Living in China, Working in China, Understanding China: 30 Great Books

Will you and your family soon be living and working in China? Are you planning to set up business in China? Or do you already work with Chinese colleagues and business partners?

Then be sure to check out this list of recommended books that will make you more knowledgeable about China!

We've teamed up with Global Agility Consultant, Impact Coach and Specialist on the Greater China region Michelle Bradley to make this list of 30 great books on China.

There are plenty of resources for those of you with an international background who live or work in China – and for those of you who live elsewhere in the world but collaborate with Chinese colleagues or business partners.

Thank you to Michelle for all your input! Also, many thanks to all of you in our network who recommended your favorite books on China.

At the top of this blog post, you’ll find the 30 books that we believe are the best ones to start with. All these 30 books are available in English, and some are also in Danish.

The 30 books are divided into the following topics:

• Doing business in China
• Living in China as an expat
• Chinese people and culture
• Chinese history and society
• Learning Chinese
• Modern literature about or from China
• Classical Chinese literature
• China for kids

If you want to go into more depth, then continue to the Even more interesting books section at the bottom of the blog post, where you’ll find no fewer than 237 additional books about or from China.

Our Danish-speaking readers can also find a  wider selection of books in Danish here.

Enjoy!

Dragon Suit: The Golden Age of Expatriate Executives in China

By Gàbor Holch, Business Expert Press, 2023.

Holch explores the experiences of expatriate managers in China. Based on interviews, Dragon Suit covers the bustling cities, economic growth, rising middle class, environmental challenges, and cultural nuances. It provides insights into how global firms manage top executives, focusing on selection, relocation, management, and rewards. Most importantly, it addresses how managers, entrepreneurs, and students can prepare for an increasingly China-facing future in business.

The New China Playbook: Beyond Socialism and Capitalism

By Keyu Jin, Viking, 2023.

Unravel the complexities of China's economic rise. This comprehensive guide challenges Western perceptions, offering a nuanced understanding of Chinese culture, history, and economic policies. Discover how China's unique path has propelled it to global prominence, through the eyes of Jin, whose fluency in both Eastern and Western cultures provides a uniquely poised perspective.

Dragon Tactics: How Chinese Entrepreneurs Thrive in Uncertainty

By Aldo Spaanjaars and Sandrine Zerbib, BIS Publishers, 2022.

Dragon Tactics reveals the secrets behind China's business success, exploring how corporations like Huawei, Alibaba, and Tencent thrive in a volatile, hyper-competitive market. Drawing from 30 years of experience, the authors break down strategies, cultural insights, and management practices that have propelled Chinese companies to global dominance, offering a guide for leaders navigating today’s unpredictable business landscape.

Culture Hacks: Deciphering Differences in American, Chinese, and Japanese Thinking

By Richard Conrad, Lioncrest Publishing, 2019.

In Culture Hacks, Conrad draws on 25 years of experience to explore how Americans, Chinese, and Japanese think and perceive the world differently. He highlights contrasts in reasoning styles and views on truth – absolute in the West, relative in the East. With practical examples, Conrad offers insights for navigating these cultural differences in both business and social settings, making this a valuable guide for cross-cultural communication.

The Great Tech Revolution: How China is Shaping our Future

By Christina Boutrup, Saxo Publish, 2019.

China is quietly undergoing a tech revolution, reshaping the global balance of power. Leading in AI, drones, e-commerce, and mobile payments, Chinese businesses are driving innovation while the West focuses on Silicon Valley. With 800 million internet users, China’s digital economy is thriving. In The Great Tech Revolution, Boutrup explores how China's rise will challenge Western dominance and redefine the future of technology.

The book is also available in Danish: "Den Store Tech-Revolution: Sådan former Kina vores fremtid", People’s Press, 2018.

Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Guide to Building Trust, Inspiring Respect, and Creating Long-Lasting Business Relationships

By Sharon Schweitzer, Liz Alexander and Bob Waisfisz, Wiley, 2015.

Liz Alexander, multiple award-winning author of books on business management and entrepreneurship, has, together with Sharon Schweitzer, intercultural consultant and expert on international etiquette, written Access to Asia. This book provides actionable advice, a unique self-awareness tool, and little-known cultural facts to help readers strengthen cross-cultural communication and thrive in Asia’s business landscape.

China Blonde

By Nicole Webb, Broadcast Books, 2020.

China Blonde is a true story of reinvention, love, and finding your place in the world. When Nicole Webb’s husband is offered a job in Xi'an, China, the family moves from Hong Kong into the unknown. With humor and honesty, Nicole navigates culture shock, friendship and acceptance in a foreign land. Through her experiences, she discovers the shared humanity that connects us all, offering a heartfelt glimpse into life in China and the universal journey of building a new home.

