We all love to read stories.

Whether those are larger-than-life tales or narratives based on own experiences, reading books remains a great way of spending and sharing time together.

The allure of a novel, which can take a reader on a captivating journey through their imagination, is everlasting.

With the wide variety of books to choose from, the Ekushey book fair is a perfect place for the booklovers to get their favourite novels and initiate the literary voyage.

And, a major selection of books available at the fair is dominated by novels.

Novelist Imdadul Haq Milon was surrounded by bookworms at Anannya Prokashani yesterday where elated fans were taking his autographs. “I eagerly await the book fair to spend time with my readers,” said Milon, whose eight new novels arrived this year.

When asked about the popularity of novels, he said, “Readers buy various genres of literature but eighty percent is novels.” He said the same picture prevails everywhere as people like to hear stories. Milon's novels on the Liberation War titled “Noymash” and “Sare Tin Haat Bhumi” were generating much enthusiasm among readers, said Monirul Islam, publisher of Anannya.

His “Rojonigandhapur” and “Raat Dupure” were also in good demand, he said. Forty-two books, mostly novels, written by Milon were available at the fair. There was also a joyous commotion at the Suhrawardy Udyan premises of the fair as cheery booklovers were seen gathering in front of a stall.

They had a valid reason though. Prof Muhammed Zafar Iqbal was not only signing autographs but also fulfilling fans' demands by taking pictures with them.

His novels “Rasha” and “Ritin” from Tamrolipi were among the most sought after. Not only novels remain a favourite among the readers of all ages, but also when it comes to buy a book as a gift -- it's the first choice.

Md Riajul Karim, student of Sarkari Bangla College, was going through novels of Humayun Ahmed, Imdadul Haq Milon and Anisul Hoque at a stall. “I'm thinking of presenting a novel to my sister,” he said. “So many good ones, so many to choose from,” he smiled. Readers were also seen buying novels “Ei Prithibi Chere” by Anisul Hoque, “Rangasala” by Harisanker and “Osamaptir Galpa” by Prof Asif Nazrul, all published by Prothoma Prokashani.

While, many were swarming the stall of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro to enrich their collections by buying novels of Syed Mujtaba Ali, Rabindranath Tagore, and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Many publishers kept novels for children and teenagers too.

Saad Ali, an eighth grader, was all smiles after buying a collection of Humayun Ahmed's children novels.

Demands for thrillers, historical and political novels were also satisfactory, said the publishers. But youths' still preferred romantic novels.

“I mostly sell novels as people are buying those,” said Sharifa Bulbul, publisher of Balaka Publication.

Translated versions of English classics were also in high demand. Many bookworms were seen turning the pages of Isaac Asimov's “Foundation” and Jostein Gaarder's “Sophie's World”, among others, at the stall of Sandesh Publication.

On the 16th day of the fair, 102 new books arrived. Of which, 16 were novels.