3 . Teenage years are an unforgettable season of life and books read at that time also make a difference. Much like the best children’s books ever written, these following top teen-centered books offer hope for the future and nostalgia for young life.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Because of cancer, protagonist (主人公) Hazel Lancaster believes her life is over. But then she meets Augustus Waters, and the way he makes her laugh—the way he makes her feel seen—makes her want to live again. The Fault in Our Stars will attract young adults with themes of life and death, true love, and friendship that surpass circumstances. This book is especially worth reading if you love sad books.

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

In this classic book, Bilbo Baggins is summoned (召唤) on a great adventure that will change his life forever. With themes of friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, and more, The Hobbit is an adventure waiting to happen for those willing to experience the dangerous business of stepping into the story.

Dune by Frank Herbert

A science fiction novel for the ages, Frank Herbert’s Dune tells the adventures of Paul Atreides—who will become known as Muad’ Dib—as he and his family strive to bring humankind’s greatest dream to life while living on a desert planet. Though written in 1965, much of Dune’s story may be more relevant to 21st-century readers than it was to bookworms who picked it up in the 1960s.

Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene

His collection of classic mystery novels was actually written by various authors under the pen name of Carolyn Keene. Over the past few decades, Nancy has evolved with the times—to the point where she’s now using a cell phone to investigate her never-ending mysteries. Today, Nancy is attracting a whole new generation of fans, thanks to a television show launched in 2019.

5 . For those looking to fry up something new this winter, these are the cookbooks to have in your kitchen bookshelf.

1. Made in Bangladesh, by Dina Begum

£28, Hardie Grant

The second cookbook from food writer Dina Begum is a love letter to Bangladcsh. Alongside the selection of tempting recipes are detailed ingredient notes, explanations of distinctive spice mixtures and advice on traditional preparation and serving, all accompanied by vivid photography of busy street-sellers, grass-covered landscapes and market produce.

2. Manju’s Cookbook, by Manju Patel

£22, Ryland Peters & Small

At the age of 80, Gujarat-born Manju Patel was given a restaurant in Brighton by her sons. Six years later, she remains an important part of the business — named Manju’s — but has also found the time to write this cookbook, which showcases dishes including mattar paneer（奶豆腐）and Gujarati dal.

3. Ester, by Mat Lindsay

£30, Murdoch Books

Australian restauranteur Mat Lindsay’s new book isn’t for the green-hand home cook. Ester is a celebration of modern Aussie cuisine, focusing on fire and perfect technique. Recipes include flame-grilled bone marrow with sesame-seed sambal, and sourdough ice cream.

4. Maydan, by Rose Previte

£30, Abrams

This new cookbook from Washington, DC-based chef Rose Previte is inspired by her Lebanese roots and travels in the Middle East. You can surely be inspired if you enjoy Lebanese dishes.

6 . Despite demonstrating a love of the written word, many readers tend to devote most of their time to consuming books in one or two specific genres (体裁). Of course, you want to read books that bring you joy, but it’s well worth adding some variety to your reading list.     1    

You can improve your vocabulary.

When you read a wide variety of books, it’s not uncommon to come across unfamiliar words and phrases. Sometimes you can get enough con text from the sentence to understand the meaning; other times you’ll need to consult a dictionary for clarification.     2    

You can discover a new favorite genre.

You undoubtedly have a favorite genre or two now, but what if you’re missing out on others because you’re not adding any variety to your reading list?     3     However, by varying your reading material, you could end up enjoying a particular type of book just as much as others you read on a regular basis.

    4    

When you add a wide selection of titles to your reading list, you can start to see people, places, and historical events in a new perspective. For example, reading a nonfiction book about a group of people in another country can have a greater understanding of cultures unlike your own.

You can get inspiration from surprising places.

It’s amazing how expanding your reading list can provide you with inspiration when you need it most. Of course, some genres are meant to provide encouragement, motivation, and support, such as self-help books and Memoirs (回忆录).     5     They’re able to do so nevertheless. By picking up a book from a genre you wouldn’t normally read, you may be motivated to finally write your own novel, travel to a faraway place, or even just take up a new hobby.

8 . In the house where I grew up, we had a room we called the library. It wasn’t a real library, of course, it was just a small room dominated by a television set. But there were bookshelves built into all four walls, and hundreds of book — hardback books of many colors — surrounded us in that room. The books, collected by my parents and grandparents throughout their lifetimes, were a part of my childhood.

But in the 1970s, I’m noticing a worrying trend: a move away from books. American homes might soon lack dedicated spaces for libraries, and hardcover books, once symbols of enduring thought and wisdom, may become endangered.

A friend who owns a bookstore in a college town tells me he struggles to sell hardback books; paperbacks, though easier to sell, still disappoint him. Students, once seen with books, now carry music records. Reading seems to be giving way to listening. Recent observations support this shift: the University of Illinois reported that a significant portion of freshmen have reading skills no better than an average eighth grader, with many of these students having been top performers in high school.

University professors note that even college graduates struggle with reading and writing. The cultural impact of this change is evident. A successful fiction book might sell a mere 3,000 copies, while a music album by a new band, Boston, has sold millions. This reflects our passive consumption era, where listening to music or watching shows requires little active engagement, unlike reading a book, which demands effort and intent.

In the past, reading was a fundamental part of life, but now, in the era of fast information access, books are losing their significant place. Today’s young Americans are more likely to read a disposable paperback than to cherish and reread a hardcover. In a society that values speed and convenience, the book for keeping and rereading is a weighty dinosaur.