Bangalore loves books, ok?

Did you know that April 23 happens to be the International Day of the Book?

Their responses to whether the city’s reading habits are on an upswing may vary, but owners of iconic Bangalore bookstores feel every day is a day of the book.

“Sometimes, I am scared to see how the reading habit seems to be on the decline, especially peoples’ interest in books on the humanities,” says Select Bookshop owner KKS Murthy.

However,  his son, Sanjay, does not agree. “I don’t think people value books less. We may be seeing a lower footfall because of the fact that very few people know of our store and our discreet location doesn’t help in grabbing attention,” he says while admitting that those who visit their family-owned store are mainly looking for books they don’t find elsewhere. Select Bookshop, located in a little bylane off busy Brigade Road, is one of the oldest bookshops in Bangalore.

Mayi Gowda of Blossom Book Store is emphatically of the view that more and more people in Bangalore are taking to reading for pleasure. “The reading trend is coming back in full force,” he says.

According to Gowda, children as well as adults are now picking up books across genres. “Children are now more interested in fantasy books such as the Harry Potter series, the Percy Jackson series and The Chronicles of Narnia. There are many children below the age of 16 who visit our store on a regular basis,” says Gowda.

Krishna from Bookworm is of a similar opinion. “Children come to the store, especially after particular books have been made into movies. The reading trend remains the same in this city because the parents are aware of how important reading is,” he says.