READ@PolyU 2025

READ@PolyU is delighted to announce One Day by David Nicholls as our 2025 Common Book, a captivating novel that inspired a hit Netflix series!

One Day follows Emma and Dexter, two fresh graduates whose lives intertwine every 15 July over two decades, thus exploring their evolving relationship and the impact of time on their dreams and choices. The witty, heartfelt story explores themes of love, friendship, ambition, social class, grief and healing, as well as the unpredictable twists of life’s journey.

 

 

 

Read with Us!

  • Get a free copy during the annual Book Pick-Up event
  • Borrow the print book from the Library
  • Read the e-book version here

 

 

Common Book Selection Criteria

The selection process with a campus-wide call for nomination in January, and concluded with the final selection by the READ@PolyU Programme Committee in May.

The selection criteria help ensure that the common book will support the programme goal of cultivating a reading culture at PolyU, as well as the University's goals to provide a campus experience that is international and enriching.

  • The book will be in English, preferably less than 300 pages
  • It should be engaging for the PolyU community
  • It should be accessible, not difficult to read
  • It should appeal to students’ imagination, and should include some elements of exploration of and reflection on multi-cultural issues
  • It should preferably have been adapted for film
  • It should preferably have won international and critical acclaim
  • Ideally, the author would be available to visit PolyU

 

Common Books in Previous Years

  • 2011/12 The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
  • 2012/13 Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
  • 2013/14 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
  • 2014/15 The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne
  • 2015/16 The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
  • 2016/17 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
  • 2017/18 The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
  • 2018/19 Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis
  • 2019/20 Persepolis: The Story of Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
  • 2020/21 Exhalation by Ted Chiang
  • 2021/22 The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu
  • 2022/23 First Person Singular: Stories by Haruki Murakami
  • 2023/24 Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
  • 2024/25 Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
  • 2025/26 One Day by David Nicholls

 

 

Events

 

Common Book Distribution

Time: 1 – 12 Sept 2025 (Mon – Fri), 14.00 – 17.00
Venue: P/F of the Library

 

Share your reading experience in a Book Chat Group! Each group will meet 3 times within Sep - Oct. Let’s make new friends and develop soft skills during the thought-provoking discussion.

*Eligibility: PolyU Students (Quota: 800)

Pick up a complimentary print copy of One Day and join a Book Chat Group to share your thoughts. Limited stock — don’t miss out! Prefer a digital copy? Also, access the e-book or e-audiobook version.

 

 

Book Chat Groups

Time: Week 3 - 5 (Mon – Fri), 11.30 / 12.30 / 13.30
Venue: The Bubble, 6/F South Wing of the Library

Connect with peers in a relaxed, staff-led group to discuss the book. Meet three times over the term, make new friends, and gain fresh perspectives while easing into university life.

 View our 2025/26 photo album 

 

 

Book Exhibition

 

Lovestruck in the Library: Timeless Love Through Romance Reads

Time: 25 Aug to 16 Nov 2025
Venue: Featured Book Display, P/F, Library

Experience the joy and complexity of love as we celebrate the diverse voices and perspectives that shape our understanding of romance. Join us in this literary adventure, where every book is a doorway to the deepest emotions and unforgettable connections.

 

 

Meet The Author: David Nicholls

 

We are excited to announce the culminating event of our campus-wide reading programme this year, featuring a special conversation with the acclaimed author Mr David Nicholls to discuss his bestselling novel One Day , which has been selected as the 2025 Common Book for READ@PolyU.

The novel follows Emma and Dexter, two fresh graduates whose lives intertwine every 15th of July over two decades, exploring their evolving relationship and the impact of time on their dreams and choices. The witty, heartfelt story explores themes of love, friendship, ambition, and the unpredictable twists of life’s journey.

During the event, Mr Nicholls will spend the first 30-40 minutes sharing insights into his creative process for One Day , followed by a Q&A session.

Date: 16 October 2025 (Thursday)
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Format: Online via Zoom (Moderated by Mr Dean A.F. Gui, English Language Centre)
Quota: 200 participants. Register to reserve your seat.

 

Have a Question for David Nicholls? Post it to Win a Prize!

Want a chance to win another bestseller by Mr Nicholls? Join our Instagram campaign for a chance to win one of his novels: You are Here, Us or Starter for Ten.

