Self-help books and those on travel, cookery and mythology are the bestsellers at the ongoing book fair. Karan Bhardwaj reports
Do you have women-oriented self-help booksIJ” a 40 something woman, who also happens to be a globetrotter, enquired as she entered pavilion of Rupa Publications at the book fair. The sales executive showed her the section where, in a matter of time, she picked up books like lady, You’re Not a Man: The Adventures of a Woman at Work (Apurva Purohit), FIJ@k Knows (Shailendra Singh) and Entrepreneur 5 P.M. to 9 A.M (Kanth Miriyala, Reethika Sunder). She only focussed on self-help books that are not only inspiring but also guide in achieving future goals. like her, there are hundreds of avid readers scouting for unusual books that are not prominently visible otherwise at the stands or online platforms.
Publishing houses are surprised by the burgeoning demand of non-fiction books that have beaten the classics and regular romantic and thriller stories. “Of late, there has been tremendous rise in demand of self-help books. There are young and new entrepreneurs who are trying their luck in unexplored arenas. However, we are going through tough times so there is more need for guidance. These books boost morale and confidence,” said Anshul Benjamin, sales executive from Rupa.
Om Books’ promotional and mythological sagas are selling like hot cakes. They have sold 100 copies of The Mahabharata Secret (Christopher C Doyle) in the first three days of fair. “In the last three months, over 25,000 pieces of The Mahabharata Secret have been purchased. People are going for books based on cookery and travel. These are highly priced but worth every penny spent. These books offer experiences besides expanding one’s knowledge,” said Sanjay Mago, CEO, Sales and Marketing, Om Books International.
Simon & Schuster India, which focusses on non-fiction category, has brought international titles in biographies, travel, self-help and commentaries. Their pavilion is packed with aficionados of “unusual literature”. “At the book fairs, people look for something different or popular esoteric books. Thrillers and usual stuff that can be bought easily from online stores and retail shops don’t sell much. Even teens make it a point to purchase what they think they’ll not get elsewhere, like they have been buying The Bro Code, Bro On The Go and other books from the same series leaving behind popular teen fiction.
In the fiction genre, popular fiction and big authors, both Indian and international, sell the maximum number of titles. The Accidental Apprentice by Vikas Swarup has sold over 70 copies in the first four days of the fair,” said Rahul Srivastava, managing director, Simon & Schuster India. Authors believe that non-fiction category provides unique reading experience with each product. So when the fair is organised, one would look out for headturners only.
“While fiction ends up fitting in genres like romance or crime, non-fiction clearly targets a unique space through every book. Also, India is evolving and moving towards a more individualistic, ambitious and confident society, the need to ‘improve and evolve’ is becoming strong and thus self-help books, inspirational biographies, knowledge enhancing books are doing well. I get letters from ladies every day saying how they relate to the book. It shares some lessons on balancing home and work successfully,” said author Apurva Purohit. Her book lady, You're Not a Man shows how women can accept, adapt and achieve their way to the highest rung in every arena by offering a balance between work and home.