A Kindle in Hong Kong

Bookspotting: Shanghai Edition

2012-03-13T10:25:00.000+08:00

I'm back from a very cool long weekend in Shanghai. I stayed with my awesome writer friend and went to the Shanghai Literary Festival. Needless to say, I spotted lots of books. I'll do longer write-ups of a few of the events this week, but I'll just tell you that I spotted American Wheels, Chinese Roads by Michael Dunne, Otherland by Maria Tumarkin, Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick, and The Beautiful and the Damned by Siddhartha Deb at the authors' events.

The Literary Festival took place in the Glamour Bar at M on the Bund. The literary crowd spent the time leading up to the events reading Kindles and newspapers and chatting about the other events they had seen. I spotted two women reading Kindles in the airport on my way home. I also spotted a man reading Alan Sugar's What You See Is What You Get. Earlier in the week in Hong Kong I spotted a girl reading Mirror, Mirror by Gregory Maguire and three people reading Chinese books.

What are people reading in your town? Have you met any cool authors lately?

Bookspotting: Week 58

2012-03-05T19:01:00.000+08:00

This week, I saw a girl in Central station carrying a copy of The Diary of Anne Frank. Later, I spotted a woman reading Sherlock Holmes on the train. It made me want to get back to reading classics, something I've fallen away from in the last year. Earlier today on the MTR, I saw a woman reading I Don't Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson. I spotted another woman reading a thick booklet called Wines and Spirits. This weekend, I saw a woman sitting on a bench beneath the Escalator reading from a latest-generation Kindle. I only spotted four Chinese books this week, plus a lot of newspapers and smartphones.

What are people reading in your town this week?

Walking Tour: Macau (part 2)

2012-02-29T19:41:00.000+08:00

Last week we began a journey through beautiful Macau, the former Portuguese colony just an hour away from Hong Kong by ferry. The first part of the Macau tour focused on the Portuguese buildings and the quiet, old fashioned side of Macau. We resume our tour today at the ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral in the heart of the tourist district to see the other, infamous side of Macau.

Just to remind you, we saw a dragon dance in front of the ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral.

We walked up the steps to the famous facade.

There's a brief detour to the left of the ruins that brings you into a little side street.

If you haven't had your fill of beautiful European-style houses, this is the place to look.

On the opposite side of the steps, you can climb up a hillside just past this yellow building.

At the top of the hill you'll find the Museum of Macau.

The museum is located on the site of a 16th century fortress, and it has an impressive collection of canons on the grounds.

From the top of the fortress you can get a really good look at the Grand Lisboa, the pineapple-shaped casino.

We made our way back down the fortress and through a crowded side street, where we found an old house that is open as a museum and exhibit space.

It is decorated in the most beautiful carved wood.

The crowds started to thin as we approached an old square. There's a pretty fountain on the right.

Beyond the yellow and blue fountain there's an open square with another fountain, marred only by the big screen on one of the buildings.

Opposite the screen, there's an old church.

You may find it a bit jarring, but when you leave this square you can head straight down the street to casino land.

The two casinos that dominate the main strip are the old Casino Lisboa (in orange) and the Grand Lisboa (in pineapple).

The casinos are incredibly opulent.

Inside the Grand Lisboa you'll find an incredible collection of priceless treasures.

The casino tycoon has a museum-quality collection of gilded, painted and jeweled antiques.

There are treasures inside the opulent entrance of the older Lisboa too.

You can't take pictures on the casino floor, but the most impressive bit is still the outside.

We left the Lisboas and headed over to the Wynn Macau.

There are two display areas in the Wynn that erupt into activity every half hour or so.

It starts with music and flashing lights, then the ceiling begins to open.

The disk in the center rotates and then opens like an egg.

A tree of fortune rises from the floor.

It reaches toward the ever-changing ceiling.

The tree changes to gold, at which point the audience starts throwing coins and gambling chips toward it. Eventually, it recedes back into the floor.

Thanks for coming back for the second part of the Macau tour. The walking tours will return to Hong Kong next time!

Bookspotting: Week 57

2012-02-28T08:23:00.000+08:00

This weekend I visited a bookstore in Causeway Bay that was overflowing with readers. The impressive design section was particularly full. I was surprised at how enormous the YA section was. I know YA is the hot thing in publishing, but I don't read much of it. It was interesting to see the physical manifestation of a trend I usually only see through blogs. What's your favorite YA novel? What should I read (apart from The Hunger Games) to get up to speed?

Elsewhere in Causeway Bay I noticed two gentlemen having tea with the book Currency Wars sitting on the table next to them. I saw a woman with a Kindle in a cafe. This morning on the train, I saw a schoolgirl reading Jane Eyre. I counted six Chinese books this week, at least one of which was a textbook.

What books have you spotted in your town lately? Do you see publishing trends come to life where you live?

Writing Video: Second Draft

2012-02-24T21:10:00.000+08:00

Here is a video I recorded in October when I finished the second draft of my book. I'm a bit further along in the process now, but I wanted to share all of the little milestones that go into completing a project like this. Check out the writing video tab to see the rest of my writing journey!

Walking Tour: Macau (part 1)

2012-02-22T08:32:00.000+08:00

Macau is a nearby Special Administrative Region that is perhaps the most popular getaway destination for Hong Kong people. Like HK, it was once a colony (Portuguese) and it has since been returned to China. You can see evidence of its Portuguese history everywhere. There are so many things to see in Macau that this walking tour will be in two parts.

My most recent visit to Macau was during the Chinese New Year holiday.

We saw a colorful market full of lucky New Year decorations.

It was right outside the big temple, which was the busiest I've ever seen it.

I don't like to take pictures inside temples and churches, so I snapped this picture of incense coils over the wall as we left.

We left the temple and wandered into the backstreets of Macau.

We walked around one of the many hills...

...and wandered along the waterfront.

Macau is full of beautiful architecture.

It's like wandering through a little piece of Old Europe in Asia.

But every once in a while you are reminded of the modern side of the city, too.

Macau is famous for its casinos, which bring in more gambling money than Las Vegas.

This tour will focus on the older side of the city. There will be time to see casinos next week.

We climbed a winding cobblestone street to a church on a hilltop.

We could see the little details of the surrounding buildings.

This spot is a perfect snapshot of the disparate elements of Macau.

The church itself is a beautiful relic of missionary work in Asia.

It's also a popular destination for wedding photos.

We walked down into a peaceful garden on the slopes of the hill, which was a nice respite from the city.

After visiting the church, we meandered back down the hillside, where we saw the terraced houses that are characteristic of Macau.

I like this city because everything is painted in soft, pastel colors.

Even the Chinese consulate building is lovely.

We made our way back down to the main streets, noticing the unique bits of architecture surrounding us.

Eventually we made it back to the main tourist area...

...which was decorated for Chinese New Year.

We walked beneath the lanterns and into a crowd of thousands.

We found a second church, this one more famous because it is right in the middle of the tourist district.

The street was lined with shops selling everything from food to designer clothing.

And there were so many people!

We fought our way past shops giving away samples of the famous pork jerky and egg tarts.

Finally, the crowds spread out when we reached the steps leading up to the ruins of St. Paul's Cathedral.

We arrived just as a lion dance was beginning.

We stopped to watch the performance, which was the best lion dance I've seen yet.

Then we made our way up the steps to the ruins of St. Paul's.

We'll continue our tour of Macau next week. Come back to see more Portuguese architecture and the infamous casinos.

Bookspotting: Week 56

2012-02-20T19:29:00.000+08:00

This week I spotted a schoolgirl on the MTR reading a book called Mirrors. A woman on another train was reading a pocket-size Bible with red-edged pages. I saw a woman in Kowloon Park carrying a pink and purple hardcover book that was bigger than most textbooks. On Sunday I saw a group of women sitting on picnic blankets and swapping worn paperbacks. Today I spotted a young man reading a thick Penguin Classic when I was walking into KFC, but I didn't get close enough to see the title. I counted three Chinese books, one graphic novel, and one Kindle in various locations throughout Hong Kong.

In other news, I just booked a plane ticket to Shanghai! I'll be there during some of the Shanghai Literary Festival, and I'll tell you all about it in a few weeks.

What are people reading in your town this week?

Writing Video: Inspiring Books

2012-02-18T20:11:00.000+08:00

On three of the books that have inspired me throughout my writing journey. I want to have the personable openness of Elizabeth Gilbert, the humility and thoughtfulness of Peter Hessler, and the page-turning storytelling of Susan Jane Gilman.

WHAT WERE WE THINKING? by Nancy Sathre-Vogel and John Vogel

2012-02-16T23:04:00.000+08:00

THE GIST:

Two strangers bike through central Asia together and find love amidst the rock-throwing children, dusty roads, and rugged living conditions.

THE VERDICT:

This travelogue chronicles the adventures of two American teachers determined to ride bikes through central Asia. They found each other through an ad for a biking partner and set off on a yearlong trek through some of the most rugged terrain in the world. They cycle from the deserts of India and Pakistan to the heights of the Himalayas and every lonely road in between. This is pure adventure travel in which John and Nancy are taxed beyond what they thought possible. They are forced to confront their own breaking points and discover that they can keep going after all.

