May’s reading list brings together five distinct books about old Chinese customs and stories from modern everyday life.
A few of these books take you back in time, sharing stories about old household superstitions, family recipes passed down for generations, and historical icons who shaped early twentieth-century pop culture. Alongside these, you will also find real, honest accounts of modern life, including a moving look inside the fast-growing world of pet funerals in today’s cities.
No Stranger to Spirits 《见怪不怪》
If you are interested in Chinese folklore and strange creatures, No Stranger to Spirits is a great book to start with. The author, Luan Baoqun, is known for his work on ancient texts, folk beliefs, and ghost stories. In this book, Luan explores more than 130 strange creatures found in kitchens, old objects, doorways, and forgotten corners of the home.
In Chinese folk beliefs, ‘all things have spirits’, and animals or objects could become supernatural beings over time. The creatures in this book are not always frightening monsters. Many are more like household spirits, living alongside humans and protecting a family’s fortune, health, or future — as long as they are treated with respect.
The King of Football 《“球王”》
This biography tells the story of Lee Wai Tong, one of the most famous football players in early 20th-century China. In 1925, he moved from Hong Kong to Shanghai and quickly became known as the “King of Football” for his outstanding skills and strong public appeal, sparking a nationwide football craze.
A household name on a par with the opera star Mei Lanfang, Lee became a leading figure in urban popular culture. Alongside well-known writers and film stars of the time, he formed an important part of the cultural landscape of Shanghai in the 1920s and 1930s.
Lee’s life story is much more than a standard sports biography. It serves as a reflection of the dramatic social changes of the period.
As a Pet Mortician 《作为它的殡葬师》
After six years in the pet funeral industry and facing countless misunderstandings, Wang Yinghao decided to share the true stories behind his unusual profession. A former designer, Wang noticed that many pet owners felt lost and unprepared in the farewell room. To help them, he designed a simple guide for saying goodbye. He was unsure at first whether it would be useful, until he saw tear-stained copies of the guide left behind by grieving families.
Yet this is not a sentimental book in the usual sense. Tears are only one small part of a much larger industry. By March 2026, there were around 47,000 pet funeral service companies in China. Through individual stories of people and their pets, the book offers a broader portrait of modern urban life.
The Taste of Time 《往日食光》
The book brings together 30 essays, each linked to a Taiwanese dish and a different moment in life. Across these flavours and memories, the author Cheng Ju-ching shares personal stories from her own life. She writes about the rice dumplings her grandmother made during her childhood, prepared in the busy moments of running the family’s public bathhouse. Cheng recalls the simple Chinese meals she cooked while studying in Germany, in order to ease her homesickness. She also shares the comforting, everyday dishes she enjoyed with her daughters as they grew up.
Through these stories, Cheng explains that much of Taiwan’s food culture is rooted in a broader Chinese heritage. Many cooking methods from the south-eastern coast of mainland China travelled to Taiwan with early settlers. These recipes have changed over time to become a shared memory and a lasting testament to cultural history.
I Remember the Light in Your Eyes 《我记得你眼里的光芒》
Between 2002 and 2005, the journalist Li Bing hosted a cultural column in a Beijing newspaper. During this time, she carried out in-depth interviews with 25 of China’s most influential cultural figures. Among them were legendary writers, artists, and scholars such as Chen Zhongshi, Yu Guangzhong, Shi Tiesheng, and Huang Yongyu.
The newspaper has long since closed, and most of the interviewees have passed away. What began as routine journalism has become a valuable historical record of an era. Alongside the interviews, Li includes detailed behind-the-scenes interview notes. Covering literature, fine art, and traditional media, this collection offers a closer look at the minds that helped shape contemporary Chinese culture.
Written by Estelle Tang, illustrated by Yuma Zhao.
If you liked this article, why not read: April Picks: Across China’s Technology, Art and Rural Worlds
