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Good morning! April 23 is World Book Day!
In celebration, this will be a thread on the novels Xiao Zhan had recommended for the past few years!
In celebration, this will be a thread on the novels Xiao Zhan had recommended for the past few years!
1. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Of course, we all know this, it tells the story of a little boy who leaves the safety of his own tiny planet to travel across the universe, learning important life lessons along the way.
Of course, we all know this, it tells the story of a little boy who leaves the safety of his own tiny planet to travel across the universe, learning important life lessons along the way.
2. Moon and Sixpence Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset
Tells the story of an English stockbroker, who abandons his family to pursue his desire to become an artist. Partly based on the life of the painter Paul Gauguin.
Tells the story of an English stockbroker, who abandons his family to pursue his desire to become an artist. Partly based on the life of the painter Paul Gauguin.
3. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin
XZ recommended this back in 2016! The first Asian novel ever to win a Hugo Award for Best Novel, it can be now considered as a scifi classic in the making.
XZ recommended this back in 2016! The first Asian novel ever to win a Hugo Award for Best Novel, it can be now considered as a scifi classic in the making.
4. Tokyo Tower: Mom and I, and sometimes Dad by Lily Franky
XZ said this is one of his faves since this autobiography made him miss his mom. There's a n award winning movie movie of the same name too.
XZ said this is one of his faves since this autobiography made him miss his mom. There's a n award winning movie movie of the same name too.
5. The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
After a series of bad luck, AJ Fikry's life changed when a a mysterious package appears at the bookstore he is working in. And yes, that's the exact same novel XZ is holding in the photo.
After a series of bad luck, AJ Fikry's life changed when a a mysterious package appears at the bookstore he is working in. And yes, that's the exact same novel XZ is holding in the photo.
6. Hachiko Waits: Based on a True Story by Lesléa Newman
Inspired by a true story, it tells the story of the now-legendary Hachiko who became a symbol for loyalty and devotion worldwide.
Inspired by a true story, it tells the story of the now-legendary Hachiko who became a symbol for loyalty and devotion worldwide.
Even if it's not World Book day anymore, this thread shall commence! We should expand our world through reading 
7. A Matter of Love by Zhang Haochen
Xiao Zhan was captured holding this book a few years back. It's a short story collection written by the million-selling author Zhang Haochen. Currently there's only Chinese edition.
Xiao Zhan was captured holding this book a few years back. It's a short story collection written by the million-selling author Zhang Haochen. Currently there's only Chinese edition.
8. I'm Waiting for You in Future by Liu Tong
A middle-aged man time travels to the past to become a teacher to his 17-year-old self. Currently there's only Chinese edition, but there's a drama adaptation afaik
A middle-aged man time travels to the past to become a teacher to his 17-year-old self. Currently there's only Chinese edition, but there's a drama adaptation afaik
9. I Am a Cat by Soseki Natsume
I believe this was mentioned during one of the Jade Dynasty presscon interviews. It follows the adventures of a stray kitten who does commentary on the behaviors of the humans around him.
I believe this was mentioned during one of the Jade Dynasty presscon interviews. It follows the adventures of a stray kitten who does commentary on the behaviors of the humans around him.
10. Design, Form & Chaos by Paul Rand
Chinese title is actually "The Significance of Design: Paul Rand on Design, Form & Chaos" so I guess this is the ENG equivalent? Paul Rand's an advertising pioneer & his works are still influential in the design industry up until today
Chinese title is actually "The Significance of Design: Paul Rand on Design, Form & Chaos" so I guess this is the ENG equivalent? Paul Rand's an advertising pioneer & his works are still influential in the design industry up until today
11. The Awakening of Design by Ikko Tanaka
Ikko Tanaka is the founder of MUJI, this book talks about the function of design work in society, analyzing how there is more to design than what is initially perceived.
Ikko Tanaka is the founder of MUJI, this book talks about the function of design work in society, analyzing how there is more to design than what is initially perceived.
12. In Search of the Castaways by Jules Verne
One of Jules Verne's earlier adventure novels and part of his Voyages Extraordinaires series (In which Journey to the Center of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea are also part of)
One of Jules Verne's earlier adventure novels and part of his Voyages Extraordinaires series (In which Journey to the Center of the Earth and Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea are also part of)
I am back! This time listing down more titles of books that we know Xiao Zhan had recommended or have read.
13. The Silent Majority by Wang Xiaobo
This is the most famous essay of Wang Xiaobo, an important Chinese intellectual figure
I looked and you can actually read the English version here:
https://media.paper-republic.org/files/09/04/The_Silent_Majority_Wang_Xiaobo.pdf
This is the most famous essay of Wang Xiaobo, an important Chinese intellectual figure
I looked and you can actually read the English version here:
https://media.paper-republic.org/files/09/04/The_Silent_Majority_Wang_Xiaobo.pdf
14. Maverick Pig, also by Wang Xiaobo
There's an English translation here http://zorow2000.blogspot.com/2010/02/maverick-pig.html
There's an English translation here http://zorow2000.blogspot.com/2010/02/maverick-pig.html
15. The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck
You must be familiar w/ this. This book is an indepth look in personal development, a quote I like:
"Problems don't go away.They must be worked through or else they remain, forever a barrier to the growth & development of the spirit."
You must be familiar w/ this. This book is an indepth look in personal development, a quote I like:
"Problems don't go away.They must be worked through or else they remain, forever a barrier to the growth & development of the spirit."
16. A Garden of One’s Own by Zhou Zuoren
Essayist and a translator Zhou Zuoren was a champion of literary reform and was one of the most controversial intellectuals in modern China.
Sadly I havent found any translation available online.
Essayist and a translator Zhou Zuoren was a champion of literary reform and was one of the most controversial intellectuals in modern China.
Sadly I havent found any translation available online.
17. Soliloquy of a Lighthouse Keeper by Luis Cernuda
Remember Xiao Zhan and Lu Zhixing's poem reading? It was this poem (technically not a book, but I like to include this still)
ENG sub here by @daytoy_twt :
Remember Xiao Zhan and Lu Zhixing's poem reading? It was this poem (technically not a book, but I like to include this still)
ENG sub here by @daytoy_twt :
18. Higuchi Yuko Artworks by Higuchi Yuko
Xiao Zhan was seen flipping through the artbook back in November 2018
Xiao Zhan was seen flipping through the artbook back in November 2018
19. "Winter Journey" by writer and playwright Wan Fang.
The plot frankly explores themes of regret for past mistakes and redemption. One of its popular lines: "There is no road to sincerity, sincerity itself is the road."
The plot frankly explores themes of regret for past mistakes and redemption. One of its popular lines: "There is no road to sincerity, sincerity itself is the road."
20. "You and Me" also by Wan Fang
Cao Yu is the master of Chinese modern drama. His daughter, Wan Fang published this memoir, telling her parents' story for the first time
Cao Yu is the master of Chinese modern drama. His daughter, Wan Fang published this memoir, telling her parents' story for the first time