John and Nancy split the narration of this tale, although the majority of the story is written by Nancy. They share their impressions of the locals, living conditions and food in the remote areas of Asia. The book is full of observations on the beautiful places they encounter and reflections on how they were treated as travelers in an area that was beyond the reach of modernization at the time. Nancy encountered regular harrassment from men, and she writes about the strains of being the only woman showing her face outside of the home in certain regions.

My only complaint with this story is that I really wanted to know more about what Nancy and John were thinking and feeling as they were falling in love. I felt that I didn't get enough insight into their initial impressions of each other, how their feelings developed, and what they thought about beginning a relationship in these extreme conditions. When they declared their love for each other it felt like it came out of the blue. The focus of this travelogue is definitely on the things they saw and experienced, rather than what it is like to fall in love on a spectacular adventure. Nevertheless, their adventures were fascinating and their story introduces the reader to an exotic, nearly inaccessible world.

THE LINK:

Nancy and John are still traveling the world on bikes, now with their twin sons. They record their adventures at Family on Bikes.

THE COST:

I received a copy of this book from the authors in exchange for an honest review.

THE QUESTION:

Have you ever had a high-intensity adventure with one or two other people? How did it affect your relationship?

Bookspotting: Engagement Week :)

2012-02-14T21:52:00.000+08:00

This post is a little later than usual, but I have a good excuse: I got engaged on Sunday! It doesn't really have anything to do with bookspotting, but I thought I'd let you all know :).

Earlier this week on the MTR, I stood next to a Chinese man who was reading an English book that had the words "pastoral" and "salvation" in it (I'm pretty sure it wasn't a Bible). I saw three different people standing on street corners and looking at the map section of guidebooks in various languages. One of the books had the word Enjoy! on the front. I saw a girl carrying a huge textbook called Tort Law in Central station. I spotted eight Chinese books this week, mostly on the MTR.

Have you spotted anyone reading a romantic book this Valentine's Day? What's your favorite love story?

Writing Video: Reading Aloud

2012-02-11T22:07:00.000+08:00

How reading your work aloud can help you become a better writer. I read the entire thing between the first and second drafts. You can visit my YouTube channel for more videos about my writing journey. Thanks for watching!

THE WORLD OF SUZIE WONG by Richard Mason

2012-02-10T08:16:00.000+08:00

THE GIST:

A picturesque romance develops between a Hong Kong prostitute and a British painter.

THE VERDICT:

The World of Suzie Wong, also a film, is a well-known Hong Kong love story, but this is the first time I've read it. It is about a British painter who moves into a waterfront hotel, where rooms are normally rented by the hour, hoping to capture real, colorful Hong Kong life. He spends time in the hotel bar painting and getting to know the working girls when they aren't busy picking up sailors. He develops a friendship with Suzie Wong, a lively Shanghainese girl with a unique outlook on the world.

The book shifts between romanticizing the lives of the prostitutes and bringing the reader back to the reality of their situation. This feels authentic because Robert is experiencing this shifting perspective as he gets to know the girls. He refrains from judgment, except when he's talking about the other Westerners in Hong Kong. Mason captures the complicated, intersecting relationships between Westerners and locals in a setting that is both glamorous and very grim.

The writing style is rich with descriptions, and reveals the unique vibrancy of post-war Hong Kong. This book discusses mature themes in a frank, but not overly gratuitous manner. It certainly wouldn't qualify as erotica, but I wouldn't recommend it to my mom :). The characters are the strong point of this novel. Each one is flawed and authentic. Mason has created vivid and enduring personalities that stick with you beyond the last page.

THE COST:

I bought the new paperback edition at Swindon Book Co. The Kindle edition is $9.99.

THE QUESTION:

What is the first novel or film you think of when you think of Hong Kong? Have you seen the film version of this book?

Walking Tour: Stanley

2012-02-08T12:09:00.000+08:00

This walking tour is the first from the far side of Hong Kong Island. You need to take the bus or a private car to get to Stanley, but it is well worth the trip.

Arrive at Stanley Plaza, the local shopping mall. You can park here and then walk down the steps by the Banyan trees.

There's an open square with a clean, healthy vibe.

Walk past the kids' playground on your right.

Past the playground there's a homely temple

It was particularly busy during Chinese New Year, and you could almost see the smoke from all the incense floating out the door.

Walk along the paved corridor to your left. It's a straight shot from the temple to the sea.

At the waterfront you'll find the Maritime Museum.

There are tasteful nautical decorations nearby.

The museum is in the old ferry terminal building.

From the pavement just outside you can see the pier on your right.

Look left to see the fishing sampans and the rest of Stanley village.

Since it was a public holiday, all the boats seemed to be in the bay.

Turn left and walk along the boardwalk.

First, you'll see another little temple...

...but the rest of the street is filled with Western restaurants and pubs.

We saw pretty village houses...

...and quite a few dogs wearing clothes.

At the end of the street, turn left and walk past the Fishermen's Recreation Club.

Follow the colors to the shop at the end of the street.

You can stop for a fresh coconut drink if you need a break.

Turn right in the direction of more shops.

At this point you're on Stanley Market Road.

Turn right again and make your way into the market.

You'll see little shops selling clothes in the alleyways.

Stanley Market caters to tourists.

They have something for everyone.

It wasn't too crowded on the day we were there. Many of the shopkeepers were making the most of the holiday.

When you emerge from the market, you'll find you've made a loop back to the water.

Look across the bay to the pier you saw earlier.

And then make your way back along the waterfront.

Say goodbye to one more dog wearing clothes before you head home.

Bookspotting: Week 54

2012-02-06T19:22:00.000+08:00

This week I spotted someone carrying Edward de Bono's Think! Before It's Too Late in Central station. I saw a Chinese woman reading a Kindle with no cover in my favorite coffee shop. I saw a Western woman reading a paperback on the MTR with a black and white portrait on the front, leading me to believe it was a biography. I spotted four Chinese books and one guidebook this week.

In other news, yesterday I went to see a performance of The Importance of Being Earnest for the HK Arts Festival. It was terrific. I had forgotten how ridiculously clever Oscar Wilde is. After spending three hours laughing through the play, I went home and watched The Notebook. Of course, I cried at least three times. It was a strangely exhausting day.

Have you seen any plays recently? Have you watched or read anything sad and hilarious in quick succession lately? What are the people around you reading?

Writing Video: Feedback

2012-02-04T17:49:00.000+08:00

On getting feedback on the first draft of my book and joining a writers' group. See the writing video tab for more about what I've learned on my writing journey.

THE ANATOMY OF A DISAPPEARANCE by Hisham Matar

2012-02-03T10:15:00.000+08:00

London, Christmas 2010

THE GIST:

A boy and his stepmother must come to terms with the disappearance of his father and the truth about his past.

THE VERDICT:

A few years ago I was a summer intern for a literary agency in London. In the midst of reading the slush pile and going to the post office, I had the good fortune to meet a few of the agency's authors. One of them was the brilliant, inspiring and kind Hisham Matar. His debut novel In the Country of Men was shortlisted for the Booker prize in 2006 and it was in the process of being translated into 28 languages. Hisham said some lovely things about my own writing (I had written a manuscript report for an author friend of his), invited me to lunch along with the agents at his new writing studio, and even got me a book for my birthday (What is Britishness?, in case you were wondering).

All this is to say that I am not exactly in a position to write an unbiased review, but Hisham is a masterful writer in addition to being a singularly lovely person. His second novel, like his first, deals with a Libyan father's forced disappearance and the repercussions for his son and his young wife. The boy, who is at the cusp of manhood, is in love with his stepmother, and they are just close enough in age to make the sudden absence of his father fraught with sexual tension in addition to the obvious distress. The characters are flawed and philosophical, and their story unfolds like a dream as they try to grasp the reality of their hijacked lives.

Hisham is skilled at zeroing in on the most subtle, intricate details. His descriptions and similes are so minute that other comparisons seem clumsy. He writes about the tiniest indents in someone's skin, the flutter of sound almost at the edge of consciousness, and the barest subtleties of expression that speak volumes about the characters. This is the kind of writing that makes you pay closer attention to the tiny nuances in the world around you, and that makes you desperately want to be a better writer.

THE LINK:

A review from The Guardian with more details about the disappearance of Hisham's own father.

THE COST:

$10.99 for the Kindle edition

THE QUESTION:

Who is a writer that has inspired you, either through their writing or through a personal acquaintance?

Walking Tour: Big Buddha at Ngong Ping

2012-02-01T22:46:00.000+08:00

During my mom's visit over Chinese New Year, I got to revisit many of the main tourist sites in Hong Kong. One of those is the Ngong Ping cable car, which travels through Lantau Island to the Tian Tan Buddha, the largest outdoor, seated, bronze Buddha statue in the world.

We took the MTR to Tung Chung, way out on Lantau Island.

At the end of the line there's a shopping mall...

...some apartment blocks...

...and a very long line. The cold and rain didn't keep the crowds away.

We waited down below for about an hour, then took the escalator up to the cable car platform.

There wasn't a whole lot to look at as we waited for another hour at the top of the platform.

