Book Price in Bangladesh

The book market in Bangladesh is a vibrant and dynamic space, fueled by a deep-rooted passion for literature. From the annual Ekushey Book Fair to a growing number of online bookstores, readers have a wide range of options to discover new titles. Finding the best book price in Bangladesh is a key concern for avid readers and students alike, as prices can vary significantly depending on the book's type, print quality, and publisher. We provide a comprehensive overview of the current market, including a breakdown of prices for different genres, popular bookstores, and a guide on where to find the best deals.

What Bangladeshis Search For: Popular Book Categories and Price Points

The price of a book in Bangladesh is influenced by several factors, including the publisher, paper quality, and whether it's an original, translated, or local print.

1. Fiction and Bestsellers

This is a very popular category, including local bestsellers, translated works, and international classics.

• Local Bestsellers: Books by popular local authors like Humayun Ahmed, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, and Sadat Hossain are generally very affordable. The price of a paperback can range from BDT 150 to BDT 400.
• Translated Works: Translated versions of international bestsellers (e.g., from authors like Yuval Noah Harari or Stephen King) are widely available. A paperback translated into Bengali can cost BDT 250 to BDT 500.
• International Paperbacks (Local Print): The market is flooded with local reprints of international bestsellers and classics, often on "newsprint" paper. These are extremely affordable, with prices as low as BDT 80 to BDT 250 for titles like The Psychology of Money or 1984.
• Original Imported Copies: Authentic imported copies, especially hardcovers from well-known publishers, are significantly more expensive. A single hardcover can cost BDT 1,000 to BDT 2,500, and a paperback can range from BDT 500 to BDT 1,200.

2. Academic and Educational Books

This category is essential for students and is often sold at a fixed price by publishers.

• Textbooks: Textbooks for school and university levels are a core part of the market.
  • School Level: Prices can range from BDT 200 to BDT 600, depending on the subject and publisher.
  • University Level: More specialized academic books can cost BDT 500 to BDT 2,500.
• Foreign Academic Books: Original foreign academic books (e.g., from Cambridge University Press or Tata McGraw-Hill) are a major expense for students. A textbook can easily cost BDT 1,500 to BDT 4,000 or more.

3. Religious and Spiritual Books

A very popular category, often with unique pricing.

• The Holy Quran and Hadith: There are many different editions available, from basic print to premium hardcover versions. A standard, good quality copy of the Holy Quran can cost BDT 300 to BDT 800, while more elaborate versions can cost BDT 1,500+.
• Islamic Bestsellers: Books from authors like Arif Azad and Dr. Mizanur Rahman Azhari are very popular, with prices generally ranging from BDT 300 to BDT 700.

FAQ

Q: Are the cheap English books sold online in Bangladesh original? A: Many of the extremely low-priced English books are local, non-authorized reprints. They often use low-quality paper (newsprint) and may have different printing from the original. While this makes them affordable, they are not authentic. Original, high-quality international books are sold at a much higher price.

Q: How can I find the best deals on books? A: The best deals can often be found during events like the Ekushey Book Fair, on online platforms like Daraz and Rokomari that offer regular discounts, or by buying from specialized second-hand bookshops.