It has been a year when non-fiction titles and autobiographies have emerged the top sellers in books in India. From Sanjaya Baru’s, The Accidental Prime Minister to Natwar Singh’s autobiography, One Life Is Not Enough and Rajdeep Sardesai’s 2014: The Elections that Changed India that dealt with Lok Sabha elections and the main players in it, books dealing with current affairs have been extremely popular and have been on top of the best selling charts.
Does this mean the common Indian is more aware and interested in politics and current affairs? Is this phenomena a mere flash in the pan?
Sanjay Parth is an IT professional, who was associated with the India against corruption movement in 2011. He says, “I have always been interested in Indian politics and bought most of the books that came out this year. Sanjaya Baru and Natwar Singh’s books provide a glimpse of the UPA government functioning in the past decade, while Rajdeep’s book offers his analysis on the elections.”
He adds, “I liked all these books. I think most of the hullabaloo about the content of these books was in part due to the influence of social media, which amplified select excerpts and ensured that these books are bestsellers even before a copy was released. Most of these authors took to social media and traditional media to sell their books. I think it is a sign that more and more people are becoming aware of the key political issues of our times and are keen on learning more about it.”
Author Ravinder Singh, whose latest fiction title is inspired by the protests following the December 16 2012 gang rape says, “We have a lot of information at our fingertips now. People now yearn for more information. Even those who do not read much will pick up a book that deals with contemporary issues to learn more about it.”
He adds, “It could not be imagined even 10 years ago. Twitter and Facebook ensures that people get a better idea of the news and views and helps get more people get hooked. Everyone wants to get a ringside view of proceedings.”
IT professional Raghav Pathak contends, “The last few years have been an unusual time in the Indian body politic. We have seen large scale corruption charges, heated street protests, the rise of Modi and many other issues. Most of these books deal with this period of change and political awakening of sorts among large section of the youth. I have seen many of my friends pick up these books, though none of them read much. They are keen to learn more and feel that these books will give them a better idea about how the Indian state works.”
Pradeep Singh, a bookseller at a pavement in Kamanahalli says, “Last year, people were picking up copies of Narendra Modi’s biographies. This year, Sanjay Baru and Rajdeep have sold a lot. These books sold more than the autobiographies of Sachin Tendulkar and Naseeruddin Shah that also came out this year. As long as people buy books, I am happy.”
Architect Prateek Pathak feels that this is a temporary phenomenon. “Fiction always sells well in India. With the elections and social movements surrounding it, 2014 was an exception to the rule. With authors like Amitav Ghosh set to release his next book next year, I am sure that fiction will soon top the charts again.”