The Shanghai Free Taxi: Journeys with the Hustlers and Rebels of the New China

By Frank Langfitt, PublicAffairs, 2019.

In The Shanghai Free Taxi, NPR correspondent Frank Langfitt takes an untraditional approach to exploring the real China by offering free cab rides in exchange for conversations. Amidst political and economic upheaval, Langfitt meets colorful characters like a farm boy turned lawyer, and a church leader seeking freedom. Blending vivid travel writing and political insight, this book provides a unique perspective on China at a pivotal moment in its history.

Shark's Fin and Sichuan Pepper: A Sweet-Sour Memoir of Eating in China

By Fuchsia Dunlop, Ebury, 2nd edition, 2011.

Fuchsia Dunlop recounts her journey from studying Chinese policy in Chengdu to becoming the first foreigner to train at the Sichuan Institute of Higher Cuisine. Falling in love with Sichuanese flavors, she explores China’s regional dishes and her complex relationship with the country. Shark’s Fin and Sichuan Pepper blends culinary discovery with personal insight into China’s culture and cuisine.

Invitation to a Banquet: A History of Chinese Food

By Fuchsia Dunlop, Penguin Books, 2024.

An exploration into the rich history and complexity of Chinese cuisine through 30 iconic dishes. From mapo tofu to braised pomelo pith, Dunlop delves into the techniques, history, and philosophy behind each dish. Blending research, travel, and mouth-watering descriptions, Invitation to a Banquet offers a captivating journey into China's sophisticated culinary culture, revealing the depth and diversity often overlooked by the world.

Wish Lanterns: Young Lives in New China

By Alec Ash, Arcade Publishing, illustrated edition, 2017.

Wish Lanterns offers a vivid portrait of China’s millennial generation, the first to grow up in a market-driven, globalized China. Through the lives of six young Chinese – ranging from a rock star to a fashion rebel – author Ash follows their struggles with family, society, and their own aspirations. Their stories shed light on the pressures and dreams shaping the future of China and its place in the world.

Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China

By Leslie T. Chang, Random House, reprint edition, 2009.

In this eye-opening account, the hidden world of China’s migrant workers comes to life. Leslie T. Chang follows the journeys of two young women over three years, capturing their struggles and ambitions as they rise from the factories of Dongguan. Through their experiences, Chang paints a vivid portrait of shifting social classes and the drive for a better future, while weaving in her own family's migration story to show how this mass movement is transforming China.

My Country and My People

By Lin Yutang, Hesperides Press, 2006. First published in 1935.

In a time of rapid change, China’s intellectual youth face the struggle of balancing tradition and modernity. Exposed to diverse ideologies like science, communism, and Western philosophy, they return home feeling alienated. Yutang Lin, fluent in both English and Chinese, brilliantly explains these cultural tensions to a Western audience in this timeless classic. Through Lin's lens, readers gain a deeper understanding of China's internal struggles and its evolving path toward modernity.

China in Ten Words

By Yu Hua, Duckworth, 2023. First published in 2011.

In this candid and insightful memoir, acclaimed Chinese writer Yu Hua explores the Chinese experience through ten common phrases. Using personal stories and sharp analysis, he reveals the nation's complexities, from widening social disparities to the rise of piracy and fraud. With wit and courage, Yu Hua offers a unique perspective on China’s transformation, providing a rare glimpse into one of the world’s most misunderstood countries and its "miracle", paradoxes and consequences.

The book is also available in Danish: "Kina i ti ord", Klim, 2019.

The Shortest History of China: From the Ancient Dynasties to a Modern Superpower – A Retelling for Our Times

By Linda Jaivin, The Experiment, 2021.

Uncover China's complex story through a fresh lens. This concise history challenges traditional narratives by highlighting women's roles and debunking myths of a unified China. With vivid storytelling and insightful analysis, Jaivin offers a dynamic perspective on the world's rising superpower.

The Silk Roads: A New History of the World   

By Peter Frankopan, Vintage, Reprint edition, 2017. First published in 2015.

Far more than a history of the Silk Roads, this international bestseller offers a revelatory new history of the world. Frankopan shows how the East and West, connected through ancient trade routes, shaped global history – from the rise of empires to the spread of religions and ideas. By reexamining this past, he challenges our understanding of where we come from and what the future holds, pointing us eastward for new perspectives.

The book is also available in Danish: "Silkevejene", Kristeligt Dagblads Forlag, 2021.

Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China

By Ezra F. Vogel, Belknap Press, 2013.

