Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Wednesday Dim Sum: Hong Kong International Literary Festival


The Hong Kong International Literary Festival begins in two weeks. It will take place at various venues throughout the city from March 8-18. This will be my first HK Literary Festival, and I volunteered to help at some of the evening and weekend EVENTS. I haven't confirmed which ones will need me yet, but I will post about the events I attend as they happen. These are some of my top picks and I'll definitely buy tickets for these ones if I don't get to help out:

Three Hacks on China - Thursday, March 10th - 19:30-21:00 - Jonathan Watts, Peter Hessler, Frank Ching

An Evening with Emma Donoghue - Friday, March 11th - 19:00-20:30 - Emma Donoghue

Surviving the Modern World - Sunday, March 13th - 18:00-19:30 - Xu Xi, Rajeev Balasubramanyam, Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

In preparation for these talks, I am planning to read ROOM by Emma Donoghue, COUNTRY DRIVING by Peter Hessler, WHEN A BILLION CHINESE JUMP by Jonathan Watts, and HABIT OF A FOREIGN SKY by Xu Xi. If I have time I'll read the other two Hessler books on his travels in China: RIVER TOWN and ORACLE BONES, and then try to work my way through some of the other authors featured in the festival.

Are any of you Hong Kong people attending the Literary Festival events? Has anyone else read these books before?

12 comments:

  1. Sadly, a bit far away for me - but can't wait to read your impressions of it all. Enjoy yourself, and give us inside details!

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  2. Sounds like a wonderful event to be involved in. I haven't read any of those books but I hear Room is fabulous! Keep us posted.

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  3. Hi Shannon - thanks for the follow on my blog, especially because it helped me find yours! I love reading about people's experiences abroad, having had my own. Anything to satisfy my wanderlust, and love of books, and your blog does both! I can't wait to read more. Enjoy the festival. I did read "Room" by the way and posted a review of it on my blog in early January. It was good, but I was a little disappointed by the back half.

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  4. Sounds like a great event, I'm looking forward to your posts from a behind the scenes look.

    Shoot me an email if you want "Room" as an ePub.

    http://www.ManOfLaBook.com

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  5. I have read several articles & a book and a half of Peter Hessler's- he's an excellent writer and spent many years in China in the Peace Corps and also writing. If you get a chance to see him, definitely do!!!!! Sounds so interesting, do keep us updated!

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  6. How exciting. You have to tell us every detail! Especially to those of us living in one horse towns.

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  7. How cool! I so wish I could come. I'd be all over the Emma Donoghue evening. I read Room recently and loved it. We're reading it for our book club next month too.

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  8. Thanks everyone! ROOM is the book I've heard the most about and I'm looking forward to starting it after work today. I will keep you all informed when the festival kicks off!

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  9. Sounds wonderful, hope you enjoy it.

    I think I will try The Gambler next in my quest to enjoy Russian Literature! I think I would like Crime and Punishment if I read it now, I was too young for it the first time.

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  10. I was excited to see that you followed my blog! I look forward to keeping trap of your adventures in Hong Kong! By the way, I love my Kindle. No more packing books when I travel...just pack the Kindle and go!!! It's wonderful having a (should I admit it?) nearly 500 book library at my fingertips!!!

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  11. Hi Kathy! I love how your blog reminds me of all the books I used to love as a child. Thanks for joining me here!

    Sam, I hope you enjoy The Gambler. I loved Crime and Punishment too, and it might be worth giving it another try!

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  12. Can't believe I'll miss it! Came out to Hong Kongfor relocation "look-see" from 16-26 Feb and saw all the signs on the MTR. Will be returning for 3 years mid to end April.

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