A book in time

News of the shuttering of a publishing house once again brings to the fore the need for how we, as a society, must safeguard books and its sanctuaries

Less than six months ago, we wrote in this column about the demise of a popular bookstore in SoBo, and how it left a void in the lives of its loyal patrons across the city for whom it was a nurturing and nourishing space that spanned generations. It’s bad enough that our readers have to grapple with an already shrinking ecosystem, with fewer reading spaces [physical bookstores and libraries]; the pandemic hastened the process where such platforms, not just in Bombay but across the country, broke into a sweat fearing the worst.

Most recently, the other end of this industry saw its first casualty with news that publishing house, Westland will discontinue operations from February 28. It translates to another knock with a far reaching impact not just on readers, but also their list of authors. In all our years of being associated with books, first as a reader, then a library and bookstore patron and finally, as a journalist and author, this is an unheard of scenario. We’ve heard of books ceasing publication for various reasons – from bans to going out of stock because they were not commercially viable for a reprint. But to hear of a prominent publishing house with a strong list having to end its run, is a sad development.

Westland’s shuttering by Amazon, who bought it five years ago, sent shockwaves across different layers of the company. Authors will take a long time to recover as they come to terms with the news, and look for new homes for their works, as are its staffers, many of who are highly respectable names in India’s publishing world. Bookstores across the country are encouraging readers to buy up stock to support these authors. By offering to ship titles to any corner of the country, it was wonderful gesture to see this vital cog in the publishing world do their bit.

I recall the time back in the mid-2000s, when I was informed by the publisher of my first solo book that they would have to discontinue its run. I felt like an arm and leg had been cut off. It was a quiz book on Bombay, a light read that a trivia buff would enjoy over an evening of quizzing fun while hanging out with likeminded friends. But it probably didn’t resonate well enough. I had bought a few copies that were in stock from Strand Book Stall (where else!) for memory’s sake, as I bid goodbye to seeing it on bookshelves, after having given me immense joy and pride. If that was how I felt at that time for a book that had at least a two-year-run, I cannot even begin to imagine what must be running through the minds of these authors, especially the newer authors who must have only begun to cherish its success.

One employee posted a heartwarming message on social media after the news broke, about why we shouldn’t wait for a bookstore or publishing house to close. Instead, she elaborated, people should introduce their children, parents, siblings, neighbours to the magic of books by egging them to visit bookstores and establish a close connection with books first hand. The experience is far more enriching and long-lasting than that of visiting a coffee shop. That thought resonated, big time.

Why not have birthday parties inside a bookstore? Why not use the time in a bookshop to catch up with friends? Or discuss a favourite book on a Sunday evening? How many of us continue to gift friends or children of friends books for their birthdays or special occasions? It’s these small but constant reminders that can make a difference, or to quote Sherlock Holmes, “The little things are infinitely the most important.” It’s not too late to introduce or rekindle the idea of books in someone’s life. You never know how far it will go in affecting and impacting someone. During a two-year volunteering stint for an NGO nearly 15 years ago, I taught middle and senior school children from Worli’s chawls the basics of journalism with a bit of the city’s history thrown in. Those were the days when young people had limited access to the Internet, and smartphones weren’t around. My overflowing bookshelf meant that I would constantly pass on books that I felt I had grown out of to these children. I did it on autopilot because it came naturally to me. When the semester ended and it was time to bid goodbye to the batch, I received hand-written ‘thank yous’ from some students for the books that I had given them. I treasure those notes forever.

The current rush to buy titles shouldn’t be a knee jerk reaction that is forgotten by next month. This closure, like so many others that have affected our universe of books, should instead act as another catalyst, and a reminder, so we never forget these constant companions and their nurturers – be it a bookstore or a publishing house. Both deserve our endless support and respect for us to remain a society where reading is perceived not as a luxury but is second nature to our being.

mid-day’s Features Editor Fiona Fernandez relishes the city’s sights, sounds, smells and stones...wherever the ink and the inclination takes her. She tweets @bombayana
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