Culture - Sassy Hong Kong

The Best Bookstores In Hong Kong: Where To Buy English Books

Team Sassy — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 22:00:41 +0000

From large bookstore chains like eslite to stores stocking more specialised books like Kelly & Walsh and second hand bookshops, here are our favourite English bookstores in Hong Kong.

There are a number of book lovers on the team, and we’d all agree that nothing can beat the feel and smell of a physical book. If your ideal weekend involves popping into a bookstore “just for a browse” (we say – but inevitably buy), then allow us to direct you to the nearest bookstore in your area, or perhaps help you discover a new favourite shop to pick up the latest releases, rare titles and more. In this list, we’ve curated 15 bookstores in Hong Kong that stock English language books.

eslite – Well-stocked Taiwanese bookstore chain

With its Hong Kong flagship store in Causeway Bay spanning three floors and more than 40,000 square feet, Taiwanese lifestyle bookstore chain eslite is a wonderland of printed offerings, with hundreds of thousands of titles to choose from – a good number of which are in English! Whenever we’re here, we can never skip passing through the stationery section which stocks a superb range of local and international brands.

eslite, various locations across Hong Kong, 3419 6789, www.eslitecorp.com

Kelly & Walsh – Independent bookstore in Admiralty stocking art books and more

As bookstores in Hong Kong go, you can’t get better than Kelly & Walsh for all things art and culinary. This pick boasts an impressive and in-depth selection of titles, all housed in an intimate, boutique-style shop. The bookstore also hosts author talks and signings, so be sure to look out for events on Kelly & Walsh’s Facebook page!

Kelly & Walsh, Shop 204, Level 2, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, 2801 6131, www.facebook.com/Kellyandwalsh

TASCHEN – Flagship bookshop in Tai Kwun selling books on art and design

With its oversized art books on display and animal-print couches, TASCHEN could almost be mistaken for an art gallery. The Tai Kwun flagship bookstore is its first (and only!) post in Asia. The shop exclusively sells books it publishes, which largely include tomes on contemporary art. From photography to comics and fashion, TASCHEN might appeal especially to art aficionados, but it caters to everyone.

TASCHEN, Shop 01-G02, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2544 8016, www.taschen.com

Bookazine – The go-to bookshop and online bookstore for new and best-selling titles

As one of the oldest bookstores in Hong Kong (established way back in 1985!), Bookazine is a great stop if you want to get your hands on new releases, best-sellers of last-minute gifts. There are six locations across the city, each offering a unique browsing experience. You can also save your time skimming through shelves by looking up the book you’re after on its online bookstore.

Bookazine, various locations across Hong Kong, 2555 0431, www.bookazine.com.hk

Kubrick – Art and design books, speciality magazines, novels and more

For a curated selection of books in an uber-cool setting, head to Kubrick. This hip little bookstore stocks a range of art and design books, speciality magazines, novels and more. Kubrick highly values film, music and local culture, so you can find a wealth of DVDs, vinyl records and movie posters here too. It’s the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon with its own cafe, and even an art-house cinema next door!

Kubrick, Shop H2, Prosperous Garden, 3 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2384 8929, www.kubrick.com.hk

Hong Kong Book Centre – A vast collection of English fiction and classic literature

Part of the Swindon Group, the Hong Kong Book Centre is located in a basement space on Des Voeux Road and has a extensive selection of English fiction and classic literature. Chances are you’ll be able to find or order any book you need here. The spacious bookstore also houses a decent assortment of greeting cards, notebooks and stationery if you’re looking to stock up.

Hong Kong Book Centre, On Lok Yuen Building Lower Level, 25 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, 2522 7064, www.swindonbooks.com

Read More: 10 Poetry Books To Read Now

Books & Co. – A cosy bookstore and coffee shop filled with second hand books

Mirror fans might recognise this bookstore from a certain Anson Lo video. Just a short walk from Sai Ying Pun MTR station, Books & Co. will have you surrounded by shelves and stacks of pre-loved books. We like to come here specifically for its fantastic selection of fiction, including mystery, fantasy and romance. The shop also offers food and drinks, allowing you to cosy up with your book and a warm cuppa.

Books & Co., 10 Park Road, Mid Levels, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, 2559 5199, www.facebook.com/BooksAndCo

Lily Bookshop and Flow Bookshop – Independent bookstores housing rare copies and second hand books

Lily Bookshop is home to a rare collection of mostly English second-hand titles, specialising in antique, first-edition and out-of-print books. Stocked with everything from autobiographies to cookbooks and classic novels, there are plenty of titles you’ll want to take home from this independent bookstore. After merging due to rising rent, Lily shares its location with Flow, a cosy second-hand bookshop where you can find pre-owned gems for as little as $40.

Lily Bookshop and Flow Bookshop, 1/F, Kai Fung Building, 189 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 6977 5833, www.facebook.com/lilybookshophk

Cosmos Books – Popular English titles, magazines & stationery

This Wan Chai bookstore stocks a variety of English and Chinese books and boasts a particularly good social science section. It’s also known to host book fairs and book launch conferences throughout the year, so stay tuned for upcoming events on its Facebook page.

Cosmos Books, Basement & 1, 30 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2865 0708, www.facebook.com/cosmosbooks.hk

Read More: 11 LGBTQI+ Books To Read

Joint Publishing (HK) – Local bookstore chain with a wide selection of Chinese and English books

With an impressive 14 locations across the city, we’re sure you’re no stranger to this local bookstore chain. On top of stocking all types of books, some branches also host book fairs and other cultural events. It’s also a great place to pick up stationery! If you’re looking to enjoy your book with a cup of tea, head to either the Wan Chai or Yuen Long location, which both house a small cafe where you can sit and enjoy your book.

Joint Publishing (HK), various locations across Hong Kong, 2523 0105, www.jointpublishing.com

Lok Man Rare Books – A rare collection of first editions and valuable folios

Lok Man Rare Books offers a vast array of rare reads, from valuable folios to first editions of modern and classical literature, children’s literature and more. The proprietor of this bookstore, Lorence Johnston, also offers visitors personal guidance and is readily accessible if you need help sourcing extremely rare books. The bookstore also doubles as a sophisticated venue for private cocktail parties and wine-tasting events.

Lok Man Rare Books, G/F, 6 Chancery Lane, Central, Hong Kong, 2868 1056, www.lokmanbooks.com

Read More: The Best Museums In Hong Kong

VIBE Book & Music Shop – Eclectic second-hand bookstore on Lantau

A one-stop-shop for all things entertainment in Mui Wo, VIBE sells an eclectic mix of new and pre-loved books, alongside a collection of CDs, DVDs, vinyl LPs and more. This second-hand bookstore scores extra points for supporting local artisans, authors and musicians by stocking their creations, and running events to showcase their work.

VIBE Book & Music Shop, Shop E, Silver Centre, Silvermine Bay, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, 9088 2370, www.vibehk.com

Clark’s Comics – Book retailer of US comics and collector’s items

Are you a bit of a nerd for comic books? Clark’s Comics has been around since 1993 and is by far the city’s largest comic retailer. You’ll find everything from Japanese manga, Marvel and DC comics and graphic novels to action figures and collectible toys to display on your bookshelf.

Clark’s Comics, Shop B13, Basement, Causeway Bay Centre, 15-23 Sugar Street, Causeway Bay, 2890 7718, www.facebook.com/ClarksComicsHK

一拳書館 Book Punch – Local independent bookstore with cosy reading nooks

If you’re wandering around Sham Shui Po or Quarry Bay, it’s worth stopping by this unique independent bookstore. What sets this local gem apart is its clear appreciation for authors and their work. Its first store in Sham Shui Po has a cosy reading corner, perfect for starting a new book, and we were very happy to hear that a second location opened in Quarry Bay at the end of last year.

一拳書館 Book Punch, 3/F, Tai Nan Street, 169-171 Tai Nan Commercial Building, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/bookpunch
二拳書館 Book Punch Quarry Bay , Shop N, Tai Lung House, 123 Quarry Bay Street, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/BookPunch.QB

Muse Art & Books – Hidden bookstore housing artisanal books and rare titles

Hidden in the basement of Hotel Stage is Muse Art & Books, a treasure trove of artisanal books and rare titles. The bookstore features a broad range of books, including a small section dedicated to Yau Ma Tei. Sit down with your book at one of its many reading tables or at the adjoining cafe. It’s also worth visiting the hotel’s art gallery, which features the works of different local and international artists.

Muse Art & Books, B/F, Hotel Stage, 1 Chi Wo Street, Jordan, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3953 2203, www.hotelstage.com/the-muse

Editor’s Note: “The Best Bookstores In Hong Kong” was most recently updated by Nicole Moraleda in April 2024. With thanks to Jessica Wai and Sakina Abidi for their contribution.

The post The Best Bookstores In Hong Kong: Where To Buy English Books appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

The Best Movie Theatres & Cinemas In Hong Kong

Sakina Abidi — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 22:00:58 +0000

The best movie theatres and cinemas in Hong Kong to catch movie blockbusters, film festivals, screenings and more.

