In a shift in reading habits, audiobooks and e-books, the digital version of printed books, has attracted the attention of readers and visitors at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair this year.

Amidst the traditional print volumes that have long been at the heart of the book fair, the presence of the digital books has added a different dimension to the month-long annual literary celebration.

The ease of carrying e-books, coupled with the immersive experience offered by audiobooks, has sparked a gradual but noticeable increase in their popularity.

Publishers and authors are also emphasising the importance of digital publications alongside print versions of books, highlighting the field of science and technology.

During a visit to both Suhrawardy Udyan and Bangla Academy parts of the fairgrounds on Thursday, this correspondent found that readers and visitors were thronging the book stalls immersing themselves in the digital offerings.

The offerings of the stalls are diverse and enticing which include storybooks, poetry books, novels and thrillers, among others. Visitors are warmly welcomed by enthusiastic representatives eager to showcase the wonders of their respective stalls. With a passion for promoting the use and benefits of digital reading, they guide the readers through the virtual shelves, highlighting special discounts and bonuses exclusive to the book fair.

Kahinik, an audiobook stall, was giving literature lovers an opportunity to travel the audio literature world at Suhrawardy Udyan.

Imrad Zulkarnine, co-founder of Kahinik, said, "Our aim is to spread Bengali language and literature to the entire world. We have more than 100 audiobooks in our app. Some more books will be released during the book fair. We have all kinds of books, including storybooks, novels and history."

"Anyone can register on the app but you have to pay separately to buy each book while the printed book costs Tk200, we take around Tk100 to Tk120 for the same one here," he said, adding that they are getting an unprecedented response from the visitors.

Md Arafat Islam, key account manager of another such bookstall Kabbik, said, "We have more than 2,500 contents in our app. You can download the app from the Play Store and listen for free. Besides, there are different price packages."

Along with the audiobook stalls, some stalls are offering e-books.

Md Arfin Anik, a customer service officer of e-book stall Boitoi, said, "We have over 10,000 e-books on our app. Of these, around 3,000 are free for readers. Besides, we have over 100 audiobooks that you can listen to."

"We have all kinds of books here -- thriller, political, mystery, romance and horror books. We offer e-books at half the price printed books cost," he added.

Asked about the age of their e-book readers, the Boitoi official said readers aged between 20 and 40 mostly subscribe to their books.

Shah Shohel Ahmed, senior executive of Rokomari e-book, said, “We have more than 7,000 e-books here. More books will be added gradually.”

The audiobooks and e-books are much cheaper and more user-friendly than printed books.

Shohan Khan, a visitor, said, “Earlier we could listen to audiobooks in English. Now we can listen to Bengali books in audio versions too. This is very interesting. Hopefully, the number of audiobooks will increase in the future.”

Another reader Bithi Barua said, “Those who do not have enough time to read printed books, audiobooks are a good option for them. We can listen to audiobooks while walking or sitting on the bus. I always prefer audio and e-books as I can carry them easily.”

On the sixth day of the book fair, a discussion on “Remembrance: Mahbubul Haque” was held near the main stage of the book fair with Prof Syed Azizul Haque in the chair.

Tariq Manzoor presented the keynote paper while Mahbub Borhan and Muhammad Asaduzzaman were present as discussants.

According to the Bangla Academy, as many as 80 new books hit the stalls on that day.

Poet Tokon Thakur and poet, fiction writer, essayist and children’s writer Zakir Abu Zafar discussed their new books at the ‘Lekhok Bolchi’ stage.

Today, on the seventh day of the fair, a discussion on “Remembrance: Golam Murshid” will be held on the main stage of the book fair at 4:00 pm.

Samjir Ahmed will present the keynote paper while Sworochish Sarkar and Gazi Muhammad Mahbub Murshid will participate in the discussion to be presided over by Morshed Shafiul Hasan.