Non-Fiction
East and West
by Chris Patten
Part memoir and part sermon, East and West is Chris Patten’s book about his years as the Last Governor of Hong Kong (“a title invariably given capital letters to denote its historic significance”, he muses). Published in 1998, Patten gives a frank and candid account of his experiences and the tortuous diplomatic maneuvering in the final years before the handover of Hong Kong to China, after more than 150 years of British rule. His sharp analysis, vivid descriptions and lively first-person anecdotes make East and West an intriguing read for anyone interested in Hong Kong and in China.
Gweilo: Memories of a Hong Kong Childhood
by Martin Booth
Evocative and beautifully written, Martin Booth describes his childhood growing up in Hong Kong in the 1950s, and his journey into Chinese culture. Roaming the streets of a strange city as a young and inquisitive English boy, filled with an enormous curiosity about the exotic and colorful world around him, his adventure takes him to the secret headquarters of a triad and the secret lairs of the opium dens. The infectious curiosity from a child’s perspective artfully captures the thoughts and experiences of a new arrival navigating the hazards of a foreign country and culture, while also tackling the difficulties of growing up in an unhappy home. A compelling memoir that is both a journey into Hong Kong’s past and the extinct colonial way of life.
Myself, a Mandarin
By Austin Coates
This well written book is composed of anecdotes and experiences of the author who served as a Special Magistrate in the New Territories in the 1950’s. The author, with much sensitivity, highlights his difficulty in understanding and dealing with the rural Cantonese mindset in the discharge of his duties. This book, which is in scarce supply, is considered to be a must read for anyone planning to live and work in Hong Kong.
Fiction
The World of Suzie Wong
By Richard Mason
Probably the most well-known book associated with Hong Kong, The World of Suzie Wong is a classic novel published in 1957, later adapted to film in 1961. Set in the tumultuous ’50s and with the backdrop of post-WWII Hong Kong, it is the fictional story of a young expat who meets Suzie, the beautiful Wan Chai bar-girl who strives to be respectable. The Suzie Wong story helped bring Hong Kong before the world’s eyes (there is, in fact, still a bar in Wan Chai named after the character). A timeless classic on the conflict of class and culture, and a must-read for anyone living in Hong Kong.
Humor
Hongkongitis: Reports from the Wackiest Place on Earth
by Larry Feign
A hilarious collection of cartoonist Larry Feign’s “scientific theories” and observations about Hong Kong – such as “a baby’s IQ determines the size of his future house”, “Hong Kong drivers exploit Quantum Theory”, and “the Vatican should relocate to Kwai Chung” – Hongkongitis is the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks of life in Hong Kong.
Tourism
Hong Kong: Culture Smart!
by Claire Vickers
Facing culture shock in Hong Kong? Culture Smart! has come to the rescue. Chock-full of insights into the local culture, attitudes and behavior, this guidebook gives you tips on avoiding embarrassing gaffes and faux pas, do’s and don’ts, taboos and sensitive issues, and helps you better adjust to life in Hong Kong.
Wallpaper City Guide: Hong Kong
By Wallpaper City Guides
Compiled by Wallpaper’s travel experts and correspondents living in Hong Kong, this guide provides useful, up-to-the-minute information for anyone new to the city. The color-coded, tabbed sections make the book easy to navigate, and useful tools such as maps and rate and currency cards are an efficient way of helping you to steer your way through Hong Kong while getting accustomed to the city’s hustle and bustle.
Luxe Hong Kong & Macau
by Luxe City Guides
Brimming with essential information and excellent tips, this pocket-sized book is your guide to enjoying Hong Kong and Macau’s shopping, nightlife, dining and more. Witty, candid and succinct, the Luxe guide is brutally frank, serving up the best of the two cities and unafraid to pour scorn onto what doesn’t make the cut.
Shop in Hong Kong: An Insider’s Guide
by Ellen McNally
A lifesaver for those with no time to hunt for the best deals around when shopping. With the abundance of malls, department stores, designer boutiques and bustling open-air markets in Hong Kong, it can be baffling for the uninitiated to navigate. This practical guide contains helpful maps of 12 popular shopping neighborhoods to lead you to the best places to shop. Malls, shops, markets, designer and factory outlets are all marked on the maps and transportation options clearly identified. Even savvy shoppers will find it useful, especially the in-depth guide which covers over a hundred product categories.
Lonely Planet Hong Kong City Guide
by Lonely Planet
A broad guide to exploring Hong Kong, with plenty of helpful information for tourists and people new to the city. Everything from accommodation, dining, spa and beauty, things to do and shopping to general advice about Hong Kong is included here. There’s also a good overview of the major areas of the city.
Reference
Hong Kong on the Move: 10 Years as the HKSAR
by Carola McGiffert & James Tang
An in-depth look at Hong Kong 10 years after the 1997 handover from British rule to the People’s Republic of China. Drawing on a wide variety of sources, including noted U.S. and local scholars and economists, it takes a hard look at the changes that have taken place – from government policies and political developments to economic challenges – since the most significant event in Hong Kong’s history. This book not only provides insights into the city’s success story, but also offers a provocative perspective into Hong Kong’s changing identity and its future direction in the face of a complex relationship with China.
Hong Kong Taxation: Law and Practice
by Ayesha Macpherson & David G. Smith
Confused by the local tax system and regulations? This reference book is a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to Hong Kong’s tax structure. Using practical examples and case studies, it helps you to better understand the various aspects and related legislation of property tax, income tax and profits tax in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong: The World City and International Business Centre
by Andrew Mapp
If you’re looking at doing business in Hong Kong, this book is both essential and indispensable. It provides a detailed and informative analysis of the Hong Kong economy and its infrastructure, the city’s advantages and disadvantages as an international business center, its economic links with mainland China, and the requirements and logistics of setting up a business here. Particularly handy is the included list of organizations, associations and government bodies to get in touch with when establishing your business in the region.
Dos & Don’ts in Hong Kong
by Mary Leong & Colin Storey
This book takes a humorous look at the culture and traditions of the people of Hong Kong and offers visitors and expats an insight into what their behaviors mean. It covers a large range of subjects including food and dining, character traits, religion, shopping, marriages and Chinese names and is a very useful guide for anyone who wishes to understand Hong Kong better.
Hiring and Managing Domestic Help
By Andreas Rosboch
Written by a expat in Hong Kong, the book which is published by a local Hong Kong publisher, Haven books. The book offers practical advice for expats who wish to hire a domestic helper in Hong Kong and don’t know how to go about it. The book also offers real life stories and juicy tid-bits as well.