Whether you’re in the mood for an independent art house release or the latest blockbuster, there’s really nothing better than heading to a movie theatre, grabbing some popcorn and settling down to watch a film. Sure, we love staying in and streaming but our city is home to plenty of cinema chains (like Broadway Circuit and MCL Cinemas), exclusive movie theatres (like M+ Cinema and K11 Art House), and film festivals that are worth experiencing in person. Plus, like visiting art exhibitions and museums, it’s a nice bonus of keeping you cool or dry should the weather disappoint. There’s really no shortage of movie theatres and cinemas in Hong Kong (with at least 58 being open to the public year-round!), so we’ve narrowed the list down to our favourites!

Read More: What To Watch This Month

Our Favourite Cinemas & Movie Theatres In Hong Kong

K11 Art House

Brought to us by MCL Cinema, K11 MUSEA’s movie theatre K11 Art House boasts 12 screening houses, each fitted with IMAX® or ultra-high-definition 4K laser projection and Dolby sound systems. As expected from the cultural-lifestyle hub, this cinema hall screens big-time Hollywood blockbusters and English-language hits, local Cantonese films and movies from the Asia Pacific region and even restored director’s cuts from time to time.

Highlights: IMAX with Laser 3D movie screenings, late-night showtimes and 4K restored director’s cuts

K11 Art House, 4/F, K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, www.mclcinema.com

Read More: Your Neighbourhood Guide To Tsim Sha Tsui

M+ Cinema

M+ Cinema proudly presents seasonal programmes curated specially for you and the movie enthusiasts in your life. Enjoy showcases of artists’ films, documentaries and narrative features, previews of highly-anticipated local and foreign films, forgotten gems and old classics in original 35mm film prints, and post-screening discussions. Screenings are generally $85 for adults and $68 for concession.

Highlights: Exclusive previews of highly anticipated films and special screenings of award-winning movies

M+ Cinema, M+, 38 Museum Drive, West Kowloon Cultural District, West Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, www.mplus.org.hk

Read More: Must-See Hong Kong Art Exhibitions

PALACE ifc

Part of Broadway Circuit, PALACE ifc (544 seats, five houses) is located in the heart of Central, making it an ideal choice for an after-work movie during the week. Along with local movies and Hollywood releases, this cinema is a regular venue for screening specials, which include but are not limited to curated selections of foreign-language films (like Japanese, French and German), director retrospectives and showings from drama theatres. Screenings usually run from 10:25am on weekdays and 8:30am on weekends until 11:15pm.

Highlights: A regular venue for Broadway Circuit’s seasonal film screening specials, like its current The Met: Live in HD 2023/24 Season, Royal Opera House 2024

PALACE ifc, Shop 1058B, 1/F, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, ifc.com.hk, www.cinema.com.hk

The Metroplex, E-MAX

Located in the iconic Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre (KITEC), The Metroplex cinema features over 1,100 seats across nine houses, each fitted with 4K digital projectors and Dolby 7.1 Surround sound. Part of the Cinema City circuit, head here for more intimate movie dates at one of its exclusive VIP houses — House 7, 8 and 9 — which seat just up to 20 people each.

Highlights: 20-seat VIP houses that are perfect for intimate movie dates or group bookings and midnight showings

The Metroplex, E-MAX, Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre (KITEC), 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, www.cinemacity.com.hk

Read More: Your Ultimate Hong Kong Bucket List

Broadway Cinematheque

Broadway Circuit’s dedicated cinema concept space, the Broadway Cinematheque has been around since 1996 and has been part of the city’s local film culture with director retrospectives, thematic film programmes, seminars, courses, and more! This is the ideal location when you’re searching for restored director’s cuts, Oscar-winning movies, and foreign language films like ones in Arabic, German, French and Japanese. And don’t miss the Kubrick bookstore and vintage-style DVD shop where you can buy movie posters!

Highlights: Venue for Broadway Circuit’s seasonal film screening specials, like its current “Christopher Nolan In Focus” programme and the bc x HKU Film Club.

Broadway Cinematheque, Prosperous Garden, 3 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong, bc.cinema.com.hk

Read More: The Best Bookstores In Hong Kong

MOViE MOViE Pacific Place & MOViE MOViE Cityplaza

For the latest Hollywood and local blockbusters, arthouse gems and acclaimed international films, look to MOViE MOViE Pacific Place in Admiralty (581 seats, six houses) and MOViE MOViE Cityplaza in Tai Koo (987 seats, seven houses)! Part of Hong Kong’s Broadway Circuit, both cinemas feature special houses with state-of-the-art equipment like laser projection and premium sound, and exclusive VIP lounges (The Oval Office & MM Moments) for a luxurious viewing experience. Screenings usually run from 11:30am to 9pm.

Highlights: An annual “Life is Art” film festival runs at the end of every year with film screenings in-cinema, on TV and online, conversations with filmmakers and artists, as well as community screenings, exhibitions and workshops. MOViE MOViE also occasionally hosts Broadway Circuit’s seasonal film screening specials, like its current Royal Opera House 2024 shows.

MOViE MOViE Pacific Place, L1, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, www.pacificplace.com.hk, www.cinema.com.hk
MOViE MOViE Cityplaza, 5/F, Cityplaza, 18 Taikoo Shing Road, Tai Koo, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong, www.cinema.com.hk, www.moviemovie.com.hk

Space Theatre, Hong Kong Space Museum

Situated inside the iconic Hong Kong Space Museum, the Space Theatre commands a 23 metres-diameter hemispherical screen (you can spot its telltale dome from outside!). Here you’ll find 3D Dome Shows and the first OMNIMAX projection system in the Eastern Hemisphere that turns the museum into a planetarium. Choose between Dome Shows, Sky Shows and 3D Dome Shows and make sure to check the language of your show (English or Cantonese). There are also headphones offering Cantonese, Mandarin and English should you need a translation. Tickets usually run between $12 to $32.

Highlights: A fully automated audiovisual computer system projecting sky shows and OMNIMAX projection system for 3D Dome Shows

Space Theatre, Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, www.lcsd.gov.hk

Read More: The Best Museums In Hong Kong

B+ cinema MOKO

B+ cinema MOKO in Mong Kok East boasts 749 seats across five houses, with 264 of those sitting in its dedicated IMAX 5.1 theatre (one of the city’s six IMAX locations!). Head here to enjoy Dolby 7.1 surround sound and discounted morning shows.

Highlights: IMAX 5.1 theatre with 264 seats, for that big blockbuster feel

B+ cinema MOKO, 4/F, MOKO, 193 Prince Edward Road West, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong, www.cinema.com.hk

What To Know About Cinemas & Movie Theatres In Hong Kong:

There’s no shortage of movie theatres in the city, with at least 58 open to the public year-round!
The biggest cinema chains in the city include Broadway Circuit and MCL Cinemas, with plenty housed in the city’s shopping malls.
You can find IMAX 3D film screenings across the city, at K11 Art House by MCL, Emperor Cinemas iSQAURE, B+ cinema MOKO in Mong Kok East, OMNIMAX at the Hong Kong Space Museum Theatre, the GH MegaBox Golden Harvest Megabox in Kowloon Bay and MY CINEMA YOHO MALL by Broadway Circuit in Yuen Long.
You can catch exclusive previews at M+ Cinema and Soho House Hong Kong (provided you are or know a member!)
Morning shows tend to be discounted!
Looking for Indian films? You can find special screenings of in-demand Hindi and other regional Indian language movies at Cineworld Hong Kong.

Film Festivals & Screenings To Keep An Eye Out For:

Hong Kong International Film Festival, www.hkiff.org.hk
Hong Kong French Film Festival, www.hkfrenchfilmfestival.com
Hong Kong Asian Film Festival, www.hkaff.asia
Broadway Circuit’s Special screenings, www.cinema.com.hk/en/movie/special
The Hong Kong Film Archive’s screening programmes, www.filmarchive.gov.hk

The post The Best Movie Theatres & Cinemas In Hong Kong appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

Must-See Hong Kong Art Exhibitions

Fashila Kanakka — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 22:00:12 +0000

This month’s newest must-see Hong Kong art exhibitions and shows include a multi-sensory flower exhibition, Picasso and more…

Our city is home to a treasure trove of artists and galleries, specialising in contemporary and fine art. Treat yourself to one of the many stunning Hong Kong art shows on display this month — featuring everything from digital art installations to abstract oil on linen and more. Here’s our pick of the best new art exhibitions and happenings this April 2024.

New Hong Kong Art Exhibitions

Picasso for Asia: A Conversation At M+ Museum

Featuring more than 60 masterpieces from the late 1890s to the early 1970s by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, M+ Museum’s newest Special Exhibition is co-curated with Musée national Picasso-Paris for the French May Arts Festival. Picasso’s works will be presented alongside pieces from Asian and Asian-diasporic artists selected from the M+ Collections.

When: Until Sunday, 13 July 2025, 10am to 6pm daily (with extended hours to 8pm on Fridays) and closed on Mondays.
Where: M+ Museum, West Kowloon, Museum Drive, 38 M+ Cultural District,West Kowloon, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $210 for special exhibitions dual pass – buy a ticket here

Louise Giovanelli’s Here on Earth

British artist Louise Giovanelli’s first solo exhibition in Hong Kong explores the tension between representation and materiality, and figuration and abstraction. Here on Earth features new oil paintings that stay true to her signature motifs and pigments.

When: Until Saturday, 18 May, 2024, 11am to 7pm (closed Mondays and Sundays)
Where: White Cube Hong Kong, 50 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free

Japanese Multi-Sensory Exhibition Naked Flowers Comes To Hong Kong

Arriving at 1881 Heritage for a total of six months, Japanese artist Ryotaro Muramatsu’s exhibition features eight sensory rooms and is a haven for any foliage fan! While snapping your ‘Gram-worthy shots, visitors can learn a handful about flowers – you can even digitally grow flowers and become a butterfly to explore fauna from a different perspective!

