Reading is good for more than just entertainment.
Reading can boost intelligence
People who exhibit strong reading skills early in life grow up to be more intelligent. That was the finding of a study published in 2014 that measured the cognitive development of 1, 890 sets of identical twins. When two twins shared the same genes and home environments, early reading skills appeared to be the factor that decided which twin would be better at both verbal tests (like vocabulary( and non-verbal (like reasoning tests).
Reading helps increase empathy
Feel stressed at the end of a long day?
Even after you put down a book, the effects of reading it are still present in your brain. A 2013 study discovered that when people read books, their brains continue to behave differently hours and even days later. The brains of readers show increased connectivity in the left temporal cortex — the region responsible for language receptivity — even hours after they’ve stopped reading. This suggests that reading can train the mind and boost neural function through a process that’s similar to muscle memory.
| A．Reading improves your passion |
| B．Reading may change your brain |
| C．Since reading is of significance |
| D．Reading books doesn’t just make you smarter |
| E．Opening a book is a good way to wind down |
| F．Because reading ability is something that’s learned |
| G．Committing part of every day to reading books can make you smarter, kinder, and more relaxed |
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【推荐1】With the popularity of mobile phones and other electronic devices, more and more e-book products are created and these products have brought convenience to many young readers.
When people settle in to read the latest must-read novel in print, they don’t get those annoying notifications (通知) in electronic reading. “Unless you’ve taken the time to turn off all the notifications, a digital reader is designed to interrupt,” Baron says.
Less eyestrain (眼睛疲劳)There are plenty of studies that show that reading on digital devices like phones and e-readers will negatively impact sleep. In a 2015 study, researchers at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, found that study participants reading digital books took longer to fall asleep and were less sleepy.
Educational trends come and go, so maybe the shift back to traditional books won’t last. But for the moment, I find myself standing at attention, relaxing my textbook-built shoulders and preparing for their glorious return.
| A．Fewer notifications |
| B．Less interruption |
| C．Thus people had better turn e-reading devices off one hour before bedtime |
| D．The number of books in a family home strongly influences children’s academic performance |
| E．People experience eyestrain from reading in both media |
| F．People suffer eyestrain from digital reading |
| G．However, physical books are more learning-friendly than digital books |
 | In Factfulness, Professor Hans Roslingasks raises questions like ‘How many girls finish school?’ and ‘What percentage of the world’s population is poor?’ It turns out that the majority of us get the answers to these questions completely wrong. Why does this happen? Factfulness sets out to explain why, showing that there are several human instincts that distort(扭曲)our perspective. This book focuses on our instinctive biases(偏见), offering practical advice to help us see the good as well as the bad in the world. |
 | Are things getting worse every day? Is progress an impossible goal? In Enlightenment Now, Steven Pinker looks at the big picture of human progress and finds good news. We are living longer, healthier, freer and happier lives. Pinker asks us to stop paying so much attention to negative headlines and news that declares the end of the world. Instead, he shows us some carefully selected data. In 75 surprising graphs, we see that safety, peace, knowledge and health are getting better all over the world. Economic inequality, he claims, is not really a problem, because it is not actually that important for human well-being. |
 | For more than two hundred years those who hold negative thoughts have been winning the public debate. They tell us that things are getting worse. But as a matter of fact, life is getting better. Income, food availability and lifespan are rising; disease, violence and child mortality are falling. Best-selling author Matt Ridley doesn’t only explain how things are getting better; he gives us reasons why as well. He shows us how human culture evolves in a positive direction thanks to the exchange of ideas and specialization. This bold book looks at the entirety of human history-from the Stone Age to the 21st century—and changes the concept that it’s all going downhill. |
 | The majority of people believe that developing countries are in a terrible situation: suffering from incredible poverty and wars. The reality is that a great transformation is occurring. Over the past 20 years, more than 700 million people have increased their income and come out of poverty. This is happening across developing countries around the world. In his book The Great Surge, Stevens Radelet describes how all of this is happening and, more importantly, it shows us how we can speed up the process. |
| A．They focus on the present situations concerning developing countries. |
| B．They emphasize the importance of dealing with problems in poor countries. |
| C．They try to direct readers to a positive path in terms of human development. |
| D．They appeal to show more sympathy and understanding for poor countries. |
| A．Hans Roslingasks. | B．Steven Pinker. | C．Matt Ridley. | D．Stevens Radelet. |
| A．The Rational Optimist. | B．Human History: Where Are We? |
| C．A Public Debate. | D．Out of Povetty: What and How? |
【推荐3】Since 1931, The New York Times has been publishing a weekly list of bestselling books. Since then, becoming a New York Times bestseller has become a dream for every writer. Here are some of the New York Times nonfiction bestsellers from 2021.
Educated by TARA WESTOVER
Westover grew up in the rural mountains of Idaho with no formal education. Despite her extremist survivalist parents and violent older brother, Westover managed to make her way into college, eventually earning a Ph.D. You’ll be inspired by her amazing determination but sadden by the circumstances of her childhood.
Think Again by ADAM GRANT
Grant reminds us that just like we refresh our wardrobe from time to time, we need to routinely reexamine our beliefs and ways of thinking. Often our beliefs become habits, and Grant argues that being too attached to one identity and thought process can kill our creativity. Instead, we need to start spending as much time rethinking as we do thinking.
From Strength to Strength by ARTHUR C. BROOKS
Atlantic columnist Arthur C. Brooks teaches how to find happiness in the second half of life. Brooks points out that the more successful you are, the sharper you notice the decline in your abilities as you age. Brooks gives a roadmap to refocusing priorities to achieve greater happiness later in life.
Crying in H Mart by MICHELLE ZAUNER
A biography about growing up as a Korean American from the singer known for her Japanese Breakfast project. Growing up in Eugene, Oregon, Michelle Zauner struggled to fit in as the only Asian-American student in high school, burdened by the high expectations of her mother. Moving East, she began working in the restaurant industry and joined a band. But not until her mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis did Zauner feel like she discovered her identity and understand her Koreanness.
1. The power of reexamining beliefs is emphasized by ______.| A．TARA WESTOVER | B．ADAM GRANT |
| C．ARTHUR C. BROOKS | D．MICHELLE ZAUNER |
| A．Adolescents. | B．Scholars. | C．Retirees. | D．Businessmen. |
| A．Crying in H Mart & Educated. | B．Think Again & Crying in H Mart. |
| C．Educated & From Strength to Strength. | D．From Strength to Strength & Think Again. |
