The 2011 Shanghai Book Fair is underway with some 500 publishing companies from all over China presenting their latest publications. And to help pull in the crowds, a few internationally acclaimed authors will be there, too.

Running in its 8th year, the 2011 Shanghai Book Fair not only provides bookworms oceans of reading material, but also more than 400 lectures, book signings and other events. More than 150,000 books are exhibited in a space of 22,000 square meters, alongside the latest in digital publishing.

"I found that almost every publishing house has brought their best books to the fair. It's so exciting for readers. The fair is a carnival for book lovers," said a fair goer.

Yan Xiaohong, deputy director of General Admin. of Press And Publication of PRC, said, "The Shanghai Book Fair functions as a platform to promote reading among all Chinese. I believe that the event offers a feast for people's minds."

The 2011 Shanghai Book Fair is underway with some 500

publishing companies from all over China presenting their latest publications.

With Chongqing being the featured city at this year's fair, a series of books and publishers from the western China municipality will be highlighted.

And for the first time, the fair includes an international literature festival. Among the foreign guests in attendance are French Nobel laureate J.M.G Le Clezio, Irish writer and lecturer Colm Toibin, and British writer Jeanette Winterson, author of the popular novel "Oranges Are Not Fruit."

Running until August 23rd, the fair also offers 20,000 free tickets that will be given to people in need through residential communities.