When: Saturday, 27 April to Sunday, 27 October, 11am to 10pm (last entry at 9pm)
Where: G17B & Basement, 1881 Heritage, 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $150 for early bird tickets (on sale from 5 to 26 April); $180 for full-priced adult tickets – buy a ticket here.

Kylie Manning’s Sea Change

Kylie Manning’s first-ever solo exhibition in Hong Kong will be at Pace Gallery. The oil-on-linen paintings explore movement and accumulation with the use of luminosity and abstraction. Look from afar and you’ll see soft, feathery lines but look closer to find sharp strokes that turn into figures!

When: Until Thursday, 9 May, 11am to 7pm (closed Mondays and Sundays)
Where: Pace Gallery, 12/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free

Everything is Unreal Until It’s Not Solo Exhibition By Lov-Lov

New-York based artist Lov-Lov’s works not only question the authenticity of a virtual image but allude to the intricate illusions within reality, where everything is unreal until it is not. In fact, Lov-Lov (a fictitious artist identity developed by Lin Jingjing) is a self-defined entity free of physical indicators and binary definitions – a virtual artist!

When: Until Saturday, 27 April, 11am to 7pm (closed Mondays and Sundays)
Where: DE SARTHE, 26/F, M Place, 54 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong
How much: Free

Ongoing Art Exhibitions In Hong Kong

Sophia Hotung’s Choreopolis Art Exhibition

Merging Hong Kong landmarks and classic ensemble sequences from Broadway and West End musicals, local artist Sophia Hotung’s latest collection features 10 original artworks, each one masterfully capturing the essence of movement and spontaneity in the city. The works in Choreopolis also make use of puns for their titles, like “Tamaland” for “La La Land”, “Sun Chuen Story” for “Westside Story” and more. Presented by a|n Gallery in Collaboration with Wyndham Social.

When: Thursday, 14 March to Sunday, 28 April, 2024, 3pm to 4pm
Where: Wyndham Social, G/F, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, Kong Kong
How much: Free

Everyday: Solo Exhibition By Keita Shirayama

Osaka-based artist Keita Shirayama’s first solo and debut exhibition, Everyday, features 12 of the artist’s latest artworks based on imaginary scenes from his childhood memories. The nature-rich abstract paintings explore themes of life and death, emotions, and the cycle of existence. Keita Shirayama will be present at the exhibition during the opening week.

When: Wednesday, 27 March to Friday, 26 April, 2024, 11am to 7pm
Where: WOAW Gallery, 5 Sun Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: Free

Myonghi Kang — The Rebirth of Nature

Korean artist Myonghi Kang’s visionary works demand to be seen and heard – for over five decades, the artist has continuously sought new ways to present nature on paper and canvas, involving not just painting but also poetry and philosophy. The gallery will be transformed into a meditative sanctuary to allow visitors to fully immerse in The Rebirth of Nature.

When: Friday, 22 March to May, 2024, 11am to 7pm
Where: Villepin, 53-55 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free

teamLab: Continuous At Art@Harbour 2024

You are not alone if you walked past Tamar Park and wondered if the floating white eggs were dragon eggs! LCSD is collaborating with teamLab, local artists, and partners for a grand outdoor art project across Victoria Harbour (which includes the the giant egg-shaped structures). Experience awe-inspiring installations merging art, science and technology, delivering a fresh sensory journey along Hong Kong’s waterfront.

When: From Monday, 25 March to Sunday, 2 June, 2024
Where: Tamar Park and the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section)
How much: Free

The post Must-See Hong Kong Art Exhibitions appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

Where To Buy Affordable Hong Kong-Themed Wall Art & Prints

Team Sassy — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 22:00:15 +0000

Look to these affordable Hong Kong-themed wall art pieces and prints to inject a little personality into your space while still sticking to budget.

Show off your love for the city with some Hong Kong-themed art prints and photography! The reality for many of us living here is that we can only afford to rent our living space — which means painting walls (if that!) and adorning the room with smaller personal touches like plants and candles seems as far as we can go in terms of decorating. So we’re looking for wall art, prints and decorative pieces to display on shelves and bookcases. From cityscape photography to intricate illustrations, custom prints and more, here are the best artists and studios to buy affordable Hong Kong wall art.

Beyond Visuals — Aerial photography prints and panoramas

Taking Hong Kong photography to new heights is Beyond Visuals, a photography collective made up of five locally based aerial photographers (including Sassy favourite Bernie Ng!). Browse through its online collection of sweeping architectural shots, breathtaking cityscapes as well as picturesque landscapes which shows off our city from new perspectives.

Price: From $449 (unframed)

Beyond Visuals, beyondvisuals.hk

Read More: Must-See Hong Kong Art Exhibitions

Alvin C.K. Lam — Hand-drawn and painted art prints

From wet markets to street corners, lanes and alleyways, this local artist captures the heart and soul of Hong Kong in his vibrant hand-drawn and watercolored artworks. Alvin spotlights the city’s unsung heroes, such as Mahjong tile carvers, birdcage makers and cardboard grandmothers. Each art print is printed on museum-grade archival paper and individually hand-signed and numbered.

Price: From $380 for an art print and from $30 for postcards

Alvin C.K. Lam, www.alvinckl.com

The APT Studios — Vibrant photography art prints

From IG-famous photographers Sam Wong (@samishome) and Victor Cheng (@veeceecheng), The APT Studios brings us dreamy cotton candy-coloured cityscapes, bright buildings and container ships and more vibrant fine art prints. Straight from their Instagram feeds to your home, inject a burst of colour into your space!

Price: From $460

The APT Studios, www.theaptstudios.com

The Hong Kong Arts Collective (HKARTS) – Artworks and art prints by local artists

This treasure trove of original artworks and art prints by professional and emerging local artists was established in 2019 by a small group of Hong Kong-based artists to promote the city’s art scene. Discover art by the likes of Riya Chandiramani, The Ink Trail, Elena Klimova, Sophia Hotung, Alex Croft and more.

Price: From $180 (framed)

The Hong Kong Arts Collective, www.hongkongartscollective.com

VZOW — Original artwork, custom pieces, fine art prints and more

VZOW is home to an extensive selection of original artwork, custom-made art pieces and high-end prints (many Hong Kong-themed!). More than an online art store, this platform goes the extra mile to give its partnered artists from around the world the recognition they deserve by interviewing and featuring them on its site.

Price: From $810 (unfamed); $1,014 (famed)

VZOW, www.vzow.com

Tiny Island Maps — Hand-printed Hong Kong neighbourhood maps and more

Tiny Island Maps is best known for its hand-printed neighbourhood maps and silkscreen prints, perfect statement pieces for your living room walls. Best of all, they’re all locally made! Each print comes flat-packed in a cardboard envelope to ensure the best result when framed. Make sure to also check out the brand’s wider collection of gifts and souvenirs.

Price: $350 (unframed); $490 (framed)

Tiny Island Maps, 1904, 135 Bonham Strand Trade Centre, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, tinyislandmaps.com

Ciaolink — Detailed handmade artworks of Hong Kong landmarks

Designer Megumi Takami at Ciaolink is able to capture incredible detail in her art, right down to the windows on each skyscraper and individual bricks on walls. We have a soft spot for her Farewell my Hong Kong collection, which features favourite landmarks and spots around the city including Percival Street, Man Mo Temple and, of course, Victoria Harbour and The Peak.

Price: From $720 (framed)

Ciaolink, ciaolink.store

Gar Lai Lau — Detailed ink sketches of Hong Kong architecture

Hong Kong-based pen and ink artist Gar Lai’s limited-edition prints contain a dizzying amount of detail and truly capture a slice of the city, from the sweeping skyline to the tops of the Lippo Centre. If you’re someone who’s always been taken by Hong Kong’s stunning architecture and cityscapes, you’re sure to appreciate her work.

Price: From $180 (unframed)

Gar Lai Lau, www.garlailau.com

On Paper Lab — Hong Kong-inspired graphic prints

Founded by artists Elsa Jean de Dieu (of Elsa Jeandedieu Studio, behind the Uma Nota mural on Peel Street!) and Carol Bellese Choi, On Paper Lab takes an eclectic approach to Hong Kong-themed wall art. Think bold, graphic prints of recognisable city sights and sounds like the beloved “ding ding”, sampans, common Canto sayings and more. Plus, there’s free delivery throughout Hong Kong!

Price: From $300 (unframed)

On Paper Lab, onpaperlab.com

Louise Hill Design – Kaleidoscopic collage creations and monochromatic designs

There’s nothing that can liven up a dull space quite like one of Louise Hill’s designs. Drawing inspiration from this bustling city we call home, Louise creates her multilayered prints using a range of photographic, digital, illustrated and hand-finished techniques. We love her kaleidoscopic creations just as much as her monochromatic designs!

Price: From $2,550 (unframed); from $3,050 (framed)

Louise Hill Design, www.louise-hill-design.com

R+R — Curated collection of Hong Kong wall art

This online lifestyle store is home to a curated range of handmade, repurposed homewares, in addition to a small collection of vibrant Hong Kong-themed wall art. Naturally, we were drawn to the Hong Kong map typography print which comprises all our favourite areas of the city we call home.

