Despite the Net, books are here to stay

Will the digital revolution mean that books go the way of pen and parchment?

Not likely, judging by the popularity of the Eighth Beijing Book Fair, which opened last Friday in Ditan Park, just across from the Yonghe Lama Temple. According to local TV, some 80,000 visitors thronged the fair on Saturday alone.

When my husband and I arrived at the park on Saturday afternoon, we saw many shoppers leaving with backpacks full of books. After paying five yuan to enter, we joined the crowds elbowing their way from one booth to another.