2 . English history is vast, from its rule under the Romans to the rise, heights and fall of the British Empire. When choosing a book to recommend on my country’s history, I wanted something that could summanze this sweeping history but didn’t get stuck in the details of things that hold me back from completely engaging with this truly rich history. Then, I found Dominic Hnynes’ A Brief History of England.

The book is a tour through the whole of English history, from its earliest people to the movement of settlers from Europe. It looks at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, Elizabeth I’s ruling and the lasting impact of Shakespeare. Then it touches on the English Civil Wars and the shift of rule from kings and queens to the parliament(议会) running the country and the establishment of the political parties. It also covers the Napoleonic Wars and the world wars and even considers England’s post-Brexit (脱欧后的) present and future.

This really is quite the sweeping book. However, it’s very short. This means it’s easy to navigate and get a hold of a huge amount of history, but it also means it’s very light on the details. At times, this can be upset, as there are parts where it feels like just another paragraph or page would really elevate this book. But for an introduction to English history or perhaps a reminder or refresher, it’s great and particularly useful as it is likely to fill in some gaps in your knowledge.

Furthermore, because of the pace of the book, there’s not a boring moment. It’s a real page-turner, covering the succession(交替) of kings and queens, wars, and changes in the social order of the country at home and the country’s influence across the world.

One reviewer on Amazon described the book as “a small masterpiece”, and said. “This is a great book for anyone who wants to get a c-ash course in English history or for those who want a quick reference to that subject.”

So, jump in, dear readers, and get a hold of what made England what it was, what it went on to be, and where it may stand in our global future.

3 . To develop one’s taste in English, the most effective way is to read a wide variety of English books. Yet one may be at a loss to choose the right books, especially as a beginner. As a native Spanish, I would like to share some of my experience.

My first English novel was Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, recommended by many English teachers and professors as an ideal book for English learners. But my experience was somewhat disastrous. I had great difficulty in understanding the novel, let alone enjoying it. It’s not the vocabulary that troubled me, but rather the way Austen makes sentences, and her way of thinking, which seemed too hard for me at that time. My enthusiasm was much recovered after reading Hemingway’s novel A Farewell to Arms. No long and complicated sentences. And I particularly liked his brief and straightforward (简洁的) style. So my first suggestion is, as a beginner, you’d better choose contemporary novels instead of classical ones.

However, if you limit yourself to novels you will miss a lot of treasures. English essays can at once inform you, entertain you, and improve your taste in English. The best example is Bertrand Russell’s work. His simple language enables his philosophy within the reach of ordinary people. Here comes my second suggestion — essays are necessary.

Never follow others’ suggestions and opinions blindly, however famous or influential (有很大影响的) the person might be. We should be open to various ideas, but always think and determine by ourselves. As a saying goes, “One man’s meat is another man’s poison”. With that in mind, we are bound to find out our favorite writers through reading and develop our fine taste in English.

5 . A recent study suggests that when it comes to the benefits of reading, just doing it matters more than the content. Researchers have found that reading novels helps the brain development in understanding others and imagining the world. They also have found that people who spend a few hours per week reading books live longer than those who don’t read.

But how to build a habit of reading? Like any habit, the trick is in figuring out what suits you. The hardest part about reading is actually picking up a book. You have to sit down, pick up a book and start reading. “I always have a book next to wherever I put my phone,” My friend Jimmy once told me. “So if I want to check my phone,I physically can see the book there. Nine times out of ten. I end up reading the book instead of using my phone for nothing.”

Another challenge is time, and in that case, audio-books (有声书) can be a good choice. Audio-books are great for filling the mind while you’re on the way to work , washing dishes or working out at the gym.

If you’re still stuck on the way to developing a reading habit, the best way is to revisit your old favorite books to get your youthful reading pleasure. You should free yourself from the opinion that only important or educational books are worth reading. There’s no shame in rereading the books that made you fall in love with reading in the first place. Restarting the practice of reading is a little like picking up painting. It takes some work to get into the best state, but once you begin, the results are beautiful and satisfying.

9 . When I was young, a friend and I came up with a “big” plan to make reading easy. The idea was to boil down great books to a sentence each. “Moby-Dick” by American writer Herman Melville, for instance, was reduced to: “A whale of a tale about the one that got away.” As it turned out, the joke was on us. How could a single sentence convey the essence (精髓) of a masterpiece with over five hundred pages?

Blinkist, a website and an app, now summarizes nonfiction titles in the form of quick takes labeled “bliks.” The end result is more than one sentence, but not by much. Sarah Bakewell’s “At the Existentialist Cafe” is broken into 11 screens of information; Michelle Obama’s “Becoming” fills 13.

Blinkist has been around since 2012.It calls its summaries “15-minute discoveries” to indicate how long it takes to read a Blinkist summary. “Almost none of us,” the editors assure us, “have the time to read everything we’d like to read.” Well, yes, of course. “So many books, so little time.” declares a poster I once bought at a book market. But I judge the quality of someone’s library by the books he or she has yet to read.

That’s because a book is something we ought to live with, rather than speed through and categorize. It offers an experience as real as any other. The point of reading a book is not accumulating information, or at least not that alone. The most essential aspect is the communication between writer and reader: The idea behind Blinkist, however, is the opposite:

Reading can be, should be, measured by the efficient uptake (吸收) of key ideas. No, no, no. What’s best about reading books is its inefficiency.

When reading a book, we need to dive in, let it take over us, demand something of us, teach us what it can. Blinkist is instead a service that changes books for people who don’t, in fact, want to read. A 15-minute summary misses the point of reading; speed-reading with the app isn’t reading at all.

10 . World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated on April 23. If you love to read, this April holiday may be perfect for you.     1    .

Local bookstores may hold events on this date, including literacy activities for children and reading.     2    . It’s also a chance to start a new tradition within your family. While larger bookstores may hold a variety of events, you can connect with independent booksellers to learn about their offerings. If they don’t have anything planned, you might just inspire them to host a special event.

One celebrated aspect of World Book and Copyright Day is the role that libraries play in making books accessible and enjoyable for so many people around the world. Pay a visit to your local library on April 23, even if it isn’t hosting a special event. Spending the day on books, you can create your own special event.

    4     Check out a new book from your local library, purchase a book from a local bookstore, or just reread a favorite book you have at home. If you have a particularly busy day on April 23, reading a part of a book with your family can be a great way to end the day and to celebrate the holiday.

Reading is very important in human history.     5     You’re also supporting the work of writers who are devoted to the process of information and cultural exchange. Happy World Book and Copyright Day!