Deng Xiaoping, one of the 20th century's most impactful leaders, radically reshaped China’s future. In this acclaimed biography, East Asia expert Ezra Vogel examines Deng’s life, from his early Communist ties in Paris to his rise as China’s top leader. Deng modernized China’s economy, opened it to the West, and lifted millions from poverty, while maintaining authoritarian control, as seen during the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. Vogel masterfully unpacks Deng’s complex legacy.

Life and Death in Shanghai

By Cheng Nien, Grove Press, reissue edition, 2010. First published in 1987.

Life and Death in Shanghai is Nien Cheng's powerful memoir of survival during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Targeted for her background, Cheng was imprisoned for over six years after refusing to confess as an enemy of the state. Her story of solitary confinement, deprivation, and resilience became an international bestseller, offering a gripping account of courage and a chilling look at life under totalitarian rule.

Chinese On Your Terms: Mastering the Art of Learning Chinese through Coaching

By Sofia Xavier and Francis Kremer, Kindle edition, 2022.

Ever wondered if learning Chinese can be easier than you've been told? Chinese On Your Terms challenges outdated ideas about language learning and shows that mastering Chinese doesn’t have to be slow or difficult. Using a coaching approach, this practical guide offers insights, reflections, and relatable stories to help you see the bigger picture. It gives you the tools and confidence to learn Chinese at your own pace, on your own terms.

Bilingual Visual Dictionary. Mandarin Chinese-English

By DK, updated edition, 2018.

With over 10,000 illustrated terms organized by theme and an audio app, learning Mandarin Chinese is made simple. Ideal for tourists and business travelers, DK’s Bilingual Visual Dictionary helps with buying food, discussing work, health, and more. Updated for modern terms, it also includes a free app for pronunciation practice. This is the perfect companion for mastering essential Mandarin vocabulary.

Dreaming in Chinese: Mandarin Lessons in Life, Love, and Language

By Deborah Fallows, Walker Books, 2010.

Deborah Fallows, a lifelong language learner, found Mandarin more challenging than expected when she moved to China. As she studied the language, she discovered that understanding Mandarin unlocked insights into Chinese culture, relationships, and social norms. Her experiences revealed that language oddities, like bluntness or tonal differences, reflected deeper cultural connections, making Dreaming in Chinese a unique window into modern China.

Easy Peasy Chinese: Mandarin Chinese for Beginners

By DK, DK Children, 2021.

Easy Peasy Chinese offers step-by-step guidance on reading, writing, and speaking Mandarin, with practical tips and exercises. Aimed at kids 8+ but suitable for beginners of all ages, it covers essential words and phrases for daily life in China. The audio app helps with pronunciation and tones, while the book teaches 200 key characters using Pinyin, the system of using Roman letters to spell Chinese characters. Fun illustrations and cultural insights make learning Chinese engaging and accessible for everyone.

Land Of Big Numbers: Stories

By Te-Ping Chen, Mariner Books, 2021.

Named a Best Book of the Year by Barack Obama, NPR, and others, Land of Big Numbers is a striking debut story collection from Te-Ping Chen. Blending clear realism with touches of magical realism, Chen explores modern China and its diaspora, depicting lives shaped by history and government constraints. From professional gamers to political activists, her characters seek freedom in a society where mobility is limited. Drawing on her journalism experience, Chen crafts a gripping and insightful portrait of a nation in flux.

To Live: A Novel

By Hua Yu, Anchor Books, 2013. First published in 2003.

From the acclaimed author of China in Ten Words, this modern classic of Chinese literature was once banned but later hailed as one of the nation’s most influential books. It tells the powerful story of Fugui, a spoiled landlord’s son who loses everything to gambling and transforms into a humble farmer. Forced into the Nationalist Army, he survives the Civil War and the Cultural Revolution, enduring loss and hardship. In his final years, accompanied only by an ox, Fugui becomes a symbol of resilience and the simple beauty of life.

The book is also available in Danish: "At leve", Klim, 2016.

Love in a Fallen City

By Eileen Chang, NYRB Classics 2006. First published in 1943.

Eileen Chang, one of 20th-century China's most revered writers, captured the complexities of love, desire, and family dynamics in her short fiction. Her stories, written in her twenties, blend modern insights on sexual politics and psychological tension with the lyrical beauty of classical Chinese literature. Love in a Fallen City, the first collection of her work in English, reveals why Chang's writing has captivated readers in both mainland China and Taiwan. With sharp prose, Chang bridges the divide between traditional patriarchy and the struggles of modernity, offering a stark yet glamorous vision of a literary master.

The book is also available in Danish: "Kærlighed i en faldende by: Shanghairomancer", Forlaget Korridor, 2023.

The Good Earth

By Pearl S. Buck, Simon & Schuster Ltd, reissue edition, 2016. First published in 1931.

