Sun said he started to collect books in 1983 and gradually built a diverse collection over more than 40 years. Among his holdings is a precious set known as the Complete Works of Chinese Classics, published during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It is one of only seven copies in the country.

Wearing glasses and using a magnifying glass, Sun reads for more than three hours every day. Now he has finished reading most of his collection.

Speaking of her father, Sun Ziyu, said, "My father has a habit of making notes on each book. He makes a mark whenever he stops reading so that he can carry on reading from where he left off."