SHARJAH, UAE- Young people have not lost their interest in reading, and digital dependence is not confined to younger generations, Indian authors Ria Chopra and Durjoy Datta told audiences at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026), challenging common assumptions about how technology is changing reading habits and personal relationships.
During the session ‘Love, Life & The Stories We Tell’, moderated by emcee and interviewer Ninin Kassim, the authors discussed how digital platforms, evolving social expectations and changing personal priorities are influencing the way younger generations read, communicate and build relationships.
Chopra, author of the bestselling nonfiction book Never Logged Out: How the Internet Created India’s Gen Z (2025), explored how the internet has evolved from a novel technology into an integral part of everyday life.
Durjoy Datta
Challenging the perception that young people are reading less, she pointed to the growth of online reading communities, including BookTok and Bookstagram, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as evidence of continued interest in books.
“Younger generations still enjoy reading as long as there are stories relevant to them,” she said. “Storytellers must find better ways to reach young audiences and make them feel emotions they yearn for.”
Datta, known for novels including The Perfect Us (2018) and The Boy Who Loved (2017), observed that shorter attention spans and dependence on digital technology were not challenges exclusive to younger generations.
Rethinking relationships and personal fulfilment
The discussion also explored changing attitudes towards marriage, parenthood and relationships, including the growing willingness of some young adults to pursue lives outside conventional expectations.
Datta argued that marriage and parenthood were not prerequisites for a fulfilling life. People who chose to remain single, build close friendships or prioritise their careers and other interests could find fulfilment through different paths.
“The more people we see selecting these ‘unconventional’ lives and living a carefree life, we will receive more context as a society about the plausibility of such lifestyles,” he commented.
Chopra also questioned the hierarchy traditionally assigned to different forms of relationships in Indian society, suggesting that changing attitudes were prompting individuals to reconsider established social expectations.
The session concluded with a question-and-answer segment exploring how technology, evolving relationships and shifting cultural expectations could shape the experiences of future generations.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026) runs from November 4 to 15 at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme ‘Made of Stories’, with the Sultanate of Oman as Guest of Honour. The fair brings together 3,212 publishers and exhibitors from 126 countries, showcasing more than 1.7 million titles. Its programme features 1,500 cultural, creative and artistic events, with 106 guests from 25 countries.
