Book reading sessions are a lot like the bed time stories we grew up listening to during childhood. Perhaps the only difference was that those stories were an attempt to put us to sleep while an author’s challenge is to keep his audience engrossed, and of course, awake. The format is as old as 15 years but the popularity has picked up only in the recent times, thanks to proliferating bookstores and literature festivals.
The footfall at the DSC Jaipur Literature Festival 2012 was almost double of what it was last year, so much so that the organisers had to refuse entry to those who arrived even a minute late. Crossword Bookstores used to host 1-2 reading sessions in three months but that was 10 years ago. At present, they host more than 300 such events in just one year. While this elucidates the increasing number of people wanting to hear their favourite authors read out from their books, does this also establish the fact that such sessions are slowly becoming a trend? Chiki Sarkar, publisher of Penguin India disagrees, “I can’t imagine that it’s a particular trend. Perhaps, with more publishers and simultaneously, more book launches, this feels more popular than ever.”
Literary exercise or marketing drive?
The joy of attending book reading sessions is not limited to the fact that one gets to know their favourite authors better, but there is a certain semantic relationship that gets established. People are accustomed to their own internal voice and modulation while reading a book and this may include tenors that may not do justice to the manner in which the author might have written it to be read. Thus, when an author reads out a part from his own book, it helps the reader understand the tone and pace of the book better. “Book readings originated as a marketing exercise. The literary value of a book lies in its writing, reading and analysis. The reading bit can only add on a little value to that experience,” says Jerry Pinto, author of Em and the Big Hoom. Taking it ahead Priyanka Malhotra, CEO, Full Circle Publishing Pvt. Ltd. says, “Over the years, Full Circle has evolved into a cultural hub, where the relationship is not restricted to a commercial transaction. As a bookstore, which is really a home for books, this is very intrinsic as it brings the written word to life. It develops into various aspects of literature, art and even food. It’s more than just buying and reading; it’s a complete experience!”
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The author-reader connect
While readers are all ears to hear their idols narrate stories, not all authors are comfortable with a one-on-one. Best-selling author Amish Tripathi loves interacting with his readers. Discussing Hindu myths and obtaining fresh perspectives gives him great pleasure. Then again there is Jhumpa Lahiri who shies away from making public appearances. “I think it depends on the kind of book you’ve written. If you’ve written a non-fiction work about someone or something else, an impersonal book, it shouldn’t be a problem discussing it with the audience. It’s when you’re discussing your own life as refracted through your work that a question-and-answer session may cut close to the bone”, says Jerry.
Identifying the audience
Renowned author Amitav Ghosh doesn’t mind sitting across his readers and discussing his books but he isn’t very fond of lit-fests. He has his reasons and we are not complaining either. But is this indicative of the difference in audience that comes in to attend book reading sessions and literature festivals? Arpita Das, publisher Yodapress disagrees, “It’s not that the audiences for the two are different, but the experience of reading in a cosy, intimate space where one can really engage with what is being read out is very special.” In fact, the audience of a book reading session may vary depending on the author. Kinjal Shah, COO of Crossword Bookstores explains further, “The audience for authors like Amish Tripathi and Chetan Bhagat is relatively young and they’re mostly aspiring college students. Other authors like Jerry Pinto and Amitav Ghosh attract literati of a particular city as their books cater to niche readers.”
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Bookstores profiting from reading sessions
Buying books comes naturally to readers. So when they assemble at a book event, it’s palpable that they end up buying more than just one book. Kinjal Shah concurs, “Events like these always boost the sale figures. More people come in than usual on days when there’s a book launch or reading session and hence, more books are sold.”
A symbiotic relationship seems to be developing, thanks to such events – the author and publisher get their share of publicity, the bookstores benefit from the surge in sales, and for the reader, sitting across the person whose books he loves to read, and hearing him narrate a story, is nothing less than extraordinary.
Prominent Book Reading Sessions/Launches
Crossword Bookstores
– Amish Tripathi has done a book tour with Crossword Bookstores across Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Baroda, and Pune.
– Chetan Bhagat’s latest book ‘What Young India Wants’ was launched recently at Crossword Kemps Corner, Mumbai.
– Jeffrey Archer & Ken Follet have visited Crossword Store (Mumbai) for a book Promotion in the past.
– Amitav Ghosh had launched his last book ‘River of Smoke’ at Crossword.
Yodakin
Yodakin (bookstore) has been around for 3 years and they’ve been hosting book reading and discussion sessions since their opening. Author’s who’ve read at Yodakin include Nighat Gandhi, Kyla Pasha, Sampurna Chattarji, Indrajit Hazra, Rana Dasgupta, Ambarish Satwik, Parismita Ghosh, Sarnath Banerjee, George Mathen, Kaiwan Mehta, Nivedita Menon, Anita Roy, Tenzin Tsundue, Anjum Hasan, Jerry Pinto, Parvati Sharma, Gouri Dange, and Omkar Sane.
Café Turtle and Full Circle
Café Turtle and Full Circle have been hosting book reading sessions for over 8 years. Authors who’ve read there in the recent past include C P Surendran, Tabish Khair, Charles Foster, Rupa Bajwa, and Lopa Ghosh among others.
arunima.mazumdar@indiatimes.co.in