We bought our tickets, along with hundreds of other Chinese New Year tourists.

We found another line after we had the tickets. This one moved a little faster.

Finally, we passed through the ticket barrier...

...and waited in one more line.

We could see the cable cars swinging through.

Finally, it was our turn.

We stepped onto the cable car...

...and were lifted out into the rain.

We could barely see the cable cars passing in the mist.

Throughout the ride, we stared into the fog.

This is what it looks like on a sunny day.

At some point we figured we had crossed the water and were heading into the hills...

...but we could only see the other cable cars when they were right beside us.

Eventually we reached the platform, which was shrouded in mist.

We made our way to the exit...

...and bypassed the souvenir photos.

Exit through the gift shop.

We found hundreds of people lining up to go home.

There were some gloomy reminders of the Year of the Dragon.

We passed another chilly line and headed for the warm Chinese restaurant.

We couldn't even see the bus station through the mist.

We could see how far away from the rest of the world we were.

We met a few of the Lantau cows, who looked almost as cold as we were.

We found our way to the entrance to the steps.

We started to climb, but we couldn't see the Buddha yet.

So we climbed further...

...and further, but this is the most we could see when standing right beneath the statue.

This is what it looks like in the sunlight.

I've always liked the statues around the side better. We snapped a few pictures and took a nice, warm bus ride home. We found out later that the cable car stalled for a few hours the day after we were there. If it was even half as cold I feel so sorry for the people who were stuck up there!

We had time to visit a few other cool tourist spots, so come back for another walking tour next week!

Bookspotting: Week 53

2012-01-31T10:04:00.000+08:00

My mom left yesterday after a terrific week-and-a-bit in Hong Kong. We spent a lot of time doing touristy things, so I spotted quite a few people carrying Hong Kong guidebooks. The final total was two guidebooks in English and three in other languages (most likely Chinese). Throughout the week I passed three people walking down the Soho Escalator reading books whose titles I couldn't see. One cover was purple, one was dark grey and one was white. We spotted someone on the Lamma Island ferry reading Bossypants by Tina Fey. I saw a boy reading what looked like one of the Christopher Paolini books in the MTR. I picked up the new edition of The World of Suzie Wong at Swindon Books, and my mom was reading various things on her new Kindle Fire.

This week I'll be heading back to work after the holiday and getting back to my normal posting schedule. You can look forward to more book reviews and walking tours of Stanley, Ngong Ping and various parts of Macau in the near future. Have you visited any interesting places this week? Spotted any interesting books?

Writing Video: Revision

2012-01-27T22:36:00.001+08:00

As you all know, I've been having a busy week as I show my mom around Hong Kong. I'll update you all with pictures from our adventures soon. In the meantime, here is my next writing journey video about some important tools I discovered as I got into the best part of writing: revision.

Bookspotting: Week 52 - Year of the Dragon

2012-01-24T00:05:00.000+08:00

I have several good things to say in this post. First, it is officially the Year of the Dragon, which is the best year of the Chinese zodiac ;). Second, my mom is visiting me in Hong Kong, and so far we are having a great time sightseeing, relaxing and eating. Third, I've now been blogging for one year! Thank you all for reading.

Now on to the bookspotting: this week I spotted a woman in McDonald's reading a yellowed paperback copy of Joyce's Dubliners. When she put her book away I noticed she had three other yellowed paperbacks in her bag. I spotted a Western man carrying a John Grisham book and a Chinese man carrying a Stieg Larsson book (I'm pretty sure it was The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest). On our way home on the Airport Express yesterday the girl in front of us was reading on a Kindle, and for once I could see the title of the book: Everyone is Hanging Out Without Me. I spotted eight Chinese books this week, mostly in the hands of people on the MTR. Eight is a lucky number, so I'd say it's an auspicious start to the new year.

Have you seen any New Year celebrations in your area? Are any of you fellow Dragon babies? What are people reading in your town this week?

Writing Video: Post-it Organization

2012-01-22T00:49:00.000+08:00

Here's video I made a few months ago about one of the early stages of my writing journey. My book has come a long way since then, but I wanted to document the process.

BIG BACKPACK - LITTLE WORLD by Donna Morang

2012-01-20T08:22:00.000+08:00

THE GIST:

A free-spirited older woman teaches English around the world.

THE VERDICT:

This is a memoir of the infectious love for travel of a woman who is determined to get the most out of her life. Unlike the majority of ESL teachers, the author began teaching English abroad in her fifties and has spent over ten years wandering the globe in search of adventures to have, beers to drink, and students to love. Unlike many travel memoirs, she isn't running from anything and runs toward as many new experiences as possible. The author clearly loves people and this book is full of quirky characters and funny, personal stories. This book is unique among backpacker tales because of the way Morang's age affects her relationships with people.

Morang spends most of her time in Mexico and various Central and South American countries, with jaunts to Southeast Asia in between. Adventure and hilarity ensue because she is not afraid to try anything. She doesn't mind working for low wages and living in uncomfortable conditions as long as she can visit the beach and enjoy meals with her many friends. It was inspiring to read about someone with seemingly inexhaustible enthusiasm for new places and people. She is the type of person I would want to meet on my travels.

Morang's writing style is personable and funny. However, this is a self-published book, and unfortunately there are typos and occasional errors. This isn't necessarily a reason not to read the book, but it was noticeable. I also found some inconsistencies that made it feel like journal entries that had been compiled rather than a cohesive narrative. However, the interesting stories and the author's sheer optimism prompted me to keep reading. I have no hesitation recommending this book to travelers and aspiring ESL teachers in need of inspiration and a good laugh.

THE LINK:

Donna Morang's blog

THE COST:

I received a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. The Kindle edition is $4.95.

THE QUESTION:

How do you think being an older traveler would differ from seeing the world as a 20-something?

Walking Tour: Hong Kong Park

2012-01-18T23:47:00.000+08:00

Today's walking tour overlapped with my day job. My students had a field trip to Hong Kong Park, so I took the opportunity to snap some pictures before my responsibilities began. It was unseasonably sunny and warm, a perfect day to capture this pleasant oasis in the middle of the city.

I was stationed by the lake for much of the afternoon, where I waited for each group of students to make their way to me.

Our activity for the day was to find signs in English and talk about them (this was for 2nd graders).

Hong Kong Park is between Central and Admiralty, which means it's overshadowed by some of the city's most unique buildings.

While I waited for my first group of students I did some turtle-watching...

...and in the midst of the picturesque environment...

...there were some sweet people-watching opportunities too.

Many of the workers from the surrounding offices were taking their lunch breaks by the lake.

When you walk around the lake you can find little bridges...

...and a few small waterfalls.

Follow the path around the circumference of the lake past the benches.

On the east side of the lake you can find the lovely, free Museum of Teaware.

Circle back the lake, where there are fish on your left...

...and lunching office workers on your right.

On the western side of the lake, near the colorful recycling bins...

...there are some steps leading down to Cotton Tree Drive and a sports center.

Take your time admiring things nearby...

...and further away.

When you're ready to explore more of the park, climb the steps ahead.

They'll take you up to a sculpture garden...

...beneath a striking observation tower.

The garden is unexpectedly quiet.

My students collected leaves along the path...

...but we discovered there was no way out.

Finally, we found a staircase beside the aviary.

We looked inside at the birds and people as we descended.

We found a wide brick path at the bottom of the steps.

It took us up to a playground and the road where our bus waited above.

There is more to see in Hong Kong Park, but this is a taste of what it's like on a lovely winter afternoon. It was considerably more charming with my students traipsing around in little groups and exclaiming over the turtles, but I don't feel comfortable posting pictures of them without permission. Take my word for it: they're adorable.

Next week is Chinese New Year, so look forward to a walking tour in celebration of the Year of the Dragon!

Bookspotting: Week 51

2012-01-16T20:27:00.000+08:00

This week I spotted a young man reading The Windmill Book of 19th Century Short Stories. I was convinced I would forget that long title, so I typed it into my phone along with a few other books I spotted on the train that day. Unfortunately, I forgot to save the note, so the Windmill book is the only one of those titles I remember. I spotted a young woman reading a paperback bound in a blue cloth cover. I spotted a boy walking and reading one of the Percy Jackson books on my way out of Central station, but I couldn't tell which one it was. I saw two different Western women reading Kindles this week. Another woman rode the train near me with a guidebook to China in her hand. She was speaking French with her husband, but I'm pretty sure the book was in English. I saw three different textbook carriers this week, and at least one of them was reading a chemistry textbook. The only Chinese book I saw was in the hands of a little girl.

What are people reading in your town this week? What's the longest book title you've ever seen? I once read a book called All Shall Be Well, and All Shall Be Well, and All Manner of Things Shall Be Well.

Writing Video: Inspiration

2012-01-13T19:46:00.000+08:00

Here's the second installment of my new writing videos feature. I have been recording what I've learned on my writing journey so far, and I'm releasing the videos here and on YouTube once a week.