Pearl S. Buck was an American author who grew up in a missionary environment in China in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her novel The Good Earth follows Wang Lung, a poor farmer, and O-lan, a servant girl. After marrying, they endure famine and are forced to beg in the city. O-lan's determination leads them back to their farm with unexpected wealth, but as Wang Lung becomes increasingly obsessed with riches and status, their betrayal of the land brings mistrust, greed, and tragedy. The Good Earth remains a timeless saga of survival and sacrifice.

The book is also available in Danish: "Den Gode Jord", Jespersen and Pio, 1975.

The Dream of the Red Chamber, or The Story of the Stone

By Cao Xueqin, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017. Composed in the mid-18th century, first printed version published in 1791.

The Dream of the Red Chamber, also known as The Story of the Stone, is a masterpiece of Chinese literature. One of the Four Great Classical Novels, it was written in the 18th century during the Qing Dynasty. Semi-autobiographical, it reflects the rise and fall of the author's family and, by extension, the dynasty itself. Centered on Bao-yu and his romantic connection to his cousin Dai-yu, the novel offers a detailed portrayal of 18th-century Chinese aristocratic life and its complex social structures.

Bronze and Sunflower

By Cao Wenxuan, Walker Books, reprint edition, 2019. First published in 2015.

This poignant tale of friendship and resilience is perfect for readers aged 8-12. When her father drowns, Sunflower leaves the city to live with a poor family in the countryside. She befriends Bronze, a mute boy traumatized by a fire. Together, they navigate poverty and hardship, finding solace and strength in their bond. Bronze and Sunflower, a timeless story translated from Mandarin, explores the power of love and loyalty to overcome adversity.

The Runaway Wok: A Chinese New Year Tale

By Ying Chang Compestine, Dutton Books for Young Readers, 2011.

A hungry family's luck takes a surprising turn when a magical wok appears! This playful tale follows the wok's adventurous journey, delivering a delicious feast and a heartwarming lesson about sharing. With spirited text and lively illustrations, this story is a delightful read aimed at children aged 6-8.

Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China

By Ed Young, Puffin Books, reprint edition, 1996. First published in 1989.

Lon Po Po is a classic Chinese retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, perfect for readers aged 4-8. Illustrated with vibrant watercolors, the story follows three girls left alone who encounter a cunning wolf disguised as their grandmother. Using their wits, they outsmart and defeat the danger. This tale explores themes of self-preservation and the importance of staying alert in perilous situations.

What about you? Have you read any books that have made you more knowledgeable about China? What are your favorites?

We'd love to hear about them!

You’re welcome to recommend books you have written yourself.

Email your suggestions to Anne Katrine Skovenborg at aks@c3consulting.dk. We welcome all recommendations with open arms!

