New Delhi World Book Fair- Are You Prepared?

Asia's biggest book fair is going on at New Delhi's Pragati Maidan and I went this year as well. 

So what did I see and learn at the World Book Fair?

To visit, you'll need a good stamina, good sense of direction and lots of cunning. I packed some light homemade snacks and two bottles of water to begin with-

ADVICE- carry citrus fruits, apples or light crackers to get an instant energy boost. It'll help you in avoiding unwholesome oily food and save money. Coffee and tea is easily available at the entry and exit gates. Keep sipping water.

Because it's winter, I wore a jumper and layered it with a jacket and a comfortable jegging. I took my knapsack to be more environment friendly and efficient.

ADVICE- wear something comfortable and cozy to keep yourself warm, because inside the hall, you'll sweat af. Carry your own tote bag or shoulder bag; whichever is convenient.

The most convenient mode of reaching the book fair is through a metro ride, because you shall be able to buy tickets on the venue station i.e. Pragati Maidan. The cost of a single ticket for adults is Rs 20.

Entry to the fair is from gate number 10. You'll find many sellers on the way to the hall, shelling out books for free, take them only if you wish to read it, keeping in mind the storage availability at your place. 

Moving on, You'll find two or three halls allotted to English language publishers, Indian Languages publishers and Foreign publishers, not far from each other. All the renowned ones like Penguin, Bloomsbury, Harper Collins, Pan Macmillan, Hachette will have their stalls near the entry and exit gates and in succession to each other at times. This year, Hachette and Bloomsbury were juxtaposed to each other.

I went on the launch day itself i.e. 4th of January, and had an idea of what I wished to purchase- which surprisingly were a few Booktube inspired YA fantasies with pretty covers- how many did I find there- just 2(A dusty copy of The Bear and the Nightingale and A costly one of We Hunt the Flame); which I finally didn't purchase because they were available at cheaper rates online (Amazon). It absolutely turned out to be the right choice, thinking now of what I amassed instead.

ADVICE- Don't create a predestined list. Let the Book Fair surprise you! It is an international one and you'll discover beautiful, unprecedented works which will delight and inspire you in fascinating ways. But, check the price and don't get duped by consumerism.

Which brings me to a lesson I learnt- Never purchase books with amount stated in only in Pounds, Euro and Dollars, but not with its Indian conversion rate. 

I went to the Bloomsbury stall and feasted my eyes on the International Books section, where I found one biography which I had been wishing to possess since I first discovered it online. So I looked for the price sticker in Indian rupees, but it was not there; I asked a staff member for the converted rate. Picture this- He looked at the international rate and his eyes popped out for a second, he immediately took the book to the cashier and he translated it to an amount above Rs 1075. I was a bit disappointed as I didn't wish to spend more than 500 on it, the same book was available on Amazon for Rs 1095. 

I put it back, knowing about the fluctuations of online rates and hoping for a drop soon. Mind you, this was the launch day. 

I went again on the third day after deciding which stalls to visit; I re-entered Bloomsbury and after sauntering through sections on YA Fantasy, Children Literature, Literary and Linguistic Studies etc. I reached the International Books section again and saw that those three to four editions of the biography which I sighted on the first day were nowhere in sight; I kept looking to see if I could find even one, just to click its picture for Bookstagram and future reference, and I found it, just one copy- on the second shelf with its spine thick and stark. 

So I picked it up, clicked its picture and mindlessly turned it over to see the rate; and guess what! to my utter surprise, a Bloomsbury sticker stating the Indian rate was on its back with Rs 550 written on it! I was ecstatic, and what's more is that I got a 30% off on that slashed rate, so I paid much less. 

I will reveal the book on my Bookstagram, keep in touch.

@psychedelicstargazer

ADVICE- There you have it, never buy books with rates in Dollars, Pounds or any other international currency at an Indian book fair. It is simply a profit making tactic, put in practice on the first day of events.

Try to look for much needed costly books in stacks sold by local book sellers with deals like "3 books for 100"; "Any book for 50"; "Any book for 200" etc. Chances are you'll find the books you need at low rates. It'll be time consuming for sure, but major publishers offer only 10%-40% discounts and it's worth for collectibles, box sets, special editions, important titles etc. Always check the online prices as well (although they are not very cheap since last year). 

ADVICE- Look up rates on Amazon, Book Chor, Bookbub etc along with its availability. 

So I did a mini-haul of 5 books and a tarot cards set. Last year I had hoarded books with a frenzy did not know what that'd entail- I wanted to show them off on Bookstagram and read them and boast of reading them; but alas, most of them haven't been read( I've read more books purchased online in 2019) ,they took up shelf space so I gave away most of them and kept only some special ones. Now I know, the books I've bought in 2020 will be read and relished. 

ADVICE- do mindful hauls.

In between the book shopping, I kept taking breaks to sit down and rejuvenate with food and drinks because it is quite exhausting, walking through stalls. You'd definitely need a break.

ADVICE- Go out, get seated on a clean space outside. Drink water, sip tea or coffee and eat some homemade healthy rolls or snacks. Rest and get ready again. The fair goes on from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. Suit yourself.

I visited two days,  to get an understanding of stalls, availability of books, the cheap vs expensive hullabaloo and the surprising book-cessories stands. Many book launches, panel discussions and literary functions shall keep taking place throughout the fest.

ADVICE- Keep an eye on IG stories and tweets by your favourite publishers. It'll be easier for you to navigate and get to know about discounts and author meetups.

It was well worth it, I love all things bookish and this Book Fair was a mindful one at that. 

To you who are going, have a fun trip ahead!

Check out my Bookstagram profile here- @psychedelicstargazer

And my twitter one here-

@AestheticTrance