Pune's literary events and pop culture boost book reading

Pune is experiencing a resurgence in book reading, fueled by literary events, pop culture, and social media trends. Book sales have surged, with the Pune Book Festival last December generating over ₹40 crore. This renewed interest is driven by factors like book fairs evolving into cultural events and the influence of shows like Bridgerton, which inspire readers to seek out original books. Local publishers are also seeing increased demand, with physical books still outselling e-books. Social media influencers and the gifting of books are further contributing to the trend, with books becoming statement pieces and a form of self-expression for younger generations.