Footfalls, book sales and the reading habit

I am one of those who fervently believes that the reading habit is not dying. I’ve said so quite a few times when I’ve been called to speak on topics related to reading and writing, referring to the fact that whenever I go to the Central Library in Panjim — which is often — there are always readers around, and books are not only being referred to by researchers or students completing projects, but also being borrowed for home reading. It is particularly heartening to see the children’s section quite busy, especially during the school vacations and even on weekends.

What reinforced this belief — that reading is alive — is the ongoing Goa Book Festival 2026 happening in Panjim, that is drawing crowds of people through the day. Right from the first morning, even before the official inauguration could rake place, there were busloads of school children in the exhibition hall and occupied in activities meant especially for them by the organisers of the festival — National Book Trust.

But, if students came because the schools arranged these trips for them, then the evening rush at the festival was also overwhelming.

The book festival is drawing people of all ages — from the very young to senior citizens — and they are not there just milling around the place and browsing through the stalls, but almost everyone is walking out with a purchase. Children’s books, in particular, saw brisk sales. Casual conversations with those running the stalls at the festival revealed that they, too, are pleased with the interest shown and the sales that are taking place.

It wasn’t, however, just book sales that were heartening, but also the growing numbers of people attending the literary sessions that were taking place at the main stage and at the author’s corner. It’s not often that a book release or such function draws a large crowd. It doesn’t, so seeing all the seats occupied was a pleasant surprise.

This is Goa’s first big book fair, and literary festivals have shown that they can have a positive impact on people’s reading habits. In light of the fact that books are being purchased this leads to the hope that they will be read, even if, as it was pointed out during a conversation with other book lovers at the festival, we don’t read every book we own. I have to agree with that, even if I hope otherwise.

If one of the aims of the organisers of the book festival is to spark a long-term reading interest and not just short-term footfalls, then Goa would need to see the annual return of the festival, with possibly other smaller book exhibitions through the year, organised by local publishers, Broadway Book Centre for instance, in collaboration with the others. In that respect, the disappointment was seeing such few of Goa’s publishers having a stall at the festival.

Goa, however, is not short of book festivals, but the turnout at the Goa Book Festival 2026 is surely going to remain the highlight of the five-day event and something to build upon for the future.