Walking Tour: Early Morning

2012-01-11T08:41:00.000+08:00

My latest walking tour will not show you a place in Hong Kong, but rather a time of day. I've done this before with my dusk tour, and I'm interested in continuing to explore new aspects of the city. If you visit the walking tour page, you will find 25 other tours of locations in Hong Kong. This tour will show you what one of the busiest corners of the city is like early in the morning.

I have to leave for work at 6:45 am, when the sky is lightening but the sun isn't out yet.

The street beneath my window, which was full of taxis the night before, is empty.

The floor of the elevator is still wet from being mopped (the building's amah has to go to work earlier than me).

A few other people outside are already hard at work.

The morning pita bread delivery waits outside the Lebanese restaurant.

The lights and shadows are different early in the morning...

...and the streets are quiet.

Most of the shops are still closed.

A few early risers go about their business with me.

Normally busy locations like Pottinger Street are still.

It's that strange time of day when the neon lights have been turned off, but the sunlight hasn't reached between the buildings yet.

The Tsui Wah Restaurant is always open and busy with breakfasters and subdued all-night partiers.

Those partiers have cleared out of Lan Kwai Fong by this time.

I like having the streets almost to myself in the morning.

I don't have to squeeze between huge crowds to cross Queen's Road.

The sky is getting brighter. It looks like it'll be a blue-sky day.

The free papers are stacked and ready for the commuters.

The mannequins are getting dressed and ready for the day.

I pass shuttered locksmiths, vendors and shoemakers.

I get one last glimpse of the growing sunlight before heading into the MTR.

It's the emptiest it will be all day and I get to enjoy the quiet ride.

Bookspotting: Week 50

2012-01-09T18:49:00.000+08:00

This week I spotted a schoolgirl reading a graphic novel as she walked through a breezeway near my work. I saw a young man who was also reading a graphic novel while we waited to see Girl with a Dragon Tattoo at the cinema (not as good as the Swedish movie). I saw another schoolgirl carrying a big English reader with a black cover. By this morning, those were the only books I had noticed all week, which is a little sparse compared to my normal bookspotting tally. I decided to take the long way home from work because it involves riding the Island Line, which is more likely to carry people reading English books than the Tsuen Wan Line through the center of Kowloon Peninsula. I was not disappointed. I spotted a young boy reading a big, illustrated book called Epidemics and Plagues (he was on the page about the Black Death). I spotted a woman reading a textbook with a bright orange cover. Finally, I spotted a woman carrying a slate gray Kindle.

What are people reading in your town this week? I'd love to hear about your bookspotting adventures in the comments!

NEW! Writing Video: Introduction

2012-01-06T18:30:00.000+08:00

Today I'm launching a new blog feature: videos! I've been recording videos about my writing journey for a few months, and I've finally gotten up the courage to actually post them. I don't really mind sending my writing out into the world, but uploading videos on YouTube is scary! If you want to follow my channel, it's ShannonYoungHK, which is also my twitter handle by the way. These videos will go up once a week.

DISPATCHES FROM THE PENINSULA by Chris Tharp

2012-01-04T18:36:00.000+08:00

THE GIST:

A bad-boy English teacher reflects on six years in South Korea.

THE VERDICT:

This is the story of a typical globe-trotting English teacher: a man who lacks direction at home and is lured to the East by the prospects of employment and adventures. Tharp, who still lives in Korea, describes the greatest adventures of his six years living in Busan. From the wild children at a Korean kindergarten to the cute, texting Korean girlfriends, Tharp describes the people he meets in his new life with a vivid, irreverent voice.

Tharp explores common expat experiences: visa troubles, cultural differences, adjustments to food, mistrust of foreigners, alcohol-fueled expat bubbles, etc. The most powerful theme in this story is the failing health of Tharp's parents. Expatriates leave behind loved ones who may get married, have babies, or die while they are far out of reach. Tharp must come to terms with his decision to live far from his parents as they go into a painful decline. Despite his love for Korea, he experiences guilt and grief from abroad.

This is an authentic story that will resonate with ESL teachers and expats everywhere. Although my job as a teacher in Hong Kong is quite different from Tharp's situation in Korean, I could identify with his experiences. This is a fun tale that paints an honest picture of life abroad with healthy doses of laughter and insight. It would be a great read for anyone who is thinking about starting a new life abroad.

THE LINK:

Chris Tharp's blog

THE COST:

I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher.

THE QUESTION:

When you think of the "typical" expat experience, what comes to mind?

Bookspotting: Week 49

2012-01-03T08:29:00.000+08:00

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you had a relaxing holiday and you're ready to get into the swing of things again. After a break that could be titled Eat Sleep Edit, I'm back in the office today and back to my normal blogging schedule. I'm also adding videos to my blog for the new year, and the first one will be up later this week.

Now for the bookspotting: I saw one person giving another the Steve Jobs biography at an outdoor bar. Did I tell you about the time I saw someone selling that book from a suitcase outside the MTR? I spotted a man reading Annie Proulx's The Shipping News and Jerusalem: The Biography. I saw another man carrying a book called The Fear near Li Yuen Lane. I saw two women in The Gourmet Burger Union carrying identical guidebooks to Hong Kong written in Korean. As for me, I finished the fourth George R. R. Martin book yesterday. The Song of Ice and Fire series has been consuming my free time lately, meaning my reviews for this blog have been a little sparse. One more to go!

What did you read over the holidays? What are people reading in your town lately?

Christmas in Bangkok (Bookspotting: Week 48)

2011-12-29T20:11:00.000+08:00

This week's bookspotting post is very late because I spent part of the Christmas holiday in Bangkok, Thailand. I noticed quite a lot of readers on the skytrain and even sitting on benches reading in the sunlight. It looked like Thailand's reading culture was alive and well this weekend. The book stall in this picture seemed to cater to backpackers and featured prominently in the market near where we were staying. I didn't spot any titles in the hands of actual readers that I could decipher, but I did notice a lot of beautiful Thai script covering the books. So in lieu of my typical bookspotting report, here are some pictures of Bangkok:

We spent a few hours exploring the huge weekend market.

There were all sorts of things for sale: clothes, bags, food, home decor, and even pets.

The city had a lot of traffic.

We saw many pictures of the beloved king of Thailand.

One of my favorite things was a museum with traditional Thai houses in the middle of urban Bangkok.

They even had an old royal barge.

We took our own boat ride on the Bangkok Canal.

We saw temples and palaces from the water...

...and plenty of modern buildings too.

Of course, the Temple of the Dawn was the best one.

But this one had hundreds of pigeons hanging out on the roof.

We also saw river houses along the banks, many of which had been damaged in the recent flooding.

A few of them were still occupied though.

We fed some very scary fish...

...and watched the other long boats go by.

After our boat ride we took a tuk tuk...

...to see the Golden Buddha.

I liked the other images better than the statue itself.

I had a lovely, non-traditional Christmas in Bangkok. Now that I'm back in Hong Kong I have some catching up to do. I'll be starting the new year with more book reviews, bookspottings, and Hong Kong walking tours. I'll also be adding videos to my blog in the new year, so stay tuned!

Walking Tour: Christmas Grottos

2011-12-21T23:32:00.000+08:00

For today's walking tour I'm going to show you something festive: the highly elaborate Christmas grottos that fill the open spaces and shopping malls across Hong Kong. Unlike in the US, where there are often debates about where you can put Christmas decorations and whether you should call it "Christmas break" or "winter break," Hong Kong unabashedly celebrates Christmas, albeit in its most commercial form. The holidays are just getting started, but the decorations have been out in full force for over a month.

A few of these pictures are from last year, but you might recognize some landmarks in the background.

The decorations are far more opulent than the ones I typically see adorning US shopping malls.

Sometimes there are small accents...

...but every mall has at least one massive home for Santa.

This is the train that chugged around Pacific Place last year.

The Landmark in Central is always beautiful...

...and last year it was romantic too.

Some of the decorations are puzzling...

...some are basic...

...and some are four stories tall. This one's in Festival Walk, Kowloon Tong.

I particularly like this year's IFC decor.

And this year The Landmark is using the same tree...

...but the baubles are new...

...and this year they have a train too!

Lots of people gather to see it.

In Times Square, Causeway Bay I found some fairly normal decorations...

...and one enormous Barbie grotto.

I'd never seen anything like this before.

It was like a shrine to all things Barbie.

I don't think this was particularly Christmasy.

Everything was approximately the same shade of pink.

There was one aluminum Christmas tree outside the grotto.

When I took the escalator out of Times Square mall there were more Barbies on display...

...and we found a Barbie Christmas village outside.

Just another bizarre, but effective, marketing strategy around Hong Kong.

If you feel inspired and want to pick up some Christmas decorations of your own, head to Pottinger Street in Central for some festive accessories.

Do you have any pictures of Hong Kong Christmas grottos? How about the holiday decorations from your own town? Email them to me at snyoung88@gmail.com by Saturday and I'll add them to this post!

I hope you enjoy your holidays wherever you are in the world. Sing daan faai lohk!

