvor on Ilyinka from November 30 to December 3. Among the book novelties: a crime novel, a biography of a great racing driver, a photographic study of forgotten monuments of Russia, an ironic analysis of the relationship between the reader and the book, and much more.

Guido Vitiello, “The Reader on the Couch. The Manias, Quirks, and Weaknesses of Book Lovers.”

Roman sociologist Guido Vitiello analyzes the most complex and sometimes confusing relationship – between reader and book. Here and infidelity of choice, and abandoned reading, and passionate love for heroes on the verge of madness. The author explores from the point of view of psychology various aspects of reading culture, emerging manias and addictions in devoted book lovers. Ironically and humorously he tells about the peculiarities of behavior of a person who loves reading very much, and the mechanisms that are responsible for the pleasure of the book and for various oddities associated with reading.

“The Reader on the Couch.”

Byung-Cheol Han, “The Flavor of Time. A Philosophical Essay on the Art of Contemplation.”

In his new book, philosopher Byung-Cheol Han reflects on time and the crisis of its perception. Why does it run at breakneck speed, or why does it drag on endlessly? Life is now much faster, and time today lacks rhythm, tact and order. Each moment is the same as the previous one, it has no dynamics and direction, no meaning. This crisis can be overcome by the ability to contemplate, to feel all the different flavors of time. And maybe then life will regain its spaciousness, duration and breadth.

“The Flavor of Time.”

Enzo Ferrari, “My Terrible Joys. The Story of My Life.”

Enzo Ferrari is a legendary figure. This is the man who founded the most expensive automobile brand, a great racer, engineer and a successful businessman. His life is like a race track with sharp turns, dangerous rivals, ready to overtake at any moment, and hope only on their own strength. This book is a fascinating and sincere first-person account of what is really behind the Commander’s success and what twists and turns he had to overcome on his way to fame. The narrative is supplemented by a sketch of the hero’s son, memories of his father, who did not think of himself outside of motorsport.

“My Terrible Joys. The story of my life.”

Vadim Panov, “Someone asks for forgiveness.”

Vadim Panov – one of the most sought-after writers of modern prose, winner of literary awards and author of cult series in the genre of fiction. The events of his new book in the genre of psychological thriller unfolds on the shore of Lake Baikal, where they find the body of a fisherman. For the local police everything is clear – the man died of a heart attack. But the investigator from Petrovka Felix Verbin doubts. He plans to investigate the case, which does not exist, and learn about the old expedition to the mysterious Cape Rytyi, all the participants of which are believed to be dead.

“Someone asks for forgiveness”

Pavel Basinsky, “The True Story of Konstantin Levin.”

Writer, journalist and literary scholar Pavel Basinsky is known for his interest in the work of Leo Tolstoy. In his new study Pavel is interested in the figure of Konstantin Levin, one of the central characters of the novel “Anna Karenina”, and the questions – why the author needed this character, why Tolstoy pays so much attention to him and how Levin influences the other inhabitants of the work. Numerous photographs from the archives of the Yasnaya Polyana estate museum adorn the edition.

“The True Story of Konstantin Levin”.

Mikhail Shemyakin, “My Life: Before Exile.”

The first part of the fascinating autobiography of Mikhail Shemyakin, painter, sculptor, art historian and accomplished performance artist. The book covers his life from birth to his exile from the Soviet Union in 1971, presenting the reader not only his own story, but also that of his parents, post-war Germany, the Baltics, Belarus, and life in the monastery under the famous abbot.

The author gives a unique cross-section of the time and characterization of Soviet society through the prism of marginal people, misfits, lunatics, and communal dwellers. Shemyakin’s honesty in reflecting on his life, the impact of events on his work, and in describing relationships creates a compelling adventurous and philosophical novel.

“My Life: Before Exile.”

Anna Korob, “Unknown Russia”

Russian documentary photographer Anna Korob travels with her camera across the country. Her lens captures dozens of abandoned architectural monuments and landmarks: ancient churches, once majestic estates, dead villages. They are located in big cities and in the countryside, keep history and culture, but at the same time every year fade away. The book collects the result of the author’s search, a huge layer of forgotten cultural heritage of Russia. Perhaps the memory of some of them has already remained only on the photos in this unique publication.

“Unknown Russia”

Daria Savelieva, “15 Steps to Mental and Physical Health. The system of conscious life.”

Daria Savelieva is a sought-after specialist in nutritional behavior correction and an expert on healthy lifestyle. Her blog is one of the top 50 in Zen. In the book she describes in detail the principles of a conscious approach to yourself and taking care of your mental and physical health. The author talks about an adequate relationship with food, how not to overeat, not to “eat” stress, not to exhaust yourself with diets and still get in good physical shape. He gives working advice on how to reduce anxiety, get rid of stagnation in the body and thinking, learn to live easily and energetically.

“15 steps to mental and physical health”

Cora Reilly, “Bound by Hate.”

The heroes of Cora Reilly’s passionate novels are dangerous men with ties to the underworld. But even the most heartless are capable of love, if they meet an intelligent and beautiful woman who can cause a storm of feelings. Matteo is a member of the New York Mafia “family” and is deeply intrigued by Gianna, a daring and adventurous beauty who is promised to be his wife. However, she escapes to Europe, pursued by one of the best hunters and killers. A compelling novel for fans of The Godfather, in which a gangster tries to tame a redheaded bestie.

“Bound by Hate.”

Go Eunjae, “I Became the Main Character’s Mother” (Volume 1, Volume 2)

At the center of the plot of this Korean comic book, which, by the way, as a webtoon (its digital version) is one of the most popular in Korea, is an ordinary girl named Aisha. She has spent most of her life as a typical Korean fan, and the object of her adoration is the protagonist of the novel Persona. But suddenly Aisha gets into an accident and is reborn in the book world, where she finds herself as the mother of that very character. The time spent even so with her beloved becomes happy for her, but intrigue is already weaving around them.

“I Became the Protagonist’s Mother” Vol. 1