Manga to TikTok novels...City's latest reading preferences

The rapidly changing reading culture across the world now has a generation of readers in the city following Japanese manga, translated novels from all over Europe, China and other parts of the world, and a variety of non-fiction books.

Chithrasenan NE, manager of a famous book store in Thiruvananthapuram, said, "We have a large collection of Japanese comics, Chinese science fiction, and translated novels. Most recently, the Booker prize-winning Hungarian novel Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov, clicked with our readers even when it was released! There is also an increasing demand for TikTok novels."

Apart from this, there are also readers who use online mediums to read. The various self-publishing apps and websites based in Asia, and local platforms where people can write in Malayalam are all popular among the young readers in the city.

"There are readers who spend time and browse books and choose a few. Serious readers often don't divert from their usual preferences. There are also people who come purely for academic purpose," adds Chitrasenan NE
Writer's perspective

"Reading is a participative exercise wherein one deliberates, debates and envisions his interaction with the words as opposed to being a passive spectator of sorts while watching what’s presented to you on television, mobile or OTT. I would suggest a healthy mix of both. And yes, with the advent of electronic reading devices, ease of access to many more books from around the world has become easier."

- Narayan Menon K, founder, Let's Write Trivandrum
Readers speak

I've always been partial to fantasy fiction, mystery thrillers and classics. But these days, I also read non-fiction, like Ikigai and Hygge. I don't specifically look to read newer genres, but what I do is read the blurb, google the author and read reviews and then make the purchase. I like both online reading and books, but due to space restrictions, I opt for online books now.

- Gauri CS, a regular reader
TikTok Books

In book stores in Thiruvananthapuram, there is a huge demand for TikTok books. Also known as BookTok, it's a sub-community in TikTok app, where readers review, recommend, and communicate about various books. Apparently, there is an increase in sales when a book gets discussed here. Hence the name.