On the first day of the book fair, the Suzhou International Expo Centre was bustling with visitors. Readers browsed among the rows of bookshelves, or sat on the floor engrossed in their reading. A vibrant passion for books was palpable everywhere.

This year’s book fair was grand in scale and abundant in variety, bringing together more than 80,000 books from over 400 publishers across the country.

The exhibition hall featured a number of specialized pavilions with a comprehensive range of books covering themed publications, those about humanities and social sciences, literary fictions, children’s literature, popular science books, and more, meeting the needs of readers of all ages.

Various activities were devised to serve readers across all age groups and interests. Multiple high-quality literary sharing sessions were designed to deepen engagement in literature, while interesting, interactive experiences were offered to children and teenagers.

Additionally, lectures on AI applications, physical and mental health, and other hot topics were packed with practical insights, while a series of locally focused events highlighted Suzhou’s distinctive characteristics.

There were also special thematic displays, including the “Phoenix Children’s Books” in a child-friendly reading space, and the unique exhibits about birds, which allowed knowledge to be acquired through not only traditional readings, but also diverse cultural experiences.

The fair also attracted a host of celebrated authors and versatile guests, including Mo Lifeng, Sun Xiaoyun, He Jianming, Cao Wenxuan, Mai Jia, Fan Xiaoqing, Shen Shixi, Yang Hongying, and Liu Xiaolingtong.