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Books in English

Doing business in China

• "Selling to China: Stories of Success, Failure, and Constant Change". By Ker D. Gibbs, Palgrave Macmillan, 2023.
• "The Labor of Reinvention: Entrepreneurship in the New Chinese Digital Economy". By Lin Zhang, Columbia University Press, 2023.
• "Xiconomics: What China’s Dual Circulation Strategy Means for Global Business". By Andrew Cainey and Christiane Prange, Agenda Publishing, 2023.
• "The East is Still Red - Chinese Socialism in the 21st Century". By Carlos Martinez, Praxis Press, 2023.
• "Zhong Guan Village: Tales from the Heart of China's Silicon Valley". By Ning Ken, ACA Publishing Limited, 2022.
• "Made in China: A Prisoner, an SOS Letter, and the Hidden Cost of America's Cheap Goods". By Amelia Pang, Algonquin Books, 2021.
• "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics. A Guide for Foreigners". By Roland Boer, Springer Verlag, 2021.
• "The Myth of Chinese Capitalism: The Worker, the Factory, and the Future of the World". By Dexter Roberts, St. Martin's Press, 2020.
• "Tech Titans of China: How China's Tech Sector is challenging the world by innovating faster, working harder, and going global". By Rebecca A. Fannin, Nicholas Brealey, 2019.
• "China's Great Wall Of Debt: Shadow Banks, Ghost Cities, Massive Loans, and the End of the Chinese Miracle". By Dinny McMahon, Mariner Books, 2018.
• "Decoding China – Cross-Cultural Strategies for Successful Business with the Chinese". By Diego Gilardoni, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017.
• "The War for China's Wallet: Profiting from New World Order". By Shaun Rein, Walter de Gruyter, 2017.
• "The One Hour China Book: Two Peking University Professors Explain All of China Business in Six Short Stories". By Jeffrey Towson and Jonathan Woetzel, independently published, 2nd edition, 2023.
• "China's Mobile Economy: Opportunities in the Largest and Fastest Information Consumption Boom". By Winston Ma, Wiley, 2016.
• "China's Economy: What Everyone Needs to Know®". By Arthur R. Kroeber, Oxford University Press, 2016.
• "China's Disruptors: How Alibaba, Xiaomi, Tencent, and Other Companies are Changing the Rules of Business". By Edward Tse, Penguin, 2016.
• "Thirsty Dragon: China's Lust for Bordeaux and the Threat to the World's Best Wines". By Suzanne Mustacich, Henry Holt and Co., 2015.
• "Alibaba's World: How a Remarkable Chinese Company Is Changing the Face of Global Business". By Porter Erisman, Blackstone Audio, Inc., 2015.
• "The End of Copycat China: The Rise of Creativity, Innovation, and Individualism in Asia". By Shaun Rein, John Wiley & Sons, 2015.
• "Unmade in China: The Hidden Truth about China's Economic Miracle". By Jeremy R. Haft, Polity, 2015.
• "The 1 Hour in China Consumer Book: Five Short Stories That Explain the Brutal Fight for One Billion Consumers". By Jeffrey Towson and Jonathan Woetzel, independently published, 2015.
• "China’s Second Continent - How a Million Migrants Are Building a New Empire in Africa". By Howard W. French, Knopf, 2014.
• "Dealing with China: An Insider Unmasks the New Economic Superpower". By Henry Merritt Paulson Jr., Twelve, 2015.
• "China Goes West: Everything You Need to Know About Chinese Companies Going Global". By Joel Backaler, Palgrave-Macmillan, 2014.
• "China's Super Consumers: What 1 Billion Customers Want and How to Sell it to Them". By Savio Chan and Michael Zakkour, John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2014.
• "The End of Cheap China: Economic and Cultural Trends that Will Disrupt the World". By Shaun Rein, Wiley, 2012.
• "The Fragile Bridge: Conflict Management in Chinese Business". By Andrew Hupert, kindle edition, 2012.
• "Chinese Leadership". By Barbara Xiaoyu Wang and Harold Chee, Palgrave Macmillan, 2011.
• "Poorly Made in China: An Insider's Account of the China Production". By Paul Midler, John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2011.
• "International Negotiation in China and India - A Comparison of the Emerging Business Giants". By Rajesh Kumar, Palgrave MacMillan, 2011.
• "China's Management Revolution: Spirit, land, energy (International Management Knowledge)". By Charles-Edouard Bouée, Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.
• "Red Capitalism: The Fragile Financial Foundation of China's Extraordinary Rise". By Carl E. Walter and Fraser J. T. Howie, Wiley, 2nd edition, 2011.
• "The Official Alibaba.com Success Guide: Insider Tips and Strategies for Sourcing Products from the World's Largest B2B Marketplace". By Debra Schepp and Brad Schepp, Wiley, 2009.
• "CFO Guide to doing business in China". By Mia Kuang Ching, John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2008.
• "Capitalism with Chinese Characteristics: Entrepreneurship and the State". By Yasheng Huang, Cambridge University Press, 2008.
• "1,000 Days in Shanghai: The Volkswagen Story - The First Chinese-German Car Factory". By Martin Posth, Wiley, 2008.
• "Business Republic of China: Tales from the Front Line of China's New Revolution". By Jack Leblanc, Blacksmith Books, 2nd edition, 2010.
• "Managing the Dragon: How I'm Building a Billion-Dollar Business in China". By Jack Perkowski, Crown Currency, 2008.
• "A Bull in China: Investing Profitably in the World's Greatest Market". By Jim Rogers, Random House Trade Paperbacks, reprint edition, 2008.
• "Dragons at Your Door - How Chinese Cost Innovation Is Disrupting Global Competition". By Ming Zeng and Peter J. Williamson, Harvard Business Review Press, 2007.
• "Doing Business in China For Dummies". By Robert Collins, For Dummies, 2007.
• "China CEO: Voices of Experience from 20 International Business Leaders". By Juan Antonio Fernandez and Laurie Underwood, Wiley, 2006.
• "Beijing Jeep: A Case Study Of Western Business In China". By Jim Mann, Westview Press, 1997.

Living in China as an expat

• "An American Bum in China: Featuring the bumblingly brilliant escapades of expatriate Matthew Evans". By Tom Carter, Camphor Press Ltd, 2019.
• "Chinese Rules - Mao's Dog, Deng's Cat, and Five Timeless Lessons from the Front Lines in China". By Tim Clissold, Harper, 2014.
• "China Survival Guide: How to Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps". By Larry Herzberg and Qin Herzberg, Stone Bridge Press, 3rd edition, 2013.
• "Unsavory Elements: Stories of Foreigners on the Loose in China". By Tom Carter, Earnshaw Books, 2013.
• "Big in China - My Unlikely Adventure Raising a Family, Playing the Blues, and Reinventing Myself in Beijing". By Alan Paul, Harpercollins, 2011.
• "Fried Eggs with Chopsticks: One Woman's Hilarious Adventure into a Country and a Culture Not Her Own". By Polly Evans, Delta, 2006.
• "Lost on Planet China - One Man's Attempt to Understand the World's Most Mystifying Nation". By J. Maarten Troost, Broadway Books, 2009.
• "Mr. China: A Memoir". By Tim Clissold, Harper Business, reprint edition, 2006.

