YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, ARMENPRESS.  “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry occupies the first position of the list. The novella is both the most read and most translated book in the French language, and was voted the best book of the 20th century in France. The book was translated into more than 250 languages and dialects, as well as Braille.

“The Sandcastle Girls” by Chris Bohjalian is on the second position of the list. “The Sandcastle Girls” is about the Armenian Genocide and its century-long denial by Turkey. The novel includes two stories in one: the story of Elizabeth Endicott and Armen Petrosian, lovers who meet in Syria during the genocide; and the story of Laura Petrosian, their granddaughter, who after a century tries to understand why they were so silent about their youth, while her suburban existence is quite different from the violent setting in which her grandparents fell in love.

''The Book of Lamentations: Hymns'' by St. Gregory of Narek published by Nairi printing house occupies the third place of this week's "Bestseller Books List" introduced by "Armenpress" News Agency. The mystical poem "Book of Lamentations" has been translated into many languages and has played a significant role in the development of the Armenian literary language. In 95 grace-filled prayers St. Gregory draws on the exquisite potential of the Classical Armenian language to translate the pure sighs of the broken and contrite heart into an offering of words pleasing to God. The result is an edifice of faith for the ages, unique in Christian literature for its rich imagery, its subtle theology, its Biblical erudition, and the sincere immediacy of its communication with God. This masterpiece by St. Gregory of Narek has always been included in our bestseller books list.

“The Art of Dedication or Dithyramb to a Rose” written by Edgar Harutyunyan occupies the fourth position in the list.   

Famous politician Vahan Hovhannisyan wrote his work “Mandilion” in the genre of historical intellectual detective. The book is in the 5th place this week. Vahan Hovhannisyan received a special prize for this book in the “Bestseller of the Year” ceremony.  

"The Alchemist" novel by contemporary Brazilian author Paulo Coelho is in the sixth place. According to AFP, it has sold more than 65 million copies in 56 different languages, becoming one of thebest-selling books in history and setting the Guinness World Record for most translated book by a living author. The book is introduced with new publication by “Antares” publishing house.

"One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Columbian author Gabriel García Márquez occupies the seventh place. One Hundred Years of Solitude tells the multi-generational story of the Buendía family, whose patriarch, José Arcadio Buendía, founds the town of Macondo, the metaphoric Colombia.

“Love in the Time of Cholera" written by Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez occupies the 8th position. In their youth, Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza fall passionately in love. When Fermina eventually chooses to marry a wealthy, well-born doctor, Florentino is devastated, but he is a romantic. As he rises in his business career he whiles away the years in 622 affairs--yet he reserves his heart for Fermina. Her husband dies at last, and Florentino purposefully attends the funeral. Fifty years, nine months, and four days after he first declared his love for Fermina, he will do so again.

“Book of Whispers” authored by Varujan Vosganian is in the 9th place. The book is about the Armenian Genocide. This year “Book of Whispers” has been nominated for Nobel Prize.

"Bastard of Istanbul" by Elif Şafak closes this week’s Bestseller list. The book is dedicated to various problems the modern Turkey has to face with. The author pays a lot of attention to the issue of the Armenian Genocide, which has become an insuperable complex in the psychology of the Turks. Elif Şafak's books have been translated into more than thirty languages, and she was awarded the honorary distinction of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters.

To complete the bestseller list, the following bookshops have participated in the survey: “New Book” (093-60-40-64), “Noah’s Ark” (56-81-84), “Armenian Book” (54-07-06), “Narek” (51-91-36), “Bookinist” (53-74-13), “Antares” (091-90-01-23)  and “Zangak” (23-25-28).