Books I Like

Love this site? Then you might just love some of my favorite books, which I’ve listed with my own comments. (Note: Titles are linked directly to Amazon, where your purchase helps Speaking of China. Thanks for your support!)

Choose a subject:

The Asian American Experience
Love, Family and Relationships in China
Other AMWF Relationships

The Asian American Experience

Big Little Man: In Search of My Asian Self by Alex Tizon

Alex Tizon’s new memoir deftly covers many of the popular topics I’ve written about on this blog. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in the Asian American experience and is a memoir I’ll cherish for years. (Read my interview with the author.)

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

This dark story centers on an AMWF family living in 1970s small town America grappling with an unimaginable tragedy, and it’s one of the best books I’ve read all year. (Read my interview with the author.)

On Gold Mountain by Lisa See

This tale of Lisa See’s Chinese-American family encompasses the fascinating and often tragic history of Chinese America itself (including the severe racism that threatened people’s lives). In addition, the story includes a beautiful AMWF interracial relationship at the turn of the 20th century, a time when such marriages were still outlawed.

Racism Without Racists by Eduardo Bonilla-Silva

This powerful book demonstrates how modern racism works in America (a more insidious “colorblind” approach). While Bonilla-Silva makes his case mainly through sociological studies with whites discussing blacks, the message applies to any marginalized group (including Asians). It’s my favorite academic read on the subject of racism in America.

The Secret of the Nightingale Palace by Dana Sachs

While it’s an AMWF love story, the heart of this lovely novel centers on the tragic internment of Japanese Americans during World War II as well as issues of racism and discrimination. (Read my interview with the author.)

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Love, Family and Relationships in China

East Wind: West Wind by Pearl S. Buck

A foreigner in the family? The narrator, a young Chinese woman, tells the story of her brother and his love affair — and eventual marriage — to an American woman in pre-Communist China, when traditional Chinese culture was already being challenged by Western ideas and customs.

Foreign Babes in Beijing: Behind the Scenes of a New China by Rachel DeWoskin

A woman who dared to love Chinese men on screen (and off), as well as Chinese culture. Rachel writes about it all with passion and humor.

Good Chinese Wife: A Love Affair With China Gone Wrong by Susan Blumberg-Kason

The true story of Susan’s whirlwind courtship and marriage to Cai, a dashing young Chinese man who turns out to be more trouble than she imagined. It’s a gripping tale of how one shy young woman eventually finds the courage to stand up for herself and her family. (Read my interview with the author.)

The Last Chinese Chef: A Novel by Nicole Mones

The best explanation of Chinese food I’ve ever encountered, seasoned with plenty of love (stories). A sumptuous tale of Maggie, a recently widowed American food writer who gets a chopstick-eye view of China with the help of Sam, a half-Chinese, half-American chef in Beijing, while confronting the destructive past her husband left behind from his China love affairs.

Lost in Translation by Nicole Mones

The story of Alice Mannegan, an American translator in China with a thirst for Chinese men, who discovers love — both lost and found — while on an expedition for Peking Man in the Mongolian desert.

The Natural Laws of Good Luck: A Memoir of an Unlikely Marriage by Ellen Graf

In her mid-forties and divorced, the last thing Ellen ever expected was to travel to China and marry a Chinese man she knew for less than a week. But the unspoken connection between them brings this unlikely pair together, and sustains them through the trials and tribulations of their new cross-cultural relationship. While set mainly in the US, this book reveals much about Chinese culture and family life.

Red Azalea by Anchee Min

The Cultural Revolution book to read if you’re burned out by the usual Cultural Revolution stories. The narrative is touching, personal and delves into forbidden loves and desires that most books never speak of. Once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down.

Repeat After Me: A Novel by Rachel DeWoskin

A tale of cross-cultural love between an American girl and a Chinese dissident (and, later China) — and how, when things fall apart, you can find the strength to move forward from unlikely people and places.

Six Records of a Floating Life by Shen Fu

This reads like a Valentine to Shen Fu’s true love, Yun, who tragically passes away before her time, all because of family misunderstandings. A moving, real story from the Qing Dynasty, written by a poor scholar.

Waiting: A Novel by Ha Jin

Is it better to have a peaceful, stable — but loveless — marriage, or marry your passionate soulmate? In Waiting, Ha Jin ponders such a choice through characters living during and after the Cultural Revolution — at a time when impropriety in love could mean the loss of everything you had. A touching story that will help you understand some Chinese perspectives about love, romance and marriage.

A Thousand Years of Good Prayers: Stories by Yiyun Li

Chinese fiction like you’ve never read before. The gay unmarried son, a bisexual Peking Opera singer, a couple with a daughter they hide, and more.

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Other AMWF Relationships

Beyond the Sky and the Earth by Jamie Zeppa

Jamie’s story in many respects echoes my own circuitous route to China. Against the wishes of her family (including her grandfather), she heads to Bhutan to teach and soon believes she made a horrible mistake. But her initial culture shock and fears eventually give way to a love affair with an incredibly unique corner of Asia — including her life-changing romance with a local.

