Book sales and review competitions mark the beginning of February 2021

In any other year, the beginning of February would normally be marked by the month-long Amar Ekushey Boi Mela which unfolds across the Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan grounds. With the fair starting on March 18, 2021 as per the last updates, due to coronavirus complications this year, bookstores and platforms from around the city are offering their own alternatives this month.

Baatighar Ekushey Boi Utshab 2021: Inaugurated by actor, politician, and activist Asaduzzaman Noor and author Anisul Hoque, Baatighar's book fair is scheduled to run every day until February 28, 10am to 10pm, at the bookstore's premises at Bishwa Shahittya Kendro, Bangla Motor, Dhaka. Locally published books will be available with a special discount of 25 to 40 percent.

Courtside Boi Mela 2021: Jointly organised by Chef's Table and online bookseller Rokomari.com, the fair will continue until February 14. The modest set up at Chef's Table Courtside includes stalls by Bookends, Boi Bichitra, Jamil's Comics & Collectibles, Rokomari.com, Ruhama Publications, Shomokaleen Prokashon, and popular children's publisher Mayurpankhi Publications, along with stationary by Pilot, Lotte, and Pentel Bangladesh.

Winners of the Chef's Table Courtside & Litmosphere Book Review Contest, which was taking submissions until January 30, will receive gift vouchers.

Abul Mansur Ahmad Book Review Contest: With the objective of reacquainting readers with the works of the renowned writer, journalist, and politician, the Abul Mansur Ahmad Smriti Parishad are hosting the competition until February 21. Submissions must be previously unpublished reviews of the books Sher-e-Bangla Hoite Bangabandhu or Bangladesh-er Culture, comprising 1,000-1,200 words in Bangla. Participants can post the submissions on the Abul Mansur Ahmad Facebook page or on their respective Facebook profiles—the caption must include #AbulMansurAhmad (in English and Bangla) and #BookReviewProtijogita (in Bangla). The reviews can also be emailed to amatrust2015@gmail.com. Top three winners will receive BDT 1,000-3,000.