The 31st Beijing International Book Fair, held from June 18 to 22, 2025, gathered the global publishing community under one roof for a week of cultural exchange, literary discovery, and dialogue. Hosted at the China National Convention Center, this year’s fair featured more than 1,700 exhibitors from 80 countries, showcasing over 400,000 titles across 50,000 square meters. With debut participation from countries such as Ethiopia, Chile, Bangladesh, and Jamaica, the event reflected an increasingly interconnected literary landscape. Nearly 300,000 visitors attended on opening day alone, reaffirming the fair’s significance as a world-class platform for the written word.
“Empower book fair with new technology and create a never-ending exchange platform for international book industry.”
– BIBF
Amid this remarkable gathering, Kravitz&Sons joined publishers, authors, and industry professionals in celebrating the enduring power of books. Our involvement at BIBF 2025 was not about spotlighting achievements, but about contributing to a shared space where ideas are exchanged, cultures meet, and meaningful conversations begin—through literature.
For us, this event was an opportunity to thoughtfully present works that reflect diverse perspectives and lived experience. Each book brought to the fair was chosen not only for its literary value but for its ability to resonate across borders. The conversations it sparked—whether about faith, identity, struggle, or hope—reminded us that stories remain one of the most powerful tools for connection in an ever-evolving world.
As BIBF 2025 concluded, it became clear that the fair is more than a showcase—it’s a movement. One that blends tradition with technology, diversity with unity, and publishing with purpose. Kravitz&Sons is honored to take part in that ongoing journey.
Fred Beck’s life reads like an adventure led by faith and fueled by grit. Before becoming a missionary, he wore a lot of hats—carpenter’s helper, satellite fabricator, café waiter, even a prison guard. But what truly defines his story is not the odd jobs or career shifts—it’s the calling. For over three decades, Fred and his wife Linda served across Indonesia and India under the International Mission Board. From planting churches to training local leaders, their mission wasn’t just about what they did for God, but what God was doing in them. Now retired, the Becks remain hands-on in their local community, still living out the kind of faith they wrote about.
When God Works Incognito: Thoughts & Memories of My Life & Lifetime isn’t your typical missionary memoir. It’s a warm, down-to-earth collection of stories that hits with the kind of honesty only lived experience can bring. The first part walks you through Fred’s early life, family, and pastoral work in the U.S., while the rest dives deep into the Becks’ thirty-three-year journey as missionaries in Southeast Asia.
This book is as much about spiritual growth as it is about cross-cultural ministry. You’ll read about the big wins—churches planted, leaders raised, people baptized—but also the quiet, behind-the-scenes moments where God showed up in unexpected ways. It’s called “Incognito” for a reason: sometimes God’s work isn’t flashy, it’s subtle—and that’s where the beauty lies. The vignettes are short, readable, and rich with real-life insight. Think faith under pressure, family unity in unfamiliar places, and the quiet triumphs of everyday obedience.
Why does it deserve a place at the BIBF? Because it’s not just telling a missionary story—it’s showing what it means to walk the walk. This book bridges generations, cultures, and denominations with its simple message: God is always at work, even when you least expect it.
Whether you’re someone who’s served overseas or just trying to figure out what God’s doing in your own life, there’s something here that’ll stick. This isn’t just for ministry-minded readers. It’s for anyone who’s ever had to trust God when the road was unclear, when the answers were late, or when the mission felt bigger than your abilities.
Discover the extraordinary story behind ordinary obedience.
Order a copy today, available from Amazon and Barnes&Noble
When God Works Incognito
Thoughts & Memories of My Life & Lifetime
Fred Beck