1 . I was out for an evening with a friend, getting the relief from pressure and catching up on our lives. We got around to the subject of books.
“When do you read?” my friend asked me. My mind took off on a fast journey through my bookshelves and piles of looks. I know some people make artsy towers and pyramids out of books, but I’m not that kind of woman. Mine are just…stacks (摞). Stacks on end tables, stacks on the floor.
When do I read? I read when I’m when I’m happy. I read when I’m bored. I read when I’m defeated. I read when I’m filled with anxiety. My self-medication for the thoughts is not exercise or alcohol, but Jane Austen. I absolutely must slow down the pace of my thoughts when living through a walk to the town Meryton in Pride and Prejudice. I read to visit places I’ll never see in real life. Thank you, Vikram Seth, for making me completely involved in 1950s India. Thank you, Khaled Hosseini, for giving me a chance to see 1970s high society of New York City, I’ll spend some time with Edith Wharton. I read when I’m recalling the good old days, Many of my favorite books of childhood are still my favorite books. I read when I get so addicted to an author that I want to read everything she has ever written, including her Christmas cards and grocery lists.
Of course, I didn’t say any of these things to my friend. I stared at her with a blank, foolish look.
“When do I read?” I repeated.
“Yes. When do you find time?” she asked.
“When? Evenings. Bedtime. Dinnertime, if I’m eating alone. Sunday afternoons. Moments stolen here and there. And now if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with Mr. Hemingway, ” I said.
1. Why did the author go out with a friend?| A．To meet another new with a friend. | B．To catch inspiration. |
| C．To relax herself. | D．To buy her friend books |
| A．A character of a novel. | B．The author’s room-mate. |
| C．Another friend of the author. | D．A writer the author likes. |
| A．She doesn’t want to read after a failure. |
| B．She doesn’t like staying with her friend. |
| C．She tries her best to please the writer she loves. |
| D．She reads to experience life in different ages and places. |
| A．Sleep after she got home. |
| B．Read Hemingway’s works. |
| C．Make a date with Mr. Hemingway. |
| D．Make another appointment with another friend. |
2 . While you are doing your summer vacation planning, consider packing along one or more of these 4 books, displayed by Goodreads for CNN Underscored as some of the best beach reads released this summer.
"The Death of Mrs. Westaway" by Ruth Ware ($13.49; amazon.com)
"On a day that begins like any other, Hal receives a mysterious letter giving her a huge amount of money. She realizes very quickly that the letter was sent to the wrong person. Soon, Hal finds herself at the funeral of the dead. This is an unputdownable thriller from the Agatha Christie of our time. "
"Calypso" by David Sedaris ($18.30; amazon.com)
"With 'Calypso, ' Sedaris sets his strong powers of observation toward middle age and death. These stories are very, very funny – it's a book that can make you laugh till you snort. Sedaris's ability to shock readers into laughter unparalleled. "
"Us Against You" by Fredrik Backman ($16.67; amazon.com)
"Here is a declaration of love for all the big and small, bright and dark stories that give form and color to our communities. With great compassion and insight, Fredrik Backman reveals how loyalty, friendship, and kindness can carry a town through its most challenging days. "
"The Summer Wives" by Beatriz Williams ($24.29; amazon.com)
"New York Times best-selling author Beatriz Williams brings us the hit novel of the season — an exciting postwar story of love, class, power set among the people of an island off the New England coast. "
1. Which novel should you choose if you are interested in scary stories?| A．Calypso. | B．Us Against You. |
| C．The Death of Mrs. Westaway. | D．The Summer Wives. |
| A．$13.49. | B．$18.30. |
| C．$16.67. | D．$24.29. |
| A．Beatriz Williams. | B．Fredrik Backman. |
| C．Ruth Ware. | D．David Sedaris. |
3 . How to Pick a Good Book
It’s not news that we spend more time texting and surfing online than ever. But a recent study shows that more teenagers are reading good old-fashioned and ink-on-paper books. Reading is a good way to widen your knowledge and learn about yourself. You probably know how to find the best application programs for your phone.
1.Start with your interests
Reading on your own isn’t like reading for school.
2. Find your “type”
3.Read the “blurb(简介)”
The reviews and quotes on the back and inside covers of many books are known as “blurbs”. These comments not only give you an idea of what the book is about, but also help you to pick out future books. If you find a book you really like, take a minute to read the blurb and see which authors praised the book.
4.
Your local library can provide you with a lot of great books. Explain your interests and mention any writer you like, and the librarian can point you towards books that you will like. Then you can enjoy what you’re reading in a quiet place.
| A．Often, they will have similar styles, and you might find you like books by those authors, too. |
| B．You can pick something that suits your interests. |
| C．Read in a quiet place. |
| D．Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction? |
| E．Ask an expert. |
| F．It is necessary to work out what the book is mainly about before reading. |
| G．But do you know how to pick a book that you will really like? |
