The fair, held for the first time in 2025, has become a new tradition in Kaunas, where visitors will find not only the latest books but also meetings with authors, discussions, presentations, and various cultural events.
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What literary news is worth paying attention to this year? The online bookstore patogupirkti.lt has selected the most interesting and popular new books – from engaging detective stories and inspiring love stories to books for children and intriguing non-fiction publications. Get acquainted with this year’s news from the Kaunas Book Fair and discover books that may soon find a place on your shelf.
Juozas Gaižauskas „Kobros lopšinė“
Actor and writer Juozas Gaižauskas will delight eager readers with his eighth book. His latest work, „Kobros lopšinė“ (Cobra’s Lullaby), is a pilgrimage journey that this time takes the book’s hero from the mountains to bloodsucker-infested jungles.
In this story, the author tells about ordinary but true Giants of the Way, about their pain, love, loss, and hope, about the deadly strike of a cobra, a kiss, and blood-signed promises. Those who enjoy a dreamy, playful world enchanted with symbols and deep thoughts are invited to explore J. Gaižauskas’s work.
Gina Viliūnė „Mirtis Bernardinų sode“
This new book by writer and prose author Gina Viliūnė is a delicious treat for all lovers of historical detective stories.
In the novel „Mirtis Bernardinų sode“ (Death in Bernardine Garden), the author takes readers to Vilnius in 1562 and the mysterious events unfolding there. Scary things begin to happen in the Bernardine monastery — monks are unable to wake up for morning prayers, they suffer from gloomy nightmares at night, as if spirits have taken over. The bailiff sends his assistant for special cases — Adalbert — a former executioner’s apprentice. As soon as he starts investigating, a murder occurs — a dead monk, Brother Jeronimas, is found in the Vilnia River near the monastery.
As the circumstances of the crime are examined, not only a tense story unfolds but also layers of Vilnius’s past, legends, and city spaces that have gained new meaning.
Anya Niewerra „Camino“
At the book fair, readers will have the opportunity to meet foreign authors and learn more about their work. One of the guests is Dutch writer Anya Niewerra, presenting her book „Camino“. This work has become a true literary phenomenon, staying on bestseller lists for more than 170 weeks and becoming the most borrowed book of the year in libraries.
The main character, Lotte, travels the famous Camino de Santiago — the pilgrim’s path where her husband once committed suicide. However, the further she goes on this path, the more she realizes that the man she loved lied to her about himself. The author draws the reader into a psychological detective story where secrets, the past, and unexpected discoveries intertwine with the impressive Spanish landscape. It gradually becomes clear that every encounter and every choice may have greater significance than it seems at first glance.
Lavisa Spell „Kalėdos Tamsgirio dvare“
Another literary novelty is the book „Kalėdos Tamsgirio dvare“ (Christmas at Tamsgirys Manor) by Lavisa Spell, a beloved author of mystical love novels in Lithuania. This work is for everyone for whom autumn subtly begins to associate with winter holidays, and who wants to fill the cooling evenings with magical love stories.
The book tells the story of Ieva, who has gone through painful divorce and does not look forward to the festive season when all around are happy couples holding hands. Three wild friends throw Ieva a crazy divorce party on the night of December 21st in the eerie manor park, but the next day, thinking she is alone in the manor, Ieva meets an unexpected guest. What did the girls really summon from the other world when, joking at midnight, they drew a circle with a pentagram around the fire and sang old hymns in a circle? One thing Ieva is sure of — she has never had such a magical Christmas in her life.
Jon Fosse „Septologija“
For lovers of slow literature — the „Septology“ by Norwegian Nobel Prize laureate Jon Fosse. This is a special literary work inviting a calm, introspective, and extraordinarily grand journey into the inner world of a person. The three-part novel tells the story of the painter Asle, living in a remote village on the Norwegian coast. His daily life, memories, faith, art, and relationship with another Asle — his friend and, in a way, his second „self“ — gradually merge into one meditative narrative about coincidences, religion, relationships, loneliness, and death.
