【推荐2】I have a special place in my heart for libraries. I have for as long as I can remember. I was always an enthusiastic reader, sometimes reading up to three books a day as a child. Stories were like air to me and while other kids played ball or went to parties, I lived out adventures through the books I checked out from the library.

My first job was working at the Ukiah Library when I was 16 years old. It was a dream job and I did everything from shelving books to reading to the children for story time.

As I grew older and became a mother, the library took on a new place and an added meaning in my life. I had several children and books were our main source (来源) of entertainment. It was a big deal for us to load up and go to the local library, where my kids could pick out books to read or books they wanted me to read to them.

I always read, using different voices, as though I were acting out the stories with my voice and they loved it! It was a special time to bond with my children and it filled them with the wonderment of books.

Now, I see my children taking their children to the library and I love that the excitement of going to the library lives on form generation to generation.

As a novelist, I’ve found a new relationship with libraries. I encourage readers to go to their local library when they can’t afford to purchase a book. I see libraries as a safe haven (避风港) for readers and writers, a bridge that helps put together a reader with a book. Libraries, in their own way, help fight book piracy (盗版行为) and 1 think all writers should support libraries in a significant way when they can. Encourage readers to use the library. Share library announcements on your social media. Frequent them and talk about them when you can.

【推荐3】Coming of age is that time in each of our lives when we begin to see the possibilities. The world opens up in ways that matures our vision, gives us a sense of responsibility and gratitude. Connor Thomson had just started college and loved being at that phase in his life where he could eat all the pizza he wanted, yet engage in adult conversations with his parents about the responsibility to make life better for others. Connor’s optimism was striking. There was so much he could do, so much he could become. But it all ended one night when Connor was distracted(分心的) while driving in a Colorado canyon.

Connor’s father, David, took it particularly hard. A father sees more than his own traits in his son; he sees greater possibilities than he achieved. Taking that hope away left David feeling aimless. But Connor’s optimism was one of those traits passed on to him by his father. So David got to work. First, he established the Honor Connor Scholarship Fund to reward students who served in the community. Next, he went to work creating a research-based curriculum that educates University of Colorado Boulder students and their families about the dangers of texting and driving.

David now works with lecturers at various colleges and high schools, ensuring young minds understand how statically at risk they are when they text and drive. He’s become a passionate advocate for preparing young people to drive safely and not subconsciously reach for their phones while they’re at the wheel. It includes a very simple three-part commitment: to not text or use social media while driving, speak out if riding with a driver who is distracted and encourage friends and family to drive phone-free.

While every constructive effort reminds David of the loss he suffered, he is encouraged knowing that more young people with so much to of r the word will be around to do good. “I get to be a part of what Connor would have done,” says David.

【推荐1】Should anger problems also be recognized as an illness like depression and anxiety? Anger is largely viewed as a secondary emotion — one caused by other emotions. People are thought to be angry because they are sad, anxious or stressed.     1     Today, though, a growing number of mental health experts think that anger is a serious problem that needs its own treatment.

To tell the difference between “normal” anger and “anger problem” is difficult. After all, everyone gets really mad from time to time. Experts point out a few ways.

Disordered anger, as it is sometimes called, tends to be of greater intensity (强度).     2     An example: While most people would get upset if a driver cut them off, someone with disordered anger might try to chase down the car and force it off the road.

And in cases of disordered anger, the person gets angry more frequently and his/her anger lasts longer.    3     But people with anger problems often stay angry for days, weeks or even years; their feelings of anger don’t disappear over time.

    4     Disordered anger often damages people’s lives. “It interferes (干扰) with people’s relationships and their jobs,” says Raymond Chip Tafrate, a US psychologist. “Even their health is affected.”

Anger clearly increases the risk of certain health problems, as many studies have shown. When people are angry, their hearts beat faster and their blood pressure goes up.     5    

Experts suggest that people with an anger problem take anger-management programs. The programs teach people to control their responses to stressful situations through the use of relaxation techniques. The programs sometimes also include life-skills training to help bring down stress and remove angry feelings.

【推荐2】Therapeutic (治疗性的) writing involves participating in writing activities to deal with emotional issues. People work under the direction of a therapist (治疗学家) for most of the time.         1     In both cases, participants adopt expressive writing to put down thoughts, emotions, and other experiences.

Therapeutic writing can be useful in cases where people have difficulty communicating by other means. A client who is having trouble with a situation, for example, might write a letter to the people involved as part of therapy.     2     Besides, it works on how to approach the people in real life to settle the issue.

Exercises in therapeutic writing typically encourage people to write for a block of time, such as 15 minutes. They may be asked to write about their days or issues coming up in their lives. In guided therapy, the therapist may review the writing and discuss it with the patient.     3    

Some people keep writing regular journals to share with their therapists and others.     4         Therapists can also use electronic journals to help patients between sessions, looking at what they’re writing about and identifying specific issues to discuss in therapy.

    5     People may keep personal journals or diaries intended for their private use, where they can describe events and explore emotions. Some add a self-directed group therapy aspect as well by sharing their writing with friends who can provide advice.