【推荐1】Almost every day we come across situations in which we have to make decisions one way or another. Choice, we are given to believe, is a right. But for a good many people in the world in rich and poor countries, choice is a luxury—something wonderful but hard to get, not a right. And for those who think they are exercising their right to make choices, the whole system is just an illusion — a false idea created by companies and advertiser, hoping to sell their products.

The endless choice gives birth to anxiety in people’s lives. Buying something as basic as a coffee pot is not exactly simple. Easy access to a wide range of everyday goods leads to a sense of powerlessness in many people, ending in the shopper giving up and walking away, or just buying an unsuitable item that is not really wanted. Recent studies in England have shown that many electrical goods bought in almost every family are not really needed. More difficult decision-making is then either avoided or trusted into the hands of the professionals, lifestyle instructors, or advisors.

It is not just the availability of the goods that is the problem, but the speed with which new types of products come on the market. Advances in design and production help quicken the process. Products also need to have a short life so that the public can be persuaded to replace them within a short time. The typical example is computers, which are almost out-of-date once they are bought. This indeed makes choice a problem. Gone are the days when one could just walk with ease into a shop and buy one thing; no choice, no anxiety.

【推荐3】How to Feel Connected

It's easy to feel disconnected from what is going on around you in today's fast-paced world.     1     You can get in touch and feel connected, however, by following the tips below:

Consider why you feel disconnected. Knowing what is making you feel disconnected can help you choose the best ways to address it.     2     Ask yourself these questions: Are you keeping yourself occupied with work too much? Do you rely on electronic communication instead of face-to-face communication? Do you lack friendships that are satisfying?

Interact with people in person. Technology is a great way to stay in touch, but sometimes you need to spend time with other people in person.     3     You can also take steps to feel more connected by making small-talk with strangers who are sharing parts of your day.

    4     Your loved ones could feel shy, so you may never know how to improve your relationship unless you ask the right questions. Asking them to open the doors can give you some insight on what you can do. Learning this information can help to strengthen your bond.

Show appreciation.     5     Unfortunately, it is something that people who are close often take for granted. Telling someone you appreciate their time, love, and efforts can strengthen your bond and help you to become more connected.

【推荐1】My love for libraries blossomed when I joined the public library. From the age of 8, I was allowed to walk from my home to the downtown library, housed above the police station. Once the librarian gave me my first membership card, I could enjoy a range of books, which started with Little House in the Big Woods. I was addicted instantly, and this love of libraries and reading would change my life, allowing me to one day create a safe space for high-school kids, too.

By the time I was in high school, I could read the authors that we were studying in class, including Charles Dickens, Mark Twain and Emily Bronte. During the summer months, I got caught up in Gone with the Wind.

When I studied English literature at university, I thought it was time to build my own library. For the next 40 years, I continued to collect books. Until one day, I realized that all my books had become a part of the house, like wallpaper.

Toward the end of my teaching career, I became a teacher-librarian at my old high school, where I had first learned English literature. This position restored my love and appreciation for libraries. I never forgot how wonderful it was to be surrounded by books. I had a generous budget for my classes, so I searched for novels that would interest my teenage audience and hopefully spark a love for books. Fantasy, science-fiction, graphic novels — I bought almost any type of book that my students wanted to read. I bought sofas and comfortable chairs, turning the library into an inclusive (包容的) public space, safe for everyone.

In doing so, I realized that the library isn’t just a place to do research. They are, in fact, places that offer an opportunity to engage with the past, present and future. All that is required is a tiny bit of curiosity. Libraries are places that should be full of life. They help us fit into the world, and their doors must be kept open to everyone — for free!

【推荐2】Did you know that some people don’t do their reading tasks? It’s shocking, but it’s true. Some students don’t even read short texts that they are assigned in class. There are many reasons for this. They may be distracted or bored. They may be unwilling to focus.    1     Whatever the reason is, it has to stop today. Here’s why.

Reading stimulates your mind. It is like a workout for your brain. When people get old, their muscles begin to worsen.     2     Exercise can prevent this loss. The same thing happens to people’s brains when they get older.

Reading expands your vocabulary. Even a “boring” text can teach you new words.     3     You will be able to speak, write, and think more intelligently. What’s boring about that? Do not just discount a text because it is unfamiliar to you. Each time you read, you are exposed to new ideas and perspectives(思考方法).

    4     It can give you a broader perspective on things. It can make you worldlier. You can learn how people live in far away places. You can learn about cultures different from your own.

Reading is good for your state of mind. It has a calming effect.     5    . You can escape from your troubles for a moment when you read, and it’s a positive escape.

The benefits of reading far outweigh those of acting like a stupid person. So do yourself a favor: the next time you get a reading assignment, take as much as you can from it.