Oracle Bones, by Peter Hessler

Think about how you travel on vacation.  Do you stick to a schedule and like to plan everything out ahead of time?  Or, do you like to wander?  If you like to wander, then you'll like Oracle Bones.

The title comes from the earlierst form of Chinese writing uncovered so far by archeologists.  Peter Hessler uses this as a thread from which to hang his collection of characters and stories.  It is non-fiction, but it reads like fiction. I am glad that I read the 400+ pages.  The last few pages present the wisdom gained by the author from his writing, teaching, and traveling in China. I feel wiser for having read this book.

It isn't one of our book forum selections, but I recommend it for anyone with an interest in China.