New trends in reading amid coronavirus epidemic

Brick-and-mortar bookstores, already having a hard time surviving, are making full use of technologies and innovating their services to lure readers.

A total of 72 bookstores in Beijing, for example, have begun to offer books on Meituan Waimai, a major food delivery platform in China, which allows readers to receive books they ordered in around 30 minutes.

In Nanjing, libraries also launched book delivery services, allowing readers to borrow and return books at home. Free delivery services are offered as a special offer to bookworms for several days around the World Book and Copyright Day.

"Reading is also a kind of emotional vaccine that helps us fight the virus," said Mai Jia, a writer. "Staying at home has given me more opportunity to read and meditate on the meaning of life, which is also a 'positive energy' in combat with the virus," he said.

Industry insiders believe the epidemic will have far-reaching changes in reading. "As the rhythm of our life has been quickening, people used to opt for books that can help them concrete. But after the epidemic, I believe they will care more about health and quality of life, and the demand for non-fiction books will increase," said a publisher in Jiangsu.