SHANGHAI - Expo-themed books have met with limited success, according to Shanghai readers and bookstores.
A spokesman for Shanghai City of Books said sales of Expo-themed books are not as good as expected.
"The best seller on the Expo shelf in June was the official guidebook," the spokesman said. "But it was not listed in the top 10 bestsellers in the store."
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Meanwhile, readers complained that Expo-themed books lack variety and practical information.
Yu Zheng, a 14-year-old middle school student, who chose four books, said it took half an hour to select his summer reading because the titles are similar to one another.
Pan Wen, a resident from Pudong district, said he needed a book that would help him plan a three-day tour of the Expo Garden. "I found a nice one after passing through those super-thick books about the history of World Expo with a tiny map of the city.
"Only researchers would be interested in those brick-like books," Pan said.
Children's books are regarded as uninformative and expensive, according to parents and kids.
"I don't think I will buy it," said Zhang Dejin, father of a 3-year-old boy who was engrossed in a 48-yuan ($7) book about Haibao, the mascot of the Expo Shanghai.
"It is too expensive", said Zhang.
Some children's books with picture illustrations of the pavilions cost up to 280 yuan in the Expo Garden.
Nevertheless, some books continue to win readers with their high quality and special design, said a spokesman for Popular Bookmall.
"Popular Expo-themed books are usually written by authors with insights into Expo 2010 Shanghai. Many of these are light in weight and easy to carry," the spokesman said. "Some books that have been beautifully covered and bound are also popular because they are collectible."
