Curated by Librarian Allyson Mower

The Chinese New Year is a celebration that honors the start of a new year based on the traditional lunisolar Chinese Calendar. Marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, this 15-day festival will begin on January 29th. As we bid farewell to the Year of the Dragon and welcome the Year of the Earth Snake, here are five books to help you celebrate the Chinese New Year.

A Kid’s Guide to the Chinese Zodiac
By Aaron Hwang, Illustrated by Qu Lan 

Celebrate the lunar new year with this beautifully illustrated and fun book. It includes ancient wisdom, mythical tales, and horoscopes.

The Cambridge Illustrated History of China, 3rd Edition
By Patricia Buckley Ebrey

An excellent new edition of a textbook that offers a comprehensive history of Chinese thought and culture.

Asian American Herbalism
By Erin Masako Wilkins

What better way to start off a new year than by learning new recipes. These focus on traditional healing practices but with a modern wellness practice.

In the Mind, in the Body, in the World: Emotions in Early China and Ancient Greece
Edited by Douglas Cairns and Curie Virág

What a fascinating book focusing on the study of emotions across traditions. Be sure to check out the chapter by U of U associate professor Eric Hutton

Confucian Feminism
By Li-Hsiang Lisa Rosenlee

With a focus on ethical approaches to daily living such as friendship, community, governance, and care, this book offers a new approach to ways of thinking for a new year.