Women authors woo readers at book fair

LUCKNOW: Women writers seems to be getting thumbs up in the ongoing National Book Fair, as book lovers are picking up books penned down by women over the male writers. If publishers are to be believed, books written by Taslima Nasrin are dominating the demand chart. "More than 150 copies of Nasrin's Lajja have been sold. We have asked for more copies of the book," said Atul Maheswari, a book-seller.He added that other books written by Nasrin are also in demand.
Another book seller, Kalpanath Prasad said, "From fiction to cookery to gardening, women authors are a hit among the bibliophiles. Almost everyone, who walks into the stall, asks for books written by Ayn Rand and Arundhati Roy. They are also demanding material by Pankaj Bhaudoria." Besides, LJ Smith's Vampire Diaries is also very popular among the book lovers at the book fair. People are also buying books written by Shobha De. "Her books are different from other writers and are humorous," said Sapna Agarwal, a student.
On why women are inclined towards reading books of women authors, Richa Gupta, a teacher said, "They express the plight and feelings of women better as compared to male writers. Works of female writers enable us to connect with the society. We develop an emotional bond with the characters of the story." Endorsing similar views, Manju Srivastava, a housewife said, "Female writers pick up the bold issues faced by women in the society. They fight for equality in the society."
Books written by Indian authors such as Manu Bhandari are also high in demand. Bhandari's 'Ek Kahani Rah Bhi' and 'Maha Bhoj' is selling like hot cakes. Books 'Meri Priye Kahaniya' by Nasrina Sharma and 'Guriya Bhitar Guriya' by Maitrei Pushpa are doing brisk business. While adults are picking Aashapurna Devi's 'Galat Train Mein' and 'Kasauti' and Sudha Murti's 'Dadi Amma Kahe Kahani', teenagers are hooked to books like 'Life is What You Make of It' by Preeti Shenoy, 'In Pursuit of Infidelity' by Sujata Parashar, and 'Wrong means right end' by Varsha Dixit.
Besides, books on women empowerment like 'Bhartiye Shikhar Mahilaye' and 'Nobel Purashkar Vijeta Mahilaye' by Chitra Garg also translated into good business. Ashok Shukla, sales executive of a publishing house said, "Women who have reached height of success are considered as a source of inspiration. People like to read about their struggle and how they reached at pinnacle of their career."
Abhinav, owner of a book stall said, "Young boys are not into reading and if they read, they have confined themselves to the books on technology but girls love to read almost all types of books."