Bookspotting: Week 56

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

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

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 :)

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

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

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

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.