Two reader tides converge, creating crowds at book fair

An HSC first year student of Shaheed Police Smrity College, Shafayet, visited the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela (book fair) to buy an English language learning book from.

“I have heard high from many of my friends about a language learning book named -- Ghore bose spoken English (Learn spoken English at your home) by Munzereen Shahid and after spending a lot of time against it I finally found it,” he said.

Again, Nazma Khanam, mother of a four grader, came to the boi mela to buy a book on physic Olympiad for children from Anupam publication.

She said “My only son Naimul Hussain loves science and he want to participate in the Olympiad.For his systematically knowledgeable growth I started introducing him to the subjects.”

While many are visiting boi mela aiming purposive purchases, most of the youths – teenagers or those who have just crossed the age – are roaming around the stalls publishing romantic nobles.

At the same time the regular readers of any publications are also coming.

In addition to research and essay books, historical and liberation-themed works by renowned authors, as well as translated books, readers are actively seeking books on childhood, science, and those authored by influencers.

In recent pasts, the lessening trend of book wormers was worrying the publishers and sellers.

These teenagers or youths at their near ages were reluctant to buy books.

However, it appears that while visiting the book fair, they are now drawn to the books.

They are getting ready for buying books, said Milan Kanti Nath, publisher of Anupam Prakashani.

“You can divide book wormers into two tide. One is conventional book lovers and mordernized book lover,” he categorized.

People are searching for the books written on sciences especially easy science learning books, childrens’ books.

Again, teenagers or newcomers are also looking for romantic nobles, he observed.

Shahin Shikder, manager of the stall at Mowla Brothers, said that “Most of their readers loved in-depth, quality books and so they are maintaining quality. And so, we are seeing our regular customers are coming.“

Besides, the readers are still fond of writings from Humayun Ahmed, Muhammed Zafar Iqbal and Zahir Raihan as well.

Md Parvez, sales representative of Tamralipi Publication, said that they are seeing books from influencers and writers who posted their nobles in the facebook group pages are also getting attractions.

Especially books written by Munzereen Shahid or Ayman Sadiq are selling the most.

Confirming Views Bangladesh, Member secretary of the book fair organizing committee Dr KM Mizahidul Islam said that a total of 1,140 books were newly published till February 13.

The number of publications seemed lower than last year and publishers said national parliament election and having less quality writing could be the reason behind the reducing number of publications this year.

Shahin Shikder, manager of the stall at Mowla Brothers said that they are publishing lesser book this year as they cannot collect much quality books. They are going to publish 50 books this year and 15 of them have already are in their stall.

“Books mean a creation for next generation. And so, we can’t make compromise on this matter,” he added.

However, Vice President of Bangladesh Publishers and Booksellers Association Shamal Paul, also the publisher of Puthiniloy, thinks different and said that for the national parliament election publishers were in hesitation to bring more books.

Again, for election publishers have to send books to the printers. So, the publications are delaying.

“We are hoping that more books will arrive at the late of the fair,” he suggests.