Price: From $300 (unframed)

R+R, www.randrshop.com

Editor’s Note: “Where To Buy Affordable Hong Kong Wall Art & Prints” was most recently updated in April 2024 by Nicole Moraleda. With thanks to Annie Simpson and Sakina Abidi for their contribution.

The post Where To Buy Affordable Hong Kong-Themed Wall Art & Prints appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

Your Insider Look At Art Central 2024: What To Expect & Our Favourites

Team Sassy — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 22:00:26 +0000

Here’s your ultimate guide to Art Central 2024, with everything to know, the exhibitions, galleries and artists to keep an eye out for and our favourite exhibitions to check out.

It’s Hong Kong Arts Month, and we’ve been waiting for the return of the city’s biggest art-related events, exhibitions and fairs like Art Central! Now you’ve probably read summaries and maybe even the visitor information on the site, but navigating the maze-like Art Central fair can still be tricky.

Luckily, Team Sassy walked around Art Central 2024 so we’re here to break it all down for you, point you toward some of our personal favourites and share a few tips. Read on for everything to see, and know, at Art Central 2024 — taking place this year at the Central Harbourfront from Thursday, 28 to Sunday, 31 March.

Read More: Must-See Hong Kong Art Exhibitions

Jump To:
What Is Art Central?
When Is Art Central 2024 & What To Know
Art Central 2024 Highlights
Our Favourite Art Central 2024 Displays

What Is Art Central?

A “cornerstone event of Hong Kong Art Week” (we like to call them headliners), Art Central is one of the city’s most anticipated fairs, not just in Hong Kong but in the Asia Pacific region. The contemporary art fair really showcases new, emerging talent, consistently promoting up-and-coming local artists and galleries alongside more established creators.

Art Central’s charm is pretty clear: the fair calls itself an “incubator of art” and delivers on that promise. Art Central 2024 features 98 galleries (and over 500 artists!), with 70% from Asia and nearly a third operating spaces in Hong Kong. The ninth edition returns to full size and its original location and presents the Fair’s most extensive programming and cutting-edge gallery selection to date.

When Is Art Central 2024 & What To Know

Art Central will take place at the Central Harbourfront from Thursday, 28 to Sunday, 31 March, running from 12pm to 5pm on the first day and closing at 5pm on Saturday. You can find the rest of the dates and opening hours on the site here.

When: Thursday, 28 to Sunday, 31 March
Where: Central Harbourfront, 9 Lung Wo Road, Hong Kong
How much: From $210 to $270; $210 for weekday, $270 for weekend; Full price – $250 for Weekday, $310 for Weekend. More pricing details are here. Buy your tickets at HK Ticketing.

Night Central 2024

Book tickets for Night Central on the opening night, running from 5pm to 9pm for continued art scenes, more talks and live performances and plenty of drinks and nibbles!

When: Thursday, 28 March, 5pm to 9pm
Where: Central Harbourfront, 9 Lung Wo Road, Hong Kong
How much: $550 for two adults. Buy your tickets at HK Ticketing.

Food & Drinks At Art Central

Eat Central by Black Sheep featuring favourites like Chôm Chôm, Maison Libanaise, Butter Cookies, Messina and an exclusive preview of Jean-Pierre
Soho House pop-up bar designed by Taxa, a Japanese artist based in Hong Kong
illy blends whilst discovering the latest illy Art Collection signed by artist Lee Ufan

Art Central 2024 Highlights

As you walk around the fair, booths and spaces will have each participating gallery, or galleries, and which platform they are all clearly labelled — indicating what’s being showcased. Below are quick highlights to check out at Art Central.

A Sultry World – Sunayama Norico

Presented in partnership with CHAT (Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile), this is the first installation you’ll come across as you enter Art Central and it’s undoubtedly the most prominent. Featuring a sublime red dress that straddles the boundary between the public and the private, don’t miss the performance every two hours.

Art-is-Here-Picnic – Enoch Cheng

Join local artists and cultural practitioners in a picnic (yes, there’s literally a picnic mat right in the middle of Art Central!) where you can discuss the impact of art on every day life and more.

Shadow Boxing – Ho Sin Tung

Another large-scale installation to look for, Ho Sin Tung’s Shadow Boxing is inspired by the artist’s passion for martial arts and the discipline and self-awareness required mentally and physically to master the sport.

Chimera – Andrea Samory

Named after a fictional creature from the Greek mythology, Chimera represents nature’s capability for endless growth despite the circumstances and consequences. The 3D-printed resin and lacquer structure is terrifying as it as realistic!

Threadless Renewal – Sangsun Bae

Kyoto-based Korean artist Sangsun Bae’s installation featuring the traditional Korean craft of maedeup explores womanhood and the female resilience that is both strong and delicate. From the idea of forging new connections, such as through marriage, often referred to as “tying the knot,” or through childbirth, represented by the umbilical cord, Threadless Renewal is a powerful creation you can’t miss.

Colony – Jarupatcha Achavasmit

The closer you look, the more you’ll marvel. Jarupatcha Achavasmit’s Colony and Mutations installations are intricately sewn together using recycled fabric and raw materials, think PET yarn, wool, brass and copper powder.

A Few More Favourites At Art Central 2024

It’s so hard to narrow down to a few choice displays, and we’d really recommend taking your time and dedicating a few hours to touring the space!

This year features plenty of overseas galleries, from the Asia Pacific region and more, with both local and international artists around to chat to. Some gorgeous pieces are on sale too — this fair might be the perfect opportunity to start your art-collecting journey!

Piet van den Boog’s Vincent’s Walk Through The Sunflower, presented by Zemack Contemporary Art, A17

Emily Allchurch’s Towers of Babel: Hong Kong, presented by Karin Weber Gallery, B04

Martin Riese’s The Spirit of Hong Kong, presented by Zone A Gallery, D7

Hyun Joung Lee’s Infinity Path, presented by A Gallery, B19

Ilhwa Kim’s Tactile Tenderness, presented by HOFA, B11

Sueyon Yang’s The Impossible Bottle – Reserved Sky, presented by Art Projects Gallery, D9

Lewis Lau’s Haven, presented by Touch Gallery, A05 & A07

Editor’s Note: “Your Guide To Art Central 2024” was most recently updated on 28 March 2024 by Fashila Kanakka.

The post Your Insider Look At Art Central 2024: What To Expect & Our Favourites appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

What We’re Watching This Month On Netflix Hong Kong, Prime Video & Disney+

Sakina Abidi — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 22:00:37 +0000

New rom-coms, book-to-film adaptations and more — here’s what we’re watching this March and April 2024 on Netflix Hong Kong, Prime Video & Disney+!

Netflix Hong Kong, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and Apple TV are full of gems and binge-worthy releases! But what are our editors actually watching? This is your ultimate streaming in Hong Kong guide (and our to-watch list!), with brand-new shows, miniseries, films and more to catch this March and April 2024. Highlights include the “(Taylor’s Version)” extended cut of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert film, a Freaky Friday-esque rom-com starring Lindsay Lohan and the screen adaptation of the bestselling Three-Body book trilogy.

Rather venture out? We’ve also got a list of the best cinemas to catch the latest theatrical releases with your friends!

March 2024 Hong Kong Releases To Add To Your Watch List

The Gentlemen: Season 1 – Netflix Hong Kong

When aristocrat Eddie (Emmy nominated Theo James) unexpectedly inherits his father’s sizeable country estate, he discovers that it’s home to an enormous weed empire – and its proprietors aren’t going anywhere. To make matters worse, a host of unsavoury members of Britain’s criminal underworld want a piece of the operation. Watch Eddie as he attempts to play the gangsters at their own game and extricate his family from their clutches in this satirical Guy Ritchie spin-off series.

Released Thursday, 7 March, streaming now on Netflix Hong Kong. Watch the trailer here.

Damsel – Netflix Hong Kong

Millie Bobby Brown stars in Netflix’s “Damsel”, where she plays a dutiful damsel who agrees to marry a handsome prince, only to discover that the royal family has offered her up as sacrifice to a fire-breathing dragon to repay an ancient debt. Elodie must now rely on her wits and will to escape the dragon’s lair.

Released Friday, 8 March, streaming now on Netflix Hong Kong. Watch the trailer here.

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) – Disney+

Didn’t manage to snag tickets to the Eras Tour or wanting to relive the show again and again in your living room? Released a day early on Disney+ Hong Kong, experience the extended “(Taylor’s Version)” cut of the phenomenal concert film, which contains “Cardigan” and four additional main show songs not shown in cinemas, and an acoustic collection after the credits featuring four unseen performances… are you ready for it?

Releases on Thursday, 14 March, streaming soon on Netflix Hong Kong. Watch the trailer here.

Irish Wish – Netflix Hong Kong

Lindsay Lohan returns with another “Freaky Friday” moment in Netflix’s new rom-com “Irish Wish”. Maddie’s dream guy is just days away from marrying her best friend, but a wish for true love made on an ancient stone in Ireland leads her to wake up in the place of bride-to-be.

Releases on Friday, 15 March, streaming soon on Netflix Hong Kong. Watch the trailer here.

X-Men ’97 – Disney+

Marvel Animation’s “X-Men ’97”, the highly anticipated follow-up to the beloved “X-Men: The Animated Series” from the 1990s, is set to premiere on Disney+ with a two-episode debut on 20 March, with more episodes to come in following weeks. The series will feature familiar characters such as Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm and Wolverine (with Cal Dodd returning to voice the character).

