Delhi Money and Shopping: Books

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The Indian book industry is huge, producing annually about 15,000 books in English, and obviously far more in Hindi and other native languages. Delhi is hub of this industry, so small, specialist bookstores abound. Locally produced books can be very inexpensive and many popular Western titles are published and available here for a fraction of their original cost.

• Khan Market – This is a shopping area for local diplomats. There are many book shops here that have a wide selection at reasonable prices.

• Oxford Bookstore, First floor, Statesman House, Barakhamba Road (near Connaught Place), www.oxfordbookstore.com/oxfordonline/Services/about_oxford/stores/oxford_del.asp?sid=PQDJT5R. One of Delhi's largest and most modern bookstores. It has an emphasis on art and culture. The great Cha Bar allows you to read any book from the shelves and relax with a cup of tea. Available in several dozen varieties from 30 rupees up. Priced at regular prices. Open daily.

• Mid Land Bookshop, South Extension and Aurbindo Place. Very similar to bookshops in Khan Market, but at better prices.
• Galgotia and Sons, Cannaught Place. A more disorganized bookstore, but with an excellent variety of books available at excellent prices.
• The Bookworm, Connaught Place – If you are more adventurous and want a 'localized' experience with the best books published in India you can go to:
• Nai Sarak (near Chawari Bazaar) (use Chawari Bazaar or Chandani Chowk metro stations on yellow line) has narrow gullies where most publishers are based. This is very popular with students, particularly college students as course books are available here. They carry books in nearly all major languages spoken in India. Don't expect bargaining to work here as shopkeepers are too busy to argue. (The shopkeepers do more business than any proper branded shop, selling at least 5,000 books daily.) There are also many whole sellers. Very few books will be on display and you need to ask for a particular type of book as the variety of books sold is huge. Most books are original and the shopkeepers get very irritated if you question the book's genuineness. You can either take a rickshaw or walk. One of Delhi's oldest shopping complexes, you can find any book there after a day of searching. Also good areas for sightseeing.
• Daryaganj and Asaf Ali Road – A little better organized, but otherwise very similar to Nai Sarak. Hindi Book Centre on Asaf Ali road is very famous and one can find practically every Hindi book there and they also have a very good website : www.hindibook.com

• www.oxfordbookstore.com/oxfordonline/Services/about_oxford/stores/oxford_del.asp?sid=PQDJT5R
• www.hindibook.com