China Books Review
@chinabooksreview.com
A digital magazine on all things China and bookish, publishing reviews, essays, excerpts, lists and more. Organizer of the Baifang Schell China Books Prize
https://chinabooksreview.com/
https://chinabooksreview.com/
Yi-Ling Liu on the Changing Chinese Web
The author and journalist takes us behind, above and beyond China's Great Firewall for her book talk on "The Wall Dancers" in a China Books Review event at Asia Society.
Watch the video and see the transcript: chinabooksreview.com/2026/02/10/y...
The author and journalist takes us behind, above and beyond China's Great Firewall for her book talk on "The Wall Dancers" in a China Books Review event at Asia Society.
Watch the video and see the transcript: chinabooksreview.com/2026/02/10/y...
February 10, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Yi-Ling Liu on the Changing Chinese Web
The author and journalist takes us behind, above and beyond China's Great Firewall for her book talk on "The Wall Dancers" in a China Books Review event at Asia Society.
Watch the video and see the transcript: chinabooksreview.com/2026/02/10/y...
The author and journalist takes us behind, above and beyond China's Great Firewall for her book talk on "The Wall Dancers" in a China Books Review event at Asia Society.
Watch the video and see the transcript: chinabooksreview.com/2026/02/10/y...
Our list of last month's bestselling China books just dropped.
Breakneck by @danwwang leads the pack. The Poet Empress by Shen Tao takes over #2. Apple in China by @PatrickMcGee_ in third. Jun Chang's Fly, Wild Swans is fourth, then @XVanFleet's Made in America.
chinabooksreview.com/bestselling
Breakneck by @danwwang leads the pack. The Poet Empress by Shen Tao takes over #2. Apple in China by @PatrickMcGee_ in third. Jun Chang's Fly, Wild Swans is fourth, then @XVanFleet's Made in America.
chinabooksreview.com/bestselling
February 9, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Our list of last month's bestselling China books just dropped.
Breakneck by @danwwang leads the pack. The Poet Empress by Shen Tao takes over #2. Apple in China by @PatrickMcGee_ in third. Jun Chang's Fly, Wild Swans is fourth, then @XVanFleet's Made in America.
chinabooksreview.com/bestselling
Breakneck by @danwwang leads the pack. The Poet Empress by Shen Tao takes over #2. Apple in China by @PatrickMcGee_ in third. Jun Chang's Fly, Wild Swans is fourth, then @XVanFleet's Made in America.
chinabooksreview.com/bestselling
Read the excerpt from Yi-Ling Liu's new book "The Wall Dancers": chinabooksreview.com/2026/02/05/c...
February 6, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Read the excerpt from Yi-Ling Liu's new book "The Wall Dancers": chinabooksreview.com/2026/02/05/c...
A Day in the Life of an Internet Censor
China’s social media boom let its people speak out — but its censorship network silenced them. One of those censors reveals what happens behind the curtain.
Read the excerpt from Yi-Ling Liu's new book "The Wall Dancers":
chinabooksreview.com/2026/02/05/c...
China’s social media boom let its people speak out — but its censorship network silenced them. One of those censors reveals what happens behind the curtain.
Read the excerpt from Yi-Ling Liu's new book "The Wall Dancers":
chinabooksreview.com/2026/02/05/c...
February 5, 2026 at 1:02 PM
A Day in the Life of an Internet Censor
China’s social media boom let its people speak out — but its censorship network silenced them. One of those censors reveals what happens behind the curtain.
Read the excerpt from Yi-Ling Liu's new book "The Wall Dancers":
chinabooksreview.com/2026/02/05/c...
China’s social media boom let its people speak out — but its censorship network silenced them. One of those censors reveals what happens behind the curtain.
Read the excerpt from Yi-Ling Liu's new book "The Wall Dancers":
chinabooksreview.com/2026/02/05/c...
Listen to the new episode of the China Books Podcast: chinabooksreview.com/2026/02/03/r...
February 4, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Listen to the new episode of the China Books Podcast: chinabooksreview.com/2026/02/03/r...
Islamic China with Rian Thum
Islam has been part of China’s religious and cultural fabric for over a millennium, yet often it is seen as a foreign element. The author of a new study explains just how wrong that is.