Chinese people and culture

• "Leftover Women - The Resurgence of Gender Inequality in China". By Leta Hong Fincher, Bloomsbury Academic, 10th anniversary edition, 2023.
• "Confucius’ Courtyard - Architecture, Philosophy and the Good Life in China". By Xing Ruan, Bloomsbury Visual Arts, 2021.
• "Beijing from Below: Stories of Marginal Lives in the Capital's Center". By Harriet Evans, Duke University Press Books, 2020.
• "The Souls of China - The Return of Religion After Mao". By Ian Johnson, Penguin Books Ltd, 2018.
• "Country Driving - A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory". By Peter Hessler, Harper Collins Publ. USA, 2011.
• "China Witness: Voices From A Silent Generation". By Xinran, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2010.
• "Great Walk of China - Travels on Foot from Shanghai to Tibet". By Graham Earnshaw, Blacksmith Books, 2010.
• "The Corpse Walker - Real Life Stories: China From the Bottom Up". By Liao Yiwu, Anchor Books, 2009.
• "CHINA: Portrait of a People". By Tom Carter, Blacksmith Books, 2010.
• "Oracle Bones: A Journey Through Time in China". By Peter Hessler, Harper Perennial, 2007.
• "Gifts, Favors, and Banquets: The Art of Social Relationships in China". By Mayfair Mei-Hui Yang, Cornell University Press, 1994.
• "From the Soil: The Foundations of Chinese Society". By Xiaotong Fei, University of California Press, 1992. The book was first published in 1947.
• "The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine". By Ted J. Kaptchuk, McGraw Hill, revised edition, 2000.

Chinese history and society

• "The World According to China". By Elizabeth C. Economy, Polity, 2021.
• "Understanding China: Learning from China’s Past, Present, and Future". By Stefan Piech, independently published, 2020.
• "The Great Firewall of China: How to Build and Control an Alternative Version of the Internet". By James Griffiths, Zed Books, 2019.
• "The Third Revolution: Xi Jingping and the New Chinese State". By Elizabeth C. Economy, OUP USA, 2018.
• "Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China". By Evan Osnos, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, reprint edition, 2015.
• "Ghost Cities of China: The Story of Cities without People in the World's Most Populated Country (Asian Arguments)". By Wade Shepard, Zed Books, 2015.
• "By All Means Necessary: How China's Resource Quest is Changing the World". By Elizabeth C. Economy, Oxford University Press Inc, 2015.
• "Anxious Wealth: Money and Morality Among China's New Rich". By John Osburg, Stanford University Press, 2013.
• "Modern China: A Very Short Introduction 2/e (Very Short Introductions)". By Rana Mitter, OUP Oxford, 2nd edition, 2016.
• "The Search for Modern China 3rd Edition". By Jonathan D. Spence, W. W. Norton & Company, 3rd edition, 2013.
• "The Cambridge Illustrated History of China". By Patricia Buckley Ebrey, Cambridge University Press, 3rd, 2022.
• "China: A History". By John Keay, Basic Books, illustrated edition, 2011.
• "China: A History in Objects (British Museum: A History in Objects)". By Jessica Harrison-Hall , Thames & Hudson, illustrated edition, 2018.
• "Sparks: China's Underground Historians and Their Battle for the Future". By Ian Johnson, Oxford University Press, 2023.
• "A Billion Voices: China's Search for a Common Language (Penguin Specials)". By David Moser, Penguin Books Australia, 2016.
• "Red Memory: The Afterlives of China's Cultural Revolution". By Tania Branigan, W. W. Norton & Company, 2024.
• "House of Kwa: An epic true story spanning four generations". By Mimi Kwa, Abc Books, 2021.
• "Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China". By Jung Chang, Simon & Schuster, reprint edition, 2003.
• "Daughters of the Flower Fragrant Garden: Two Sisters Separated by China's Civil War". By Zhuqing Li, WW Norton & Co, 2022.
• "The Chinese Communist Party: A Century in Ten Lives". By Timothy Cheek, Cambridge University Press, 2021.
• "A Force So Swift - Mao, Truman, and the Birth of Modern China, 1949". By Kevin Peraino, Broadway Books, 2018.
• "Accidental Holy Land: The Communist Revolution in Northwest China". By Joseph W. Esherick, University of California Press, 2022.
• "Red Star over China: The Classic Account of the Birth of Chinese Communism". By Edgar Snow, Grove Press, revised edition, 2007. The book was first published in 1937.
• "China and Japan: Facing History". By Ezra F. Vogel, Belknap Press: An Imprint of Harvard University Press, 2021.
• "Forgotten Ally: China's World War II, 1937-1945". By Rana Mitter, Mariner, illustrated edition, 2014.
• "Remembering Shanghai: A Memoir of Socialites, Scholars and Scoundrels". By Isabel Sun Chao and Claire Chao, Girl Friday Books, reprint edition, 2021.
• "Destination Peking". By Paul French, Blacksmith Books (HK), 2021.
• "The Last Kings of Shanghai". By Jonathan Kaufman, Viking, 2020.
• "The Last Empress: Madame Chiang Kai-shek and the Birth of Modern China". By Hannah Pakula, Simon & Schuster, 2010.
• "The Soong Dynasty". By Sterling Seagrave, Harper Perennial, 1986.
• "The China Mirage: The Hidden History of American Disaster in Asia". By James Bradley, Little, Brown and Company, 2015.
• "Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China". By Jung Chang, Knopf, 2013.
• "Out of China: How the Chinese Ended the Era of Western Domination". By Robert Bickers, Harvard University Press, 2017.
• "Foreign Devils in the Flowery Kingdom". By Carl Crow, EARNSHAW BOOKS LTD, 2007.
• "The Scramble for China: Foreign Devils in the Qing Empire, 1832-1914". By Robert Bickers, Penguin, 2016.
• "Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World". By Jack Weatherford, Crown, 2005.
• "Rise of the Tang Dynasty: The Reunification of China and the Military Response to the Steppe Nomads (AD 581-626)". By Julian Romane, Pen & Sword Military, 2018.

