Bangalore Book Festival 2013

[Updated 29.11.2013 7.35 pm]  This event has been called off by the organizers.

[Updated 07.12.2013 10:05 pm] Book Fest may be held in Jan (link)
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My Original Post:

The much awaited Bangalore Book Festival 2013 will start from 29th November.  The grand event is scheduled at Tripura Vasani, Palace Grounds, Bangalore.

The exhibition is between 29th Nov - 8th Dec.

This will be the much awaited event of the year for the book lovers and bibliophiles. The event normally starts in the October and also spread for more than 2 weeks.  However, this time it happens only for 10 days.  The public will get two weekends to visit this book exhibition.

Approximately under 300 stalls, the books are expected to be in English and all Indian languages. Usually, the book stalls give a discount of 20% - this is far lesser than online shopping.  But I personally encourage buying from stores regularly to support the publishing community.

I wish the book exhibition differentiates itself beyond regular and popular books. We also would like to see rare books, unique ones. Also, bibliophiles would love to see bookshelves.  Self Publishing companies and City Libraries also should make their presence wide.

I am looking forward for the event.



[ADDED] Some more personal links:

My daughter Diya at Bangalore Book Festival 2010

Diya exploring the stage in Bangalore Book Festival 2008 (she was 2 years then)

Great Men in my Hall

I woke up one day only to realize that I have some of the greatest men that history produced, have assembled in my hall. You guessed it - the books on / written by great men. This is not a standard statement. But when I look at the books on Benjamin Franklin, Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Fredrich Nietzsche, Hellen Keller etc., I knew these are radiating special energy on my floor. Not because they are popular, but they are great people of our times.

On top of it, the books by my virtual mentor Anthony Robbins continue to guide me on everyday life. I am bibliophile, and I am feeling very responsible when I stand in front of my bookshelf.  I do not get fascinated by gold, house property, technology gadgets but the very sight of books make me a different person.

There are several great authors who have produced both best sellers and not best-selling ones. Though I can give several examples for best sellers, there are few non-best-selling books that fascinate me a lot: (1) Secret Life of Plants (2) Secret of the Soil  and few books I picked from British Library - Eating The Sun (Oliver Morton), Waste (by Tristram Stuart), Seasons of Life.

By NOT having read several good books, I know this world is immeasurable. I feel humbled at this very thought.

Bookmarks in style

Bookmarks at Crossword

Bookmarks at Crossword

Bookmarks are essential part of reading.  People who do not care for books, use dog ear folds (folding the corner of the page for a bookmark).   Bookmarks are fun.  Some come with message, some come with fun dose.

The recent collection I saw in Crossword are cute but expensive (Rs.400/-).  I bought one to encourage reading habit of my daughter.

I want to gift trendy bookmarks and travel lights for my dear ones on special occasions. If you find a place where I can get them cheaper, please let me know.