Burmese Lessons: A true love story by Karen Connelly

When Karen went to Burma in 1996 for research on the conditions of Burmese political prisoners, love wasn’t on her mind — until she met Maung, a sexy young Burmese revolutionary leader. But this isn’t just a love story, as she beautifully captures her entire experience in this country.

The Butterfly Mosque: A Young Woman’s Journey to Love and Islam by G. Willow Wilson

You might think I’m stretching to mention Willow’s book, which in part captures her love affair and eventual marriage to an Egyptian Sufi Muslim (definitely not Asian). But she had to overcome cultural hurdles and even stereotypes about Arab men (misogynists, sound familiar?) that reminded me of my own journey towards love in China.

Henna for the Broken-hearted by Sharell Cook

When Sharell’s seemingly perfect life in Australia crumbles, she ends up in India as a volunteer worker. It’s rough going initially for her in this new foreign country, until she meets a man who changes the course of her life forever. It’s not just a love story with an Indian man; it’s a love story with India itself.

At Home in Japan: A Foreign Woman’s Journey of Discovery by Rebecca Otowa

What comes after “Happily Ever After?” That’s the heart of Rebecca’s book, which explores her 30 years as the foreign housewife of a Japanese man in their 350-year-old farmhouse in Japan’s countryside, a home that you might argue is one of the most important characters in the story. She shares everything from her daily life and family to how the experience has helped her forge a new identity.

The House on Dream Street: Memoir of an American Woman in Vietnam by Dana Sachs

Dana truly followed her heart in moving to Vietnam when, in the course of learning the language and later teaching, she landed into an unlikely relationship with a local Vietnamese man. She writes about it with honesty and vulnerability, which made her a delightful narrator, but also captures so much of life in Vietnam that the book also reads like her personal Valentine to the country.

Kissing Outside the Lines: A True Story of Love and Race and Happily Ever After by Diane Farr

Think gorgeous girls don’t go for Asian men? Then you haven’t met actress and celebrity Diane Farr, who married a Korean-American man and shared her story — and those of many others who crossed racial/cultural/ethnic lines in the name of love — in this humorous read.

Marriage in Translation: Foreign Wife, Japanese Husband by Wendy Tokunaga

I connected so much with the experiences of the women interviewed by Wendy that I almost thought it could have been “Marriage in Translation: Foreign Wife, Chinese Husband.” (Sorry, John.) It’s not one memoir, but more like a collection brought together.

Married to Bhutan: How One Woman Got Lost, Said “I Do,” and Found Bliss by Linda Leaming

Linda discovered her bliss — and later, her Bhutanese husband — in this oft-overlooked Himalayan country. This magical tale of her relationship with her future husband and his country is filled with moments that will have you laughing out loud.

Sideways on a Scooter: Life and Love in India by Miranda Kennedy

Miranda learned that proper women in India ride their scooters sideways — a realization that echoes the heart of her book, an exploration of the many cultural rules and norms that govern women’s lives there, especially love, marriage and family. She dates some Indian men along the way, but reveals so much more through the Indian women she comes to know throughout the story. Her writing also drop-kicks you straight into the hustle and bustle of Indian life and makes for an enjoyable ride.

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25 Replies to “Books I Like”

  1. I noticed that most of these books are by foreign authors, and I thought you might be interested to hear about some modern fiction by Chinese authors that is very much worth looking into. All of the authors and works mentioned are available in English translation.

    A good introduction to contemporary Chinese writing is an anthology of short stories called “Chairman Mao Would Not Be Amused.” It is a pretty good survey of post-Cultural Revolution fiction from the 1980s and 1990s. Also, an early 20th century writer, Lu Xun, is an absolute must-read, especially his short story, “Diary of a Madman.”

    Some notable authors that you might want to check out are Yu Hua, who wrote “To Live.” There’s also Wang Shuo, Mo Yan, Ha Jin and countless others whose names I can’t recall at the moment. Reading their works can be difficult sometimes because of translation issues and not being familiar with their historical context, but I think that reading the literature enhances one’s understanding greatly. Everything I learned about Chinese history in college I learned in literature and film classes.

  2. Jocelyn, please give a “peek” at some of the books of Ha Jin. His early novel, WAITING, is a classic for understanding the Patience often found in Chinese Love. RichFromTampa

    1. Dear RichFromTampa,

      Thanks for the friendly nudge! It’s on my short list — and because of your recommendation, I’ll be sure to get to it sooner. 🙂

  3. Hi Jocelyn,
    one absolute favorite of mine that I read while living in Taiwan and before going to ‘real’ China: 四世同堂, Four Generations under One Roof by Lao She (老舍.) Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a solid translation in English (was never able to find one), I read it in French but you can find the drama that is quite close to the novel (it’s easy to find on dvd in China, ask your offical calligrapher, or even online, do a search in Chinese and enjoy.)
    This novel made me fall in love over again with the Chinese and their resilience. It’s a must! And next time you go to Beijing, you can visit his former house!

  4. Great list… there’s some there I haven’t read. If you want to add Mo YAN to that list of great authors and his books, Red SORGHUM. I haven’t seen the movie… but the book I bet is much much better. and then Garlic Ballads… more modern China about Garlic sellers… AMAZING stuff. (Life and death are wearing me out, I got tired of after a billion pages…) Great list though.