Releases on Wednesday, 20 March, streaming soon on Netflix Hong Kong. Watch the trailer here.

3 Body Problem – Netflix Hong Kong

From multiple Emmy Award-winning creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (“Game of Thrones”), and Emmy-nominated Alexander Woo (“The Terror: Infamy, True Blood”) comes “3 Body Problem”, a gripping story that redefines sci-fi drama with its layered mysteries and genre-bending high stakes. Based on the international bestselling book trilogy, a young woman’s fateful decision in 1960s China reverberates across space and time to a group of brilliant scientists in the present day.

Releases on Thursday, 21 March, streaming soon on Netflix Hong Kong. Watch the trailer here.

Road House – Amazon Prime Video

In this adrenaline-fuelled 2024 reboot of the 80s cult classic, former UFC fighter Dalton (Jake Gyllenhaal) takes a job as a bouncer at a roadhouse in Florida Keys, only to discover that this paradise is not as it seems.

Releases on Thursday, 21 March, streaming soon on Netflix Hong Kong. Watch the trailer here.

SHIRLEY – Netflix Hong Kong

Shirley Chisholm (Regina King) makes a trailblazing run for the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination after becoming the first Black woman elected to Congress. An inspiring tribute to a woman who dared to envision a different America, the biopic showcases her determination, struggles and the impact Chisholm made on politics and civil rights.

Releases on Friday, 22 March, streaming soon on Netflix Hong Kong. Watch the trailer here.

How To Date Billy Walsh – Amazon Prime Video

Love a good love triangle? Starring Sebastian Croft (“Heartstopper”) as Archie, Charithra Chandran (“Bridgerton”) as Amelia and Tanner Buchanan (“Cobra Kai”) as Billy, “How To Date Billy Walsh” unfolds a tale as old as time. Archie has always kept his love for Amelia under wraps, but just as he builds up the courage to declare his feelings, Amelia falls head over heels for the new transfer student Billy.

Releases on Friday, 5 April, streaming soon on Amazon Prime Video. Watch the trailer here.

Fallout: Season 1 – Amazon Prime Video

Based on the popular video game series, “Fallout” is a story of haves and have-nots in a world where there’s almost nothing left to have. 200 years after the apocalypse, the denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the irradiated hellscape their ancestors left behind — and are shocked to discover a gleefully weird and highly violent universe waiting for them.

Releases on Thursday, 11 April, streaming soon on Amazon Prime Video. Watch the trailer here.

February 2024 Hong Kong Releases You Might Have Missed

One Day — Netflix Hong Kong

Based on the 2009 David Nicholls novel (also adapted into a film in 2011 starring Anne Hathaway!), this British limited series promises to be bittersweet and intimate. “One Day” follows Emma and Dexter, who go their separate ways after spending graduation night together — but remain intertwined for 20 successive years.

Released on Thursday, 8 February, streaming now on Netflix Hong Kong. Watch the trailer here.

Upgraded — Amazon Prime Video

“Upgraded” follows Ana (Camila Mendes), an ambitious intern dreaming of a career in the art world while trying to impress her demanding boss Claire (Marisa Tomei). When she’s upgraded to first class on a work trip, she meets handsome Will (Archie Renaux), who mistakes Ana for her boss — a white lie that sets off a glamorous chain of events, romance and opportunity, until her fib threatens to surface.

Released on Friday, 9 February, streaming now on Amazon Prime Video Hong Kong. Watch the trailer here.

Five Blind Dates — Amazon Prime Video

More focused on her business than finding love, twenty-something Lia is forced to go on five blind dates set up by her family and best friend after she is told by a fortune teller that her love life and the success of her (failing) traditional Chinese tea shop are intertwined.

Released on Tuesday, 13 February, streaming now on Amazon Prime Video Hong Kong. Watch the trailer here.

Avatar: The Last Airbender — Netflix Hong Kong

The live-action series adaptation of the beloved animated series has landed on Netflix! The premise remains the same: “Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them — but when the world needed him most, he vanished.”

Released on Thursday, 22 February, streaming now on Netflix Hong Kong. Watch the trailer here.

See what else is new on Netflix here, upcoming Prime Video releases here, what’s coming to Apple TV here, and recent Disney+ releases here. Did we miss something you watched and enjoyed? Let us know!

The post What We’re Watching This Month On Netflix Hong Kong, Prime Video & Disney+ appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

14 Uplifting Autobiographies & Memoirs By Remarkable Women

Nicole Moraleda — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 22:00:57 +0000

Prepare to be inspired by some incredible women.

If you ever think to yourself “I can’t”, think again. Women are capable of anything and everything, and if you needed to be reminded of that, these books are a great source of inspiration and encouragement. Ahead, we’re sharing our favourite autobiographies and memoirs by remarkable women who’ve shown incredible strength, determination and resilience in the face of oppression and adversity.

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

This wildly funny, and occasionally heartbreaking, internationally bestselling memoir by former Sunday Times columnist Dolly Alderton covers the trials and triumph of becoming an adult, learning to navigate friendships, jobs, love, loss, and realising your are enough. With sharp wit and insight it skilfully weaves together personal stories, satirical observations and other vignettes that women at any life stage will find relatable.

Head here to buy now.

Takeaway: Stories From a Childhood Behind the Counter by Angela Hui

Growing up in a Chinese Takeaway shop in rural Wales, Angela Hui (who has since had her work published in the BBC, Guardian, Independent and more) learned at a very young age just how different she and her family were viewed by her local community. From attacks on the shopfront (also their home), to verbal abuse from customers (including one confrontation that ended with her dad wielding a meat cleaver), Angela takes us through the lows, but also shares the beauty and joy that food and family brought to her life. Bonus recipes included!

Head here to buy now.

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Known to have produced a number of bold and outspoken characters in “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal”, you may be surprised to learn that Shonda Rhimes is an introvert who has hired a publicist to avoid public appearances and suffered panic attacks before media interviews. From one of Hollywood’s most powerful women, this poignant, intimate and hilarious memoir reveals how saying “yes” changed her life in profound ways – and how it can change yours too.

Head here to buy now.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Not just for those who grew up watching “iCarly” and “Sam & Cat”, former child actress Jennette McCurdy’s controversially named memoir “I’m Glad My Mom Died”, was met with great acclaim from readers, Booktubers and critics alike. The book details her struggles with eating disorders and addiction growing up, her complicated relationship with her overbearing mother – and how she regained control of her life.

Head here to buy now.

We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib

Samra Habib spent most of her youth searching for the safety to be herself – a queer Ahmadi muslim girl. Her parents ingrained in her the fear that revealing her identity could put her in grave danger. When she and her family moved to Canada as refugees, Samra began her exploration of faith, art, love and queer sexuality, overcoming bullies, racism, the threat of poverty and an arranged marriage. An inspiring testament to the power of fearlessly embracing one’s truest self, “We Have Always Been Here” is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt out of place.

Head here to buy now.

In Order To Live by Yeonmi Park

In this poignant memoir, North Korean-born Yeonmi Park shines a light onto the darkest corners of her home country and confronts her own painful memories, from being sold into sexual slavery and suffering terrible psychological hardship, before finally making her way to Seoul, South Korea. Now a human rights activist working to bring attention to the oppression taking place in North Korea, Park’s testimony is heart-rending and unimaginable, but never abandons hope.

Head here to buy now.

I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

An obvious choice for this list, this 21st century classic details Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala’s courageous battle against the Taliban for her right to education. The memoir also provides a fascinating insight into day-to-day life in Pakistan under the regime, Malala’s relationship with her activist father, and the assassination attempt made against her when she was just 15.

Head here to buy now.

Girl Decoded: My Quest to Make Technology Emotionally Intelligent – and Change the Way We Interact Forever by Rana el Kaliouby

As a Muslim woman at the helm of a field that is still overwhelmingly white and male, Rana el Kaliouby is considered a rarity in both the tech world and her native Middle East. In this engrossing memoir, she takes us through her journey of personal transformation from being a “nice Egyptian girl” to learning how to express and act on her own emotions.

Head here to buy now.

The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After by Clemantine Wamariya

This riveting coming-of-age memoir follows Clemantine Wamariya’s childhood as a motherless Rwandan refugee, and how she eventually found safety and success in an unwelcoming America. Though far from a feel-good story, “The Girl Who Smiled Beads” reminds us to look beyond the label of “victim” and is a touching display of how one’s imagination can transcend even the deepest injuries and aftershocks.

Head here to buy now.

More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say) by Elaine Welteroth

Part-manifesto, part-memoir, “More Than Enough” follows the career of Elaine Welteroth who became Teen Vogue’s youngest Editor in Chief at 29. The trailblazing editor, known for infusing social consciousness into the pages of the teen magazine, shares the struggles of being a barrier breaker and what it really means to come into your own.

Head here to buy now.

Read More: 10 Poetry Books To Read Now

Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Miller

Sexual assault survivor Chanel Miller, known to the world at the time as Emily Doe, shocked millions with her victim impact statement which went viral after it was published online by BuzzFeed. Here, she shares the aftermath of the assault and the trial, using the book as an attempt to reclaim her narrative identity and describe the trauma she went through after being referred to as “an unconscious intoxicated woman” in the press.

Head here to buy now.

