Organisers were blown away by the sheer amount of people walking through the Sports Hall doors for the 2024 Bookarama.

It was another massive year for Ashburton’s bookworms, and Rotary club, alike.

Around $68,000 was raised as people poured in to give books a second life.

So again the event was a roaring success, said co-ordinator David Mead.

“It’s probably one of the best years we’ve had, in terms of people coming in.”

Mead has organised the event for six years, and said the turnout had shocked him and fellow Rotary club members.

“Saturday was a really good day, it blew us away a bit.”

All books were half price on Saturday, the last day of the event, which likely explained the rush.

He doesn’t have the total fundraised amount yet, but expects it to match last year’s total of $67,000. “It was around about the same as last year, pretty much on par.”

The event saw tables lined with literature, from hardcover novels to picture books to sheet music, as well as old games and media.

Mead was thrilled to see the range of people visiting the event.

“It was a mixture of all ages. A lot of kids there, a lot of older people.”

“It’s good to see people still reading.”

The money raised will go towards local initiatives, like books for babes and books for new entrants.

Some of the leftover books will be given out, parcelled up for families in the Pacific Islands, or saved up for next year’s Bookarama.

By Anisha Satya