The Book Seller of Mogga by Anand
Suspi, published in 2024, came to my attention because it was featured in Blogchatter’s
2025 Book List (longlist). A strong recommendation from the community made me
pick it up—and I’m glad I did! Otherwise, I would have missed this gem, a
perfect book of joy that celebrates the magic of reading and living among
books.
The novel revolves around the idea
of growing up surrounded by about 30,000 books—an image that is both stunning
and humbling. This instantly reminded me of the Bhadariya Library, 128 km from
Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, an underground library in the heart of the Thar Desert
that houses over 9,00,000 books. Built by Harbansh Singh Nirmal of Punjab, a
passionate reader who collected books from across the world, this library
stands as a living testimony to the power of a lifelong love for reading.
In Suspi’s book, Berur’s
grandfather mirrors this same passion, having collected a vast treasure of
books. Berur grows up in this literary atmosphere, reading and enjoying them.
One of the intriguing aspects of the story is the presence of Berur Sir in the
“Airport”—and what exactly this “Airport” means is something you’ll need to
discover by reading the book. (I won’t spoil it here!)
The child who grows up in the
company of Berur Sir is not misled in any way—he is shaped into a passionate
reader. The urge to spread the importance of books, literature, and the pure
joy of reading flows naturally in such an environment.
The novel also explores what it
truly means to be a bookseller—the struggles, the passion, and the successes of
selling books in Mogga. For me, the character Cylinder stood out. Until now, Pip
had been my all-time favorite literary character, but Cylinder has definitely
joined the list. Readers will certainly fall in love with him and may even
revisit the book for his sake.
Suspi sprinkles the story with
anecdotes and references to literature from around the world. The easy flow of
language, engaging narration, and simple yet effective storytelling keep
readers hooked, making time fly by as you turn the pages. Ultimately, the novel
leaves you with the heartwarming satisfaction of having experienced the journey
of a bookseller in Mogga.
A delightful read for every book
lover, this is a story that celebrates books, readers, and the timeless joy of
reading itself.
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