Learning Chinese

• "Pocket Oxford Chinese Dictionary: English-Chinese / Chinese-English". By Oxford Languages, OUP China, 5th edition, 2022.
• "2000 Most Common Chinese Words in Context: Get Fluent & Increase Your Chinese Vocabulary with 2000 Chinese Phrases (Chinese Language Lessons)". By Lingo Mastery, bilingual edition, 2019.
• "Chinese For ‘Dummies’ 3rd Edition". By Wendy Abraham, For Dummies, 3rd edition, 2018.
• "Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar (Modern Grammars)". By Claudia Ross, Routledge, 2nd edition, 2014.
• "500 Common Chinese Idioms: An Annotated Frequency Dictionary". By Liwei Jiao, Cornelius Kubler and Weiguo Zhang, Forlag, 2010.
• "Niubi!: The Real Chinese You Were Never Taught in School". By Eveline Chao, Penguin Publishing Group, illustrated edition, 2009.
• "Fundamentals of Chinese Characters". By John Jing-hua Yin, Yale University Press, illustrated edition, 2006.
• "My First Mandarin Words with Gordon & Li Li". By Michele Wong McSween, Scholastic, 2019.

Modern literature about or from China

• "Beijing Sprawl ". By Zechen Xu, Two Lines Press, 2023.
• "Ghost Music". By An Yu, Grove Press, 2023.
• "Bad Kids". By Zijin Chen, Pushkin Vertigo, 2023.
• "The Shaanxi Opera". By Jia Pingwa, Amazon Crossing, 2023.
• "Ninth Building". By Zou Jingzhi, Open Letter, 2023.
• "A Century of Modern Chinese Poetry: An Anthology". Edited by Michelle Yeh, Zhangbin Li and Frank Stewart, University of Washington Press, 2nd edition, 2023.
• "Golden Age: A Novel". By Wang Xiaobo, Astra House, 2022.
• "Inspector Chen and the Private Kitchen Murder". By Qiu Xiaolong, Severn House Publishers, 2022.
• "The Last Rose of Shanghai". By Weina Dai Randel, Lake Union Publishing, 2021.
• "Little Gods: A Novel". By Meng Jin, Mariner Books, 2020.
• "The Mustachioed Woman of Shanghai". By Isham Cook, Magic Theater Books, 2020.
• "Invisible Planets - Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation". By Ken Liu, Tor Books, 2018.
• "Happy Dreams". By Jia Pingwa, Amazon Crossing, 2017.
• "Lotus". By Lijia Zhang, Henry Holt & Co, 2017.
• "The Three-Body Problem". By Cixin Liu, Tor Books, 2016.
• "Decoded: A Novel". By Mai Jia, Picador, 2015.
• "Northern Girls: Life Goes on (China Library)". By Keyi Sheng, Viking, 2016.
• "Half a Lifelong Romance (Vintage International)". By Eileen Chang, Anchor, reprint edition, 2016. The book was first published in 1950.
• "Leave Me Alone: A Novel of Chengdu". By Xuecun Murong, Make-Do Publishing, 2014.
• "The Fat Years". By Chan Koonchung, Anchor Books, reprint edition, 2013.
• "Shi Cheng: Short Stories from Urban China". Edited by Liu Ding, Carol Yinghua Lu and Ra Page, Comma Press, 2013.
• "Dream of Ding Village". By Yan Lianke, Grove Press / Atlantic Monthly Press, reprint edition, 2012.
• "The Garlic Ballads: A Novel". By Mo Yan, Arcade, reprint edition, 2012.
• "The Vagrants". By Yiyun Li, Random House Publishing Group, 2010.
• "The Real Story of Ah-Q and Other Tales of China: The Complete Fiction of Lu Xun". By Lu Xun, Penguin Classics, 2009. The book was first published in 1921.
• "A Dictionary of Maqiao". By Han Shaogong, Random House Publishing Group, reprint edition, 2005.
• "Life and Death are Wearing Me Out: A Novel". By Mo Yan, Arcade Publishing, 2008.
• "Beijing Doll". By Chun Sue, Riverhead Books, 2004.
• "Shanghai Baby". By Wei Hui Zhou, Constable, 2nd edition, 2003.
• "Red Sorghum: A Novel of China". By Mo Yan, Penguin, 2nd edition, 1994.