Bookspotting: Week 47

2011-12-19T08:48:00.000+08:00

It has finally started to get cold in Hong Kong, making it perfect coffee shop weather. I met with my writers' group at Holly Brown in Central this week, where I spotted a woman studying from the same Cantonese book that I used when I took a Canto class last year. I returned to the same coffee shop this weekend and spotted a book with a mostly white cover, a book with a red cover, and a book with a blue cover, but I couldn't read any of the titles. I saw a man and his son carrying a thick book called Rumble Jungle. I saw one tourist carrying the Luxe guide to Hong Kong, and another tourist carrying a guidebook that definitely was not in English. I spotted 8 Chinese books this week, which is much better than average.

What are you reading this holiday season? What are the people around you reading?

Walking Tour: Bowen Road

2011-12-15T08:47:00.000+08:00

Welcome back to my weekly walking tours of the many sides of Hong Kong. This week I'll be taking you along on a classic walk: Bowen Road on Hong Kong Island.

The tour begins in Mid-levels.

Bowen Road is lined with apartment buildings...

...and a few older houses. I think this one's a school.

Start to walk along Bowen Road.

You'll find beautiful living spaces...

...and a surprising amount of greenery.

You could take a scooter, but lots of people like to jog along the next section of the road.

Unfortunately someone's been setting out dog poison, so look out for anything suspicious.

Join the families enjoying their Sunday afternoon walk.

You're walking along prime real estate here.

Bowen Road has some of the most expensive apartments on Hong Kong Island.

Some of them have space for terraces...

...and some seem very livable.

Keep walking past more apartments.

The pockets of greenery will become more common.

And sometimes you won't feel like you're in a busy metropolis at all.

Just look to the left whenever you miss the skyscrapers.

And keep following the road.

You'll see more nice houses on the right...

...and more high-rises on the left.

The views will start to be obscured by the trees...

...but fortunately you've reached the viewing platform.

You'll have a perfect view from here.

This panorama is unusual because you're right at the level of the buildings.

Luckily we're here on a blue sky day.

This a view you can't get from the top of The Peak.

You can even see Kowloon side from here.

Return to the road and keep walking.

You'll reach a quiet park where children are playing and people are picnicing.

If you like, you can even take a break in the shade.

Or keep following Bowen Road.

Make sure you take the right branch.

There are still houses to your right...

...and city views to your left.

Sometimes there will be houses to your left too.

Eventually the path becomes quieter.

Wanchai, a very busy section of the city, looks peaceful from here.

You can see some of the works-in-progress crossing the barrier between the slope and the city.

You can see right into the rooftop terraces from here.

Keep following the path.

It will curve around Happy Valley, and you can see the terraced hillside from this angle.

You'll reach a sign and a sitting-out area.

Take the branch of the road that passes the little garden.

As you continue along the path, you'll see a few shrines.

And you'll see more angles of the city.

You'll pass some public works areas protected by barbed wire.

Just past that, you'll find a sign directing you to Lover's Rock.

You'll see more shrines...

...and Lover's Rock will emerge through the trees.

Pass the rock and keep walking.

A block of apartments will rise like a curtain, obscuring your view of the city.

When you pass them you'll be able to see glimpses of the Happy Valley Racecourse.

Sometimes you'll want to look closer and the vegetation around you...

...but if you're like me, your eyes will be drawn back to the city.

The trees will give way to more works-in-progress

and some secret gardens.

You've reached the old boundary of the city of Victoria.

But the buildings don't end here anymore.

Keep following the path, you're almost there...

You'll see a Bowen Road sign and another street will join it for the first time in a while.

You've arrived at Stubbs Road and you can take a bus home from here.

Thanks for joining me on another walk through Hong Kong. Is there a side of Hong Kong that you would like to see through one of my walking tours? What special areas have I missed so far? I have a cool, Christmasy plan for next week, but I'd love some ideas for the new year!

Bookspotting: Week 46

2011-12-12T18:43:00.000+08:00

This week I spotted a man on the MTR reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett, which I haven't read yet, though I enjoyed the movie. On a very chilly Sunday afternoon I saw a man in a busy coffee shop reading The Undercover Economist. I spotted five Chinese books this week and three textbooks. Exam season must be approaching again.

In other bookspotting adventures: I explored the "local interest" section of Bookazine while I was at Chris Thrall's book signing. It's amazing how many books there are on China. I've read my fair share of books about China and books by Chinese writers, but there is so much more I have been missing and I don't know when I'll ever get to it.

What's your favorite book about China or one you've been wanting to read? What are people reading in your town this week?

Chris Thrall

2011-12-09T12:48:00.000+08:00

Something momentous happened in Hong Kong this week: Chris Thrall returned. Chris is the author of Eating Smoke, a book that is part addiction memoir, part love letter to a volatile year in Hong Kong. You can read my review here and go on my walking tour of the triad infested clubland that was Chris's stomping ground in the mid-90's. Without giving away everything that happens, Chris writes at the end of his memoir that he never returned to Hong Kong. Until now.

I follow Chris on Twitter, and I found out he was going to be in Hong Kong literally the moment he arrived. The ongoing success of his book inspired him to finally reopen the Hong Kong chapter of his life. I attended his book signing at the Bookazine in Prince's Building, hoping to ask him some interview questions for the blog. Instead, he remembered my walking tour and I got to hang out with him and witness this powerful moment in his life.

Chris told me he had spent the last few days almost in shock. He had been revisiting his old haunts and marveling at how Hong Kong has changed. One of the attendees at the signing was the widow of Chris's dear friend Vince, a prominent character in the book, who he hadn't seen in 15 years. He spoke with tears in his eyes as he described entering the Wan Chai clubs where he became addicted to crystal meth, a copy of his bestselling book in his hand. Earlier that day, he took the long walk from Wan Chai to Kennedy Town that he had taken in desparation so many years ago. He has been on an incredible journey that is finally coming full circle.

The book goes into his memories of Hong Kong in great detail, and I asked how he was able to capture those experiences and the flavor of Hong Kong after so much time. He said that he truly wrote down everything he could remember for this story. This was not a matter of picking and choosing the best moments or the best narrative, but of pouring out every detail of a dark, but vivid time.

Chris was eager to talk with the people who came to the signing. He shared memories, found mutual friends and common experiences, and hugged almost everyone he met. He had returned to Hong Kong on a new sort of high, redeeming his connection with the city he loved.

If you're in Hong Kong now, you can meet Chris Thrall at the Dymocks' in IFC on Saturday. Otherwise, you can find his extraordinary story on Amazon (the Kindle edition is now available) or at his publisher's website.

Pause

2011-12-07T14:12:00.000+08:00

I'm going interrupt our regularly scheduled Wednesday Walking Tour. Something cool has come up and I need some time to prepare today. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow.

Here's a hint...

Bookspotting: Week 45

2011-12-05T15:14:00.000+08:00

This week I spotted a little boy carrying the newest Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, which was topping the bestseller charts last time I checked. I saw a teenager reading The Russian Master and Other Stories by Anton Chekhov on the MTR, and I saw an older man reading a slim green book called Inorganic Chemistry. I also noticed a man reading a glossy English book full of pictures this morning on my way to work. I counted five Chinese books this week.

At the Wednesday poetry night I frequently attend, I had the privilege of meeting Chinese poet Zheng Danyi, who read from his acclaimed bilingual collection Wings of Summer.

When Nanowrimo finished on Wednesday I had written about 25,000 words on my new project. That's short of my initial goal of 30k. I spent a lot of this month working on a round of edits of my Hong Kong book with my writing partner. I felt like I was a part of the Nanowrimo intensity even though I spent a lot of time cutting words instead of writing them.

How did your Nano project go? Did you spot any interesting books this week?

KA MATE: TRAVELS IN NEW ZEALAND by Dan Coxon (with an interview)

2011-12-02T13:10:00.000+08:00

THE GIST:

A travel writer explores New Zealand through rugby, wine and wandering.

THE VERDICT:

KA MATE is an in-depth exploration of New Zealand, a country that does not feature in very many travel memoirs. Coxon's journey takes him around the north and south islands of New Zealand, mostly by car and camper. He records his observations along the way, introducing the reader to a friendly country with a strange mix of Western and Pacific Island cultures and a fascinating history.

The three topics that attract Coxon's attention in this adventure are wine, rugby and the Maori people. He seems the most passionate about exploring the wineries, revealing an industry that has become increasingly important to the island nation. He also attended several rugby matches, giving a firsthand account of the mass enthusiasm that accompanies the sport in New Zealand. The Maori were more elusive, and although he relates their history most of his experiences with them were through choreographed attractions. New Zealand is also an extreme sports destination, and he describes his experiences with several of the adrenalin fueled activities.
Travel memoirs these days seem to fall into two categories: personal discovery and place discovery. Most of the travel books I've read lately fall into the personal discovery category, but this one is all about the place. At times I wanted to know more about the author and his motivations (which are very interesting if you read the interview below). However, if you enjoy travelogues that are focussed on comprehensive observations about the place then this book is for you.
THE LINK:

Dan Coxon's website

THE COST:

I received a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. It is $3.99 for the Kindle edition.

THE QUESTION:

When you travel do you focus on a specific aspect of a new place, such as the food, history or activities, or do you prefer to get a general survey?

THE INTERVIEW:

Dan was kind enough to answer some questions about his book. I hope you find his responses as interesting as I did!

