The global pandemic (流行病) has prevented many people enjoying life outdoors,     1     it has not weakened their passion for creativity or experiencing fresh stories through online literature.

According to a report, both reading and writing web novels have become important means of     2     (entertain) for many people both in China and abroad. Besides, many works by overseas authors have been influenced by     3     (translate) Chinese online literature as some Chinese elements such as pandas and high-speed trains can     4     (see) in the works.

Statistics show that the international reading platform Webnovel had 2,100 translations of Chinese web novels, more than 200,000 overseas writers and nearly 370,000     5     (origin) overseas works.

Qu Chang, a skillful translator     6     once translated the hit book series A Song of Ice and Fire into Chinese, said that the development of Chinese online literature     7     (lead) the world as China now has a mature mechanism for publishing online literature. He said, “ After years of trials, China’s online literature industry has been     8     (full) tested by the market. I believe     9     number of users will continue increasing in the future and influence more overseas readers and creators.”

Qu explained that China has a large number of readers and users on these online reading platforms, which encourages creators     10     (write) high-quality, popular literature works. These large numbers also contribute to creating healthy competition.

2 . When I first picked up Michelle Zauner’s memoir “Crying in H Mart,” I was attracted by the familiar name of the local Korean market 10 minutes away from my house. Looking through its pages was no different from looking through an old photo album, reminding me of my old memories. And I wanted to look at each and every photo, up close.

Despite being a struggling artist making up for lost time with a sick mother, Zauner somehow made her unique experiences related to her audience. One of the factors that helped make this possible was food. Every food and every aspect of Korean culture she described seemed so familiar to me, as I’m a Korean American. Not only this, we have similar experiences, and have common feelings of being torn apart by two cultures that seem to refuse to accept us just for being who we are. Zauner shone a new light on my attitude to my own identity.

In other ways, this relatability to such a specific target audience can become a weakness. This memoir was obviously meant for a Korean, specifically a Korean American audience. With such a small audience of 0.6 % of the United States population in 2019, the story that Zauner wanted to tell would not be received by many.

An avoidable point of the memoir that caused confusion could have been the organization of the timeline. Looking at the book as a whole, there was no specific order in which Zauner organized the events of her life. The most effective way to do this would have been to progress through the book stating with her earliest memories with her mother and ending with her moments of grieving.

I felt thankful that I was able to discover such a novel that made me feel understood for the first time in years. And most of all, 1 felt inspired that there are people like Zauner who make mistakes but try again. Even when the world tells them it’s too late, they try again. Even when they feel lost, they try again and find a way. And there was one thing I was sure of after I read he book: I will try again.

3 . Looking for books suitable for your juniors? Here are what our editors recommend:

Room for Everyone

Musa and Dada drive to the shore — but the bus stops many times: “You need a ride? Come in! There’s still room!” One stop becomes two stops which soon becomes ten, and the bus is overcrowded, but there’s always room for one more if you make the room, making this trip a joyous tale.

Author: Naaz Khan

Reading age: 4 - 8

Wonder

Auggie Pullman was born with a facial difference which prevents him from going to a mainstream school. Entering a new school, he wants nothing more than to be treated normally — but his new classmates can’t ignore his extraordinary face. Auggie is a hero to prove that you can’t give in when you were born to stand out.

Author: R. J. Palacio

Reading age: 8 - 12

Starfish Hardcover

Ellie is tired of being fat and she’s found her safe space — her swimming pool — where she feels weightless in a fat-obsessed world. In the water, she can stretch herself out like a starfish and take up all the room she wants. Finally, with the support of those loving her, Ellie might be able to be a starfish in real life — by being her own excellent self.

Author: Lisa Fipps

Reading age: 10 - 13

Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer

Lynne Cox started swimming almost as soon as she could walk. By age sixteen, she had broken all records for swimming the English Channel. She narrowly escaped a shark attack, and was cheered across the Cook Strait by dolphins. She even swam a mile in the Antarctic. Lynne writes the same way she swims, with tough spirit and joy.

Author: Lynne Cox

Reading age: 14 - 18

7 . Good books are essential for children. The best materials are the ones that not only entertain, but also expand the imagination, educate the mind, and let the next generation know that they have a place in this world. Here are some good books for you.

The book features the story of middle school student Jordan Banks, who struggles not only with being the new kid at a private school in the Bronx, but also with being an African American student in the midst of a mostly white class. In his acclaimed graphic novel, Jerry Craft addresses important issues of race and class through lively visuals and a likable protagonist.

It was written by Kwame Alexander and drawn by Kadir Nelson. The poem details the history of African Americans, emphasizing the triumphs of the civil rights movement as well as the trauma of slavery, along with the mention of several globally known heroes. There are also quotes from influential figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Langston Hughes and alongside there are beautiful illustrations from Nelson.

The character of Jude teaches us empathy as we read what it’s like to be a young teenager immigrating from Somalia trying to fit in in America. She tries to learn the English language while tackling discrimination and classmates unwilling to understand and accept her, including her cousin of the same age. Jasmine Warga has created a story that is both powerful and gentle, big but full of small moments, a happy but sad story that will live in your heart.”

10 . Teens and younger children are reading a lot less for fun. According to the annual Kids and Family Report, in just the last four years, the number of kids that read for fun has dropped by nearly 10%. Today, barely half of the children in the United States report liking to read for enjoyment.

When it comes to reading, kids can come up with a million excuses as to why they don’t like it. It can be frustrating trying to get your child to read, and it’s easy to rely on unsuccessful methods for encouraging reading Sometimes you tend to nag（唠叨）your child to read， or perhaps bribe（贿赂）him to read by offering him a reward. Unfortunately， these methods often do more harm than good. Nagging can lead your child to feel that he is being forced to read. And while rewarding your child for reading isn’t bad in itself, it shouldn’t be relied upon to get him to read.

It’s similarly important to reserve judgment regarding what your child chooses to read. While it might be your goal for your child to read To Kill a Mockingbird, reading about his favorite band in a teen magazine will also do. Reading is reading, and the more your child does it, the more he will enjoy it. And with increased enjoyment comes more frequent reading.

The best way to get your children to read more is to serve as examples and important guides for them. Research shows that kids and teens who do read frequently, compared to infrequent readers, have more books in the home, more books purchased for them, parents who read more often, and parents who set aside time for them to read.