Shi Hang is a playwright known for his works for TV series such as "The Bronze Teeth". The writer, who's also a key opinion leader on China's social networks, has recently sat down with us and shared his story.

Shi Hang is a true bibliophile. His home is like a library, where books are scattered in every corner. Just like many other book lovers, his love for books can be traced back to his childhood.

SHI HANG PLAYWRIGHT "My father was a philosophy teacher. So we had a lot of books in my home when I was a kid. But instead of philosophy books, I was attracted by detective stories. And my best friend's father happened to be a law teacher, so I always went to his home to read detective fictions and criminal investigation cases, such as murder, theft, arson and so on. These reading experiences taught me to pay attention to details, which is very helpful when I write.”

In 1988, Shi Hang was admitted to the Central Academy of Drama, where he studied film and TV literature. After graduation, he became a professional playwright. And in 2000, the TV series "The Bronze Teeth", co-written by him, was a big hit. From 1994 to 2011, Shi Hang also cooperated with renowned theatrical director Meng Jinghui to create theatrical productions including "Maze" and "Magic Mountain". Shi says reading plays a crucial role in his writing.

SHI HANG PLAYWRIGHT "For me, reading nurtures me as a writer. I absorb from the books I read, and learn how to write from those books and writers. These are the books I've read recently. I made marks and notes when I read something interesting or important, so that next time I can easily find them.”

As a key opinion leader on social networks like Weibo, Shi Hang also likes to recommend books to his followers. From January 30, 2010, he released more than 40,000 posts on Weibo, and half of them are about books. He also made online shows, and held reading sessions and lectures to promote reading. He says it's fun to share the books he loves to more people.

SHI HANG PLAYWRIGHT "I won't tell my followers what they should read. I only recommend the books I love to them. And there are three books and writers I would like to recommend to everyone – Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables", Maugham's "The Razor's Edge" and Leo Tolstoy's "Resurrection".

Shi Hang also shares with us the Chinese writers who influenced him the most.

SHI HANG PLAYWRIGHT "I'm deeply influenced by Lu Xun, Wang Shuo, Wang Zengqi and Louis Cha. From Lu Xun's books I learn to argue seriously, Wang Shuo teaches me to be a real human being in his works, Wang Zengqi teaches me to discover the interesting things in life, and Louis Cha makes me realize that we should keep learning in life and never stops."