I don't usually include book covers in my reviews,
but this is the most striking one I've seen in a while.

Why did you choose to travel around New Zealand? What in particular drew you to the country initially?

My New Zealand trip was actually part of a larger journey, a year spent travelling around Asia and Australasia. I'd just reached that point in my life where I really had to either settle down to a full time job and raising a family, or go out there and explore the world. I basically spent a year doing the latter. Stops along the way included Tokyo, Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia, Fiji... and, of course, New Zealand. It's the kind of trip that many people do as a gap year, either before or after college, but I highly recommend doing it later in life. Not only do you appreciated what you're seeing a little more, but you have the money to really get out there and make the most of it too.

As for why New Zealand wound up being the subject of the book, it seemed to me that there wasn't much good, interesting material available on it - and it's a fascinating country. In particular the history of colonisation fascinated me, especially the way in which both the Maori and the Europeans were settlers on what was essentially a lonely rock in the middle of nowhere. I tried to get some of that history into KA MATE, without making it too dry or academic. History is always at its most interesting when it's still affecting the way we live today, and it seemed to me that this was definitely the case in New Zealand. The wonderful scenery and excellent wines may have influenced my decision too, though - and the sport! My wife and I are both rugby fans, and New Zealand has always been its spiritual home.

You spent some time doing touristy things and some time with local families. How did each experience influence your impressions of the country?

To be honest, the time spent with people who lived and worked there was much more illuminating than the time spent on the tourist trail. If you want to really get to know a country, then you have to talk to the people who call it home. They gave me some valuable insights into the political situation, as well as the current controversies over race and nationality. Plus they knew all the really great places to visit! My time enjoying the tourist diversions was fun too though, and much closer to many people's experience of New Zealand. I'd highly recommend trying the extreme sports, or caving in Waitomo, even if you're not normally that adventurous. And if you can't face throwing yourself off a mountain, there are always the wine regions!

What are some of your favorite travelogues or travel memoirs?

I should confess that I probably haven't read as many as I'd have liked recently. The travel literature industry seems to be in a state of flux right now, and publishers aren't always willing to take the chances that they might have a few years ago. Plus Bill Bryson's popularity has turned it into a genre dominated by humor, and that's not what interests me. I think humorous travel memoirs can be fun, but they also sometimes miss out on some wonderful opportunities to learn about other cultures, and to explore the lessons of history. The best travel literature manages to do all that, but it's something that's becoming increasingly rare.
Having said all that, I still love Rory MacLean's books - if you haven't had a chance to read them yet, you should. THE OATMEAL ARK was where I started, and I immediately wanted to read everything he's written! Colin Thubron is a master of the genre too, while Patrick Leigh Fermor's A TIME OF GIFTS deserves a much larger readership than it has.

How did you determine how much of yourself to put into your travel memoir?

It can be a tough balancing act. On the one hand, you want to create something that's unique to you, and that illuminates the country through your own observations and experiences. But on the other hand, you also want to convey some basic truths about the place you're visiting, and a sense of history and context. It's difficult to achieve at times, but I think that's part of what makes the travel memoir so intriguing. It's more than just a history book, or a cultural study - it tells a story, and draws heavily upon personal experience, so that the information almost sneaks in unnoticed. Hopefully I managed to keep that balance in KA MATE.

Do you have any advice for people who are interested in writing travel memoir?

There are two obvious bits of advice: travel, and write. I've met people who say that they want to be travel writers, but have barely set foot outside their back yard; and others who have travelled a lot, but never written a word. The same advice holds true for most writers: if you want to write, then make sure you write every day, even if it's only a little at a time. Make sure you read too, because it's the only way to keep improving. As for more specific advice, I'd also recommend keeping a daily diary or journal while you're on the road. Even if you don't have much time, or you're sleeping in cramped conditions, you can still hopefully find ten minutes to jot down your experiences and impressions from the day. Then, when you get back to your desk and start to write, you have to abandon the journal format and gradually craft it into something new.

What are your strongest lasting impressions of New Zealand since your trip? Have you been back since you took the trip for this book?

I haven't returned to New Zealand yet, although I'd have loved to - especially during the recent Rugby World Cup! I'm still in touch with some of the people I met out there, and it would be great to catch up with them again. But the honest truth is that travel is expensive, and if you're a struggling writer - especially a travel writer - it's hard to justify spending large amounts on visiting somewhere you've already been. If someone offered me a free flight I'd be there tomorrow, but in the real world it takes a little more planning. As for lasting impressions, those would definitely be the friendships I made, and the people I met. The scenery was amazing too, and the wine, and the open, carefree Kiwi spirit... but the friends will always come first.

Where are you going next?

I'm actually living in the USA right now (having spent the rest of my life in Britain), so every day is almost like being overseas! I've been here for four years, but I'm still discovering new things, meeting new people, and changing my view of both America and my home here in the Pacific Northwest. It's a culture that we're all used to seeing on TV and in the movies, but in reality this is still a foreign land to many of us. Maybe there's a book in that...

Thank you again for answering my questions Dan!

Walking Tour: The Races at Happy Valley

2011-11-30T11:59:00.000+08:00

This week's Hong Kong tour covers a popular event: the horse races at Happy Valley on Hong Kong Island. Every Wednesday night gamblers and tourists gather to place bets and cheer on their favorite horses. During the weekend there are also races at the Shatin Racecourse in the New Territories. This one of the few places in Hong Kong where gambling is legal, and last Wednesday I decided to check it out.

I took a taxi to Happy Valley and entered by the public entrance. Jockey Club members have their own entrances around the corner.

The space inside the entrance was full of promoters, beer tents and spectators.

The stadium seating stretches along one side of the racecourse, and there are private boxes and restaurants above it.

There were dance performances to help pass the time between the races.

The Happy Valley skyline provided an impressive backdrop for the event.

We explored the starting gate area...

...and checked out the horses that were warming up on the track.

This is the one I chose to bet on.

He wasn't the winner though...

...so I was out 20 HKD (less than 3 USD).

Some people take the betting very seriously.

We were just there to enjoy the atmosphere.

We still followed our horses' results closely though.

And cheered them on as they raced.

We explored the stadium in between the races.

It got pretty crowded by the middle of the evening.

And there were some serious racing fans following the stats.

Even though I didn't win anything...

...it was a lively way to spend the evening.

Thanks for joining me on another Hong Kong tour. You can visit the tab at the top of the page for more Hong Kong walking tours.

Bookspotting: Week 44

2011-11-28T13:56:00.000+08:00

This has been a highly successful bookspotting week. For that I credit my new smartphone, an HTC Desire
S, which has turned out to be really convenient for recording book sightings on the spot. I saw a woman on the MTR reading a Jodi Piccoult book, although I couldn't tell which one it was. I saw one man in a coffee shop reading How to Win Friends and Influence People and another man reading a hefty paperback that could pass for The Brothers Karamazov or The Magic Mountain. I sat next to a woman reading a Paulo Coehlo book. A man walking through the MTR station was carrying a Tom Clancy paperback. I spotted a teenager on the train reading a movie tie-in edition of Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightly on the cover. I saw another teenager carrying Haruki Murakami's 1Q84 through another MTR station. I saw a man carrying A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin on the covered walkway near the Central post office. This might be the most books that I have seen (and remembered) since I started bookspotting around Hong Kong.

I also attended the launch of Access: Thirteen Tales by Xu Xi at City University, where I saw many copies of the book of the moment.

What are people reading in your town this week?

ACCESS: THIRTEEN TALES by Xu Xi

2011-11-26T16:47:00.000+08:00

THE BOOK:

Prolific Hong Kong author Xu Xi has just released a new collection of short stories through a new Hong Kong press: Signal 8, an imprint of Typhoon Media. I am currently doing some voluntary work with Signal 8 thanks to a conversation with Xu Xi herself. It's an exciting opportunity to get some extra publishing experience as I pursue my goal of working as an editor full-time. Meanwhile, I get to read some very cool new books and help to promote them. Because of my affiliation with Signal 8, I won't write about ACCESS in my usual review format.

The collection explores different kinds of tales: tall tales, old wives' tales, fairy tales, circular tales and beastly tales. A majority of the characters are women, and they struggle with family dynamics, aging, relationships, and the balance between independence and duty. Xu Xi's characters are usually mobile, international Chinese searching for an identity in a global context. The tales feel open-ended in the same way that real life is open-ended. She leaves her characters with unanswered questions and unrealized resolutions, while creating compelling pictures of the way people live and struggle for access. My favorite tales were Famine, To Body, To Chicken, and Lady Day, which is a provocative masterpiece.

This is a thought-provoking, thoroughly modern collection that I recommend without hesitation.

THE LAUNCH:

On Friday evening, Xu Xi officially launched ACCESS at City University. She read selections from four of the tales (Famine, Access, Iron Light and To Body, To Chicken) to a fully engaged audience. Xu Xi has a powerful reading voice, and it is always a privilege to hear her in person. She discussed her work with the publisher of Signal 8 Press and answered many questions from the audience, which included students of Xu Xi's MFA program as well as local writers and academics.

