Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

FOR 10 days in November, the Fourth Shenzhen Book Fair, which began Friday, has transformed downtown into a literary wonderland, with some 1.59 million copies of 220,000 kinds of books on display and for sale.

The fair recorded 200,000 visits in the first two days and the two-day book sales were far higher than the same period last year, according to the organizer. The total price of all books sold Friday and Saturday exceeded 4.5 million yuan (US$633,000), up by 16% over the previous year.

Book lovers, young or old, were seen reading books raptly or carefully selecting books at the fair. Some dragged their shopping carts while roaming about the bookstalls.

A citizen surnamed Li went to the fair with her son and husband yesterday. Several volumes of “A Dream of Red Mansions,” one of the four ancient Chinese literature classics, were seen in their shopping cart.

“We are interested in literary classics and have picked up a few good bargains,” Li said.

At the Foreign Language Bookbar, many citizens were browsing through books in search of something interesting to read.

“It’s not the first time for me to visit Shenzhen Book Fair. The fair is well organized and there’re different kinds of books. I think everyone can find something they like,” said John Hassell from the U.S., who had already picked up several English books.

According to the organizer, the best-selling books in the first two days were mainly children’s books and literary pieces.

The fair, a key event of Shenzhen Reading Month, has set up its main venue at the Shenzhen Book City CBD Store in Futian District.

Eight themed display areas have been set up in the square outside the venue.

Big discounts of up to 50% are given to encourage residents to buy more books.

The fair will run until Nov. 20.