Odisha News, Odisha Latest news, Odisha Daily - OrissaPOST
  • Home
  • Trending
  • State
  • Metro
  • National
  • International
  • Business
  • Feature
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • More..
    • Odisha Special
    • Editorial
    • Opinion
    • Careers
    • Sci-Tech
    • Timeout
    • Horoscope
    • Today’s Pic
  • Video
  • Epaper
  • News in Odia
  • Home
  • Trending
  • State
  • Metro
  • National
  • International
  • Business
  • Feature
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • More..
    • Odisha Special
    • Editorial
    • Opinion
    • Careers
    • Sci-Tech
    • Timeout
    • Horoscope
    • Today’s Pic
  • Video
  • Epaper
  • News in Odia
No Result
View All Result
OrissaPOST - Odisha Latest news, English Daily -
No Result
View All Result

‘Decline in reading habit due to rise of streaming platforms’

'We must promote and have more independent bookstores'

Updated: November 8th, 2019, 19:18 IST
in Home News, Timeout
0
From left to right - Somu Sundar Reddy, VP Sales, Thomas Abraham, MD, Hachette India, Richard Kitson Director, Hachette UK, Anand Verma, Sales Manager East, Satabdi Mishra Co founder Walking BookFairs, Independent Bookstore  Bhubaneswar

From left to right - Somu Sundar Reddy, VP Sales, Thomas Abraham, MD, Hachette India, Richard Kitson Director, Hachette UK, Anand Verma, Sales Manager East, Satabdi Mishra Co founder Walking BookFairs, Independent Bookstore Bhubaneswar

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on Linkedin

Hachette India commenced operations in 2008 and began its local publishing programme in May, 2009 with Amit Varma’s ‘My Friend Sancho,’ the highest selling fiction debut of the year. This was followed by such books as Manjit Kumar’s ‘Quantum’ and ‘Seeds of Terror’ by Gretchen Peters. Managing director of the firm Thomas Abraham was in the city to chart out an expansion plan. In a tête-à-tête with Arindam ganguly of Orissa Post, he speaks about the current trend in reading. Excerpts:

 

Also Read

Shashi Tharoor

‘Who are they, what is their party position?’ Tharoor responds to K Muraleedharan with sharp counter

11 hours ago
Air India

All Boeing fuel switch checks complete, no faults found, says Air India

12 hours ago

What is your strategy to promote the culture of reading in India?

A reading culture exists here but we have seen a short-term deviation due to distractions such as Netflix and other streaming channels. However, this will not be permanent because it is a phase. Another issue is that at times, publishers aren’t able to meet the demands of the reader. Spreading awareness of book availability among readers is paramount. Lack of independent bookstores in cities is another major issue.

How do you see the pricing of Indian books?

Pricing of many books is quite high due to rising paper costs. This is a result of the government’s 5% custom duty on imported books. Such steps are unrealistic and no other countries have such rules.

Which is the most preferred category of books among masses today?

Unfortunately, non-fiction books are more popular in India due to youngsters’ need for exam preparation. Fictional books help in fostering one’s imagination. It is instrumental in the all-round development of readers. The type of authors becoming popular and bestsellers is a matter of concern as it leads to more focus on particular types of books. This halts readers from exploring varied genre of books.

Do you feel that the habit of reading declined due to smart phones?

When e-books were launched, it was expected to be the next big thing. But it didn’t take off as expected. There is passion in printed books but nowadays, sales depend on brands rather than themes. We must promote and have more independent bookstores because the happiness and experience of selecting works from varied range of books has its own charm. You can order your favourite books online but the pleasure of discovering other books while searching for another happens only in book stores.

What is your opinion on movies inspired from books?

In recent times, many books have been adopted into movies and have been successful at the box-office. However, all books don’t have the potential of being adopted into movies. Stephen Kings’s ‘IT’ was hugely successful but there are many other works of his which were not that great. The good thing about Indian authors is that sometimes, adapted movies become more popular than books and that helps in creation of brands.

What are your future plans in India?

We have completed ten years in India. We are beginning our local publications gradually. We will try to expand in other cities as well.

 

Tags: Hachette IndiaHatchette UKIndependent bookstoreThomas Abraham
ShareTweetSendShare
Suggest A Correction

Enter your email to get our daily news in your inbox.

 

OrissaPOST epaper Sunday POST OrissaPOST epaper

Click Here: Plastic Free Odisha

slide 2 to 4 of 30
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Akshaya Kumar Dash

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Manas Samanta

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Archana Parida

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Narendra Kumar

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Amritansh Mishra

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Kamana Singh

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Ramakanta Sahoo

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Sisirkumar Maharana

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Rajashree Manasa Mohanty

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Surya Sidhant Rath

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Adweeti Bhattacharya

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Priyasha Pradhan

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Priyabrata Mohanty

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Pratik Kumar

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Ipsita

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Pratyasharani Ghibela

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

D Rama Rao

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Matrumangal Jena

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Debasis Mohanty

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Swarit Praharaj

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Parbati Mohanty

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Lopali Pattnaik

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Subhajyoti Mohanty

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Pitabas Tripathy

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Sitakanta Mohanty

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Shreyanshu Bal

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Geetanjali Patro

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Arya Ayushman

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Anasuya Sahoo

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Smitarani Sahoo

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Akshaya Kumar Dash

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Manas Samanta

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Archana Parida

December 12, 2019
#MyPaperBagChallenge

Narendra Kumar

December 12, 2019

Archives

Select Month

    Editorial

    Voting At 16

    Ballot Box
    July 22, 2025

    It has long been held that when one is young, one tends to subscribe to pro-poor and people-oriented progressive politics,...

    Read more

    Water Bomb

    OPiate
    July 21, 2025

    On 19 July, China began constructing a $167.8 billion dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, close to the Indian...

    Read more

    Wild Swing

    July 20, 2025

    The BJP is seen today as a corporate-friendly political party, and this is the view held by both the party’s...

    Read more

    Indefinite Tenure

    Power of Continuity
    July 19, 2025

    There was a time when “superannuation” meant something. Now it’s just the date you pencil in until the next extension...

    Read more
    • Home
    • State
    • Metro
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Editorial
    • Opinion
    • Sports
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Jobs
    Developed By Ratna Technology

    © 2024 All rights Reserved by OrissaPOST

    • News in Odia
    • Orissa POST Epaper
    • Video
    • Home
    • Trending
    • Metro
    • State
    • Odisha Special
    • National
    • International
    • Sports
    • Business
    • Editorial
    • Entertainment
    • Horoscope
    • Careers
    • Feature
    • Today’s Pic
    • Opinion
    • Sci-Tech
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Jobs

    © 2024 All rights Reserved by OrissaPOST

      • News in Odia
      • Orissa POST Epaper
      • Video
      • Home
      • Trending
      • Metro
      • State
      • Odisha Special
      • National
      • International
      • Sports
      • Business
      • Editorial
      • Entertainment
      • Horoscope
      • Careers
      • Feature
      • Today’s Pic
      • Opinion
      • Sci-Tech
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Jobs

      © 2024 All rights Reserved by OrissaPOST