Xu Xi spoke about the sprawling nature of her tales as opposed to tight, classic short stories. She is interested in creating whole worlds, even though short tales may only capture a slice of those worlds. A student asked about the writing life in Hong Kong, and she acknowledged that it can be a difficult place to be a writer, although the literary scene has improved since she first began pursuing her writing career. She discussed the future of the publishing industry, and she is interested in exploring the possibilities of ebooks by writing shorter works and essays to supplement her long career as a novelist.

THE LINKS:

Xu Xi's website

Signal 8 Press

My reviews of novels HONG KONG ROSE and HABIT OF A FOREIGN SKY

THE COST:

The Kindle edition is $8.99 (in the US) and the paperback is $15.95 on Amazon.

Walking Tour: Cat Street

2011-11-23T14:21:00.000+08:00

Welcome back to Walking Tour Wednesday! This week's tour takes you to a popular tourist stop that retains a lot of old-fashioned charm. Cat Street is known for its eclectic collection of antique shops and souvenir stalls.

Start out at the Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road.

Directly across the street from the temple you can see the top of Ladder Street.

Walk down the Ladder Street steps.

You'll see a street to your left.

Turn into Upper Lascar Row, also known as Cat Street.

You'll find stalls selling a motley collection of Chinese knick-knacks.

Some of the shops are closed on Sundays...

...but many will be open for business.

Along this street...

The shops sell antiques...

...and artwork of all kinds.

You'll see plenty of mass-produced souvenirs outside the shops.

Make your way along the street...

...and see what treasures you can find.

There are smaller lanes with more shops branching off from the main street.

There are scrolls hanging everywhere.

Pick out some little gifts for your family...

...or consider an investment-size piece for your living room...

...or buy something scary for your front door.

I like the lights...

...and the colors of this street.

Keep walking past the many antique shops...

...and market stalls.

Consider a detour to the right, toward Queen's Road West...

... or to the left, towards Hollywood Road.

You're nearing the end of the street.

You can stop for a bowl of noodles and a pot of tea...

...or walk on past one of the last shops on the left.

The wares become less decorative and more functional...

...and you can see the evidence of their creation by the street.

The doors are ordinary now.

And there's one last curio shop on your right.

You've reached the western end of Upper Lascar Row.

Turn left and walk up the steps.

Before you know it...

You'll find yourself back on Hollywood Road.

I hope you enjoyed this Cat Street tour. Come back next week for pictures of a day at the races!

Bookspotting: Week 43

2011-11-21T14:22:00.000+08:00

Early this week I stood next to a man on the MTR who was reading a yellowed paperback that looked like a thriller or mystery. I read the title and author, but now I can't remember what they were. I think the author was Abney or Abnar something. Does anyone have any idea who it might have been? I saw a boy of about fourteen reading a slate gray Kindle outside my favorite Vietnamese restaurant (Nha Trang for you HK people). The person I was with was listening to Reamde by Neal Stephenson as an audiobook. I counted four Chinese books and two Hong Kong guidebooks this week.

My Nanowrimo writing came to a grinding halt this week. I had the opportunity to work on three different editing projects (one paid, one voluntary, and one with my awesome writing partner), so that took away from my writing time. I am laying the groundwork to launch a freelance editing venture within a year, so I'm excited about the opportunity to work on a few manuscripts before then. Please keep me in mind if you need an editor or proofreader!

What are people reading in your town this week?

RESULTS NOT TYPICAL by Catherine Ryan Howard

2011-11-18T22:38:00.000+08:00

THE GIST:

A plus-size office worker at an evil weight loss company becomes embroiled in corporate drama when their next big product disappears.

THE VERDICT:

Slimmit is a profit-obsessed weight loss company more interested in pushing their products and supplements than promoting a healthy lifestyle. Emmy is a believable protagonist who feels crippled by self-loathing and refuses to take any risks until she loses The Weight. She gets mixed up with vapid, half-starved "slimming specialists," an evil wannabe CEO, and a slightly chubby B-list celebrity.

This is a fun novel with surprisingly complex characters. Each one is flawed, interesting and sympathetic in their own way. The toxic relationships between people with long histories form the core of the novel. Their interactions are funny and sometimes extreme, and they give vivacity to the complex plot. I particularly enjoyed the expertly handled public meltdown scenes throughout the story.

Catherine Ryan Howard's writing style is like her blog: chatty, entertaining and unapologetic. Each time I thought the plot or characters might spin out of control, she brought them back together in a clever web of strained connections and thwarted ambitions. This is a page-turning novel that makes a great subway read.

THE LINK:

Catherine Ryan Howard: I like to read Catherine's blog. You should check it out.

THE COST:

$0.99 for the Kindle edition

THE QUESTION:

Are you more interested in plot-driven or character-driven novels?

Walking Tour: Dusk

2011-11-16T12:00:00.000+08:00

I didn't have time to photograph a proper walking tour this week. I spent nearly 12 hours on Saturday in a coffee shop for the Nanowrimo Write-athon, and I just didn't get my act together on Sunday. It was already getting dark when I got out of work yesterday, but fortunately that is one of my favorite times in Hong Kong. So instead of a walking tour, here are some shots of the city at dusk

I started out in Grand Millennium Plaza just before the light started to change.

The sky above the high-rises was already starting to look dusty when I popped into Subway for dinner.

It's right by this fountain, which is featured in the film Don't Go Breaking My Heart (a great Mandarin and Cantonese chick flick)

By the time I left, the sky was a musty purple.

But this is when the lights started to come on.

I walked by the office buildings on Queen's Road...

...one of the entrances to the Sheung Wan Markets...

...and the Central Oasis.

By this time the sky was changing to a mild blue.

The city lights began to stand out against the sky.

I climbed onto The Escalator during rush hour.

And snapped pictures of the people below returning home from work.

You can see all sorts of things from the Escalator.

The advertisers take full advantage of this.

There are a lot of changes and renovations going on in this area.

They already moved the used bookstore, but I hope the Dymocks stays nearby.

I read that some of the market stalls are going to be moved away too.

That's sad, but I do like the fact that Hong Kong is always changing.

I went out after dark to join my Nanowrimo friends at a coffee shop...

And walked toward the busy night lights near Lan Kwai Fong.

I hope you enjoyed these pictures of one of my favorite times in Hong Kong. Come back next week for a walking tour of the Cat Street antique markets. For more Hong Kong walking tours check out the tab at the top of the page and the links in this post.

Have a good week everyone!

Bookspotting: Week 42 - Nano Write-athon Edition

2011-11-14T09:33:00.000+08:00

This week I saw a young Chinese woman on the MTR reading Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic. I've seen people reading this book several times in the last year. Later I saw a woman reading what I thought was called The Reader in You, but I couldn't find it on Amazon so I'm not sure I read the title correctly. Does anyone know what it might be? I saw a Western man reading an English paperback in the shade of The Escalator, but I couldn't see the title. I spotted two people reading in Chinese this week.

My Nanowrimo adventures continued this week with a 12-hour write-athon on Saturday. Writers from around Hong Kong joined in for anything from a few hours to most of the day. I showed up at Kosmo Wellness Cafe in Central at 9:30 am (okay I was a little late), and stayed there writing until 9 pm. I took breaks for lunch and dinner, and during one of those breaks I explored the carnival in LKF just outside the coffee shop (pictured above). I wrote about 5,500 words that day, bringing my total word count to 20,004, plus I used the opportunity to do some editing on a friend's manuscript when I needed a break.

How is your writing going this week? Have you spotted any books (or writers) lately?

Walking Tour: The Peak

2011-11-09T12:02:00.001+08:00

It was a beautiful weekend in Hong Kong, so I took a walk to Victoria Peak... and beyond! This week's Hong Kong walking tour has views, nature, and some very steeps paths.

Start out on Old Peak Road and climb through Midlevels.

The winding road will take you above the apartment buildings...

...and into the green hills of Hong Kong Island.

When you reach the top of Old Peak Road...

...you'll see a pedestrian only path sloping up to your left.

Keep climbing past the high-rises on your left.

Every once in a while you'll see maintenance steps heading up the slopes to your left.

You should keep walking forward.

It's surprising how quickly you'll leave the city behind.

It gets quiet up here, and you'll find that the air is cooler away from the concrete jungle.

You might spot some odd little shrines along the way.

The path is lined with lampposts in case you want to take this walk after dark.

You'll pass a sketchy looking public toilet when you're about 1/3 of the way up the hill.

By now you're almost as high as the buildings.

The slopes are all covered in concrete and labelled with a registration number.

Keeping climbing the steep path, but take a rest if you have to.

Unfortunately it isn't a very clear day, but you can just see the skyscrapers in the distance.

When you near the top, you'll notice a few apartment buildings. The Peak is prime real estate.

You'll see interesting vegetation...

...and lots of colors.

At the top of the path you'll find yourself at the base...

...of The Peak Tower.

The views get better from here. Can you see the harbor through the mist?

The Peak Tower is a big shopping mall with a viewing deck on top.

Climb the steps up the side.

Try to capture the magnificent views as you go.

On the opposite side of the Peak Tower you'll find a busy plaza and The Peak Galleria, a big shopping mall.

Turn right and walk along Harlech Road to escape the traffic.

