Books for valentine

Just a day after Pahela Falgun, the Amar Ekushey book fair was once again bustling with young couples yesterday, this time clad in red instead of yellow on the occasion of Valentine's Day.

Many were seen buying books as gifts for their loved ones.

“Our first marriage anniversary is this month. It is truly a lovely feeling to visit the book fair on this special month, particularly with the person who loves to read,” said Natasha, nudging her husband Raju.

“I have bought my favourite collection of Humayun Ahmed's short stories for my husband,” she said. 

Some couples visited the fair in matching outfits, and enjoyed their time browsing books at different stalls.

Hridita Ahmed and Md Faizul were visiting Somoy Prokashon's stall, both wearing red.

“We are looking for books to gift each other. We met three years ago, and since then we have a tradition of buying each other books from the fair,” said Faizul, adding that they are planning to get married this year.        

With the month-long book fair at its midpoint, book sales have increased since the early days of February. According to publishers, fiction was a popular seller on Valentine's Day.

Monirul Hoque, publisher of Ananya, said, “All sorts of books are being sold from our pavilion. However, novels and short stories are more popular among young couples.”   

New releases at the fair include “Desh Bhager Chhoy-ti Golpo o Tukro Kotok Smriti” by Hasan Azizul Huq and “Gypsy Nodir Dhara” by Ajit Kaur from Sahitto Prokash.

Bhasa Chitra publications brought out poetry books, including “Eksho Premer Kobita” by Mrinal Bosu Chowdhury, “Ekti Tara Hazar Raat”

by Hasan Tarek Chowdhury and “Roder Taape Roudro Kini” By Salma Khanam.