We have just got into audiobooks. It's a great way of getting hold of new reading material without having to wait weeks for it to clear customs. They are great for summer holidays, because audiobooks can be downloaded from the Internet to your MP3 player without taking up any extra baggage space. more ›

How many times have you found yourself sitting around your living room just itching to attend a local expo? Didn't think so. Well, for those out there who are interested, get those reading glasses ready. If the previously mentioned Sex Expo ("Sexpo"?) isn't quite your cup of naughty tea, then perhaps this might better suit your uptight needs. As reported last week in Shanghai Daily, the 2006 Shanghai Book Fair will be held at the Shanghai Exhibition Center (the former site of Jewish millionaire Silas Hardoon's Old Shanghai garden estate) from August 5 to 11. more ›

Earlier this month, we briefly mentioned one local man's bizarre plan to host regular "dog matchmaking events" in Shanghai, aimed at pet owners who wanted to find the perfect breeding partner for their pet. The Shanghai Daily wrote the story in a playful, carefree manner -- and the people at the city's Second Chance Animal Aid non-profit organization were not amused. They have written a response letter to the newspaper, but it hasn't been published. So Shanghaiist, proud owner of a (neutered) pup adopted with the SCAA's help, is happy to publish the letter here: more ›

We enjoyed last month's Family Flea Market at Garden Books on Changle Lu so much that we booked a table for this month's incarnation of the mostly-outdoor event, which takes place tomorrow (Saturday) from 2-5 pm outside in the bookstore's -- you guessed it -- garden. There's a section that is kind of indoors, as well. Look for the table with the Shanghaiist banner and perhaps a really cute dog. We'll be selling our custom-made Shanghaiist T-shirts for the dirt-cheap price of 50 kuai (that's 10 kuai off the already-low suggested retail price of 60). Shanghaiist contributor and photographer Peijin Chen will also be at our table selling some of his excellent photographs. There may be some other surprises, as well -- and we hope to also have a cooler full of beer. more ›

In an announcement that should come as no surprise to anyone who has tasted the stuff, China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine has confirmed that Chinese-made ice cream is bad ... really bad ... and potentially harmful to your health. A muddled China Daily story about the report says that Chinese ice cream has an approval rating of 52.6 percent -- not very good, but still about 10 points better than President Bush. more ›