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zanier

Written by the indie rockstar of Japanese Breakfast fame and author of the viral 2018 New Yorker essay of the same name, this heartwarming New York Times best-selling memoir is a beautiful tale of family, food and grief. The singer shares intimate anecdotes of growing up Korean American, and how her mother’s diagnosis of terminal cancer forced a reckoning with her muddled identity and brought her to rediscover the flavours, language and history her mother cherished.

Head here to buy now.

Nowhere Girl: A Memoir of a Fugitive Childhood by Cheryl Diamond

“By the age of nine, I will have lived in more than a dozen countries, on five continents, under six assumed identities.” “Nowhere Girl” is an impossible-to-believe true story of one girl’s childhood growing up in a family of fugitive outlaws. Cheryl’s life as a young child is for the most part joyful and exciting, but things get darker as she grows older and she’s faced with the realisation that her life might be one big con.

Head here to buy now.

Read More: The Best Bookstores In Hong Kong

My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor

In recounting her early life, the first Hispanic (and third) woman to sit on United States Supreme Court Sonia Sotomayor describes her childhood with an alcoholic father and overburdened mother, and how in spite of her circumstances, she pursued her dream of one day becoming a lawyer. Along the way, we see how she was shaped by her invaluable mentors, making her a beacon of hope for generations to come.

Head here to buy now.

The post 14 Uplifting Autobiographies & Memoirs By Remarkable Women appeared first on Sassy Hong Kong.

6 Influencers Share What International Women’s Day Means To Them

Nicole Moraleda — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 22:00:37 +0000

6 influencers share what IWD means to them, along with how they’re challenging gender roles and breaking biases in Hong Kong…

It’s one of Sassy’s greatest joys to be able to celebrate women’s achievements and share their voices on our platform. Over the years, we’ve been honoured to meet and work with a number of incredible women who have shown us what it means to be a strong female figure in today’s world. From artists and photographers, to civil engineers and founders of successful businesses, we’re proud to spotlight these women and share what they are doing to support their fellow females in the fight for gender equality.

Ahead, we catch up with six inspiring influencers to find out what International Women’s Day means to them, their experiences with gender imbalance and what they are doing to #InspireInclusion.

Louisa Awolaja, Co-Founder Of HomeGrown The Podcast & TEDx Speaker

Alongside her co-host Fo, Louisa “Lou” Awolaja is on a mission to inform and inspire fellow Black expats in the city with their Hong Kong-based podcast HomeGrown. The British-Nigerian diversity and inclusion specialist has been working to dispel biases and foster a sense of community by sharing stories from the city’s Black community that celebrate diversity.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

To me International Women’s Day is really about two key things: 1) championing gender equality and women’s rights, and 2) celebrating women in all forms. The concept of intersectionality is extremely important – while we look at equality through the lens of gender, we also have to consider the added layers of race, culture, socio-economics, sexual orientation and other factors. I love that it is celebrated in so many countries across the world (over 60 apparently!), allowing us all to come together in conversation and community to lead change.

What has been your experience with gender imbalance?

Starting out my career as an engineering graduate, I got very used to being “one of the few” in most spaces – and while this shifted when I entered the corporate world, it never fully changed. I mentioned above the importance of considering intersectionality, and I have seen in my own career some of the ways it plays out.

I’ve had to navigate biases based on both race and gender, and I actively work to remove those obstacles for the younger generation now coming through the system.

How are you striving to challenge gender roles in your daily life?

I think challenging bias in the workplace is one of the ways I can have the biggest impact. Sharing and educating others to see beyond what we class as “typical” markers or criteria for success and leadership. As an example, many studies show that in a meeting (or classroom) setting, a woman is often less likely to share a new or challenging opinion in such an open forum. This can sometimes be misconstrued as her being less knowledgeable or competent, but that’s rarely the case. If the leader instead actively engages each of the members of the meeting, and brings everyone’s voice to the table, it allows everyone to thrive. I do my part to create these opportunities, and encourage others to do the same.

Aanchal Wadhwani, Founder of STAGE Creatives

Photographer, art director, entrepreneur, model and actress Aanchal transforms the fashion landscape in Hong Kong with her inclusive model and talent agency, STAGE Management, which represents beauty in all its forms. Her goal was to create an agency that celebrated diversity and inclusivity in the hopes of improving the local model and acting industry.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

Women’s Day is a global celebration of womanhood. It’s a day to celebrate and empower the incredible women in our lives (although that should be every day!).

What has been your experience with gender imbalance in Hong Kong?

Working in a male dominated industry has been a consistent battle of constantly having to prove myself. As a photographer, I’ve had to prove my work is really my work. As a model and actor, I’ve been subjected to sexual requests by male production crew members. As an entreprenueur, I’ve been challenged by male peers on statistics and whether women can really run the show.

Working in a male dominated industry has been a consistent battle of constantly having to prove myself.

Some of the wildest things I’ve been told throughout my career:

“Are you sure you can carry your gear? It looks heavy and you’re so thin!”
“You’re so young and you run all these businesses? Your parents must be the reason to your success!”
“Oh, you’re a photographer!? Do you know the technicalities or do you just have your assistant help you with that?”

My career began more than 11 years ago, but I’ve noticed an improvement over the past few years with more awareness on the subject. Hopefully the next generation of female entrepreneurs will find it more welcoming!

How are you striving to challenge gender roles in Hong Kong?

I truly believe that if I continue to push forward and break down the walls as I chase my goals, I am simultaneously paving a way for other women to follow suit if they wish. They’ll have more confidence, a sense of camaraderie and hopefully the strength to break barriers of their own!

Inès Gafsi, Co-Founder & COO Of Female Entrepreneurs Worldwide (FEW)

As Co-founder and COO of FEW, Inès leads the platform’s operations, international business development and special projects like FEW incubator “Invest in Women Who Tech”. She also heads up the chapter of international charity, Inspiring Girls Hong Kong, empowering girls to believe in their dreams by connecting them with female role models.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

Celebrating women’s advancements to collectively close the gender gap. It’s a day to remember that there is still a lot to do but also a day to inspire each other to dream bigger.

What has been your experience with gender imbalance in Hong Kong?

I personally feel that the gender imbalance in Hong Kong is not as strong as it is in the West because in the FEW network there are a lot of powerful and accomplished women. However, statistics still show that the number of women on boards or leadership positions is lower than men. Startups led by women struggle to get funded and overall access to capital remains difficult for women entrepreneurs.

How are you striving to challenge gender roles in your daily life?

Everything always starts with our mindset. We are often more limited by ourselves than by external parties. That is why I surround myself with people who believe in me and help me broaden my perspectives. Women in the corporate world should tap into male allies to be mentored to the top of the ladder. There are more and more female business-focused funds and investors looking at supporting specifically women in business which we bring together on the FEW platform. In the ecosystem we build, we gather men and women mentors supporting the growth of future female leaders.

Tiffany Huang

Tiffany is a Taiwanese-American writer who has lived across the US, Taipei and Hong Kong. She is the founder of Spill Stories, a publisher and collective run by diverse women sharing personal stories for a nuanced world. Spill Stories has self-published several books, including Sex & Power and Black in Asia. Her passions lie in writing personal, raw stories at the intersection of gender and culture that encourage learning, empathy and catharsis among writers and readers alike. She is now based in San Diego after moving away from Hong Kong following a five-year stay. During the day, she works as a Customer Experience Design Director in Hospitality. The places she misses the most are ACO bookstore in Wan Chai (where Spill Stories books are stocked) and Grandpa Roast Goose Restaurant (阿爺燒鵝餐室) in Sai Wan Ho.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It seems to me that people have lost sight of what International Women’s Day stands for. On March 8, someone will give me a pink balloon and invite me to a Champagne brunch at Soho, and that’s it. That being said, I think IWD is a good reminder that there is a struggle for women everywhere to overcome, whether it’s in the boardroom or bedroom.

For me, the day is an invitation for everyone, regardless of gender, to use our skills and networks to impact those changes meaningfully and unapologetically.

What has been your experience with gender imbalance in Hong Kong?

My experiences with sexism were less about one-off dramatic events, but reoccurring uncomfortable situations that made me feel lesser than, perpetuated by men, women and policies. In social situations, I’m lucky to have had allies at work who stood up for me, friends who spoke up, and sometimes, I had enough courage to say something myself. Most of the difference has been made due to the quality of friends I had around me and the quality of leadership I had at my work, and less about my own words and actions. I am so grateful for our team, including Janice Li, Charnell McQueen, Boipelo Seswane, and Dyondra Wilson for leading the charge with me.

How are you striving to challenge gender roles in Hong Kong?

I’d like Spill Stories to be a place where people can share personal stories and speak their truth. I think both men and women should have an opportunity to share their stories, and through honest conversation, learn how we can support each other. Some of the best stories have actually been written by men, because it’s so rare to see men share their feelings so openly, and I’d love to encourage that in a future series.

Ophelia Jacarini

Ophelia is a multidisciplinary visual artist whose work involves interwoven processes of structural movements within the female form. Coming into her eighth year in Hong Kong, she continues to be influenced by her surroundings in her artistic process, while allowing her work to exist as an extension to how she believes to live: free and independent.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

It means taking the opportunity to rethink the way things are between men and women, and how that has changed over the centuries. We still have a lot to work on.

What has been your experience with gender imbalance in Hong Kong?

