FICTION TOP FIVE
Blossoms
By Jin Yucheng
The novel, narrated in authentic Shanghai dialect, uncovers the city's most visceral self. First released on an online forum, the book explores how the lives of Shanghai's different social classes have changed since the 1960s. Critics say author Jin Yucheng has deftly captured on paper his native tongue's tone, tempo and emotions. The China Academy of Fiction has named it the country's top fiction work.
CHINA DAILY
The Chronicles of Zhalie
By Yan Lianke
To veteran critic Chen Xiaoming with Peking University, Yan Lianke's new novel hit the country's literary scene with a bang. "It's powerful and intense," Chen says. Written innovatively in the form of a local chronicle (usually with nonfictional introductions on history, geography, culture and industries), the metaphoric novel narrates a crazy story about how the small village of Zhalie turns into a big city through sinful ways like thievery and prostitution and how its people view the world and themselves.
CHINA DAILY
The Seventh Day
By Yu Hua
An absurdist work inspired by Genesis, the book revolves around different spirits' experiences and memories in the first seven days after their death, caused by the type of events that have recently aroused controversy in China. The writer thus called it his "closest contact with reality". Some readers, however, have declared it Yu's worst novel ever, claiming it is a cliched retelling of widely known social events that offers no more insight than reposting a comment on a micro blog. More sympathetic experts, however, argue that Yu's writing is valuable because, by showing the desperation caused by social reality, he amplifies the value of moral principles and love.
CHINA DAILY
Tales of the Siskin
By Su Tong
The renowned writer's latest book is a continuation of his embrace of ordinary people in small places, which reflects a bigger social reality against a significant historical background. The book is divided into three chapters in which the stories, spanning over 20 years, are narrated through the perspectives of two men and a woman whose fates are shattered and unsettled by a rape case. Su once said he wished to write his best novel at the age of 50. Though he admits that this book may not be his best, he says the novel could be a gift to readers for his 50th birthday this year.
CHINA DAILY
Tu Ziqiang's Personal Sad Story
By Fang Fang
The story of Tu Ziqiang follows a young man's college days and his first menial jobs. In simple, powerful prose, the author traces his futile efforts to rise above his poor, rural upbringing and his inevitable and tragic end. The book echoes the younger generation's plight in a fast-developing society with little promise, bringing to light unspoken problems of the group. Critic Han Jingqun says the story is strong enough to make a grown man cry.
CHINA DAILY
NONFICTION TOP FIVE
Going Out of Liang Village
By Liang Hong
The second installation of the author's survey of Liang village uncovers unnerving states of its outgoing residents. Representative of the 250 million migrant workers nationwide, they scatter to different parts of the world with zero sense of belonging－they're detached from both their hometown and new settlements where there is limited room for growth. Yan Lianke, a renowned writer, says the book "has come to the rescue of the country's nonfiction".
CHINA DAILY
Hello, I'm Panda
By Tan Kai
Told in first person by a baby panda, the book, available in English, is a lovely read with lovely pictures of the animal. The author is a famed science writer who has been studying pandas and has trekked almost all of the natural reserves of the giant panda in Sichuan province.
CHINA DAILY
Our Stories: Pingru and Meitang
By Rao Pingru
Simple but sincere, 87-year-old Rao's first and maybe only picture book is the country's most touching publication of 2013. Rao's wife Meitang died of Alzheimer's disease, and for about six months, Rao found himself overcome with grief. All he did was visit the places he and his wife had been to together. Then he decided to draw their lives, starting from Meitang's childhood. The book takes readers back to the time they first met, became separated by war, experienced social turbulence and economic hardships but still loved and supported each other wholeheartedly. Packaged by acclaimed book designer Zhu Yingchun, the result is more than just a story of others, as it triggers the shared memories of many Chinese households.
CHINA DAILY
Sex of Chinese People in the 21st Century
By Pan Suiming and Huang Yingying
Based on the authors' three national surveys for sociology studies in 2000 (with University of Chicago), 2006 and 2010, the book announces that China has stepped into a new "sexualized era" in the 21st century. Some interesting observations include "as the number of marriages and cohabitation drops, the number of people who have regular sex rises", "education helps increase openness in sexual ideas", and "to Chinese people, topics of sex have stepped out of the restricted zones, but they raise the chance of new anxiety". The result is a uniquely scientific perspective on contemporary Chinese life.
CHINA DAILY
Zhu Rongji's Speeches in Shanghai
By Zhu Rongji
Books by former premier Zhu Rongji are easily bestsellers, and they're also usually publishing sensations. Following the success of Zhu Rongji Meets the Press and Zhu Rongji on the Record (both available in English), 2013's new release focuses on Zhu's speeches during his post in Shanghai from 1987 to 1991, when the city was at a critical stage of economic reform. Most of the speeches, photos and manuscripts are published for the first time. The first printing is said to be 1.1 million copies. The book is full of Zhu's wit and intelligence.
CHINA DAILY
Wu Liyan, with Shenyang Normal University, contributed to this story.
Contact the writers through meijia@chinadaily.com.cn.
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