This winter, dive into some of the finest Korean and Japanese films our Library! Experience the gripping suspense of thrillers like Parasite alongside the influential classic Rashomon, a landmark film of the 20th century. If you prefer animation, enjoy the enchanting stories of Japanese favourites such as Doraemon: Nobita and the New Steel Troops Winged Angels. You might also like the fascinating Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds, one of the highest-grossing Korean film in recent years.

Today, December 16, 2025, marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth (1775–1817). Despite her short life, Austen produced six novels that have become cornerstones of English literature: Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1815), Northanger Abbey (1817), and Persuasion (1817). With sharp irony and keen psychological insight, her works explore themes of love, social class, and morality in early 19th-century England. Austen's influence reaches far beyond her original novels, inspiring countless sequels, parodies, and adaptations. Our library collection highlights this ongoing legacy: for instance, Emma Tennant's An Unequal Marriage: Pride and Prejudice Twenty Years Later imagines what happens to the Darcys after the happy ending of the original novel. If you're in the mood for something with horror and fantastic elements, try Seth Grahame-Smith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Austen's stories have also been adapted numerous times for the screen, from Ang Lee's acclaimed Sense and Sensibility to the 2009 BBC adaptation of Emma—and many more available on Kanopy. These versions bring her timeless characters and themes to new audiences with fresh perspectives. As the fall semester winds down and exam season approaches, there's no better way to celebrate Austen's 250th birthday (and reward yourself during the winter break) than by diving into her brilliant novels. Visit our library to check out the works!

If this is your first exam season at HKUST, here’s a little heads-up: the next three weeks come with plenty of support and cheer across campus for you. If you’ve been here before, you already know the drill: your schools and many offices will be out in full force with encouragement, activities, food and drinks to help you recharge. At the Library, we have our own way of supporting you: Snack Breaks, a long-running tradition that is all about taking you away from your study seat and giving you a little treat. A Bite of History Snack Breaks started back in 2012, the same year the Learning Commons opened its doors. It was a fresh idea then, and it quickly got warm appreciation among students. Fast forward to today, and we’re in the 14th year of this program! As the library team gears up for another round of Snack Breaks, I couldn't help but wonder what those early breaks looked like. To my surprise, they could almost pass for last year’s! Same friendly vibe, same happy faces, same humble but always welcome snacks. Some traditions never age; and that is exactly what makes them special.

The 24/7 Learning Commons has been a great space since it opened in 2012. But in the recent Library survey you complained that it had no individual study options. We listened, and acted. Individual study carrels are now available 24/7 in the Learning Commons! These colorful carrels are built with sound-absorbent fabric panels, wooden study surfaces, and regular and USB power sockets. I hope you enjoy using them as much as I enjoyed buying them :-) And for those wondering where the previous tables went – we moved them up to the ground floor, replacing some book shelves which were no longer needed. Edward Spodick Associate University Librarian lbspodic@ust.hk

As autumn unfolds and the days grow shorter, it’s the perfect time to enjoy some fantastic science fiction. Sci-fi has gained immense popularity among recent generations, exploring themes like robotics, space exploration, time travel, and parallel universes—topics that resonate across various media. A new selection of best-selling sci-fi titles including eBooks and physical items is now on display near the G/F Leisure Reading Zone. Liu Cixin has emerged as a prominent figure in contemporary science fiction, with his novels The Three-Body Problem(三体) and The Wandering Earth(流浪地球) adapted into movies and television dramas. Mr. Liu’s works, from short stories to novels, are featured in this Sci-fi display. In addition to Liu Cixin's works, you will discover other timeless classics by H.G. Wells, such as The Time Machine and The Invisible Man, alongside with the classic series by Hong Kong novelist Ni Kuang such as Legend of Wesley(衛斯理傳奇之搜靈·盡頭). This diverse selection appeals to all sci-fi lovers, whether you’re an experienced reader or just starting to explore the genre. Science fiction is not only entertaining but also stimulates critical thinking about our world and its future.