In today’s world where smartphones are keeping most of us engaged with all handy social networking app and world is getting smaller day by day, reading habit seems to be decreasing among youngsters. Still there is a section that prefers reading over connecting to the world through technologies.

To them books are stimulant for the brain and imaginations. They give wings to the flight of imaginations.

True that with e-books and audio books one can carry many books at a time with almost no added weight, but these section of readers love to relish the nostalgia that is offered with the smell of an old book, the dirt within the pages, touching it, feeling it. Any time they prefer these second-hand beauties over the user-friendly gadgets which offer to store almost a library within itself.  

Every city has to offer a heaven for these book lovers in from its kitty. Be it Kolkata’s College Square or Boi Para as it is referred by the people of City of Joy or Nayi Sarak of Delhi’s Daryaganj, Sunday Market, is such a heaven.

While perusing through these book markets, be sure to browse carefully. You might find a first edition Dickens nestled among the latest John Grisham thrillers.

From Competitive Test papers to lost publications you have it all. You just need patience to walk through the crowd and figure out the books pushing aside other people keenly striking a good deal with the shopkeeper. There are few shops who sell book at the rate of per kg

From Competitive Test papers to lost publications you have it all. You just need patience to walk through the crowd and figure out the books pushing aside other people keenly striking a good deal with the shopkeeper. There are few shops who sell book at the rate of per kg.

However, the story of Kolkata’s College Street is slightly different.

As the name suggests, College Street is lined up with many of Kolkata’s academic institutions. With an area spanning almost one million square feet, College Street is also the largest second-hand book market in the world. The mile-long avenue is dotted with hundreds of bookstores, big and small, and is also home to India’s biggest publishing houses.

The bookstores range from standard bricks to bamboo. Each stall and store have its own history to speak of. Rare books are sold at dirt cheap prices, and extensive bargaining is the way. One can find books dating back 250 years, rare first editions as well as copies of books from publishers that have ceased to exist today.