There is a common misconception that gender inequality only exists in developing countries. Despite its modernity, Hong Kong is still deeply sexist in many ways.

Some recent pay surveys make for depressing reading as the gender pay gap has actually worsened. The truth is, there is still not a single country in the world which can claim to have achieved complete gender parity.

Women have consistently made up the majority of victims in domestic abuse and sexual harassment cases. Barriers at work hold women back in their careers. Sexism is not only a workplace issue, it is a much more complicated problem where imbalance is happening at home. The work/life/family balance for men and women is still not shared equally.

How are you striving to challenge gender roles in Hong Kong?

As a visual artist I see my work as an opportunity to address this topic. In my backstage project I translated digital imagery of myself into a thought provoking message on the stigma surrounding female nudity. The platform mostly displays selected images of women in provocative poses, in which one image will display a suggestive photo followed by a revealing version that can only be accessed by users who have a paid membership to the platform.

This project is my way to understand the complexity of human sexuality and awareness. Can a female body be perceived as sensual instead of sexual? How has advertising trained us to observe what is decent or indecent? The purpose of this ongoing visual art project and social experiment is to test boundaries and the grey area of female nudity, and to convey how a digital audience perceives artistic nudity and soft porn.

Cammie Warburton

Cammie is a Hong Kong-based wellness photographer who believes photography can be a powerful tool to help empower women. Her passion lies in celebrating humans of all sizes, forms, abilities and ages. She strives to make each of her subjects shine, feel comfortable and help them see themselves in a new light.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day to me is a day to acknowledge the women throughout history who have paved the way for women like me to achieve their dreams.

IWD is a reminder for me to be proud of how far I have come as a woman of colour. To be proud of the conversations I’ve had surrounding what it means to be a woman in modern society. To be proud of my lineage, the struggles of my mother, of my grandmother and of my biological mother. IWD is a day I pay tribute to all the incredible women in my life.

What has been your experience with gender imbalance in Hong Kong?

I have encountered sexism through fellow photographers on Instagram thinking I was male bodied, and after discovering I’m not, deciding not to work with me. It took me by surprise, and ever since then, I have rebranded myself and my photography work to speak up fearlessly about women’s experiences – body awareness, mental health, self pleasure and period talk. I can see that female photographers are on the rise in Hong Kong. Photography is a predominantly male-dominated space and I’m truly blessed to have felt the impact of my practice, helping support women in representing themselves and their brand through the gaze of a woman.

How are you striving to challenge gender roles in Hong Kong?

Through having conversations! From having everyday “uncomfortable” conversations at family dinners and correcting men on a night out, to hitting people with facts on gender inequality in Hong Kong and sharing stories of women who don’t have a voice – every little helps!

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2024 Chinese New Year: A Guide To Lunar New Year Traditions & Taboos

Nicole Moraleda — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 22:00:29 +0000

Enter the new lunar year with your best foot forward! Our guide to 2024 Chinese New Year traditions and taboos will help you maximise your good luck and ward off the bad.

It’s almost a brand new lunar year – kung hei fat choi! Arguably the festival with the most cultural significance in Hong Kong, Chinese New Year celebrates the start of the Chinese lunisolar calendar year, marking the end of a cold, dark winter and welcoming spring. Enter the Year of the Dragon with your best foot forward, and if you play your cards right, this just might be your most prosperous year yet! From when to book your next haircut to how to properly hang your decorations, here are all the Chinese New Year traditions and taboos you need to know.

When Is Chinese New Year 2024?

Following the lunar calendar, Chinese New Year usually takes place in either January or February. In 2024, the first day of the lunisolar calendar will fall on Saturday, 10 February and will welcome the Year of the Dragon.

Traditionally, this festival used to take place over fifteen days but, in the modern working world, only three days are given in Hong Kong as public holidays. However, many festivities and traditions still carry on past this three-day holiday.

Common Chinese New Year Greetings: Kung Hei Fat Choi, Sun Tai Kin Hong & More

The Lunar New Year doesn’t officially begin until the second week of February but you’ll probably start to hear people greet each other with “kung hei fat choi” (wishing you a prosperous year) much earlier in the month. If someone says this to you, it’s good form to return the greeting, or you can respond by saying “sun tai kin hong” meaning “I wish you good health”. Married people are traditionally obliged to give lai see to anyone younger and single when greeted. If you really want to impress this year (and try and score a few extra lai see), you can mix it up and try these other common Chinese New Year blessings:

新年快樂 “sun nin fai lok” — happy new year
心想事成 “sum seung si sing” — may all your wishes come true
大吉大利 “dai gut dai lei” — good luck and may your year go smoothly

Pay Your Dues Before The Start Of Chinese New Year

If you borrowed money from anyone last year, be sure to pay them back before the start of the New Year. It is said that any outstanding loans will bring you misfortune (lending money on Chinese New Year’s Day is also not recommended!). And if you’re the one who is owed money, don’t go knocking on your friend’s door demanding your dues as this is believed to bring you bad luck for a full year!

Hang Up Your Chinese New Year Decorations — The Right Way!

Once you’ve finished deep cleaning your flat, it’s time to hang up your Chinese New Year decorations. You’ll see a lot of red lanterns (used to drive off bad luck), as well as paper cutouts and couplets (to attract good fortune). Just be sure to hang your decorations the correct way! The vertical couplets (two lines of Chinese poetry) go on each side of a doorway, while the horizontal banners are hung above doorframes. The paper cutouts of auspicious symbols are typically affixed to windows.

Sassy Tip: In Chinese, the word for “upside down” sounds similar to the word for “arrive”, so people tend to hang their fuk (福) signs — which represent “good fortune” — upside down to symbolise a good year to come.

Buy New Clothes For Chinese New Year (But Not Books Or Shoes!)

Shopaholics will be glad to hear that a shopping spree is encouraged. In fact, it’s customary to buy yourself a whole new outfit to wear on New Year’s Day (don’t mind if we do!) to set yourself up for a fresh start and attract more wealth in the year ahead. Be sure to buy any shoes and books you’ve been eyeing up while you’re at it as it is frowned upon to buy these items (both are thought to bring misfortune) during the start of Chinese New Year.

Sweep Out The Old Before Chinese New Year Eve

What better incentive to declutter your room and give your home a good dusting than the promise of bringing in good fortune? As the Chinese characters for “dust” and “old” sound similar, the act of sweeping away dust is seen as a way to banish the old and usher in the new. It’s important for this to be done before Chinese New Year Eve as it’s considered bad luck to clean your home during the first week of the first Lunar month; people typically start two days before the holiday (spring cleaning day). Remember to stow away your broom and vacuum because you wouldn’t want to accidentally reduce your good fortune!

Dressing In Red For Luck On Chinese New Year

In Chinese culture, the colour red is considered to bring good luck. So it’s no surprise that the hue is seen all around during Chinese New Year in the form of lai see packets, paper lanterns and door couplets. You may also notice that many people choose to wear red on the day to attract even more good fortune. At the opposite end of the spectrum, wearing black and white is a big no-no, as these colours are traditionally associated with mourning.

Don’t Wash Or Cut Your Hair During Chinese New Year

The Chinese character for “hair” is the same character as the “fat” in “fat choi” (as in “kung hei fat choi”), which means “to become wealthy”. This is why people refrain from washing or cutting their hair over the first few days of the Chinese New Year. Sharp objects are also avoided during the holiday as they are seen as a sign of bad luck (the use of scissors, in particular, is believed to lead to quarrels and disputes with others), so if you failed to book a trim ahead of the holiday, stay away from those pointy shears, no matter how long your locks have grown.

Open Your Windows At Midnight

The annual fireworks display over Victoria Harbour is one of Hong Kong’s biggest Chinese New Year traditions (our city’s way of warding off bad luck with a bang), and we always look forward to seeing how the year’s display will top the last. Carry out the custom of opening your windows at the stroke of midnight, which some households believe in doing, to usher out the old year, and welcome in the Year of the Dragon.

Editor’s Note: “2024 Chinese New Year: A Guide To Lunar New Year Traditions & Taboos” was most recently updated in January 2024.

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15 Books We Can’t Wait To Read In 2024

Sakina Abidi — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 07:35:32 +0000

Make some time and room on your shelf, we’ve got the best new book releases to add to your reading list in 2024.

Calling all bookworms — here are the most highly-anticipated reads of 2024! It’s almost cruel to narrow it down but we’ve done the work and rounded up the 15 very best books coming out this year. From razor-sharp debuts to tender memoirs, non-fiction investigations of social structures and progress, poetry collections, long-needed biographies, some gorgeous cookbooks, and a romance or two, we wish you happy reading!

Read More: The Best Bookstores In Hong Kong

Piglet by Lottie Hazell

Genre: Literary Fiction
Release Date in Hong Kong: Tuesday, 27 February, 2024

Already called “the must-read literary fiction book of 2024 to discuss at your book club”, “Piglet” is Lottie Hazel’s clever, razor-sharp debut about women’s ambitions and appetites, and the truth behind “having it all”. Two weeks before up-and-coming cookbook editor Piglet is set to marry her handsome fiancé, he reveals a big, terrible secret — sending her spiralling, ravenousness and undone. Stylish and dialogue-driven, the heart of the novel promises to be about food and celebration, and the things we need and think we need.

