he answer to the question on the left is: Yes, they are. Led by retailers, the Indian general books trade has been busily ticking away. Bookstores, both small and large, are going all out with novel ideas to attract consumers. In the process, they are also pushing the others in the chain - distributors and publishers - to react more quickly and get their wares showcased in front of an exploding community of book lovers and readers.

Book clubs, book signing and reading by the author, up-to-date information about new books are tools retailers use to great effect. The Internet too has played its role in the resurgence of books. Enquiries about newly-launched titles at stores generally reveal that the visitor has browsed through global online book stores.... more