Nagpur and Kolhapur

I need to avoid reading books while traveling. 

During the Kolhapur- Belgaum bus journey, I am reading this book, and Karnataka bus conductor comes, saying "ticket, ticket". 
I absentmindedly pass him a couple of 100/- notes, say "Nagpur" and continue reading. 

Confused, he again asks me where. And I repeat, a bit loud and clear, NAGPUR. 

Now the passengers are looking at me, the conductor is looking at me, and am still in the book. So he taps me on the shoulder and says, 

"नाSSगपुरा?? रांSSग बस्स!"

( You going to Nagpur? You're in the wrong bus!)

Of books... Old and new

"So...What's the latest book you're reading?"
Me: "Nothing at the moment.... Planning to read Rise and fall of Adolf Hitler."
"Acha... new book?"
Me: "Ah, no... Published way back in the 1960s."
"Why are you reading such an old book?"
"I don't know... Perhaps because it's good?"

This is not an imaginary conversation; it happens often. How can 'Old' or 'New' be the criteria to choose a book to read? It's like rushing to watch a movie only because it's just released.