Audio 'trailer' gives readers a new chapter in books to enjoy

NANJING — Every weekend, Zhao Jian meticulously arranges his phone and adjusts the room lighting before he begins to passionately read from books in front of the camera, and when emotions run deep, he even recites verses of poetry.

This is all part of Zhao's routine as an online storyteller living in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province. He has nearly 1.4 million followers on Douyin, the Chinese version of Tik-Tok, and his videos have received almost 18 million likes.

"The joy of my work lies in nurturing a love for reading among more people," Zhao says, adding that he sees his role as a bridge connecting listeners with authors through his narratives.