Sandra Bardwell

From 1480 Seville to 1996 Sarajevo, a priceless scripture is chased by fanatics political and religious. Its recovery makes for an enthralling historical mystery. In Sydney, ace (and gorgeous) old-book conservator Hannah Heath gets a 2 a.m. phone call. She's summoned to Sarajevo to check out a 15th-century Spanish-made Haggadah, a codex gone missing in Bosnia during a 1992 siege. The document is a curiosity, its lavish illuminations appearing to violate age-old religious injunctions against any kind of illustration. Remarkably, it's Muslim museum librarian Ozren Karaman who rescued the Hebrew artifact from furious shelling. Questioning (and bedding) Ozren, Hannah examines the Haggadah binding and from clues embedded there - an insect's wings, wine stains, white hair - reconstructs the book's biography. And it's an epic. Chapter by chapter, each almost an independent story, the chronicle unwinds - of the book's changing hands from those of anti-Nazi partisans dreaming of departing for Palestine from war-torn Croatia, from schemers in 1894 Vienna, home, despite Freud and Mahler, of virulent anti-Semitism. Perhaps the best chapter takes place in 1609 Venice. There, not-so-grand Inquisitor Domenico Vistorini, a heretic hunter with a drinking problem, contends in theological disputation with brilliant rabbinical star Judah Aryeh. The two strike up an unlikely alliance to save the book, even while Vistorini at first blanches at its art - a beautiful depiction of the glowing sun, prophesying, the hysterical priest assumes, Galileo's heliocentric blasphemy. Tracing those illustrations back to their origin point, Hannah unkinks a series of fascinating conundrums - and learns, even more fiercely, to prize the printed page.Rich suspense based on a true-life literary puzzle, from the Pulitzer Prize - winning Brooks (March, 2005, etc.). (Kirkus Reviews

Set in Romania at the height of Ceausescu's reign of terror this title tells the story of a group of young students each of whom has left the impoverished provinces in search of better prospects in the city.

Tom Gallagher

Make the most of your time with "The Rough Guide to Bulgaria", the ultimate guide to this picturesque and largely undiscovered country. The full-colour section introduces Bulgaria's highlights, from the sunflower fields of the Balkan range to the country's wonderfully preserved heritage villages. Using informed accounts, clue-up on all the top sights from the spectacular Trigrad Gorge and the awe-inspiring Church of the Nativity at Arbanasi to the best beaches of the black sea coast. The guide takes a detailed look at Bulgarian history, literature, politics and Balkan cultural life with expert background on everything from the spectacular Rila Monastery to hiking in the Pirin mountains. There are plenty of practical tips on bird-watching, information on all the best accommodation, transportation and restaurants and lively reviews of hundreds of shops, bars and clubs. Discover every corner of Bulgaria with the clearest maps of any guide.

Even if it has only one star, Hotel Carpati, Bucharest - Romania - has also some rooms that can stance in front of the most pretentious clients.

The official birth of Hypocrisy dates back to 1991 when they were signed to Nuclear Blast records. Since that time the band have been a huge success releasing 11 studio albums and this new DVD/2CD package contains a full concert from the Hypocrisy tour located in Bulgaria in 2010. The DVD also includes a 90 minute documentary that will show you 20 years of the bands chaos and confusion. Watchers will get a full cover of Hypocracy like never before... This is a must have for hardcore fans! (Trevor Pratt)

Rose is a young Romany gypsy girl who travels around Romania and Europe in a caravan with her family. Playing music - on their own or with extended family and friends - her life is happy until Rose suddenly finds herself an orphan after a dreadful car accident.

Includes:Magic Circle Festival Bad Arolsen (Germany).Magic Circle Festival.Kaliakra Rock Festival Kavarna (Bulgaria).