【推荐1】A great woman once said, "Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be a challenge to others." These are the words of the US pilot Amelia Earhart (1897—1937), a pioneer in aviation (航空领域), who was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.

Her story ended in mystery when she disappeared without a trace (踪迹) during a flight over the Pacific Ocean.

Theories about what happened to Earhart were proposed, but nothing was ever confirmed until now. A study published in March conducted by Richard Jantz from the University of Tennessee, US, determined that bones found in 1940 on a remote Pacific island belonged to Earhart. Following the discovery, the world's memories of the legendary female pilot were brought back to life.

Earhart was born in 1897. When she was young, she was very interested in stories about women who were successful in male-dominated (男性为主的) professions, such as engineering and law. But in 1920, Earhart's life changed after her first experience of being a plane passenger. As soon as the plane left the ground, Earhart knew that she loved flying, so she found herself a teacher and started to learn how to fly for herself. To pay for the lessons and buy a plane of her own, she took all sorts of jobs.

In 1932, Earhart flew solo (独自地) across the Atlantic, becoming the first woman ever to do so. She also designed a flying suit for women and went on to design other clothes for women who led active lives. When she was nearly 40, Earhart was ready for a final challenge-to be the first woman to fly around the world. Her first attempt was unsuccessful but she tried again in 1937 with her navigator (领航员) Fred Noonan. But one month later, they disappeared in bad weather in mid-flight.

Even though it's still not clear how she ended up on the island, we're one step closer to finding the answer. And no matter what, Earhart will be forever remembered as a brave pioneer, both as a pilot and as a woman.

【推荐3】Madonna is definitely the Queen of Pop. She released her first album in 1983. And she quickly became a superstar and a cultural icon (偶像). In her early years, she attracted criticism for her racy music videos and lyrics. And some of her videos were banned by MTV and even criticised by the Vatican.

But all the controversy has been good for business. Madonna has sold millions of albums and is the best-selling female recording artist of all time. And these days, she’s as popular as ever. So how has the Material Girl managed to stay on top?

Many say it’s because she constantly changes her style and keeps up with the latest musical trends. As a result, she’s also known as the “Queen of Reinvention”. One business school professor called her “America’s smartest businesswoman.” He said her secret is “planning, personal discipline and a constant attention to detail”.

But Madonna is more than just a pop star. In 2003 Madonna published The English Roses, her first children’s book. It's about four English girls who make friends with a poor girl called Binah. The book was the fastest-selling children’s picture book ever, and a New York Times bestseller. Since then, Madonna has written several more books in the series. How does she find the time? Well, some say the books are ghost-written. Madonna hasn’t commented on that, but she did say her children helped her with the books.

“I tried out all the stories on my children, and whenever they got bored or started fidgeting (烦躁)... I knew I had to fix that part of the story,” she explained.

In the last ten years she’s published several children’s books, directed two films, designed a fashion label and opened a chain of gyms. A reporter recently asked her what she had planned next. Madonna said, “The White House!”

Madonna for President? Who knows? We’ll just have to wait and see.

【推荐2】When I was nine years old, I loved to go fishing with my dad. But the only thing that wasn't very fun about it was that he could catch many fish while I couldn't catch anything. I usually got pretty upset and kept asking him why. He always answered, "Son, if you want to catch a fish, you have to think like a fish." I remember being even more upset then, because I'm not a fish! I didn't know how to think like a fish. Besides, I reasoned, how could what I think influence what a fish does?

As I got a little older I began to understand what my dad really meant. So, I read some books on fish. And I even joined the local fishing club and started attending the monthly meetings. I learned that a fish is a cold-blooded animal and therefore is very sensitive to water temperature. That is why fish prefer shallow waters to deep waters because the former is warmer. Besides, water is usually warmer in direct sunlight than in the shade. Yet, fish don't have any eyelids (眼皮) and the sun hurts their eyes. The more I understood fish, the more I became effective at finding and catching them.

When I grew up and entered the business world, I remember hearing my first boss say, "We all need to think like salespeople." But it didn't completely make sense. My dad never once said, "If you want to catch a fish you need to think like a fisherman." What he said was, "… you have to think like a fish." Years later, with great efforts to promote long-term services to people much older and richer than me, I gradually learned what we all need is to think more like customers. It is not an easy job. I will show you how in the following chapters.

【推荐3】I was cutting up lettuce in the kitchen when I suddenly remembered watching a video about soaking the lettuce stub (残余部分) in water to grow a whole new vegetable. So I took out a wide-mouthed mug and placed the stub into it, gave it a little water, and placed it by the window.

On a snowy morning, I noticed the first sign. A first small leaf from its heart spread out. A tiny green flag of hope. Beaten, but not defeated. This lettuce was not done living! Within days, it was impossible to see the cuts where I had removed the leaves. The growth was explosive. And when I lifted the blossoming head out of the mug (大杯), tiny root threads fell down, seeking for the earth. What is growing here? Lettuce or hope?

If I were a lettuce in a similar condition, I’d want to skeptically assess where I found myself before committing to full growth. Yet for this lettuce, my inadequate offering of water and a place by a window was enough for it to decide to reclaim itself again. It grew in a mug of water, in faith. This is the heart of this lettuce: alive, strong and fearless. It deserved a name. I decided to call it Monty.

Monty wanted to grow, as we all do. I think I gave him a little love and freedom. Those two ingredients were all he needed to return to himself. I see joy in this lettuce. The return to self is always an expression of joy, which is life itself. With the right ingredients, this is the tendency of all living things.

Monty still lives in a mug, but I’m going to transplant him outside. He deserves to become his full self. The only problem I see now is my capacity to support Monty. I hope I have enough of a green finger.

I’m surprised to find myself where I am. Maybe Monty is, too. I have the same choice as he does: give in and decay (腐败), or start again. The prospect of starting again is discouraging. But my lettuce-friend, Monty, leads the way. I can only hope to be as brave.