24/08/2025

ON SUNDAY August 24, 2025 II theSunday Special

The book strikes back

seven. Reading has always been a central SDUW RI P\ LGHQWLW\ 7KH ¿UVW ERRN , HYHU read was Jack and the Beanstalk. That story sparked something in me and I’ve never stopped reading since. I also read many local favourites, such as Siri Salma novels, Anak-Anak Sidek comics and later, the Mr. Midnight and Gempak Starz series by Zint. As I grew older, my taste H[SDQGHG LQWR ¿FWLRQ QRQ ¿FWLRQ DQG D wide range of genres,” Vijayan explained. Contrary to what some might assume in this digital age, Vijayan believes tradi tional reading is not losing its shine but thriving due to increased accessibility. :H QR ORQJHU QHHG WR JR IDU WR ¿QG D ERRN Indie bookstores, second-hand shops, IUHH H%RRNV DQG RQOLQH SODWIRUPV R̆ HU exciting and inclusive reading materials WR FDWHU WR GL̆ HUHQW WDVWHV ,W LV QRW MXVW about knowledge. It is about experiencing new worlds. “Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have created vibrant, judgment-free spac es for book lovers to connect and share. From reviews and recommendations to bookish memes, these communities empower readers and help local authors reach wider audiences. A viral TikTok post can launch a book’s success overnight,” said Vijayan. He sticks to a budget of around RM100 monthly on books. Still, he notes that he now often receives new titles to review on his social media, a responsibility that he takes very seriously. Most of the books reviewed by Vijayan are from his preferred genres, which include horror, thriller, P\VWHU\ DQG \RXQJ DGXOW ¿FWLRQ DV ZHOO as middle-grade books with simple yet powerful lessons suitable for all ages.

Print’s surprising revival in a digital age BY HANNEF ESQUANDER I T is not just about following a trend mindlessly or trying to appear cool. Increasingly, Malaysians are turning back to books, not to ditch their gad JHWV HQWLUHO\ EXW WR ¿QG EDODQFH LQ D hyperconnected world. The need to step away from endless social media scrolls and daily screen time has never been more apparent and many are rediscovering the simple, timeless joy of reading physical books. Reading has never truly gone out of style. Books have always been here, steady and patient – but now, thanks to WKH DPSOL¿FDWLRQ SRZHU RI VRFLDO PHGLD platforms, book culture is thriving more than ever. Ironically, in an age dominated by digital consumption, reading and book related content have become one of the hottest social media phenomena, from #BookTok reviews to colourful book hauls. But what does this surge in reading interest mean? Is it a genuine shift toward EDODQFLQJ GLJLWDO OLIH ZLWK R̈ LQH SOHDVXUHV RU MXVW DQRWKHU ÀHHWLQJ VRFLDO PHGLD WUHQG like Y2K fashion or NFTs? At 30 years old, Kuhaneshwaran Vi jayan is no ordinary reader. A content strategist and freelance book reviewer, his passion for reading began as a child and KDV EORVVRPHG LQWR D IXOO ÀHGJHG OLIHVW\OH and mission to inspire others. “I’ve been a bookworm since I was