The city's premier book markets, Urdu Bazaar and Khori Garden are a paradise for booklovers. Various book fairs, held from time to time in the city, also attract a lot of book lovers and members of student community. The oldest of these book markets is visited by thousands of people every day. It has been the foray of choice for students in particular as they get discount on purchase of books as a routine business matter. Sellers of second-hand books, though, are finding the going tough these days. They are now forced to sell new books due to lack of sufficient interest in old books. Market prices for second-hand or used books are typically modest. Venders and booksellers sitting in the street yelling to attract buyers at these places are completely unorganized. It is as if you are walking in a traditional vegetable market. These markets are also losing attraction for their patrons due to a massive increase in road traffic and unchecked encroachment in the surroundings. In the evening, and particularly during the peak season, it becomes difficult for students and their parents to get in and out of the market due to great rush of traffic. Noise is ear shattering, smoke throat choking. All pedestrians have to suffer it. Most customers find it hard to park their vehicles anywhere near the business place. Although these places are usually full of people, it is hard to convince a taxi driver to take you there for a reasonable fare. The government should take some steps to make book markets more attractive for buyers. -SITWAT HASEEN, Karachi, via e-mail, August 5.