A gathering for anyone with an interest in in the book trade, the London Book Fair opened its doors on Monday to a smaller-than usual crowd as many overseas exhibitors and visitors were stranded by Icelandic volcanic ash. But organisers are still going ahead with the event, which runs until until Wednesday at Earl’s Court exhibition centre.
Those who do make it along to the event can expect a stimulating programme of seminars and talks, all focused on one of the oldest forms of entertainment we have: the book. Those who can’t be there in person can catch up on the week’s events in a series of podcasts to be uploaded on to the book fair’s site in coming days.
The size and popularity of the event, which is now in its 39th year, is a good indication of how we haven’t lost our love affair with books, despite living in an age of technology where reading is just one of many ways people can pass the time. London is well placed to host the event, since there is much evidence to suggest that Londoners are particularly bookish: according to Mayor Boris Johnson, who spoke at the event last year, there are twice as many bookshops in London as there are in New York – which has an almost identical population.
We can now choose to read books on hand-held devices, watch TV or play computer games when we find ourselves with spare time, but the timeless appeal of books still keeps our attention. Perhaps it’s their portability, their familiar shape or smell that keeps us hooked, or maybe it’s the focus and calm that can only be achieved through getting lost in a story. Whatever it is that fascinates us, it seems that books are here to stay.
Image: Ali Edwards
