POPULAR FICTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26847, 11 August 1948, Page 6

POPULAR FICTION

DEMAND REMAINS HIGH REGULAR ARRIVAL OF SUPPLIES Millions of words of new reading matter are still keeping the shelves of city bookshops well stocked, and the demand for fiction and general literature is still high. > In these days of shortages and im« port restrictions, new book arrivals are reasonably frequent, though not over-abundant. Concerns with British Empire rights and Australian and New Zealand rights on American publications ease the problem of the importer balancing his American licence. On some licences for American literature magazines and technical works leave little for popular fiction. Copies of recent British books by recognised authors are still coming to hand fairly regularly. Prices have remained almost static, but two saleswomen told the Daily Times yesterday that war books about land or air do not sell at any price, though naval stories still find readers. In their opinion mysteries, detective stories, western and light romances still enjoy the greatest popularity with buying readers and book club members. The sales of the better-type novels are always high, but stray copies are in most cases available Less fiction is being bought than in previous years, according to the manger of one firm. There is apparently no conclusive reason for- this, although it is suggested that there has been an absence of a recent pqblica,tion approaching true greatness. This was illustrated when booksellers were asked yesterday whether they could point to the local best-seller over this year. With some reservations, it would appear that the most popular has been Marcia Davenport’s “ Valley of Decision.” with a number of British authors’ post-war stories reaching almost equal popularity. Reprints of Margaret Mitchell’s '“Gone with the Wind ” have reappeared, and, while there are few signs of any recent novel being billed for a similar 10-year polylingual demand, the general standard is considered high.