Classical Chinese literature and philosophy

• "Monkey King: Journey to the West". By Wu Cheng’en, Penguin Classics, 2021. The novel was first published in the 16th century.
• "Outlaws of the Marsh". By Shi Nai’An, Foreign Languages Press, 255th edition, 2018. The book was first published in the 14th century.
• "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". By Luo Guanzhong, Penguin Classics, 2018. The book was first published in the 14th century.
• "Selected Poems of Li Bai". By Li Bai, independently published, 2023. The poems were first published in the 8th century.
• "A New English Translation Of Dao De Jing". By K. T. Fann Laozi, independently published, 2020. The original text dates back to around the 4th century BCE.
• "Confucius Analects: A New Translation With Annotations and Commentaries". By Raymond K. Li, Iuniverse, 2020. The original text dates back to around the 5th century BCE.
• "I Ching: The Book of Change: A New Translation". By David Hinton, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, reprint edition, 2017. The original text dates back to between the 10th and 4th centuries BCE.
• "The Art of War". By Sun-tzu, Fall River, 2014. The original text dates back to around the 5th century BCE.

China for kids

• "Playing with Lanterns". By Helen Wang, Wang Yage and Zhu Chengliang, Candlewick Press, 2022.
• "Nine Color Deer". By Kailin Duan and Jeremy Tiang, Levine Querido, 2022.
• "New Year". By Mei Zihan and Qin Leng, Greystone Kids, 2021.
• "The Greatest Explorer in the World". By Jillian Lin and Shi Meng, Bearport Publishing, 2020.
• "The Emperor Who Built the Great Wall". By Jillian Lin and Shi Meng, Bearport Publishing, 2020.
• "The Girl Who Became Emperor". By Jillian Lin and Shi Meng, Bearport Publishing, 2020.
• "Giant: A Panda of the Enchanted Forest". By Xuan Loc Xuan,  Happy Fox Books, illustrated edition, 2018.
• "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon". By Grace Lin, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, illustrated edition, 2019.
• "Nian, The Chinese New Year Dragon". By Virginia Loh-Hagan and Timothy Banks, Sleeping Bear Press, 2019.
• "Moon festival wishes". By Jillian Lin and Shi Meng, Bearport Publishing, 2018.
• "Hu Wan and the sleeping dragon". By Judy Young and Jordi Solano, Sleeping Bear Press, 2018.
• "I can eat with chopsticks". By Jian Li, Candlewick Press, 2018.
• "The Cat From Hunger Mountain". By Ed Young, Philomel Books, 2016.
• "Lotus & Feather". By Ji-li Jiang and Julie Downing, Disney-Hyperion, 2016.
• "The Story of Noodles". By Ying Chang Compestine and YongSheng Xuan, Holiday House, 2016.
• "The only child". By Guojing, Schwartz & Wade, 2015.
• "Noodle magic". By Roseanne Thong and Meilo So, Orchard Books, 2014.
• "I See the Sun in China". By Dedie King and Judith Inglese, Satya House Publications, 2010.
• "Fortune Cookie Fortunes". By Grace Lin, Dragonfly Books, 2006.
• "The Monkey King: A Classic Chinese Tale for Children". By David Seow, Tuttle Publishing, 2017.