 

Steps to Participate:

  1. Post your thought-provoking question related to One Day on your Instagram account, using the hashtag #PolyUReads_David_Nicholls.
  2. Email a screenshot of your post to lbueo@polyu.edu.hk. 
  3. Deadline for submission: 14 October 2025 (Tuesday)

After the deadline, the questions will be compiled and sent to Mr Nicholls for his consideration. During the Q&A session, he will answer five to seven of the most intriguing questions submitted via Instagram before addressing queries from the audience. If your question is chosen, you will receive his bestselling book as a prize.

 

About the Author

David Nicholls is a novelist and screenwriter for TV and film. He has written six bestselling novels, including One Day, Us (long-listed for the Booker Prize) and his latest, You Are Here. His TV adaptation of Patrick Melrose, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, was Emmy-Nominated and won him a BAFTA for Best Writer.

 

Recording

 

 

 

 

Call for Book Nomination

Date: End of 2025

Please send us your Common Book nominations for a new year of reading. It will help us decide which book the PolyU community will read in 2026.

 

 

Feature Talk: Human + AI Collaborating to Build Immersive Stories: From Scripting Tales to Stunning Visuals

 

Date: 10 March 2026
Time: 2:30 – 3:45p.m.
Hybrid Mode: The Forum, 6/F, Library & Online via Zoom
Guest Speaker: Mr Billy Hau

 

Join us in this talk where you'll discover how to harness generative AI as your creative collaborator! We will introduce you to essential techniques in prompt engineering across cutting-edge AI platforms. Learn how to apply this skill through the entire storytelling process — from structuring captivating narratives and crafting compelling characters to planning visually stunning sequences and producing short-form videos.

By the end of the talk, you'll leave with a practical, transferable workflow that transforms your ideas into immersive visual narratives, unlocking your full storytelling potential! This is also perfect for boosting your entries in the READ@PolyU AI Challenge: Reimagine the Story Ending of One Day !

 

About the Speaker

Billy Hau is a Hong Kong-based STEM educator and former NASA engineer. At NASA Glenn Research Center, his work in space exploration technologies included contributions to the Deep Space Gateway lunar station concept, robotic mining prototypes, and serving as Principal Investigator for a simulation-based machine learning project for robotic navigation. He holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University and a Master of Science in Computer Science from Georgia Tech. He now channels this experience into designing and teaching advanced aerospace, robotics, and AI curricula for schools across Hong Kong.

 

 

 

 

 

READ@PolyU AI Challenge: Reimagine the Story Ending of One Day!

 

We are thrilled to launch a creative contest as part of our READ@PolyU reading programme, centred around our common book 2025/26: One Day by David Nicholls.

One Day follows Emma and Dexter across two decades. The novel explores love, missed opportunities, personal growth, and the unpredictability of life, leading to an unforgettable conclusion that has sparked endless discussion among readers.

This challenge invites you to reimagine the story: What if things had turned out differently? Craft your own alternative ending for Emma and Dexter: A new twist? A different choice? Or an entirely fresh resolution.

How to Participate:

  1. Develop Your Alternative Ending Concept: Write a 50-word description of your alternative ending idea.
  2. Utilize AI to Produce a Video: Use GenAI tools to create a 30-second video that brings your alternative ending to life. It could include visuals, narration, text overlays, or simple scenes.
  3. Submit Your Entry:
    • Post your 30-second video on your Instagram account, with the caption: "READ@PolyU Challenge: My Alternative Ending for One Day" and include hashtags: #polyureads and #PolyULibrary
    • Email your submission to lbread@polyu.edu.hk . Include:
    • A screen capture of your Instagram post
    • Your full name and student ID
    • A shareable link to your 30-second MP4 video (e.g., OneDrive and set sharing to “Anyone with the link can view”)
    • Your 50-word description of the alternative ending concept
    • The AI tools and the prompts you used

Eligibility:

  • This challenge is open to all PolyU students.
  • Each participant may submit one entry only.

Prizes:

Submissions will be judged on creativity, originality, connection to the book's themes, and effective use of AI tools. Winners have the opportunity to be featured on our social media platforms.

  • Gold Award (x1): BOOX 6" Go 6 E-Reader
  • Silver Award (x1): HEDONIC Retro-style Digital Camera
  • Bronze Award (x1): USATISFY Smart Wireless Voice AI Mouse

Don’t miss this fun opportunity to get creative with one of the most talked-about love stories! Give Emma and Dexter the ending you wish they had!