You'll find a pleasant path around the crown of Victoria Peak, where families like to take Sunday afternoon strolls.

Watch out for unusual flowers...

...unusual roots...

...and other signs of life.

As you continue along the path you'll find a little waterfall to your right...

...and some amazing views of the south side of Hong Kong Island to your left.

Watch out for falling rocks...

...and continue your stroll around the Peak with the other visitors.

You might think this group is birdwatching, but in fact they are studying different types of leaves.

I found the roots more interesting.

When you are a third of the way around the Peak you'll find a cute picnic area full of families.

At the back left corner of the picnic area there are steps leading into the trees.

Follow the narrow path at the bottom of the steps into the woods.

After a few minutes you'll reach a clearing.

The steps continue to the left of the clearing.

Pay attention to the strange little things you'll see beside the path.

You are following a little-used trail.

You'll see scattered flowers beside the road.

As you climb further up the hill you'll be able to see the other hills on HK Island.

Look down at the buildings on the Repulse Bay side of the Island.

Keep climbing.

You can see the crowded north side of the island to your right. You're almost there...

At last, you'll be able to see the top of Mt. High West.

Stand on the platform and look at Kennedy town to the northwest...

...and Repulse Bay and Lamma Island to the south.

There are convenient maps so you can tell what you are looking at. Enjoy the breezes before returning down the hill...

...to the busy Peak Tower for a snack.

Take one last picture of the north side of the island before you go home.

Thanks for joining me on another Hong Kong walking tour. Thank you for coming back each week to check out a new side of this beautiful city.

Bookspotting: Week 41 - NaNoWriMo Edition

2011-11-07T14:20:00.000+08:00

This week my bookspotting involved a bunch of works-in-progress rather than proper books. It's National Novel Writing Month, and I'm giving it a try this year. My HK travel memoir is in the feedback and revision stage, so I decided to start a brand new project. It's another travel memoir that I've been thinking about writing for a long time. I'm sort of cheating since it isn't a novel, but it helps to have a daily word count target and other people to write alongside. To that end, I've been attending write-ins and meeting up with other Hong Kong writers in coffee shops this week. I've spotted aspiring authors working on mainstream fiction, YA, fantasy, dystopian, sequels to already completed works, and there's even a memoirist who is cheating like me.

Aside from the laptop-toting novelists, I spotted four people reading Chinese books this week and two people who were clearly reading in English, though I couldn't see the titles. I also saw two students carrying textbooks and two students walking and reading graphic novels at the same time.

What are people reading or writing in your town this week? Are you participating in NaNoWriMo?

PS. If you are a Hong Kong writer looking for writing buddies, email me at snyoung88@gmail.com

THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern

2011-11-05T10:42:00.000+08:00

THE GIST:

Two magicians use a unique circus as a venue for a grand competition.

THE VERDICT:

THE NIGHT CIRCUS is a rare book, the kind that transports you to another world and keeps you completely engaged from start to finish. Erin Morgenstern's tale of a circus is rich, enchanting and refreshingly unique.

The tale follows the students of two master illusionists who are pitted against each other within the boundaries of a turn-of-the-century circus. Not fully understanding the nature of the competition, they build wonders for the visitors and mesmerize a generation of circus-goers. The characters are expertly drawn, and Morgenstern develops the complicated relationships with genuine passion.

Morgenstern's prose is pure magic. She slowly builds the dream world of the circus using language that is evocative and elegant. This is the kind of book that does not come along very often, and I implore you to read it if you haven't done so already.

THE LINK:

Erin Morgenstern's website

THE COST:

$12.99 for the Kindle edition

THE QUESTION:

What was the last book you read that stood out as something uncommonly special?

Walking Tour: Goldfish Market

2011-11-02T12:55:00.000+08:00

This week I am taking you on a tour of a magical place, the goldfish market in Mongkok. Goldfish, which are notoriously difficult pets to keep alive, are considered good luck in Chinese culture. They soak up all the bad luck and when they die you get to remove the bad luck from your house.

Start the tour in busy Mongkok.

Any MTR station will do.

Make your way past street vendors and shops until you reach Argyle Street.

Cross Argyle Street...

...and walk straight.

You'll pass little noodle shops...

...Japanese candy stores...

...and windows full of refreshing mango desserts.

When you reach Fife Street turn right...

...where you'll see the overpasses...

...along Mong Kok Road.

Cross the road beneath the overpass.

You'll find a street with food vendors.

Stop for some of Hong Kong's famous street food if you're hungry...

...or grab an ice cream from another local favorite.

When you see fish tanks sitting by the side of the road you'll know you've come to the right place.

This is a street full of pet shops.

You'll see shop after shop of reptiles...

...and some very strange turtles.

You won't be the only person staring at the the tortoises from the street.

There are hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits here too.

I thought it was ironic to find roast poultry here.

Keep walking and you'll find your first fish store.

The fish hang in rows of plastic bags everywhere you look.

There are plants and supplies to brighten up your aquarium...

...and other pet supplies, like little outfits for dogs.

Oh, and I saw a few more tortoises.

I've never seen so many fish displayed like this.

I even spotted more goldfish shops across the road.

Cross Tung Choi Street...

...and pick out a few fish to take home.

It costs $3-5 US for a bag of fish, depending on how big they are.

You can also buy living plants and other sea creatures.

Pick out an arch or a little pirate ship to keep them company.

There are some big fish too.

Or you could buy a colorful crab instead.

Cross Bute Street...

...where you'll find more fish...

...and more fish.

Walk past shops selling pet supplies...

...and stop to take a picture of the street reflected in an aquarium.

Some of the buildings even look like aquariums.

Don't these tanks look like paintings from this angle?

I still like the fish in bags the best...

...and so do all of these people.

You could buy some tiny yellow frogs instead of fish.

Check out the extra colorful salt water tanks.

Or make do with the extra colorful fake topiary.

Don't forget to look up at the buildings every once in a while as you make your way through Mongkok.

This area is always crowded. Step out of the way to check on your fish.

We went a little overboard with our purchases.

Hopefully they're all safe in the bags.

These little red guys ended up trying to bite the other fish, so we had to separate them again.

Pick up a few fish care supplies...

...walk past the last few shops...

...the last few racks of fish...

...and the displays of aquarium pebbles.

Say goodbye to Mongkok...

...and get the fish settled in their new home.

Thanks for joining me on this tour of the goldfish market. I hope you'll come back next week for another Hong Kong walking tour!

Bookspotting: Week 40

2011-10-31T09:49:00.000+08:00

I have to be honest, I didn't do very much bookspotting this week because I was completely absorbed by The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I almost missed my stop on the MTR a few times, and I wasn't paying much attention to the readers around me. It's a magical book, which I'll be reviewing later this week. I did see a teenage boy reading The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan and I'm pretty sure it's the same boy I saw reading a Percy Jackson book last week. I saw two different people reading Chinese books in KFC, and I noticed a western woman reading a dog-eared novel on the train, though I couldn't see the title.

What are people reading in your town this week. What are you reading right now?

THE PORTABLE MFA IN CREATIVE WRITING by The New York Writers Workshop

2011-10-27T09:22:00.001+08:00

THE GIST:

MFA holders and professional writers write about how you don't actually need an MFA to learn how to write.
THE VERDICT:

I've been learning everything I can about writing over the last year. My English degree was all about reading and analyzing literature and writing academic essays. I have only recently felt the compulsion to write in my own time. I mentioned earlier this week that I am thinking about doing an MFA, but since I'm still paying for that first degree I probably won't do it this year. This book reinforced my sense that I can do things that are equivalent to an MFA without actually being enrolled in a program. The authors say to read carefully, write a lot, and join a critique group, all things I am doing already. They outline the benefits of an MFA (a writing community, feedback, access to publishing contacts and stellar faculty) but do not believe it is a necessary investment.

The book is divided into five sections (fiction, personal essays and memoir, magazine writing, poetry and script-writing). I skimmed the poetry and script sections, which offered interesting things to think about but were not as relevant to me. The fiction section focused on the short story form. There were writing exercises and helpful reminders about character building, plot and tension. The author outlined the different types of conflict and how to craft each one. I am writing creative non-fiction, but the components of a good fiction story are just as important to practice for my narrative. The memoir section analyzed effective personal essays and described how to express your honest voice in an engaging way. It addressed scene-building, dialogue, and how to tell the truth when crafting a memoir.

I think this book would be most useful for someone who has been intentionally practicing the craft of writing for a little while. I recently finished the second draft of a travel memoir about my first year in Hong Kong, and I scrutinized my work based on the advice in this book. It was encouraging to find that I am already doing many of the things they suggest intuitively, and for that I credit my voracious reading habit. It helped me figure out some of the things I need to do better (dialogue, for example) and I will go back and reread various sections of the book as I continue to revise. ON WRITING by Stephen King is still the best writing book out there for beginners, but this book is a good tool for those who want to take their work to the next level.

THE LINK:

The New York Writers Workshop

THE COST:

$8.99 for the Kindle edition

THE QUESTION:

What do you think about MFAs? Do you have one? Do you consider it a good investment? How do you learn to write?