Taken as read

Not all the books and authors at the fair are targeted at YA readers. Other notable HKBF events include seminars - always a favorite with visitors - focusing on subjects ranging from this year's theme to Hong Kong culture and history. The equally popular Renowned Writers seminars will welcome Chinese-language authors, including novelist Ma Boyong, Mao Dun Literature Prize shortlisted candidate Pang Bei, Hong Kong history scholar Shum Sai-shing, and journalist Susanna Cheung Chui-yung to talk about their writing journeys.

The English and International Reading series welcomes Indonesian comedy writer Jesse Q Sutanto, British children's authors Theadora Whittington (2008's The Sand Turtle) and Jane Houng (a resident of Hong Kong for more than 30 years), and Chinese history researcher Mark O'Neill. O'Neill's panel, "Why Foreigners Like Hong Kong", pivoting on the book of the same name, is timely, considering the city's effectively closed status for the past three years and the recent exodus of expatriates. The book tells the stories of 24 foreign-born, long-term residents of Hong Kong and their contributions to the city.