Listen to the new episode of the podcast: chinabooksreview.com/2026/02/03/r...
Islam has been part of China’s religious and cultural fabric for over a millennium, yet often it is seen as a foreign element. The author of a new study explains just how wrong that is.
Listen to the new episode of the podcast: chinabooksreview.com/2026/02/03/r...
February 3, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Islamic China with Rian Thum
Islam has been part of China’s religious and cultural fabric for over a millennium, yet often it is seen as a foreign element. The author of a new study explains just how wrong that is.
Listen to the new episode of the podcast: chinabooksreview.com/2026/02/03/r...
Islam has been part of China’s religious and cultural fabric for over a millennium, yet often it is seen as a foreign element. The author of a new study explains just how wrong that is.
Listen to the new episode of the podcast: chinabooksreview.com/2026/02/03/r...
Still a few spots left for our upcoming book talk with Yi-Ling Liu on China’s Internet, this Thursday 6:30-8pm @AsiaSocietyNY. Use code CBR15 for $10 off!
asiasociety.org/center-us-ch...
asiasociety.org/center-us-ch...
Yi-Ling Liu: China’s Internet Censorship
Register now to hear Yi-Ling Liu talk about this transformational chapter of China’s modern history, and the individuals who shaped it, from entrepreneurs to activists, bloggers to artists.
asiasociety.org
February 2, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Still a few spots left for our upcoming book talk with Yi-Ling Liu on China’s Internet, this Thursday 6:30-8pm @AsiaSocietyNY. Use code CBR15 for $10 off!
asiasociety.org/center-us-ch...
asiasociety.org/center-us-ch...
Read Tabitha Speelman's essay on China's independent bookstore scene: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/29/b...
January 30, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Read Tabitha Speelman's essay on China's independent bookstore scene: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/29/b...
Even as restrictions tighten in Beijing, independent bookstores in Chengdu have flourished — showing how offline community and public debate can thrive. But it’s hard.
Read Tabitha Speelman's essay: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/29/b...
Read Tabitha Speelman's essay: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/29/b...
January 29, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Even as restrictions tighten in Beijing, independent bookstores in Chengdu have flourished — showing how offline community and public debate can thrive. But it’s hard.
Read Tabitha Speelman's essay: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/29/b...
Read Tabitha Speelman's essay: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/29/b...
Read Yi Liu's Q&A with WeChat blogger Zhang Feng: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/27/w...
January 28, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Read Yi Liu's Q&A with WeChat blogger Zhang Feng: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/27/w...
In our new column "What China's Thinking," the prolific social media blogger Zhang Feng (张丰) explains how censorship works in the era of WeChat, and talks us through a changing media landscape.
Read the Q&A: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/27/w...
Read the Q&A: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/27/w...
January 27, 2026 at 1:02 PM
In our new column "What China's Thinking," the prolific social media blogger Zhang Feng (张丰) explains how censorship works in the era of WeChat, and talks us through a changing media landscape.
Read the Q&A: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/27/w...
Read the Q&A: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/27/w...
Another great turnout for the CBR book club last night! With wine and snacks in Asia Society's garden court we discussed "I Deliver Parcels in Beijing" by Hu Anyan, with lively debate over China's consumer economy and the nature of work.
Register now to come to the next! chinabooksreview.com/club/
Register now to come to the next! chinabooksreview.com/club/
January 22, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Another great turnout for the CBR book club last night! With wine and snacks in Asia Society's garden court we discussed "I Deliver Parcels in Beijing" by Hu Anyan, with lively debate over China's consumer economy and the nature of work.
Register now to come to the next! chinabooksreview.com/club/
Register now to come to the next! chinabooksreview.com/club/
China Books Review has a slew of great events upcoming @AsiaSocietyNY in February – register now to save your spot! chinabooksreview.com/events/
asiasociety.org/center-us-ch...
asiasociety.org/new-york/eve...
asiasociety.org/center-us-ch...
asiasociety.org/center-us-ch...
asiasociety.org/new-york/eve...
asiasociety.org/center-us-ch...
