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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.
Hu Anyan is pictured during his days working as a courier in China. His book, I Deliver Parcels in Beijing, is a visceral, ground-level tour of China’s service economy over two decades – a world of cramped alleyway deliveries, managerial scorn and the physical toll of freelance work. Photo: Hu Anyan
Chinese culture

He worked 19 low-paid jobs, then wrote a book about them. Now he works no more

Hu Anyan, whose ‘I Deliver Parcels in Beijing’ has sold over 2 million copies, will speak at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival.

Editor's Letter

This week in PostMag: the many layers of Macau

My Life

Barrister by day, jazz singer by night – and that’s only half the story

New Openings

The buzziest openings in Hong Kong, from Japanese delights to a new literary museum

Hana no Kumo puts a spin on the kappou experience, HKMU launches the Museum of Modern Chinese Literature, and Swim Club brings Californian cool to the Kimpton.

The outdoor pool at Swim Club at Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui, which boasts impressive harbour views. Photo: Swim Club
Hollywood

Betty Boop, Nancy Drew and Miss Marple all enter public domain

With their 95-year copyrights finished, iconic characters, films and musicians from the Jazz Age can be used without permission or payment.

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US-China relations

US poet laureate Arthur Sze on slowing down to translate poetry across cultures

As the first Asian-American poet laureate, Sze reflects on Chinese cultural inheritance and poetry’s role beyond borders.

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Food and Drinks

C-Y Chia’s plant-based dishes from Lion Dance Cafe coming to Singapore

Chef C-Y Chia, who is returning to Singapore after 13 years in the US, has put some favourite plant-based dishes into a new recipe book.

Popular dishes from Lion Dance Cafe in Oakland, California, such as pink salad with radicchio, black vinegar, walnuts and grapes, in the new cookbook. Photo: Instagram/liondancecafe
World of performing arts

John Skelley’s Harry Potter journey from Broadway understudy to star

Every time Skelley thinks he’s done with the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, ‘opportunity kind of keeps coming back’.

American cinema

How The Joy Luck Club opened the door for majority-Asian casts in Hollywood

The Joy Luck Club (1993) is a complex tale of intergenerational trauma focusing on four Chinese mothers and their daughters in San Francisco.

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Fame and celebrity

Meet Laura Lynne Jackson, psychic medium to Hollywood celebrities

Meghan Markle and Dior creative director Jonathan Anderson are also reportedly fans of the divinatory arts.

Laura Lynne Jackson is Gwyneth Paltrow’s go-to medium. Photo: @lauralynnejackson/Instagram
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

3 forgotten Hong Kong wuxia gems from director Chor Yuen

Chor Yuen’s Duel for Gold, Clans of Intrigue and Jade Tiger may be less famous than some of his other films, but are just as groundbreaking.

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Ti Lung in a still from Clans of Intrigue (1977). Photo: Celestial Pictures
Obituaries

In memoriam: 29 beloved celebrities we lost in 2025

We remember stars from the worlds of Hollywood, TV, music, fashion and more, from Jane Goodall to Giorgio Armani and Hulk Hogan.

Taylor Swift

All about the Taylor Swift-approved book, The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

In an episode of her new Disney+ docuseries, Swift listened to this Barack Obama-recommended book by Liz Moore – now it’s coming to Netflix.

European travel

The quiet English landscapes that shaped Jane Austen’s world

An exploration of southern England in the footsteps of Jane Austen, born 250 years ago this month.

People dressed in period costume attend the Jane Austen Regency Country Fair, on July 6, in Steventon, Hampshire. Photo: Getty Images
Fame and celebrity

Meet Rachel Reid, author of the books behind Heated Rivalry

The Canadian author grew up obsessed with ice hockey and wrote the books in part to address the homophobia in the sport.

Rachel Reid at the premiere of Heated Rivalry at TIFF Lightbox in Toronto, Ontario. Photo: Getty Images
Hong Kong

Hidden histories of China revealed at rare book fair in Hong Kong

At Firsts Hong Kong, several rare book exhibits gave visitors the chance to peruse first-hand accounts of China’s complex past.

Science

Open Questions | Sci-fi writer Liu Cixin on why he’ll be happy if AI surpasses humans

Acclaimed author of the Three-Body trilogy also discusses his ‘dark forest’ theory, and the struggle to come up with original ideas.

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Obituaries

Renowned British photographer Martin Parr dies at 73

The celebrated photographer documented everything from beach life to global consumerism across a decades-spanning career.

Martin Parr during a photo session in Paris on October 31, 2025. Photo: AFP
Timepieces

6 lush coffee table books to gift the watch lover in your life

These tomes tell of timepieces owned by powerful women like Elizabeth Taylor and hip-hop stars such as Busta Rhymes, to iconic pilot watches from the Cartier Santos to the Omega Speedmaster.

Obituaries

Oscar-winning UK playwright Tom Stoppard dies aged 88

His work ranges from plays like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead to the film Shakespeare in Love, which scooped seven Academy Awards.

Fashion

Who is Jeffrey Banks and why did Ralph Lauren call him his ‘other son’?

Designer Jeffrey Banks recounts over 50 years in fashion in his memoir, including when Lauren gave him one of his own suits to wear to prom.

Jeffrey Banks is photographed at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York in 2022. Banks, a fashion icon, shares his journey in a new memoir, Storyteller: Tales from a Fashion Insider. Photo: AP
Fashion

8 viral tote bags: Emily Ratajkowski’s Daunt Books tote and more

Trader Joe’s micro bags have brought totes into the conversation again – here are a few that have taken off and are gaining cult status.

Emily Ratajkowski with a Daunt Books tote. Photo: Getty Images
Macau

Ghosts, gamblers and green velvet: the strange magic of Lawrence Osborne’s world

The novelist behind Colin Farrell’s new Macau-set film noir, The Ballad of a Small Player, reveals how his art imitates his life.

LGBTQ

Hong Kong pop-up Queer Room gives ‘alternative individuals’ a place to connect

Until December 14, the inclusive Sheung Wan space welcomes guests with LGBTQ literature and group talks. Here are some of its coming events.

Wellness

How to live to 100? Tips from Blue Zone pioneer on how to boost longevity

Learn to cook, give white rice a chance – cookbook author Dan Buettner gives advice based on his research into the longest-living communities.

A 15-minute pasta dish featured in The Blue Zones Kitchen: One Pot Meals. Author Dan Buettner says learning to cook at home gives you control over your ingredients, which can help you eat in a way that promotes longevity. Photo: Instagram/bluezones
TV shows and streaming video

A look inside The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood’s new memoir

Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts reveals secrets behind some of Atwood’s most famous novels as well as moments of frustration and betrayal.

Margaret Atwood speaks during an interview in New York in November 2025. The author unveils her secrets, inspirations and resilience in her new memoir. Photo: AP
Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for November 20-22

Pack your weekend with special cocktail offerings, from socially conscious drinks at Socio to a Shakespeare-inspired menu at Madara.

Editor's Letter

This week in PostMag: zines find their moment and Tasmania beckons

In the latest issue, we explore the city’s booming zine scene, and talk to author Lawrence Osborne about his Macau novel-turned-Netflix noir.

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