Available for pre-order on Amazon for $117.04 (Kindle) and $218.53 (Hardcover)

Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly

Genre: Contemporary, Queer Romance
Release Date in Hong Kong: Tuesday, 6 February, 2024

An acclaimed bestseller in New Zealand, “Greta & Valdin” follows a brother and sister as they navigate queerness, multiracial identity, and dramas big and small of their entangled, unconventional family, “all while flailing their way to love”. It’s been a year since Valdin’s ex-boyfriend dumped him and moved from Auckland, and he’s doing fine; he has a flat with his sister Greta, a good career where his colleagues only occasionally remind him that he is the sole Maaori person in the office, and a friend who he only sleeps with when he’s sad. But when work sends him to Argentina — and back in his former lover’s orbit — Valdin is forced to confront the feelings he’s been trying to ignore, and the future he wants.

Available for pre-order on Amazon for $117.04 (Kindle), $180.36 (Paperback) and $218.61 (Hardcover)

Imad’s Syrian Kitchen: A Love Letter from Damascus by Imad Alarnab, EVI-O Studios and Andy Sewell

Genre: Cookbook, Memoir
Release Date in Hong Kong: Tuesday, 30 January, 2024

Our first cookbook on the list is already temporarily out of stock but it’s a moving debut collection with heartfelt stories, stunning photography, and beautiful illustrations. Renowned Syrian chef, restaurateur, and refugee Imad Alarnab writes of the immigrant and asylum-seeking experience, bidding farewell to his family and fleeing his beloved Damascus to escape war. Learn 90 traditional and adapted Syrian dishes (think hummus, baba ganoush, fattoush salad, falafel, kuftah, tabbouleh and more), details of Alarnab’s beautiful home country and his account of settling in London.

Temporarily out of stock, but keep an eye out for orders on Amazon

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

Genre: Literary Fiction, Queer
Release Date in Hong Kong: Tuesday, 23 January, 2024

From Iranian-American poet and writer Kaveh Akbar, this “Time” most-anticipated book follows a newly sober, orphaned son of Iranian immigrants on a remarkable search for a family secret. Guided by the voices of artists, poets, and kings, Cyrus Shams grapples with an inheritance of violence and loss, using his obsession with martyrs to examine the mysteries of his past. Too vague? We hear it’s funny and wholly original in the world of contemporary English-language fiction.

Available for pre-order on Amazon for $117.04 (Kindle) and $185.82 (Paperback)

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Humour
Release Date in Hong Kong: Tuesday, 30 July, 2024

Promising to be a breath of fresh air, Alison Espach’s “The Wedding People” balances being absurdly funny while being heartwarming and tender. It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn. Immediately, she is mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, despite being the only guest at the Inn who isn’t there for the big event. So begins confusion and confessions, as the bride has accounted for every detail and possible disaster of the weekend — except for, well, Pheobe.

Available for pre-order on Amazon for $117.04 (Kindle) and $226.34 (Hardcover)

Read More: 5 Wedding Guest Outfit Ideas

Slow Noodles: A Cambodian Memoir of Love, Loss, and Family Recipes by Chantha Nguon with Kim Green

Genre: Cookbook, Memoir
Release Date in Hong Kong: Tuesday, 20 February, 2024

Part beautiful cookbook, part haunting memoir, this pick is written by Chantha Nguon, a Cambodian refugee who lost her country and her family during Pol Pot’s genocide in the 1970s and found hope by reclaiming the recipes she tasted in her mother’s kitchen. “Slow Noodles” includes just over 20 recipes for Khmer dishes like chicken lime soup, banh sung noodles, pâté de foie, curries, spring rolls, and stir-fries, recreated as an act of resistance and reclamation, and to honour Nguon’s memory of her beloved mother.

Available for pre-order on Amazon for $117.04 (Kindle) and $226.42 (Hardcover)

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

Genre: Literary Fiction
Release Date in Hong Kong: Tuesday, 3 September, 2024

From Coco Mellors, the acclaimed author of “Cleopatra and Frankenstein”, comes “Blue Sisters”, a story of three exceptional — and exceptionally different — sisters who return to their family home in New York in the wake of the death of their beloved fourth sister. A tale of reuniting, coping with terrible loss, navigating addiction and grief, and learning to fall in love with life again.

Available for pre-order on Amazon for $117.04 (Kindle) and $218.53 (Hardcover)

Be A Revolution by Ijeoma Oluo

Genre: Non-fiction, Social Justice
Release Date in Hong Kong: Tuesday, 30 January, 2024

Haven’t picked up bestsellers “So You Want to Talk About Race” and “Mediocre” yet? Put them on your list and keep your eyes out for “Be A Revolution: How Everyday People are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World—and How You Can, Too”. Once you understand oppressive systems and their long, long histories, it’s time to do something about them! This book comes out of loving action: taking painful and traumatic conversations about race and racism and putting them into practice — resistance, revolution and making meaningful change. Detailed entryways into doing the work, so you can actively be anti-racist.

Available for pre-order on Amazon for $109.23 (Kindle)

Ward Toward by Cindy Juyoung Ok

Genre: Poetry
Release Date in Hong Kong: Tuesday, 5 March, 2024

In the 118th volume of the Yale Series of Younger Poets, Cindy Juyoung Ok’s debut moves between divided countries and spaces, psych wards and prison cells sharing fractured private codes and arguments between institutionalised teens. Expect visual play, a counter to previously established narratives about mental illness, abuse and death, plenty of nostalgia and even a little comedy.

Available for pre-order on Amazon for $156.15 (Paperback) and $351.34 (Hardcover)

The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan

Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date in Hong Kong: Tuesday, 2 January, 2024

This historical fiction pick stands out from the array of novels set in WWII, by moving locations to Malaya, 1945. Cecily Alcantara’s family is in terrible danger: her 15-year-old son, Abel, has disappeared, and her youngest daughter, Jasmin, is confined in a basement to prevent being pressed into service at the comfort stations. Her eldest daughter Jujube, who works at a tea house frequented by drunk Japanese soldiers, becomes angrier by the day. Cecily knows two things: this is all her fault and her family must never learn the truth.

Available for purchase on Amazon for $101.42 (Kindle), $179.18 (Hardcover) and $216.43 (Paperback)

How We Named the Stars by Andrés N. Ordorica

Genre: Literary Fiction, Queer
Release Date in Hong Kong: Tuesday, 30 January, 2024

When Daniel de La Luna arrives as a scholarship student at an elite East Coast university, he bears the weight of his family’s hopes and dreams, and the burden of sharing his late uncle’s name. Floundering at first, everything changes for Daniel when finds himself in love with a man who helps him see himself in a new light. But a brutal turn of events sends our lead to his ancestral homeland in México; grappling with loss as he struggles to come to terms with what’s happened. Set between the United States and México, Andrés N. Ordorica’s debut novel promises to be tender as it explores belonging, grief and first love.

Available for pre-order on Amazon for $78 (Kindle) and $140.15 (Paperback)

Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong by Katie Gee Salisbury

Genre: Biography, Non-fiction
Release Date in Hong Kong: Tuesday, 12 March, 2024

Set against the glittering backdrop of Los Angeles during the rise of Hollywood, this debut book by fifth-generation Chinese American Katie Gee Salisbury celebrates Anna May Wong — the first Asian American movie star. A legendary beauty, witty conversationalist, and fashion icon, this unsung heroine has always deserved more light and a rightful place in cinematic history, working in the States but also starring in acclaimed works in Berlin, Paris, and London, reshaping both Asian and Asian American representation in film.

Available for pre-order on Amazon for $109.23 (Kindle)

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Release Date in Hong Kong: Tuesday, 16 January, 2024

A much-anticipated follow-up (the second in the series!) “Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands”, is on many a fantasy-lover’s list. This time, mysterious faeries from other realms appear at Professor Emily Wilde’s university, sending her to the infuriatingly charming exiled king (on the run from his murderous mother) whom she has plenty of feelings for. An enchanting adventure with romance and mystery.

Available for pre-order on Amazon for $109.23 (Kindle)

Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Release Date in Hong Kong: Tuesday, 5 March, 2024

New York Times bestselling author Xochitl Gonzalez’s newest novel promises to be mesmerising. “Anita de Monte Laughs Last” follows Raquel, a third-year art history student preparing her final thesis in 1998, at a college where she’s a minority and outsider. After becoming romantically involved with a well-connected older student, she stumbles upon the story of Anita de Monte, a rising star in the art world found tragically dead in New York City in 1985. Moving back and forth through time and told from the perspectives of both women, this novel examines power, relationship dynamics, love, art, and who gets to be remembered and who is left behind.

Available for pre-order on Amazon for $117.04 (Kindle)

Koreaworld: A Cookbook by Deuki Hong and Matt Rodbard

Genre: Cookbook
Release Date in Hong Kong: Tuesday, 23 April, 2024

A follow-up of sorts to “Koreatown”, which explored the foods of Korean American communities across the United States, join chef Deuki Hong and journalist Matt Rodbard in “Koreaworld”, as they take an insider’s look at the exciting global evolution of Korean food. Expect stories of chefs and home cooks and the recipes that are shaping modern Korean cuisine including over 75 bold, flavour-packed recipes and tons of stunning photography. From ancient plant-based cooking of famed Buddhist monk chefs to the bustling streets of Seoul, seafood on Jeju Island, late-night eats in Los Angeles and more.

Available for pre-order on Amazon for $117.04 (Kindle) and $273.27 (Hardcover)

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