Spirituality, philosophy and self-improvement seem to be the flavour of the season besides children’s titles if the preference of buyers at the ongoing DC international book fair here is anything to go by. More than 40 per cent of the books sold at the fair in the initial days falls into any of these categories, say the organisers.
Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master ( A Yogi’s Autobiography ) by Sri M, Living with the Himalayan Masters by Swami Rama and Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda are some of the sought-after titles in the ‘spiritual’ category while there are many takers for titles in the transformational category of Osho Rajanish, say the organisers.
As always fiction and poems have steady movement while memoirs and biographies also attract a number of readers.
Tomy Antony of DC Books says that I am Malala: The Girl, who stood up for education and was shot by the Taliban , and this year’s Man Booker Prize winning novel The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton are some of the favourites of buyers. “More than 75 copies of the book on Malala, published by Bloomsbury, have been sold in the first couple of days of the fair it self,” he said.
Malayalam titles
Among the Malayalm titles, Manju Warier’s Sallapam and Benyamin’s Kathakal (stories) have many takers. “Nearly 100 pieces each of both the books have been sold during the first two days,” says Mr. Antony.
A cultural festival is also held as part of the book fair, which offers discounts on all buys besides gifts for all purchases above Rs.500.
Book releases, discussions, book reading sessions by authors, and cultural programmes are part of the cultural festival.
Aparakanti , a novel by Sangeetha Srinivasan, daughter of novelist Sara Joseph, was released during the cultural festival on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion writer Hafiz Mohammed, who introduced the book, said that the writer had attempted to achieve a style of her own in the book instead of trying to imitate or improve upon any techniques of her predecessors, including her mother.
Novelist and gynaecologist Kadeeja Mumtaz said Aparakanti left her excited as it radiated all the characteristic pulses of contemporary youths.
Adanja Vaathilukalku Munpil (In front of closed doors) a book by Arputham Ammal, mother of Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict A.G. Perarivalan based on her experience of seeking justice for her son, was also released on the day. Writer Sarah Joseph, journalist N.P. Rajendran and activist K. Ajitha among others spoke on the occasion.
The 13-day book fair and cultural fest that is under way at the Arayidathupalam grounds here will conclude on December 11.
