Now instead of writing to that person you barely know in Beijing, you can listen to a whole Sinica podcast on the best English-language books on China as decreed by avid readers who live and work in Beijing.

FORBES: Best China Books For Your Summer Reading List: Podcast

Many of the most critically affected species are found in China, including Magnolia phanerophlebia, of which only around 200 trees are estimated to exist in the wild and Magnolia sinica, believed to have a single population of fewer than 10 mature trees.

CNN: Half of magnolias face extinction