Book Review: Alexandra

Colourful Hong Kong: Street Art Stories by Alexandra Unrein (2025)

Author/ Bookish Everybody
4 January 2026

How did you become a writer?

You can probably say: it ‘just happened’. I have been an avid reader since childhood and to be honest, I always saw myself more as a reader than a writer. That I’m now on the other side of things was somewhat of a natural development or maybe call it a coincidence.

I had been observing Hong Kong’s street art scene since 2010, going into the streets taking pictures of street art and chatting with the artists every chance I got. In late 2013 and throughout 2014, the scene really started to grow and I started blogging about it for a bit to share my discoveries, impressions and stories. However, I kept on wishing for a book that would provide me with more insights about the scene and its artists. But there simply was none. That was the moment when I first thought ‘maybe I could be the one writing that book’. It, nevertheless, still took me until late 2017 to muster the courage to do the first artist interview with the clear intention of writing a book about Hong Kong’s street art.

What would you be doing otherwise?

I would surely follow other creative pursuits. To me our world is truly a treasure trove and there is always something exciting to see, do, learn, and explore. So much so that sometimes I still have a tough time making up my mind about ‘what I would like to do when I grow up’.

Being an author is wonderful; however, I’ll continue exploring other creative pursuits too. For me that means continuing to document Hong Kong’s street art with my camera, collecting artists’ stories and also researching, curating, and running street art tours to share all those wonderful stories and this colourful side of Hong Kong.

Of the people you have written about which is your favourite and why?

That’s a tough one. Picking a favourite person, so, in my case, a favourite artist, is as impossible as answering the question about my favourite mural. Each piece of art communicates so differently, has a different feel, a different vibe that favourites might change on a daily basis.

It’s the same with the artists. Each artist is so unique in background, creation process and style that it’s impossible to pick a favourite. I truly enjoyed each and every interview that I conducted because the artists allowed me to learn about their unique histories and shared the stories behind their works; basically allowed me to dive into their creative worlds. I honestly can say that I don’t have a favourite.

How did you come to be in this part of the world and to start writing about China?

I first came to Hong Kong in my former profession as a flight attendant with a major European airline. I eventually met my husband here and after a few years between worlds, I decided to move to Hong Kong for good in 2017. I simply wanted to spend more time with my hubby and also felt the general need of a home, of “grounding myself” and growing roots in a place again.

Photographing, observing and eventually writing about Hong Kong’s street art scene grew out of pure interest in the scene and was therefore a natural development, it “just happened”. I simply wanted to share this colourful and often overlooked side of Hong Kong with other curious at hearts. Even more so since Hong Kong in the past has not necessarily been associated with street art and I thought it’s about time that the scene be seen.

Tell us about your writing method. Is there a secret?

A mix of perseverance, focus, taking it step-by-step, being patient with myself and saying ‘no’ to many other things and therefore ‘yes’ to my book project got me across the finish line.

A writing routine also proved to be helpful. To me that meant to figure out a spot where I like to write—my desk—and the best time of the day to write. As a true night owl, it turned out that I was a most productive between 10pm – 2am.

Writing a non-fiction book, I always had a ‘guiding principle’ in my mind as well: Which questions can my book answer that readers might want to ask about the artists’ backgrounds and their work. I also aimed to have the artists’ original tone shining through in each text and therefore tried to build my texts around it, striving for an overall cohesive flow.

I’m not sure if I would call these elements a secret but they all were elements of my writing method.

Which author alive or dead would you most like to meet?

Another tough question to answer. Spontaneously, however, I would pick the German children’s book author Otfried Preußler. I can’t exactly put my finger on what fascinated me most about his stories as a kid but I loved getting lost in the worlds he created. I remember reading many of his books over and over again, especially Das kleine Gespenst, Die kleine Hexe and Krabat. Something in his books planted a seed for a lifelong love of reading and a fascination with books. I would simply love to thank him.

Tell is about your favourite bookshop in the world.

I have so many favourite bookshops that I can almost say bookshops are my kryptonite since I basically can’t step into one and leave it without buying at least one new book.

What turns a bookshop into a favourite? Overall, it’s the shops’ selection, followed by the bookshops’ architecture and interior design or a special history.

In Hong Kong I really enjoy visiting ACO Books in Wan Chai. I think they have a one of the best selections of art-related books in town. Bookazine in Tai Kwun is another favourite since it has a great selection of books on Hong Kong and is also very active in connecting with the local community through book talks and related events.

When it comes to architecture and interior design, I’m fascinated by BookXcess in Kuala Lumpur. This maze-like bookshop is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur on the second floor of the former Rex movie theatre, which now has a new lease on life as cultural hub.

Another architectural gem is the Livraria Lello in Porto. It has an absolutely stunning wooden interior with beautiful winding stairs and is said to have inspired certain elements in the Harry Potter series. I got lucky to visit the shop in the days before it became one of the top Instagram spots in town and with it, unfortunately, utterly overrun.

Last but not least, City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco which still breathes the history of the Beat-era.

What advice would you give your younger writer self?

Since Colourful Hong Kong – Street Art Stories is my first book, I feel as if my ‘young’ writer self is still very close and that I haven’t reflected enough on everything yet to give advice. Spontaneously, I would say to my younger writer self to be patient, to believe in myself, and overall to trust the universe that it will all work out in the end.

This book can be bought at Lion Rock Press.

About the Author

Bookish Everybody

Books and reading are too often on the periphery. Enter: Bookish Everybody, a one-stop community of book enthusiasts to read or write reviews, join read-alongs, buy/sell/give books and join our competitions to win books: www.bookisheverybody.com.