Our Events | China Books Review
In addition to the digital magazine, China Books Review also hosts regular in-person events (every two months or so) at Asia Society’s headquarters in New York, where our office is based. For these…
chinabooksreview.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:01 PM
China Books Review has a slew of great events upcoming @AsiaSocietyNY in February – register now to save your spot! chinabooksreview.com/events/
asiasociety.org/center-us-ch...
asiasociety.org/new-york/eve...
asiasociety.org/center-us-ch...
asiasociety.org/center-us-ch...
asiasociety.org/new-york/eve...
asiasociety.org/center-us-ch...
How did the Chinese internet go from being an explosive avenue of social upheaval to a strictly censored and surveilled digital space?
Hear Yi-Ling Liu tell the story at the book launch for “The Wall Dancers” in conversation with Afra Wang.
Tickets: asiasociety.org/center-us-ch...
Hear Yi-Ling Liu tell the story at the book launch for “The Wall Dancers” in conversation with Afra Wang.
Tickets: asiasociety.org/center-us-ch...
Yi-Ling Liu: China’s Internet Censorship
Register now to hear Yi-Ling Liu talk about this transformational chapter of China’s modern history, and the individuals who shaped it, from entrepreneurs to activists, bloggers to artists.
asiasociety.org
January 19, 2026 at 1:01 PM
How did the Chinese internet go from being an explosive avenue of social upheaval to a strictly censored and surveilled digital space?
Hear Yi-Ling Liu tell the story at the book launch for “The Wall Dancers” in conversation with Afra Wang.
Tickets: asiasociety.org/center-us-ch...
Hear Yi-Ling Liu tell the story at the book launch for “The Wall Dancers” in conversation with Afra Wang.
Tickets: asiasociety.org/center-us-ch...
Read Orville Schell's latest review essay on what Shakespeare reveals about the nature of despots — from Mao to Trump — and the societies they seek to dominate: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/15/k...
January 16, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Read Orville Schell's latest review essay on what Shakespeare reveals about the nature of despots — from Mao to Trump — and the societies they seek to dominate: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/15/k...
Shakespeare has much to teach us about the hubristic fragility of despotic leaders, from the tyrants of the mid-20th century to those of today. But are we learning the lesson?
Read Orville Schell's review essay on "The Chinese Tragedy of King Lear" and "Tyrant": chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/15/k...
Read Orville Schell's review essay on "The Chinese Tragedy of King Lear" and "Tyrant": chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/15/k...
chinabooksreview.com
January 15, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Shakespeare has much to teach us about the hubristic fragility of despotic leaders, from the tyrants of the mid-20th century to those of today. But are we learning the lesson?
Read Orville Schell's review essay on "The Chinese Tragedy of King Lear" and "Tyrant": chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/15/k...
Read Orville Schell's review essay on "The Chinese Tragedy of King Lear" and "Tyrant": chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/15/k...
New Years reading resolution? We have you covered. See the latest recommendations from the editors: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/13/n...
January 14, 2026 at 1:01 PM
New Years reading resolution? We have you covered. See the latest recommendations from the editors: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/13/n...
Resolving to read more in 2026? We have you covered with five recommendations, from an essay collection of Tibet to a colloquial history of China’s hot-button issues.
Read editor Alec Ash's latest picks for the New China Books column: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/13/n...
Read editor Alec Ash's latest picks for the New China Books column: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/13/n...
chinabooksreview.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Resolving to read more in 2026? We have you covered with five recommendations, from an essay collection of Tibet to a colloquial history of China’s hot-button issues.
Read editor Alec Ash's latest picks for the New China Books column: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/13/n...
Read editor Alec Ash's latest picks for the New China Books column: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/13/n...
Our monthly bestseller list is out: chinabooksreview.com/bestselling-...
Dan Wang's "Breakneck" holds the top spot for the fifth straight month, a record since we began tracking. Apple in China by Patrick McGee remains at #2. Ambassador Michael McFaul's book "Autocrats vs. Democrats" claims #3.
Dan Wang's "Breakneck" holds the top spot for the fifth straight month, a record since we began tracking. Apple in China by Patrick McGee remains at #2. Ambassador Michael McFaul's book "Autocrats vs. Democrats" claims #3.
