Books galore

The coronavirus is literally everywhere. Not only has it ravaged countries all over the world and forced millions into quarantines, but it has also entered into our very minds through the news and social media. The internet is brimming with information about the deadly virus while television shows stop talking about it. Our leisure activities of surfing the web has also been infested by the novel virus. The more people are watching, the more anxious they are becoming. In an attempt to escape the dread of the pandemic, people all across the country have reverted back to a medium that has over the years been neglected and abandoned: Books!

People are finally moving away from their screens and have instead started purchasing books. Some seem interested in growth and personal development through self-help books. Business and tech-savvy folks have started investing in success and entrepreneurial guides while many are trying to escape into different worlds with the help of novels and fiction. Readers claim that its benefits are two-folds: it not only helps one explore different subjects and paths but it also acts as a remedy against the fright and anxiety that has been developed in people’s minds about the virus.

Avid readers have ordered as much as 20 books since the pandemic has erupted. Since physical shops are closed, distributers have started providing services through online delivery and have witnessed a boost in sales. They claim that there is a surprising increase in the sales of children’s books. This shows that parents are perhaps more eager to instill reading habits in their child rather than them having to watch mindless cartoons for hours while in quarantine.

However, such a beneficial habit should not only be reserved for children. People of all ages should indulge in the pleasure of reading. These few harsh days provide us with the perfect opportunity to engrain the habit of reading so that it remains steadfast even after the pandemic.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2020.

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