Bookspotting: Week 43

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

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

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

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

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.