BEST WAY TO BEAT COVID BLUES: READ, READ & READ
changes in habits have emerged since Covid-19 restricted movement and people started spending more time at home. Reading, in particular, has now been commanding attention from the UAE’s residents.
Experts say there has been a visible shift in reading trends, with the focus moving to titles related to lifestyle and entrepreneurship.
“I definitely think being at home has led to more readers,” says Ipshita Sharma, international sales manager for IPS ME and literary scout for Literary Sapiens.
A lot of parents have also been putting more emphasis on reading as they try to cut down their children’s screen time, she added.
“The main areas of interest seem to be lighter fiction, creativity-related lifestyle books, cookery and gardening titles. There is also a bend towards books about entrepreneurship and investment,” Sharma said.
While publishers and bookshop owners have observed a dip in academic sales, other genres are witnessing a resurgence.
Steve Jones, store manager and marketing and merchandise manager for Kinokuniya Dubai, says: “The vibe has certainly changed. I think people who were previously visiting friends or going out for dinner are staying home. Netflix has its limitations, so people are looking for old and new forms of entertainment. Books have a marvelous way of educating and entertaining.”
At their bookshop, Jones noted an upturn in the purchase of books that are based on craft, arts, and cooking.
“While literature and comics are certainly coming back — anything happy is on trend. Of course, all children’s books are doing well, with parents focusing on educational skills and entertainment,” he said.
Challenge for the industry
Another bookshop owner, however, shared a different perspective, saying the pandemic had also given rise to some challenges for the industry.
Ruth Kiernan, co-founder of Bookworm, which is known for its collection of children’s books, said: “Covid-19 has led to a significant financial strain on many families. So, people are looking for bargains. Therefore, the surge in the reading trend is not directly reflected in our sales.
“However, schools in the UAE and the government here are very passionate about inculcating reading habits in children right from the early years and that has been visible across various initiatives throughout the year.”