Booking a fair Issue

Book fairs are impacting young readers' interest in literature and reading

- Sna Sarfare

Book fairs in India and abroad have always attracted the reading crowd. It has been a great way for readers to get acquainted with books and authors.

The changing years

Aakash Gupta, CEO of Crossword Book Store, has seen a distinct change. "Earlier, they were primarily transactional spaces—places to buy books. Today, they have evolved into experiential events designed to immerse visitors, especially young readers, into the world of literature. Globally, fairs like the Bologna Children's Book Fair have embraced interactive storytelling, augmented reality, and workshops tailored to young minds, making books come alive in new and exciting ways. In India, we see similar trends emerging."

Mira Swarup, Executive, Presence and Impact, Communication Coach and Speaker, is an avid reader and visits book fairs often recommending books during her training sessions. "There has been an increase in book fairs now featuring independent authors and self-published work, providing a platform for emerging talent and more. Few things separate Indian Book Fairs from global ones. Cultural significance with a section dedicated to regional language literature, promoting linguistic diversity, and providing subsidised rates promotes availability towards a wider set of audience."

Shashank Gupta, a creative director in advertising for 20 years and author of Visitors to the House, a YA novel, remembers travelling to Delhi from a small town as a kid almost 40 years ago for the book fair. "Books were the only excitement then. Children today have all the entertainment at their fingertips. That said, I had gone to the Delhi book fair this year for the promotion of my book and was surprised to see that some schools were bringing junior classes to experience books."

Game-changers