Aug 2024 read: My City by Xi Xi

This month, I indulged in a weekend of quiet resistance to productivity, allowing myself to do nothing but to simply be curious without a specific. I gave myself the permission to drift, much like the narrative of My City—a book that invites you into a world where you never quite know where you’ll end up. The book, with its odd yet captivating rhythm, felt like the perfect companion for those moments when you just let yourself wander through time.

My City by Xi Xi

German title: Meine Stadt

In "My City," Xixi crafts a vivid portrait of urban life that captures both the heartbeat and the hidden corners of Hong Kong. As I navigated through her narrative, the streets and scenes of the city felt alive, almost as if I were walking alongside the characters. Xixi’s storytelling doesn’t just map the physical spaces of the city; it delves into the emotional landscapes of its inhabitants. Her subtle but sharp observations about urban dynamics and personal identities made me pause and look at my own city with new eyes. The book weaves personal stories with the broader urban tapestry, inviting reflection on how our environments shape who we are and who we might become.