Apolinaras Čepulis „Likimo upė“
By readers’ request, the book „Likimo upė“ (River of Fate) by author Apolinaras Čepulis has been reborn. It is a sensitive novel full of rich shades about a woman’s life in a Lithuanian village at the beginning of the 20th century.
Raised in a farming family in the Kuršėnai region, Viktorija was used from childhood to hard work, strict rules, and religious traditions. Her life changes when her parents decide to marry her off to a stranger — a gloomy and rough man. Viktorija’s story becomes a tale about a woman’s fate, family traditions, and efforts to stay strong in a world where freedom of choice was limited.
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The story continues in the second part of the book — „Likimo upė. Rėvos“.
Eugenijus Laurinaitis „Dukart du… Kaip mes priimame gyvenimo sprendimus“
For fans of the wisdom of psychiatrist and psychotherapist Prof. Eugenijus Laurinaitis and for everyone who wants to better understand themselves — his new book „Dukart du… Kaip mes priimame gyvenimo sprendimus“ (Two Times Two… How We Make Life Decisions).
Why do we decide to act in some situations but wait in others, hoping that time will solve everything for us? And is there a single correct choice?
In the book, the author considers what determines our decisions, why we repeat the same behavior patterns, and how choices are influenced by childhood experiences, relationships, money, health, and technology.
Rita Bany Banienė „Sapnų kalba“
Readers intrigued and tempted by the little-studied world of dreams will be interested in the book „Sapnų kalba“ (The Language of Dreams) by Lithuanian author, lecturer, and dream researcher Rita Bany Banienė.
She invites us to look at dreams not only as mysterious night images but also as an opportunity to better understand ourselves, our feelings, experiences, and inner world. The author introduces readers to the grammar of dreams, hidden symbols, nocturnal visions, and teaches how to decode subconscious messages told by dreams.
Valdas Adamkus „Šimtas prezidento Valdo Adamkaus metų“ (sudarytoja Raminta Jonykaitė)
This year, as all of Lithuania prepares to celebrate the centenary of former President Valdas Adamkus, several new publications will be presented in the president’s hometown, telling readers more about V. Adamkus’s life.
During the Kaunas Book Fair, Raminta Jonykaitė’s literary journey through the extraordinary, historically dramatic life of President V. Adamkus will be presented in the book „Šimtas prezidento Valdo Adamkaus metų“ (One Hundred Years of President Valdas Adamkus). It is a journey through the future president’s childhood in independent Lithuania, the trials of war and emigration, life in the United States, and dedication to his beloved homeland.
Indrė Pavilonytė, Martynas Pavilonis „Šikšnosparniuko atostogos“
Young readers at the Kaunas Book Fair will also find new releases. The beloved children’s character „Šikšnosparniukas“ (Little Bat) returns in the latest adventure book by the twins — writer Indrė Pavilonytė and illustrator Martynas Pavilonis — titled „Šikšnosparniuko atostogos“ (Little Bat’s Vacation).
It is a sensitive and gently humorous story about Little Bat and his friend Bear, about journeys, anger, and reconciliation — and about why the best things bring the most joy when shared with others.
Laura Panavė „Mitybos balansas“
The autumn news shelf will be enriched by the book „Mitybos balansas“ (Nutrition Balance) by healthy lifestyle specialist, personal trainer, and blogger Laura Panavė. It is a book about well-being without extremes, self-flagellation, or promises of „miraculous“ transformations. Readers will find a clear, simple, and practical approach to food, a hundred recipes, and a balanced menu.
Benas Lyris „Žydėk pavasariu kasdien“
And priest and author Benas Lyris will invite readers in his hometown to mentally travel to spring. In his latest collection of short poems and bright thoughts, „Žydėk pavasariu kasdien“ (Bloom Like Spring Every Day), he invites readers to slow down, listen to themselves, and let their hearts bloom even when everything around seems frozen. According to B. Lyris, spring is a state, an inner light we carry within us even when it is dark outside.
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