In case, like me, you completely screwed up your planning this weekend and missed the literary event of the year, City Weekend has helpfully put up its audio recordings. Listen to Sarah Brennan reading her Chinese calendar-inspired children's story , Thomas Keneally - author of the book that was turned into Schindler's List - talk about his life, and Pankaj Mishra and Ian Johnson talking about the resurgence of religion in India and China... and more! more ›

February is such a short month, we're already halfway through now and the Shanghai Litfest is peeking above the horizon. more ›

It's the final day of the Shanghai Lit Fest (March 21), and people are crammed into the Crystal Room to hear from Tash Aw, acclaimed author of The Harmony Silk Factory and Map of the Invisible World. We spoke of authors with multiple cultural identities earlier on, and Tash is another one - born in Taipei to Malaysian parents, he returned to Malaysia at the age of 3, then moved to England in his teens, where he's resided ever since. more ›

If I could make one claim about the success of the Shanghai Lit Fest, it would be this: we flock to it because the writers speak to our culturally schizophrenic hearts. Over the last three weeks, we've heard from Junot Díaz about 'the eternal quest for home'; Emily Perkins on exile, identity, and the invention of self; Tess Johnston on her 45 years working abroad for the Foreign Service; Alice Pung on migrants who remain voiceless in their new lands; and Fred Wah on bi-racialism and hybrid identities. Being caught between worlds and navigating multiple identities are issues many foreign residents in Shanghai can certainly relate to. more ›

Oh boy, what a weekend. Besides seeing off SILF and getting crazy with JUE, there's also a couple of Zuloo performances (both in Panto and improv forms) and an 8km run! more ›

Having earlier attended Tess Johnston's session, I return to Glamour Bar to hear from acclaimed Chinese author Su Tong (苏童). It's 5 p.m. and the floor is packed. People are reading from his works that have been translated into English, such as "My Life as Emperor," "Raise the Red Lantern" (also known as "the one that Zhang Yimou made into a movie"), and his 2009 Man Asia Literary Prize winner, "The Boat to Redemption." more ›

Glamour Bar is buzzing by the time I take my seat at 2:55 p.m. for Tess Johnston's Saturday session. Around me, people are talking about how excited they are to see Tess, wondering how Tess is, asking friends and acquaintances whether they've bought Tess's new book. People are referring to Tess in personal terms, like she is a dear old friend they are just meeting up with over afternoon tea. And it's no wonder it feels like everyone knows her: Tess Johnston is a Shanghai institution, a long-time resident of the city who needs no introduction for the crowds of fans gathered to hear her talk. more ›

Every Friday, Weekendist brings you our picks of the best of what's coming in the next three days. more ›

Who knew Shanghai could be so educational. This week, you could learn about QQ International, 1930s gangster films, or even some slammin' Nordic poetry at the Shanghai Lit Fest, and end your week with Irish song, drink and dance. more ›

Every Friday, Weekendist brings you our picks of the best of what's coming in the next three days. more ›

While we're really excited over the upcoming Shanghai International Literary Festival that starts this Friday, disappointing news has come in - our favorite China travel writer Peter Hessler, who was due to make an appearance on the Festival's final day, is no longer attending. more ›

Sure, it's not the most active week Shanghai's seen lately, but there's still a wealth of things to look forward to. From gaming nights to art education, we've got you covered on all that looks interesting in this city. Plus, don't forget: Friday marks the start of the Shanghai International Literary Festival! We can't wait! more ›

Sure the Shanghai International Literary Festival doesn't actually start until March, but books take quite a while to read (even if you're speed readers, like us). That's probably why the M Restaurant Group has wasted no time getting us the almost completely confirmed list of books and authors appearing at this years readings - stick your nose in any one of these 40+ tomes so you'll actually have something to discuss when one of your personal writing heroes (like say... Peter Hessler or Su Tong) come into town. more ›

Zachary Mexico's first book, China Underground, just came out this month. It's an edgy look at margins of modern China—and it's a real page-turner. Mexico mixes it up with the masses, returning with sixteen tales of unique individuals "trying to figure out what's going on, trying to carve a place out for themselves in the new China." more ›

The live music selection may be amazing this weekend, but it's not the only thing going on! Today also marks the beginning of two super special events and if you're a fan of sexy things or literary things (or sexy literary things), you've got great reason to be psyched. more ›

This evening will see the second week of the Shanghai International Literary Festival kicking off down at M on the Bund. Events will continue across the weekend and throughout the week, providing plenty of opportunities to see a whole host of great writers and performers. Ticket details can be found here as can the full line-up (which we suggest you check - there's far too much going on for us to cover it all in one post!). Below are just some of the highlights you can expect to see: more ›

Now into its fifth year, M on the Bund’s Shanghai International Literary Festival kicks off this weekend and once again has an impressive line up featuring a string of famous names and expert figures from across the book world. Running for the next three weekends, the festival offers Shanghai’s literati the chance to see some of the best Chinese and international writers. With so many great events to choose from (you can buy tickets and view the full line-up here) it’s hard to select highlights, but below are Shanghaiist’s picks from this weekend’s guests… more ›

On Sunday we spent the afternoon at Glamour Bar. No, not to drink cocktails, but for a much more noble purpose: to attend Dai Sijie's session at the Shanghai International Literary Festival (SILF). The session was in French only, and Dai talked about "la part personnelle d'implication dans l'écriture" (to what extend one can use one's personal experiences in one's writings). more ›

Celebrated American writer and critic Gore Vidal was interviewed by former New South Wales Premier Bob Carr on Sunday at Glamour Bar before a full audience as the opening speaker for the 2007 Shanghai International Literary Festival. Over his career which spans more than 60 years, Vidal has produced novels, plays, screenplays, and numerous essays and pamphlets, and most recently, he published his memoirs, Point-to-Point Navigation. more ›

There are a lot of tempting events coming up this weekend. But please don't invite us, we're saving up for Kenny G. more ›

The annual Shanghai International Literary Festival, taking place throughout March, is one of those gems that make Shanghai such a fantastic city. The festival consistently brings some of the biggest names of the contemporary literary scene to the city to discuss their craft in the unusually intimate surroundings — the Glamour Bar or the Crystal Room at M on the Bund. more ›