The more we read, the more things we know; the more we learn, the more places we go. Books have a profound impact on our lives and to encourage the habit of reading, Oman organises an annual international book fair in Muscat. This year marked the 27th edition of Muscat International Book Fair held from February 22 to March 4 at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Among other highlights, this year the fair hosted 826 publishing houses from 32 countries that presented 533,063 titles and publications, 5,900 of which were new publications, 260,614 Arabic and 204,411 non-Arabic books.

Reading is a habit cultivated over years. Should Muscat Interna-tional Book Fair be held twice a year to continue encouraging the habit of reading among people?

Nasser al Rawahi, Teacher

Muscat International Book Fair should be a month-long event, which is better than holding it twice a year. This will be an opportunity for everyone to read, exchange experiences and attend fruitful cultural and literary seminars.

Mehar Zabin, Private sector employee

As Richard Steele rightly said, “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” Reading presents an opportunity to the mind to unleash its hidden powers of comprehension, extensive thinking and creative imagination. While books open a doorway to explore new horizons of both fiction and reality, a book fair is a place where this fondness for books gains sanctuary. Book fairs help develop an attachment to a variety of books; these lead people to come together and share their love for books unabashedly.

Mohtesan Maqsood, Private sector employee

Yes, it should be held twice a year to encourage the habit of reading among Omanis and expatriates. Also, more organisers and publishers need to get involved in the book fair to increase the number of good books, including English novels and motivational books.

Nayab Anjum, Private sector employee

Yes definitely, the book fair should be held twice every year because of its benefit to society. Youngsters will get a chance to widen their horizons and discover new areas of interest. It will also provide an opportunity to new authors to attract audiences to kick off their career.

Bashar Iqbal, Student

Having a book fair twice a year can encourage reading habits by providing more opportunities for people to discover new books and authors. It can also create a sense of community among book lovers. Having a book fair twice a year will have positive effects on individuals and communities by enriching people’s lives through literature.

Munazzah Zainab, Homemaker

The book fair can be held twice a year but that will not guarantee that people are going to read. We all have been guilty of going to a book fair, purchasing a book and never reading it. Reading is a habit which is built over time and just a book fair cannot cultivate it.

Alina Anwer, Private sector employee

In this digital era, adults, teens and children are stuck to phones and aren’t aware of the surroundings. Books help to relax, increase imagination, build vocabulary, and learn about history and culture. So it is necessary to organise as many book fairs as possible.

Kiran Choudhury, Homemaker

The book fair should be held twice a year – once as per the current schedule and the second time after the final exams are over. This will encourage reading which has to be developed among all as it is one of best hobbies. Electronic devices are no match for books.