Asian Insight

I've been thinking what is it that makes people read books. Why are there such great differences inside different cultures.

For example one striking experience in China is the border between Hong Kong and the mainland. When in the Chinese mainland, one can notice that hardly anyone is reading books, newspapers or magazines. The city centers are equipped with magazine stands, but business seems dull. Makes you wonder how they keep themselves afloat.

Anyway, after crossing the border you will immediately cross into several convenience stores. These stores are packed with news papers which are sold at a rapid rate. Once you board the train towards the city center in the morning, most people will be holding either a book or a news paper. All of a sudden everyone loves to read!

Japan is another country where trains are packed with people reading books to beat the time. Rather than socializing with the person sitting next to you, the Japanese prefer to isolate themselves inwards through a book.

In addition to this striking difference, I noticed differences in myself when moving between these places. Especially in China, as many books are banned it had quite the opposite effect on me in contrary to the locals! When in the republic, I started to get hooked on books that were forbidden in the mainland. Sense I had access to this kind of information, it made me want to read those books even more. I've indulged myself with so many books I would have never read if they weren't banned!

On this home page, I would like to share my experiences within the traveling book scene. Exploring contrasts, differences as well as similarities. This is a non-inward journey into the extroverted exploration of books and literature. Hope you enjoy it!