“Reading the World: Food Culture. Future Living.”
— Hong Kong Book Fair 2025
ARPress has been actively participating in some of the world’s most prominent international book fairs, from the Bologna Book Fair and the London Book Fair to events in Miami, Beijing, and Sharjah. We’re excited to share that our journey doesn’t stop there. Our latest step forward: participation in the 35th Hong Kong Book Fair 2025. This expansion brings even more opportunities to connect with readers, authors, and publishers on a truly global scale, and we’re just getting started.
The 2025 Hong Kong Book Fair took place from July 16–22 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This year’s theme, “Food Culture · Future Living,” served up a rich menu of tastily themed programming. Culinary literature from around the world was showcased, offering insights into food’s role in traditions, health habits, and even the future of dining through tech innovations. The World of Art & Culture zone elevated the experience, blending interactive art, dynamic videos, music, and literary commentary. Eight artists and several embassy installations illustrated how a dining table can be a cultural microcosm.
One highlight was the collaboration with Macao’s Cultural Affairs Bureau, which brought a “Macao Craft Market” to the fair. Around 40 creative brands presented handmade crafts, fashion, and lifestyle pieces that reflect Macao’s unique local identity. Mainland China also had a strong showing, with over 40 publishers and nearly 20,000 titles, including a spotlight on Sichuan’s cultural offerings.
Beyond browsing shelves, visitors immersed themselves in interactive experiences: AR photo booths, needlework demonstrations (such as Sichuan embroidery), panda-themed installations, and a civic education exhibition featuring Cantonese opera, ballet, game booths, and photo corners aimed at promoting awareness.
Book signings and author talks drew enthusiastic crowds. Fans queued to meet popular voices such as Ghost Writer (孤泣) and more. Seminars covered a wide range of topics, featuring international voices like Rie Qudan, Lindsay Varty, and Osamu Okamura, alongside local and regional authors. The fair hosted eight themed lecture series, including future living, local history, youth reading, and mindfulness.
To commemorate its 35th edition, the fair introduced several clever ticketing promotions: free admission for visitors born in 1990, special packages allowing five people to enter for the price of three, and limited-edition tote bags and gifts for shoppers who spent over HK$500. The fair didn’t just showcase books it offered an immersive cultural feast, blending reading, dining, art, craft, tech, and performance. It was a testament to how a book fair can go beyond the printed page, feeding the mind, the heart, and yes, even future appetites.
Last June 16-22, 2025, “Cousins’ Rivalry” by Ted J. Brooks was featured at the 2025 Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF). The 31st edition of the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) unfolded as a vibrant tapestry of literary innovation, cultural exchange, and academic collaboration. Hosted at the China National Convention Center, this year’s fair showcased over 400,000 titles and introduced groundbreaking initiatives that highlighted the evolving landscape of global publishing.
Also, “Cousins’ Rivalry” by Ted J. Brooks was displayed at the 62nd edition of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) in Bologna, Italy, from March 31 to April 3, 2025. The Bologna Book Fair is renowned for facilitating networking and fostering partnerships that shape the future of publishing. ARPress’ participation underscored its dedication to engaging with the international community of publishers, authors, and literary agents.
Author Ted J. Brooks has worked in retail for over thirty years in several stores. He is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University. His hobbies include family research, photography, and coin collecting. Brooks resides in Connecticut. Visit Ted’s website at https://tedjbrooks.com/ to learn more about him and his books.
Additionally, the same book was displayed at the London Book Fair (LBF) at Olympia London from March 11–13, 2025. The London Book Fair serves as a premier gathering for the global publishing community, providing a platform for individuals to forge connections, gain valuable insights, and shape the future of creative content. This event brings together a diverse spectrum of professionals, including publishers, dealmakers, copyright specialists, commissioners, and global licensors, all representing the broad scope of the publishing industry.
“Cousins’ Rivalry” by Ted J. Brooks tells the story of two cousins, Greg Sutton and Robert Hawkins, who are in conflict over the ownership of the Portsmouth Falls Country Store. Greg Sutton inherited the store from their grandfather. The novel is set in a fictional town in Connecticut, which is only accessible by crossing a covered bridge. Additionally, Robert’s mother discovers she has been cut out of her parents’ will after marrying someone outside of their faith.
The book revolves around Greg Sutton and Robert Hawkins, cousins who find themselves at odds. Their central conflict stems from the inheritance of the Portsmouth Falls Country Store, which Greg received from their grandfather. Set against the backdrop of a fictional Connecticut town accessible via a covered bridge, the narrative also explores Robert’s mother’s exclusion from the family will be due to marrying outside the family’s faith.
The setting of Cousins’ Rivalry is a crucial element of the story. The fictional town in Connecticut, accessible only by a covered bridge, creates a sense of isolation and insularity. This setting emphasizes the close-knit community and the importance of family ties, which are central to the conflict between Greg and Robert. The store itself likely serves as a symbol of heritage and connection to the past, further fueling the rivalry between the cousins.