    1. Thanks for mentioning some other books, and glad you found the list useful! I always love hearing what other people like to read, so I can add it to my list. I will definitely check out Red Sorghum and Garlic Ballads.

  5. Thank you so much for providing a list of books about China and the people who live there. I have truly enjoyed reading many of the books on your list. I will be moving to China to teach at an American International School in Shanghai so I have been trying to find out as much information as possible before I go. Would you recommend any movies or documentaries that you feel adequately represent China?

    1. Dear Amanda, thanks for the comment, and glad you found the list useful. How exciting that you’ll be teaching at an international school in Shanghai!

      For documentaries, I would highly recommend picking up China from the Inside — it’s a four-part 2007 PBS documentary that does an excellent job of introducing the progress and challenges of life in modern China. I’ve yet to find anything else as comprehensive and balanced.

      Wish you good luck in your work in China!

  6. A European recommends the following read:
    Mark Leonard: What does China think?
    insights into Chinese politics (but not boring)

  7. I think an absolute must read is A Concise Chinese English Dictionary For Lovers by Xiaolu Guo. I was turned off by the title for some time, but when I finally did ready it, I found it to be among the best.

    I also notice you have not made a mention of the author Lisa See. Her books are well worth a read. I would begin with Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, and then Peony in Love, On Gold Mountain, and then she has some detective stories with a western woman and Chinese man that are enjoyable as well.

    In addition to Ha Jin’s waiting, A Free Life is well worth reading as is A Good Fall. It is in these two books that the site of his writing shifts to the US. The House by the Weeping Cherry was also featured in the New Yorker (an might be on line for free)

    Also, Yiyun Li’s has a few short stories that are featured in the New Yorker. Titles I am aware of are: “Golden Boy, Emerald Girl” and “A Man Like That”.

    You also did not mention Wei Hui’s Shanghai Baby which is also quite good.

    Zhang Ai Ling (Love in a Fallen City among others) and Sun Congwen (Bordertown) are good modern Chinese authors to read.

    I think Su Tong is a contemporary author who should also be read.

    I also recommend everything by Xin Ran.

    Shan Sa, author of The Girl Who Played Go, also wrote a book called Empress. The English in that book felt Chinese in the sense that it captured the beauty of words. It was a great read with beautiful language.

  8. Thank you so much for the list of this books. I like the story of Love and Family in China about East Wind: West Wind. A short but romantic and meaningful story.. Great list!

  9. Thanks for speaking of some other books, and glad you establish the list useful!I have extremely enjoyed reading many of the books on your list. A brief but a legendary and meaningful story.. Great list!

  10. Hi Jocelyn, I keep refering to this page whenever I need some new book. Thanks to ebooks, it’s now easy to find most tittles for a very good price and they are accessible in mere seconds (great for a new mom with a baby that likes to sleep in my arms, I can read a lot in this convenient manner!!!) (also convenient if you’re in China and can’t get a paper copy because it is banned…)
    I’d like to second Laowai in Shanghai’s recommendation of anything by Xin Ran, I loved Miss Chopsticks and Good Women of China.
    Have a good summer with your Chinese family (try to watch Four Generations Under One Roof with them if you haven’t done so already!)
    🙂

    1. @Elise, thanks for the comment! I’m touched you come back to my list for ideas!

      I agree, Xinran offers some excellent books — though they often reveal shocking and tragic situations. She writes with a lot of humanity, that’s for sure.

      I’m glad you reminded me of that “Four Generations under One Roof” — I should definitely suggest a viewing! 🙂 Have a great summer too!

  11. Hi everyone,

    I have been looking for a book I read quite a while ago and cannot possibly remember the title. You all seem versed in this subject so I thought I would give it a go and ask. I really hope you can help me!

    The book tells the story of an American student who moves to Beijing before the Cultural Revolution to teach English at University. He recalls his time there with beautiful descriptions. He marries a Chinese girl from China’s high society (I think she was the daughter of a judge?) and moves into their huge family home. Then the revolution happens and many things change, specially the family’s influence within the walls of Beijing. I remember the most beautiful descriptions of the house and gardens which surrounded it as well as of the cultural and family events events he lived through while he was there.

    Does anyone know the title of this book?

    Many thanks for your help!
    Karen.

  12. Hi did you get to read, ‘China Underground,’ or ‘Factory Girls,’ both interesting and fun to read. Also in case I missed it in your blog did you ever read ‘battle hymn of the tiger mother,’ talking about types of parenting.

  13. Lovely list. I used to be a full-time fiction editor and at my last job I worked on a beautiful book (a story in verse) by a Chinese author in the US, Ching Yeung Russell. I’m sure you will enjoy Bungee-cord Hair!

  14. You’ve no idea how much I wish I had seen your site and all these books before I met my significant other’s parents. He’s first generation American-Born-Chinese (ABC for short, I have just learned, apparently there are multiple acronyms ABCs use to designate one’s birthplace) and his parents emigrated from southern China by way of Vietnam and Hong Kong. I might have been better prepared for their expectations of filial piety.

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