Greetings...

Again it's been a long time: the massively succesful Writing Industries Conference has taken time, as did sorting out the reading groups. While I've been busy, lots of libraries have gone Chinese, with displays, information and books about all things chinese. In many cases this has involved the library staff eating a lot of fortune cookies. Another way to combine food and reading, I guess.

Chinese literature has a long history, and has influenced many english-language writers. Tip for this post: look up American-Chinese writer Ha-Jin. Winner of several awards, he is an acclaimed Chinese writer who writes in English. His fictional setting, Muji City, allows him to create fascinating depictions of chinese life. Compare and contrast with Thomas Hardy's Wessex.

It's the National Year of reading: hopefully I'll be posting more with detailsof events near you, recommendations and stuff to get involved with. Until then, keep reading.
K