Celebrating its 26th year at the Hong Kong Convention Exhibition Center (HKCEC), The Hong Kong Book Fair brings world renowned paper backs, paintings, stationary and a little bit of literary magic all under one big roof.
Find a wealth of books, from historical classics written by Montefiore to philosophical novels from de Botton. This year’s Book Fair – with a theme of “Reading the World Love at First Book” – takes place at HKCEC from 15th-21st July and is expecting more than 580 exhibitors ranging from over 30 countries and regions - Hong Kong book lovers will be spoiled for choice! Over 300 events will be organised with a wide range of authors taking part, so keep a look out for some familiar faces and get that book signed!
2014 marked a milestone in the Hong Kong Book Fair’s history with 1 million people visiting the exhibition - and undoubtedly this year will be no different. This does however mean one thing. Manic lines. Timing is everything, so to avoid the whirlwind literary thirsty crowds, be the early bird that catches the worm, and pop in before lunch.
The first port of call is to get yourself a map from the Book Fair staff outside the main first floor exhibition. It is a literal literary labyrinth. So if you’re not keen on aimlessly browsing, and have a special book or genre in mind, it’s good to plan your route before you enter!
Being new to the Book Fair scene, I was unsure what to expect. Would it be filled with self-confessed book snobs who avidly read every best seller? Would I feel a little out of my reading depth? The minute I entered through the doors, I could see that this was definitely not the case - the fair tailors for every type of reader. It was a bubbling hub of families, businessmen and students from all different walks of life, bopping in and out of stalls taking in all the literary gems.
I headed straight for the HKU press and Aromix Books stalls for some published inspiration, and couldn’t have been more pleased to see an appealing array of history books. Being your typical history nerd, I dove right in. Ben Macintyre’s no.1 best seller, A Spy Among Friends immediately caught my attention, and no sooner had I glance at the front page, I found myself at the cash register. However my curiosity didn’t stop there; I browsed through philosophical paperbacks, travelling novels, poetry, business and comedic writings. There was a little something for every bibliophile out there!
If I could leave you with one word of advice it would be: go! Bring a backpack or that big handbag you’ve secretly been saving for such an occasion, and go explore the literary geniuses of our time. But hurry, it only lasts until 21st July!