Welcome to my little ‘bookshop’! On this page, you’ll find a carefully curated selection of books to help you learn Mandarin and deepen your understanding of Chinese language, culture, and history. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a solid foundation, an advanced learner refining your skills, or simply curious about China, these resources can support your journey.
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Chinese characters
Chinese grammar
The Haunted Monastery by Robert van Gulik
This Judge Dee mystery by Robert van Gulik is set in Imperial China and features Judge Dee, a magistrate and statesman of the Tang court. Judge Dee and his entourage, seeking refuge from a mountain storm, become trapped in a Taoist monastery. The monks call it a supernatural experience, but the judge calls it murder. Recalling the allegedly accidental deaths of three young women in the same monastery, Judge Dee seeks clues in the eyes of a cat to solve cases of impersonation and murder. A painting by one of the victims reveals the truth about the killings, propelling the judge on a quest for justice and revenge.
Robert van Gulik (1910-1967) was a Dutch diplomat, sinologist, musician, and writer. He is best known for his Judge Dee historical mysteries, featuring Judge Dee, a protagonist borrowed from the 18th-century Chinese detective novel Dee Goong An. Van Gulik’s Judge Dee mysteries follow the long tradition of Chinese detective fiction, intentionally preserving a number of key elements of that writing culture. Most notably, Judge Dee solves three different (and sometimes unrelated) cases in each book, a traditional device in Chinese mysteries.
Chinese mythology
The Four Chinese Classics
“The Four Chinese Classics” by David Hinton offers a selection of key works from the rich tradition of Chinese philosophical and spiritual literature. It includes excerpts from the I Ching (Book of Changes), Tao Te Ching (by Lao Tzu), Chuang Tzu, and the Analects (of Confucius). Hinton’s approach emphasizes the poetic and mystical dimensions of these texts, making them accessible to a modern audience while retaining their profound wisdom and insight into the nature of reality, self, and the universe. It’s a valuable introduction to the foundational texts that have shaped Chinese culture and thought for millennia.
Chinese history
Chinese politics
HSK Standard Course
The HSK Standard Course is a series of textbooks designed to prepare learners for the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK), China’s official standardized test for Mandarin proficiency. Developed by Beijing Language and Culture University Press, the series covers HSK levels 1–6, with each level consisting of a textbook and a workbook. The course integrates vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing practice, following the official HSK syllabus. It is widely used in classrooms and self-study, offering structured lessons, exercises, and audio resources to help learners systematically improve their Chinese proficiency.
Graded readers
Mandarin Chinese Picture Dictionary
The “Mandarin Chinese Picture Dictionary” is a visual learning tool designed to help beginners quickly grasp essential Mandarin vocabulary. It organizes words by topic, with colorful illustrations accompanying each entry. This makes it easy to associate words with their meanings, aiding memorization and pronunciation. It’s a handy resource for building a basic vocabulary and is particularly useful for visual learners. While it may not delve into complex grammar, it’s a great starting point for anyone looking to learn everyday Mandarin Chinese words in a fun and accessible way.
