BOOKS we like...

ALLTHE TEA IN CHINA

I love this pocket edition of Chow & Kramer’s larger book of the same name. This one contains chapters on tea processing and growing, tea chemistry, brewing, health benefits, and descriptions of an assortment of famous Chinese teas. A sweet little gift book for the tea lover.

A Pocket Guide to
All the Tea in China
Kit Chow and Ione Kramer

China Books and Periodicals

$6.95
2 5/8 X 4 3/8, 170 pages softbound

A FAMILY MASSAGE MANUAL

Never mind the odd cover photo, this is quite a nice little massage book. The introductory explanations of basic Chinese acupuncture theory are simple but accurate. There is an easy to understand section on hand techniques specific to Chinese massage, followed by a point by point description of major acupressure points and the correct technique for each one. The reader is given a step by step protocol for both a partner massage and a self massage. This is a good introduction to an age-old Chinese health technique.

Health Care at Home
A Family Massage Manual
Chen ZhaoGuang

Foreign Language Press

$7.95
2 5/8 X 4 3/8, 149 pages softbound

ANIMAL SYMBOLISM
OF THE CHINESE ZODIAC

This book is a delightful exploration of the symbolism, mythology, and history of the Chinese zodiac animals, written by a literature professor. Zhang Fang’s descriptions provide a more thorough understanding than you’re likely to get from the majority of Chinese astrology books, most of which treat the 12 animals as mere personality profiles and miss their deep and fascinating connection with Chinese culture. A fun and informative read for the curious layperson, as well as Chinese astrologers seeking a more dynamic understanding of the animals.

Animal Symbolism of the Chinese Zodiac
Zhang Fang

Foreign Language Press

$13.95
5 1/2 X 7 7/8, 156 pages softbound

CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE

When I came across this book I knew my students would love it. Actually, even seasoned practitioners could use this. The authors have compiled the classic materia medica into a study guide that is easy to use, handy (could slip into a large pocket,) and employs an ingenious “license plate” system for memorizing each herb’s energetic thumbprint. The index is organized so you can look up any herb by either its pharmaceutical or pinyin name, thus eliminating the annoying necessity of finding the right index. My own copy is already dog-eared.

Chinese Herbal Medicine
Materia Medica Study Guide
Mark & Merisa Saltzman

Sinolingua

$13.95
5 3/4 X 8 1/4, 245 pages softbound

DESIGNS OF CHINESE BLESSINGS Huang Quanxin is a painter, calligrapher, and scholar and has been collecting these exquisite “good luck” drawings for many years. Each black and white line drawing is accompanied by a brief description of its meaning and use in Chinese and English. Just thumbing through each book inspired me with ideas about possible use--why not copy your favorites and use them for feng shui charms to attract wealth and happiness, or fold one up and tuck it in your pocket for a talisman? The possibilities are endless.

 

Designs of Chinese Blessings
Happiness
Huang Quan Xin

Sinolingua

$14.95
5 3/4 X 8 1/4, 245 pages softbound

Designs of Chinese Blessings
Wealth
Huang Quan Xin

Sinolingua

$14.95
5 3/4 X 8 1/4, 245 pages softbound