January 12, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Our monthly bestseller list is out: chinabooksreview.com/bestselling-...
Dan Wang's "Breakneck" holds the top spot for the fifth straight month, a record since we began tracking. Apple in China by Patrick McGee remains at #2. Ambassador Michael McFaul's book "Autocrats vs. Democrats" claims #3.
Dan Wang's "Breakneck" holds the top spot for the fifth straight month, a record since we began tracking. Apple in China by Patrick McGee remains at #2. Ambassador Michael McFaul's book "Autocrats vs. Democrats" claims #3.
Watch the latest China Books Review book talk with Nan Z. Da on Shakespeare and tyranny in China: chinabooksreview.com/2025/12/17/n...
chinabooksreview.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Watch the latest China Books Review book talk with Nan Z. Da on Shakespeare and tyranny in China: chinabooksreview.com/2025/12/17/n...
Nan Z. Da, author of "The Chinese Tragedy of King Lear," and Stephen Greenblatt explain what Shakespeare can tell us about tyranny in China, in a China Books Review event at Asia Society.
Watch now: chinabooksreview.com/2025/12/17/n...
Watch now: chinabooksreview.com/2025/12/17/n...
chinabooksreview.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Nan Z. Da, author of "The Chinese Tragedy of King Lear," and Stephen Greenblatt explain what Shakespeare can tell us about tyranny in China, in a China Books Review event at Asia Society.
Watch now: chinabooksreview.com/2025/12/17/n...
Watch now: chinabooksreview.com/2025/12/17/n...
Listen to @xuetingni.bsky.social discuss Chinese horror on that latest episode of the China Books podcast: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/06/e...
January 7, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Listen to @xuetingni.bsky.social discuss Chinese horror on that latest episode of the China Books podcast: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/06/e...
Horror writing has an unsavory reputation in China, but comes with a long history and is full of biting social commentary. The translator of a recent collection explains what lurks beneath.
Listen to @xuetingni.bsky.social in conversation with Alec Ash: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/06/e...
Listen to @xuetingni.bsky.social in conversation with Alec Ash: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/06/e...
chinabooksreview.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Horror writing has an unsavory reputation in China, but comes with a long history and is full of biting social commentary. The translator of a recent collection explains what lurks beneath.
Listen to @xuetingni.bsky.social in conversation with Alec Ash: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/06/e...
Listen to @xuetingni.bsky.social in conversation with Alec Ash: chinabooksreview.com/2026/01/06/e...
An award-winning novel set in Japanese-ruled Taiwan explores the relationship between colonizer and subaltern, translator and translated — and how some distances can’t be closed.
Look back at 2025: chinabooksreview.com/2025/02/13/t...
Look back at 2025: chinabooksreview.com/2025/02/13/t...
Found in Translation | China Books Review
An award-winning novel set in Japanese-ruled Taiwan explores the relationship between colonizer and subaltern, translator and translated — and how some distances can’t be closed.
chinabooksreview.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:01 PM
An award-winning novel set in Japanese-ruled Taiwan explores the relationship between colonizer and subaltern, translator and translated — and how some distances can’t be closed.
Look back at 2025: chinabooksreview.com/2025/02/13/t...
Look back at 2025: chinabooksreview.com/2025/02/13/t...
The Chinese typewriter was thought to be an impossible invention. Then they made one. In the computer age, creating a digital input system for Chinese characters proved even more challenging — and changed the way we use language.
Look back at 2025: chinabooksreview.com/2025/04/17/c...
Look back at 2025: chinabooksreview.com/2025/04/17/c...
The Race to Type in Chinese | China Books Review
The Chinese typewriter was thought to be an impossible invention. Then they made one. In the computer age, creating a digital input system for Chinese characters proved even more challenging — and…
chinabooksreview.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:01 PM
The Chinese typewriter was thought to be an impossible invention. Then they made one. In the computer age, creating a digital input system for Chinese characters proved even more challenging — and changed the way we use language.
Look back at 2025: chinabooksreview.com/2025/04/17/c...
Look back at 2025: chinabooksreview.com/2025/04/17/c...