AUTHOR Liu Cixin’s Nebula award-winning “The Three-Body Problem” was selected as one of Tsinghua University students’ favorite books Sunday.

    A list of the 10 favorite books was released, commemorating the 21st World Reading Day and the 105th year of Tsinghua University, one of China’s top secondary education institutions.

    “A Dream of Red Mansions,” one of the four classic literary works of China and “Fortress Besieged” by Qian Zhongshu, one of the masterpieces of 20th century Chinese literature, were also on the list.

    The list, which was created based on votes by experts, teachers and students, took five months to compile. “Politeria,” “A Dream of Red Mansions,” “Ren Jian Ci Hua,” “A History of Western Philosophy,” “Fortress Besieged,” “Peasant Life in China,” “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” “Ordinary World,” “The Kite Runner” and “The Three-Body Problem” are on the list.

    Renowned writer Yang Jiang donated all of her income from publishing and royalties, along with that of her husband Qian Zhongshu, to her alma mater, Tsinghua University, and established a “Read Good Books” scholarship to encourage those who love to read. Ninety-four students were each awarded 8,000 yuan (US$1,230) this year. Within them, 50 percent majored in engineering and 20 percent in sciences. Those majoring in the arts only accounted for 30 percent of the recipients.

    Qiu Yong, president of Tsinghua University, speaking at the school’s 105th anniversary, encouraged students to read good books.

    “Reading can let us forget our identities and engage in dialogue with the talented. I hope reading can become another excellent tradition at Tsinghua, along with physical exercise,” said Qiu.(China Daily)