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Books and literature

Books and literature
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Books and literature. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Visitors browse books at the booths during the last day of Hong Kong Book Fair, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, on July 21. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong society

Editorial | Hong Kong Book Fair offers hope for a future full of reading

The city’s annual book fair plays an important role in boosting reading and sales, and its success suggests the appeal of reading will endure.

Crime

Terrorism trial opens in stabbing of author Salman Rushdie

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As I see it | How an obscure psychologist reshaped the Homeric hero

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong Book Fair: early birds slam chaotic queues to meet girl band Collar

‘This was my first time at the book fair, and it has been deeply disappointing,’ one fan says on opening day for city’s annual book fair.

A big draw on Wednesday was an autograph signing by girl group Collar. Photo: Facebook/Collar
Chinese culture

‘I never felt ready’: author on finally writing her Chinese grandmother’s story

Elizabeth Lim reveals why it took her 10 years to write Fishbone Cinderella about her grandmother’s journey from Hong Kong to San Francisco.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

6 surprising facts from Jet Li’s new book, including his near-death moment

From his many names to dishwasher woes, Beyond Life and Death shares things about the Chinese martial artist fans may not have been aware of.

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Taylor Swift

Meet the Paisleys, whose non-profit is backed by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

Kimberly Williams-Paisley starred on ABC TV series According to Jim, while Brad Paisley was a successful country music singer in the 2000s … who knew Tay-Tay before she was famous.

“Went to a thing,” Kimberly Williams-Paisley coyly captioned this photo of her and Brad Paisley, referring to Taylor Swift’s wedding on July 5. Photos: @kimberlywilliamspaisley/Instagram, FilmMagic
European travel

A new literary festival in a tiny French village has a Hong Kong connection

Michelle Garnaut, founder of M at the Fringe in Hong Kong, has launched a festival in France blending literature, music and community spirit.

Asian cinema: Japanese films

Author Eiko Kadono is 91, loves pink and never tires of writing

Eiko Kadono has written 200 books and does not intend to stop. One of her stories, Kiki’s Delivery Service, became a Studio Ghibli anime hit.

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Hong Kong politics

Taiwan’s leader pays tribute to Hong Kong bookseller Lam Wing-kee after his death

‘I want to express my deepest condolences to his family, friends and all those who care about freedom and democracy in Hong Kong,’ William Lai says in Facebook post.

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Lam Wing-kee in 2016. He said he had been kidnapped and blindfolded at the border and subsequently held in solitary confinement. Photo: Robert Ng
Hong Kong national security law

Hong Kong national security police arrest 2 bookshop owners over alleged sedition

Hunter Bookstore owners, former district councillor Leticia Wong and local man arrested on suspicion of committing acts with seditious intent.

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Leticia Wong owns Hunter Bookstore in Sham Shui Po. Photo: Natalie Wong
Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for June 25-27

Phnom Penh’s Sora pops up at Terrible Baby, Bangkok’s Sundry takes over Friday After Class, and Shakespeare-inspired Madara cocktails land at Alibi.

Food and Drinks

Davina Chang on food and community as her Paris cafe Bing Sutt closes

The @thecolordiet content creator moved to Paris and built a thoughtful space serving Hong Kong favourites; she’s since authored a cookbook, A Taste of Hong Kong.

Audrey Hepburn

New Audrey Hepburn biography is an emotional roller coaster of joy and tragedy

Intimate Audrey reveals new stories regarding the British icon famous for films including Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Roman Holiday.

Audrey Hepburn in a still from Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). A new biography, Intimate Audrey, co-written by her son Sean Hepburn Ferrer and Wendy Holden, has recently been released. Photo: Paramount Pictures
Taiwan

How a prize-winning Taiwanese novel could stoke Beijing’s worries over history

Yang Shuang-zi’s Taiwan Travelogue wins the International Booker Prize – and reignites debate over the island’s shifting identity.

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Author Yang Shuang-zi (left) and translator Lin King pose with their 2026 International Booker Prize trophies at the Tate Modern in London on May 19. Photo: EPA
Chinese culture

As I see it | What the I Ching is really about

While it may depart from scientific axioms, readers can glean much about their circumstances by consulting the Book of Changes.

Chinese culture

‘Night of Horrors’: LA’s Chinese massacre of 1871 brought to fore in new book

Lisa See’s novel Daughters of the Sun and Moon revisits the terrible events that saw around 500 people attack the city’s Chinese residents.

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Fashion

How to style like … 4 famous authors with distinctive personal styles

Channel these famous writers with the help of Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Valentino and Saint Laurent – perhaps inspiration will strike, too.

Tom Wolfe, Joan Didion, Colson Whitehead and Zadie Smith have personal styles that are as creative as their writing. Photos: Getty Images, WireImage
Fame and celebrity

6 famous Eton College alums, from Prince Harry to Tom Hiddleston

Besides Princess Diana’s sons William and Harry, actors Eddie Redmayne and Tom Hiddleston, and authors George Orwell and Ian Fleming, were all educated at the famous boarding school.

Fifa World Cup

Photo book This is Football celebrates the game as the Fifa World Cup kicks off

As the biggest tournament in world football kicks off, this lavish book looks back at seminal moments involving Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pelé and more.

Food and Drinks

The magic of mushrooms, from foraging to fine dining

Taschen’s coffee-table book The Gourmand’s Mushroom looks at how fungi are portrayed in art, literature and music, and explores the health benefits of various species.

Alice Schillaci’s Untitled (2018). Photos: The Gourmand’s Mushroom, published by Taschen
Travel news and advice

5 hot places and happenings to check out this summer

Explore Versace at a Paris museum, view Arthur Elgort’s photos in Los Angeles, shop at Selfridges, relax at Sant Roch sauna, and peruse The Mark Hotel’s new book.

Visit The Beverley Hills Hotel this summer to see an exhibition of works by celebrated fashion photographer Arthur Elgort. Photo: Handout
Obituaries

‘Persepolis’ author Marjane Satrapi dies ‘of sadness’ aged 56

The renowned graphic novel and film adaptation recount her early life and struggles in the shadow of the 1979 Iranian revolution.

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Hong Kong

Hong Kong author Kit Fan on ‘reverse migration’, identity and his new novel

The UK-based writer, whose Goodbye Chinatown follows a food-centric family between Hong Kong and London, talks about how places change people.

Architecture and design

How buildings and cities shape our lives, from ancient Rome to Hong Kong today

Architectural scholar Stefan Al compresses 2 million years of human habitation into 258 pages in his new book, Dwelling on Earth.

General view in Central district of Hong Kong. Xia Baolong, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office has called on HK to improve its executive-led governance model, arguing the legislative and judicial branches should support the government as they perform “on the same stage” and should not undermine each other. 26JAN26 SCMP / Jelly Tse
Chinese culture

She rejected her Chinese heritage as a child. Now, she writes about it

Scottish-born Eliza Chan, who once dropped out of medical school, is a fantasy writer who marries Eastern myths with Western folklore.

Eliza Chan speaking at the Manchester Literature Festival in 2025. The writer, who grew up in Scotland, went from rejecting her Chinese heritage to embracing it. Photo: Chris Payne
Space

How should we greet aliens? Neil deGrasse Tyson has the answer

In his new book, Take Me to Your Leader, Neil deGrasse Tyson examines what we can anticipate from first contact and how to react.

TV shows and streaming video

Meet Belmont Cameli, who plays Garrett Graham in Amazon Prime Video’s Off Campus

In the wake of the smash hit Heated Rivalry, Amazon Prime Video’s latest series is creating buzz – so just who is the show’s heartthrob?

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