1 . Plastics have been found from the top of Mount Qomolangma to newly-formed beaches in Hawaii. The amount of plastic in our environment is shocking. What can we do about it? I’m inspired by Kate Nelson, who has lived without using single-use plastic for over ten years. Kate is also the founder of Sea the Mermaids, an organization focusing on stopping human-sourced ocean pollution through education and community action.

She recently wrote an inspiring and practical guidebook I Quit Plastics: and you can too, which is full of information and tips on how to cook, clean, shop, wear and live plastic-free. Upon first opening, you will see a recipe for Cashew Cheese that looks amazing! Not only does this book provide many delicious recipes, but also explores interesting problems about plastic pollution.

For example, Kate explores the problems about plastics and social justice, including plastic privilege(特权). She points out that wealthier countries, such as the USA, export their plastic waste to Southeast Asia, but many of these countries cannot process their own waste. In addition, most of the affordable food, though processed and unhealthy, is heavily packaged in plastic. People that live in “food deserts” in cities and depend on corner stores have no choice when it comes to avoiding plastics. Kate writes in the book, “Not everyone will have bulk (散装) food stores or farmers’ markets near where they live.”

Kate’s writing is easy to read without sounding preachy (说教的). Her explanations and reasoning are clear. From food to beauty to cleaning, Kate’s practical recipes and tips make it easy for everyone to reduce their chances of using single-use plastic. She develops effective strategies that others can easily adopt and offers clear steps to help people improve on the plastic quifting journey.

3 . Amazing and perfectly beautiful, The Midnight Library is everything you’d expect from the genius storyteller, Matt Haig. I picked it up from our readers’ recommendations (we asked our readers to send in some of their favorite recent books) and I can see why it won Best Fiction of 2020 in the Good Reads Choice Awards.

The story follows Nora Seed, a woman who is struggling and feels like nothing in her life has gone according to plan. While the initial chapters of the book are quite sad, Nora finds herself given a chance to start over in the Midnight Library, a magical place full of books of all the different paths her life could have taken. Nora is forced to stay in the library and try out different versions of her life until she finds the life she most wants to live.

I loved the idea that no dream or fork in your road is insignificant, and that they all lead us to become different versions of ourselves. In one life, Nora is an Olympic swimmer. In another, she is a glaciologist living on a boat off the coast of Antarctica. The novel reveals in a beautiful way that the potential we all have within us is impossible to measure, and that we have the possibility to be happy in many different versions of life.

It also discusses how dangerous it can be to live your life with regrets. The Midnight Library revealed to Nora that even if you make very different choices, you may uncover a deeper appreciation for your current home and the people in your life. It is your perspective that matters.

I really loved the fantasy and magical realism in this novel, and I would love for this to be turned into a series where we get to explore The Midnight Library of other characters’ lives as well.

6 . Literature is the body of written works produced by scholars and researchers, who specialize in a given field. Why is literature important? Let’s see.

Literary works are descriptions of the thinking patterns and social criteria. They’re a description of the different aspects of common people’s life.     1     They also encourage imagination and creativity. Exposing oneself to good literary works is like providing one with the finest educational opportunities. On the other hand, the lack of exposure to good literature is equal to depriving(剥夺)one of the opportunity to grow.

Some of the great literary works provide society with the guiding principles of life. Works by poets like Homer, Plato, Sappho, Horace and many more are timeless.     2     The Lord of the Rings, The Godfather, A Tale of Two Cities, and James Bond series are some of the best-selling books of all time that have entertained several generations.

There are also great works in children’s literature. Amused by the stones they tell, kids associate themselves with these books’ characters and idealize some of them. Moral stories are an aid for parents and teachers to let the kids learn important lessons in life. Aesop, Enid Blyton, and Mark Twain are some of the most widely popular children’s authors.     3    

True, languages are the building blocks of literature. But the study of literature cannot be restricted to only studying languages.     4     A degree in language and literature perhaps can’t provide one with everything literature can offer. Its scope(范围)is so deep and wide that even a lifetime may not be enough to really study literature.

    5     Great literary and poetic works help a person take a closer look at the different aspects of living. In many ways, literature, in its different forms, can change one’s attitude towards living.

7 . Below is a list of the most worthwhile writing competitions available.

TALF Flash Fiction Competition

The theme of this contest from Theme Arts and Literature Festival is "The Prime of Lile" in recognition of the l5th anniversary of the death of Muriel Spark. You can deal with this theme in any genre (体裁) and in any way you choose, although you are limited to 500 words.

Prizes : £200, £100, £50.

Entry Fee : £8.

Wild Nature Poetry Award 2022

Here we have a new contest from Indigo Dreams Publishing. It is for poems of up to 48 lines on the subject of cruel sports, wildlife in general, the natural world, or the environment.

Prizes: £200, £100, £75.

Entry Fee: £5.

SPM Poetry Book Competition

This international contest from Sentinel Poetry Movement is for full-length poetry collections on any theme and in any style. To enter, you submit up to 20 pages initially. If shortlisted (入围), you have to submit the full collection before December 31 .

Prizes: £500, £250, £100.

Entry Fee: £25.

Poetry Space Competition 2022

Here's a new contest from Poetry Space, an online platform for modern poetry from around the world, which requires poems of up to 40 lines on any subject. You have to be over 16 to enter. The judge is Rosie Jackson, a poet and creative writing tutor.

Prizes: £300, £200, £100.

Entry Fee: £5.

10 . Do you like reading British novels? If your answer is “yes”, you can click www. fltrp.com and find some information about them from the following book list.