With the same low prices, new categories and even more donations than previous years, it will be a tall order for book lovers to leave the Lions annual Ōhope Book Fair empty handed.

The book fair kicks off today at 9am in the Ōhope Community Hall.

It will run through the weekend, offering the community the opportunity to explore wondrous new worlds, pick up a new hobby or hone an old one, dive into history or find relatable characters in works of fiction.

Event organiser and club treasurer Linda Husband said there were more than enough books to go around, with plans to refresh the browsable selection daily.

A new table has been set up this year to house book collections like Poets Through the Ages and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.

Also new to the book fair are the collectibles and children’s classics categories, the latter including authors like Enid Blyton and Beatrix Potter.

Of course, there is always the ever-popular bestselling authors like John Grisham, Danielle Steele and Bryce Courtenay, which are sure not to be in short supply at the book fair.

There are plenty of niche interest titles too, like the Global Encyclopaedia of Wine.

Mrs Husband said there was a strong element of quality control in sorting through the donations.

If she could not pick up a book and honestly believe it was worth $3, it would not be on the tables.

Some books have been donated to other community organisations.

The book fair is used by the Lions as a fundraiser for their education scholarships, which have helped local young people with the financial burdens associated with tertiary education, whether that be at university or apprenticeships.

Last year, four girls from Whakatāne and Trident high schools heading to university were selected for the grants.

The book fair runs from 9am-4pm today and Saturday, and 9am-12pm on Sunday.

Eftpos is available.