Ashburton mum Taylor Veint was just popping in ‘‘for a quick squiz around’’ at Bookarama 2025, with six-year-old daughter Hazel.
‘‘We weren’t going to buy anything,’’ she said.
But the mother-daughter pair could not resist when they saw a colourful cartoon-style 100-piece floor puzzle of the South Island.
‘‘And it’s only $2!’’ Hazel added.
Taylor said the visit on Monday was one before later in the week when they would have more time and bring their bags.
Their predicament of not being able to resist the lure of Bookarama was one shared by many at the annual book fair, organised by Rotary Club of Ashburton.
Convenor David Mead said day one of the six-day event on Monday saw 130 people lined up outside, even before the doors opened at 8am.
He estimated there were up to 40,000 books for sale. Thousands had been sold since.
Other visitors on opening day included young bibliophiles Ella Davey, Olivia Raines and Jacks Kirkwood.
They came from their homes in Timaru especially for the event, seeking not only literature, but also music.
Together they bought about 18 items.
Ashburton dad Laurence Oakley had a bag with 25 books and was still looking for more.
His daughter Rebecca bought about 20 items, mostly music CDs, as well as magazines.
A night-shift worker, David had felt compelled to visit Bookarama on the first day, knowing how fast books sold.
‘‘I find it frustrating how fast things go,’’ he said.
– Bookarama, at the Sports Hall on Tancred St, has just three days left. It is open today 9am to 5.30pm, tomorrow 9am to 8.30pm and Saturday 8am to noon.
