Bal Bhavan has opened its door to a literary spectacle - the Unlimited Book Fair in the center of the Campal Garden, in Panjim, a cultural hub.
This unique event is heaven for book lovers, offering an unparalleled opportunity to build a personal library without breaking the bank.
The highlight of this book fair is the innovative pricing strategy – readers can load as many books as they desire into a box and pay only for the size of the box. This groundbreaking approach allows readers to indulge in their passion for literature without worrying about individual book prices. The three available box sizes cater to different reading appetites.
This book fair is an offline event held from January. 19, 2024, 10:30 a.m. to January. 28, 2024, 9 p.m, readers can select the boxes full of books after seeing the book, and entry is complimentary.
The fair unveils a captivating collection of over 10 Lakhs+ preowned books spanning various genres. From the magical world of children’s literature to the thrilling narratives of Fiction, and the enlightening pages of Non-Fiction, this event promises a literary journey.
You will find the fascinating worlds of history, thriller, crime, romance, classics, fantasy, and young adult fiction in this fair. From Stephen King’s chilling “The Shining” to the romantic allure of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” the fair boasts a plethora of choices. Crime fanatics can delve into gripping novels like “Verity” by Colleen Hoover and “The Paris Apartment” by Lucy Foley, while classic literature lovers can discover timeless gems like “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “1984.” You will also find fantasy masterpieces such as George RR Martin’s “A Game of Thrones,” and JRR Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,”. For young adult enthusiasts, the fair presents beloved titles like “The Hunger Games,” by J.K. Rowling and the emotionally resonant “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green.”
The fair had attracted a large crowd of heterogeneous people from various places. Everyone was enthusiastic and expressive about their love for books.
Sharya Shete, a young teenage girl from Miramar shared her thoughts by saying, “ I like to read Murder mysteries, especially the classics like ‘Sherlock Holmes’ written by Conan Doyle, I have recently gotten into Asian romcoms and Japanese comics.” She further said that, “My all-time favorite surely has to be ‘Bungo Stray Dogs’ and ‘Jujustu Kikaisen’.”
A Goa-based psychologist Rufa Naik, shared her thoughts by saying, “I’m more into self-help, psychology, and mental health books and my all-time favorite book is ‘The Happiness hypothesis’ by Jonathan Haidt and ‘The Paradox of Choice’ by Barry Schwartz.
Andria Rebello, an illustrator from Goa expressed, “I like thrillers and mostly books about science- facts, and right now I am looking for children’s books for my profession as I like to see the illustrations in children’s books. And ‘A little life’ by Hanya Yangihara is my all time favorite.”
Savio Fernandes, a young boy from Goa shared that he likes to read non-fiction and self-help books, he further mentioned that, “I mostly like to read, ‘Think and grow rich’ and I have taken books like ‘The Power of Positive’.” Thinking’, ‘The Atomic Habits’ for Reading.
Sejal Patil a book enthusiast shared that she likes to read science fiction, detective novels, and graphic novels. She added by saying, “My favorite book will surely be ‘The Time Machine’ by the author HG Wells and ‘The museum of Innocence‘ By Orhan Pamuk. Yuthika Walavalkar a young book fanatic expressed said, “I mostly like to read fiction as I want to escape the reality, ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo and ‘Atomic Habit’ by James clear is my favorite book. Cheryl Pinto a teen from Goa said that, ‘I read fantasy and romance a lot especially books written by Sarah J Maas and ‘Kingdom of Ash’ has to be my all-time favorite fantasy book.
Liam Lobo, a teenager said, “I like to read adventure books like ‘The Hobbit’ by John Ronald Reuel Tolkein,” and he further expressed that he is keen to read books written by George R.R Martin and Monisha Rajesh.
Goa, is a tale of two reading worlds. Teens are hooked on fiction, diving into magical realms and thrilling mysteries. Meanwhile, adults prefer the real-life drama of autobiographies and the captivating stories spun by novelists.
Walk through the fair, and you’ll see teenagers lost in the enchanting stories of fiction. From fantasy lands to mystery twists, they’re all about the imaginative journey that books offer. The Unlimited Book Fair in Goa emphasized the importance of inclusivity in literature. Various genres, languages, and cultural perspectives were celebrated, ensuring that everyone found a piece of literature that resonated with them. This inclusivity acted as a catalyst for meaningful conversations between generations, breaking down barriers and promoting a shared sense of literary enrichment.
On the other side, adults are drawn to genuine experiences found in autobiographies and the intricate plots of novels. They seek stories that reflect the complexities of life, showcasing a taste for narratives that resonate with the human experience.
One of the most striking observations was the seamless integration of traditional and contemporary literature. Elderly visitors immersed themselves in classic novels, poetry, and historical literature, while the younger generation enthusiastically explored the realms of fantasy, science fiction, and modern-day narratives. This coexistence of literary tastes showcased a beautiful tapestry of stories that resonated with people of all ages.
The Unlimited Book Fair becomes a meeting point for these different reading preferences, proving that literature has a place for everyone. As pages turn, it bridges the gap between generations, creating a shared space where the love for stories unites teens and adults alike. In Goa’s literary scene, diversity rules, making the book fair a celebration of the vast world of books that caters to all kinds of readers.