Books of the year

The winners of China's top book award were announced recently. From the creep of big data into modern lives to the beauty of nature, the selection features some of the best books of 2013. here are the judges' comments

Humanities and social sciences

Big Data: A Revolution That Will Transform How We Live, Work, and Think, written by Viktor Mayer-Schonberger and Kenneth Cukier, translated by Sheng Yangyan and Zhou Tao and published by Zhejiang People's Publishing House

"Internet, social networks, e-commerce and mobile telecommunication have brought human society to a new era of structured and unstructured information. The production, sharing and application of data is happening on a large scale. This book shows us how big data has started a crucial transformation of our time and is changing our lives and the way we understand the world."

A Biography of Chen Duxiu, written by Tang Baolin and published by Social Sciences Academic Press (China)

"Public opinion of Chen Duxiu (1879-1942, a major founder of the Communist Party of China) is split. This book answers many questions and mysteries which have long surrounded him. It portrays a genuine Chen, and provides new opinions and angles to study China's modern history."

The Independent Intellectuals, written by He Huaihong and published by Chongqing Publishing Group

"The author names 'independence' as the most important attribute for intellectuals. Their spiritual independence and freedom of thought are reflected through their fearlessness before powerful elites, remaining unaffected by flattery from the public and media, and the capacity to create something spiritual. This book expresses concern for the country and today's society as well as outlining expectations for the next generation of intellectuals."

Love: A History, written by Simon May, translated by Sun Haiyu and published by China Renmin University Press

"This is a book about common human emotions. Translator Sun says: 'These words pondering love sparkle and stick in people's hearts like needles. In such an acquisitive modern time, it is a necessity, not a luxury, for Chinese people to better understand man's purest emotions in both a philosophical and historical perspective'."

Factory Girls, written by Ding Yan and published by Foreign Languages Press

"China's ever-growing GDP masks the lives of the millions of largely forgotten factory workers behind the scenes, many of whom are young girls with their own dreams and aspirations. The author's courage and perseverance is admirable. She was close to 40 when she chose to work as a laborer in a factory. Her personal experiences in the factory gave her a genuine insight into the laborers' lives, allowing her to write this richly detailed work."

Popular science

Note of Nature, written by Rui Dongli and published by China CITIC Press

"This is a book combining nature, humanities and the arts. It is a fully realized work using clear language and exquisite prose to describe living creatures. The author is persistent in his desire to admire, explore, and return to nature. The book expresses not only gratitude for nature, but also a benevolence and humbleness before its beauty: Nature breeds its sons, and the sons should repay their mother. In today's fast-paced society, ruined by competition and desire, this book lets you slow your step to breathe fresh air and enjoy beautiful landscapes."

The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood, written by James Gleick, translated by Gao Bo and published by Post and Telecom Press

"The author uses his deep philosophical mind, extraordinary power of observation and vivid language to introduce the key moments of development in the history of information. Information fills this world and gives impetus to the forward trajectory of society. Information makes people's lives easier, but it also drowns us like a flood. The situation makes us deeply anxious, and we can become weary of information. This work is very timely and reflects modern times. It has great significance around the world."

Inspiration for Innovation, written by Lu Yongxiang and published by China Science and Technology Press

"The brilliant history of science is like a garden of budding flowers, and the different scientific sectors physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, informatics and geology each have their own unique blooms. By nurturing the spirit of science and the humanities, the younger generations will continue to explore new areas of exciting science where everything is possible. Innovation will never cease."

Children's books

Nakimushi Ha-chan, written by Hayao Kawai and Tomoko Okada, translated by Cai Mingyan and published by Zhejiang People's Publishing House

"Too many children's books only focus on the positive side of life. Many stories tell children to be brave, diligent, modest and persistent. It seems that no book is capable of teaching the youngsters what to do if they fail to always succeed. But children will sometimes feel timid, afraid and unsure. The authors use their own childhood experiences to write touching stories. The book solves children's problems and has a good understanding of children's psychology."

A Rat Raises a Cat, written by Xiao Mao and published by Zhejiang Juvenile and Children's Publishing House

"This is a simple book without flamboyant decoration. It doesn't feature any praise from critics on the cover. The author's unique sense of humor will appeal to children's imagination. The book draws on the romantic traditions of classic fairy tales no matter how helpless we are in the real world, we have to promise our children: 'They lived happily ever after.' Dreams are only achievable when they are believed."

Contact the writer at wangkaihao@chinadaily.com.cn.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 05/09/2014 page25)