Finding specific English books in India

*jyoti* · Jun 11th, 2005, 21:36

I am an avid book reader and am excited to hear that you can find so many English books cheap in India. I have quite a collection of books in the US and will be in India long term, but I certainly can't take all of them. How easy is it to find English books when looking for certain authors? And are the books all popular fiction, or will I be able to find science fiction and that sort of thing as well? Lots of used book stores, for instance, had *lots* of books, but that doesn't necessarily mean I can find what I want or that they have anything other than unpopular, cheap books bought in bulk because no one else wanted them.

Vale · Jun 11th, 2005, 21:42

all around India I found used book stores. Of course, what you can find depends on your chance.
Anyway, in Delhi there are many great bookshops, and you can find more or less any book, and also " English classicals" for about one Euro.

In Delhi you can also find used recent and very popular books (i.e. Davinci code, Crichton...) sold on the streets.

Ciao

Vale

AnnieG · Jun 12th, 2005, 01:31

If you go in to a bookship with an open mind you are sure to be able to find something of interest, whatever your interests. If you go in with a specific title or author in mind, you may be disappointed, but Amazon will deliver to India.
I find that if I trawl the 'used books' shops frequented by tourists, most of the top novels of the day turn up sooner or later.
An Indian imprints of books are absurdly cheap.
I'm never short of reading matter!
AnnieG

livesmooth · Jun 12th, 2005, 22:54

i think catching a reading habit in india,delhi is a delightful habit as the prices are favourable for the reader and the options of choices are available.i definately dont suggest jyoti to carry all her books in her luggage but definately would suggest for some readers forum where she can get books for the like minded reader.
Though places in old delhi proveds a better shopping extravaganza for book lovers specially on sunday,i feel every piece of litreature is avilable on the bylanes of delhi.
happy reading......

cyberhippie · Jun 12th, 2005, 23:08

Happily this is one of the benfits of tourists flocking together around different parts of India, there is a great second hans book market in many touristed places in India so you can stock up not only in the big cities but also places like Mahaballipuram, Pushkar Manali, Goa, Puri to name but a few!!
Many of these books came with travellers from all corners of the globe so there is usually quite a wide choice on offer!!
Terry pratchet, William Dalrymple, Robin Cook, Bill Brysom, John Grisham Michael Palin Ian Banks, are just a few of the authors I come across with some regularity!!
Book shops in the bigger cities offer a staggering array of books from the west though these are not always cheap by India standards around 300-450 Rps for a new "imported book" against 125-200 for the same book second hand or if your lucky Indian reprint!!

Hope that helps!!

machadinha · Jun 13th, 2005, 02:25

Apart from second-hand shops you'll find good bookstores in all of India's major cities and many of the not-so major cities. Many large English-language publishers have an Indian division, and many Indian authors publish in English in India of course, so you'll find heaps in affordable local editions, say in the 150-350 Rs. range. If you're into English classics you can really stock up.

One thing about bookshops, they are rarely alphabetically or even thematically arranged, although a shopkeeper who's worth his salt might do wonders for you in magically locating that one book you're looking for. Otherwise it's often just an afternoon of browsing to see what's in store, a bookworm's delight really anyway.

Have fun with it!

Jun 11th, 2005, 21:36	#1
jyoti gori ferungi ladki Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bangalore, usually Posts: 249	Finding specific English books in India I am an avid book reader and am excited to hear that you can find so many English books cheap in India. I have quite a collection of books in the US and will be in India long term, but I certainly can't take all of them. How easy is it to find English books when looking for certain authors? And are the books all popular fiction, or will I be able to find science fiction and that sort of thing as well? Lots of used book stores, for instance, had lots of books, but that doesn't necessarily mean I can find what I want or that they have anything other than unpopular, cheap books bought in bulk because no one else wanted them.

Jun 12th, 2005, 01:31	#3
AnnieG Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Goa and Penzance, Cornwall Posts: 152	If you go in to a bookship with an open mind you are sure to be able to find something of interest, whatever your interests. If you go in with a specific title or author in mind, you may be disappointed, but Amazon will deliver to India. I find that if I trawl the 'used books' shops frequented by tourists, most of the top novels of the day turn up sooner or later. An Indian imprints of books are absurdly cheap. I'm never short of reading matter! AnnieG __________________ AnnieG Live life to the full - you never know what's around the corner.

Jun 13th, 2005, 02:25	#6
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,561	Apart from second-hand shops you'll find good bookstores in all of India's major cities and many of the not-so major cities. Many large English-language publishers have an Indian division, and many Indian authors publish in English in India of course, so you'll find heaps in affordable local editions, say in the 150-350 Rs. range. If you're into English classics you can really stock up. One thing about bookshops, they are rarely alphabetically or even thematically arranged, although a shopkeeper who's worth his salt might do wonders for you in magically locating that one book you're looking for. Otherwise it's often just an afternoon of browsing to see what's in store, a bookworm's delight really anyway. Have fun with it! __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Jun 11th, 2005, 21:42	#2
Vale Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Italy Posts: 36	all around India I found used book stores. Of course, what you can find depends on your chance. Anyway, in Delhi there are many great bookshops, and you can find more or less any book, and also " English classicals" for about one Euro. In Delhi you can also find used recent and very popular books (i.e. Davinci code, Crichton...) sold on the streets. Ciao Vale

Jun 12th, 2005, 22:54	#4
livesmooth Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: delhi india Posts: 13	i think catching a reading habit in india,delhi is a delightful habit as the prices are favourable for the reader and the options of choices are available.i definately dont suggest jyoti to carry all her books in her luggage but definately would suggest for some readers forum where she can get books for the like minded reader. Though places in old delhi proveds a better shopping extravaganza for book lovers specially on sunday,i feel every piece of litreature is avilable on the bylanes of delhi. happy reading......

Jun 12th, 2005, 23:08	#5
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Happily this is one of the benfits of tourists flocking together around different parts of India, there is a great second hans book market in many touristed places in India so you can stock up not only in the big cities but also places like Mahaballipuram, Pushkar Manali, Goa, Puri to name but a few!! Many of these books came with travellers from all corners of the globe so there is usually quite a wide choice on offer!! Terry pratchet, William Dalrymple, Robin Cook, Bill Brysom, John Grisham Michael Palin Ian Banks, are just a few of the authors I come across with some regularity!! Book shops in the bigger cities offer a staggering array of books from the west though these are not always cheap by India standards around 300-450 Rps for a new "imported book" against 125-200 for the same book second hand or if your lucky Indian reprint!! Hope that helps!!

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