【推荐2】If there was one good thing to come out of lockdowns, it was improved book sales and rates of reading, especially among children. A survey of 70, 000 children and young people by the National Literacy Trust, however, has found this gain is now gone: figures are now equal to just before the pandemic, when the trust recorded the lowest levels of reading enjoyment since it first asked the question 17 years ago. A concurrent study of 8, 000 five to eight-year-olds found that nearly one in five did not have a book at home.

These questions are not about basic literacy but about the habit of reading. The children surveyed spoke of books giving them subjects to talk about; of entertainment and information; of reading helping them to understand people unlike themselves; of finding in books a place of escape and a reduction of loneliness; of aid in coping with difficulty. “It helps me in learning about what I am feeling. That is because I have a hard time expressing my emotions and would rather not bother anyone,” as one child put it.

Children who read at home are six times more likely to be able to read above expected levels, while one study of 160, 000 adults from 31 countries found children whose homes held at least 80 books, but whose schooling ended at 13or 14, were “as literate and technologically quick in adulthood as university graduates.” Another found these children also went on to earn more.

It is not that most parents don’t understand this. A reason often cited for the lack of books at home is the cost of living. Almost a fifth of Britain’s public libraries have closed in 10 years, while one in eight primary schools in England, rising to one in four in disadvantaged communities, do not have a library or given reading space. Furthermore, the Department for Education, with its insistence on systematic synthetic phonics (自然拼读法), would keep an eye on the number of children who told the National Literacy Trust that teaching in primary schools had put them off reading. Compared with other problems this country faces, providing varied reading material is relatively straightforward to fix. We owe it to children to do so.

【推荐3】We often hear friends ask why they should read fiction. There is so much to learn from history, from what is going on at the frontiers of science, and from contemporary studies of human behavior. Why should they spend their scarce "free time" reading fiction, the purpose of which, at best, is only entertainment?

We are disappointed about such comments. Yes, we respond, we do find pleasure in reading fiction. But we also learn much about how to best live our lives in ways that can only be captured by fiction. We recognize that some novels are entertaining, but leave no lasting impression. What makes a novel more than entertainment?

Our answer is that we don't just read great books - they read us as well. The human condition is complex and contradictory, layered like an ice-cream dessert, with flavors mixed among the layers. A great novel reflects that complexity. We may read it several times, as we do with our favorites, and each time it is like finding an old friend and gaining new insights from that friend. We put it down with new understandings of the world around us and, most important, of ourselves.

Let's look at the novel Frankenstein, written in 1818 by Mary Shelley. Frankenstein is not the monster, but a young man seeking out the secrets of the universe. He collects body parts and charges it with life. When the dull yellow eyes open, however, Frankenstein, shocked by what he has done, abandons the creature, which ultimately kills Frankenstein's brother, his bride, and his best friend.

On one level, Frankenstein is entertaining - a good horror story, though a little dated. But Shelley writes more than just that. On a deeper level, her book forces us to ask whether humans reach too far to gain knowledge that is as forbidden as the fruit of the Garden of Eden. This theme, as old as the legend of Prometheus （普罗米修斯），dominates Frankenstein. Shelley, of course, knew nothing of genetic （遗传的）engineering that happens today. She was deeply troubled by what human beings might discover about themselves, and the effects of those discoveries on society. Our reading of great literature can also be enriched by understanding the author's personal interests and anxieties.

【推荐2】Best Mexican Festivals to Attend

The country of Mexico has more to offer besides its beauty and the following festivities prove that well. Take a look at them and save your dates because you definitely can't afford to miss them.

Día de Muertos

Día de Muertos is a celebration of life! November l and 2 are important. While the l st is dedicated(专用的) to children and is called the”Day of the Innocents”, the second is dedicated to the people who have passed away. Graves are decorated with flowers, feasts are prepared, and families come together to remember their loved ones.

Date: 1st- 2nd November

Where: All over Latin America

Día de la Independencia

Día de la Independencia is the day when the entire country celebrates the start of Mexico's war of independence. Today, a couple of weeks are celebrated with artists putting up shows and exhibitions, Mexican music filling the streets, and even some costume parties!

Date: 16th September

Where: Mexico

Guelaguetza Festival

A spectacular vision of art, dance, and music, the annual celebrations of Guelaguetza are . a wonderful cultural experience， especially for tourists. Since the tickets to this festival's cultural program are sold in advance, you can plan a trip around this event.

Date: 22nd-27th July

Where: Oaxaca，Mexico

Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe

As the legend goes, Virgin Mary appeared in front of Juan Diego, one of the most loved patron(守护神) saints of Mexico. The apparition(神秘的现象) occurred in Mexico City and a church has been built at that spot. The religious festival of Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe pays respect to this event. The story goes forward and mentions a few relics too. This also makes it one of the most religiously significant monuments.

Date: 12th- 13th December

Where: Mexico City