【推荐3】New York Times best-selling author Celeste recently shared her own experience helping a ________ in need. Many readers were so touched that they wrote letters and ________ out their true stories.

The first letter was from Sarah, Illinois

I was ________ the train home from campus one day during the rush hour. It was more ________ than usual. I was standing in the middle of the train, stuck between people. I started feeling not ________ and I couldn’t breathe. Then I started to get dizzy (头晕) because little stars had already started dancing ________ my eyes.

Just as I stepped off the train, my entire vision went ________. I couldn’t see anything. All of a sudden, a girl of my ________ grabbed my arm and led me to a bench. She helped me sit down and she was a complete stranger, but she stayed with me ________ I felt better and could stand up again. I don’t know what would have happened if she hadn’t helped me.

The second letter was from Robin, New York.

A few years ago I ________ got sick on the subway. I was alone, in my early 20s, and the subway was ________ two stops—not an ideal (理想的) situation in any way. Someone ________ me his seat. When we finally got to the next stop, I got off the train, sat down on the floor and sat ________ the wall, trying to calm down and feel better.

A woman got off with me. She told me she wouldn’t bother me, but also let me know that she was standing nearby if I needed anything. After a while of ________ with me, I started to get up when she looked at me directly and said, “Slow down”.

Sometimes when I’m overworked or running around the city feeling stressed, I will think about and see that ________ and think how sincere (真诚的) her worry and care was for me, a total stranger.

【推荐2】Friendships fade (逐渐变淡) and people change. But what if we could travel back to the _________ ? 

US author Lexa Hillyer’s first novel Proof of Forever tells a similar story. It explores topics of _________ and self-discovery.

In the book, the four main characters Joy, Tali, Luce and Zoe _________ to be best friends forever. But like many friends, they grow apart as their interests _________ . Before they leave for college, Joy asks them to have a reunion. Surprisingly, when they used a photo booth (照相亭) to take a _________ , the girls were sent two years back in time.

Most of the story is set in the past, and they must learn to work with each other. Otherwise, bad things might _________ . Along the way, the girls learn that the past doesn’t have to _________ itself. It’s filled with new memories and discoveries.

The characters are relatable (引起共鸣的) and very _________ from one another. It creates many interesting and humorous moments.

Proof of Forever tells a different story about friendship. It has various subplots (次要情节) such as losing trust in a parent, which adds more drama (戏剧性). While the storyline might attract _________ readers, it has some deep themes. It is best suited for readers 15 and older.

It also gives the reader an unexpected ending. You might be surprised to find yourself crying.

Proof of Forever is worth a __________ . It shows us the ups and downs of a coming of age story and the power of friendship.

About six months ago, I got an unexpected package. The return address was a latitude (纬度) and a longitude (经度). Inside was an envelope (信封) that had a bunch of _______ paper towels. I had no idea what it was all about _______ I began to read the paper towels carefully, which all brought back my _______.

At 18, I went to college and got a part-time job in a laboratory. My coworkers were some guys who had been working for too long and felt _______, so they came up with some jokes to make fun of me. But there was a lab assistant named Howie, who started protecting me _______ them. My dad had been in the army and taught me cryptograms (密码). So, I loved to send _______ messages to Howie on these paper towels. Now, he’d _______ them for 62 years.

How could I get in touch with him with this tricky address? After Googling it with great efforts, I _______ it! I sent a letter to him, and got a postcard back, saying, “Nicer than nice to hear from you.”

Then we started corresponding. We shared happiness and sadness in the past years. That’s how he has gradually changed my life. I almost _______ after my husband and daughter died, but what he did has brought me ________. He introduced to me a sweet passion to face my life and gave me back a sense of self-worth. Our friendship is magical to be refreshed after over six decades!