Parallel Book Bazaar Thrives Outside World Book Fair Gates
While official publishers showcased their latest releases inside the prestigious World Book Fair at Bharat Mandapam, a completely different kind of literary marketplace was unfolding just outside the gates. On the pavements leading to Pragati Maidan Metro station, an unofficial book bazaar thrived with its own unique energy, attracting crowds with loud shouts and bargain prices.
The Pavement Marketplace Comes Alive
As visitors streamed toward the official fair entrance, they encountered makeshift stalls where books were stacked on simple tarpaulin sheets. The scene was vibrant and chaotic, with sellers calling out prices even before customers could examine the titles. "Just for Hundred-fifty!" one vendor yelled, his voice cutting through the surrounding chatter. Another seller followed with even more enthusiasm, "Madam, come here! We are selling just for Rs 150. Tell me what book were you looking for."
The atmosphere resembled a vegetable auction more than a traditional bookshop, with prices announced, disputed, and renegotiated constantly. Customers crouched on the pavement, flipping through pages, examining covers, and engaging in the inevitable bargaining that defined this unofficial marketplace.
Bookstagram Favorites at Bargain Prices
The selection at these pavement stalls reflected current reading trends, particularly those popularized on social media platforms. Popular rom-com titles from Bookstagram favorites including works by Ana Huang, Ali Hazelwood, Emily Henry, and Taylor Jenkins Reid appeared at nearly every stall. The covers and design details closely resembled the original publications, though the paper quality often revealed these were more affordable versions.
Rahul Kumar Yadav, a 25-year-old seller managing a pile of bestsellers priced between ₹100 and ₹150, explained their operation. "We put up these shops every year during only this time," he said, adding that they typically set up after 2 PM when crowds begin to increase on working days. When asked about book quality, Yadav simply shrugged, indicating he wasn't interested in that debate.
Young Readers Embrace the Bargain Hunt
Teenagers and young adults formed a significant portion of the pavement market's customer base. Tanvi Dua and Rishika Arora, both 18, stopped to browse after already purchasing books from official publishers inside the fair. Carrying paper bags printed with Bloomsbury and Penguin logos, they explained their attraction to the unofficial market. "The want for more books," they said almost in unison, noting that the affordable prices allowed them to stay within budget without worrying about spending their parents' money.
Khushi Sharma, 20, was examining a copy of The Cruel Prince by Holly Black at another stall. She revealed she had already read the book online but wanted a physical copy as a tangible memory. "I needed a copy as a memory," she explained, adding that buying it cheaply helped avoid guilt about spending too much on books.
Quality Compromises for Accessibility
Even among enthusiastic buyers, there was no illusion about what they were purchasing. One customer pointed out uneven pages and faded print, stating plainly, "The quality inside won't be good." Yet this compromise was widely accepted, with access to books mattering more than perfection for many visitors.
The pavement book market told a compelling story about reading culture in Delhi - one of overwhelming demand, occasional frustration, and a genuine hunger for books that sometimes spilled over into chaos. This unofficial bazaar served as a fascinating counterpoint to the organized fair inside, revealing how economic realities and reading passions intersect in unexpected ways.
