1 . Returning to a book you’ve read many times can feel like drinks with an old friend. There’s a welcome familiarity - but also sometimes a slight suspicion that time has changed you both, and thus the relationship. But books don’t change, people do. And that’s what makes the act of rereading so rich and transformative.
The beauty of rereading lies in the idea that our bond with the work is based on our present mental register. It’s true, the older I get, the more I feel time has wings. But with reading, it’s all about the present. It’s about the now and what one contributes to the now, because reading is a give and take between author and reader. Each has to pull their own weight.
There are three books I reread annually The first, which I take to reading every spring is Emest Hemningway’s A Moveable Feast. Published in 1964, it’s his classic memoir of 1920s Paris. The language is almost intoxicating (令人陶醉的),an aging writer looking back on an ambitious yet simpler time. Another is Annie Dillard’s Holy the Firm, her poetic 1975 ramble (随笔) about everything and nothing. The third book is Julio Cortazar’s Save Twilight: Selected Poems, because poetry. And because Cortazar.
While I tend to buy a lot of books, these three were given to me as gifs, which might add to the meaning I attach to them. But I imagine that, while money is indeed wonderful and necessary, rereading an author’s work is the highest currency a reader can pay them. The best books are the ones that open further as time passes. But remember, it’s you that has to grow and read and reread in order to better understand your friends.
1. What does the underlined word “currency” in paragraph 4 refer to?A.Debt |
B.Reward |
C.Allowance |
D.Face value |
2 . You can either travel or read, but either your body or your soul must be on the way. The popular saying has inspired many people to read or go sightseeing. Here are four books that you can take on your trip.
1. On the Road, 1957, by Jack Kerouac
The book is a popular spiritual guidebook about youth. The main character in the book drives across the US continent with several young people and finally reaches Mexico. After the exhausting and exciting trip, the characters in the book begin to realize the meaning of life.
2. Life Is Elsewhere, 1975, by Milan Kundera
Jean-Jacques Rousseau once said, "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains." The book describes a young artist's romantic but miserable life, about how he reads, dreams and has a relationship during his trip to Central Europe. The book invites you to deeply reflects on your current life and to honor the Czech-born writer Kundera.
3. My Name Is Red, 1998, by Orhan Pamuk
The book, a masterpiece of the Nobel Prize winner for Literature Orhan Pamuk, has been translated into more than 50 languages and published around the world. It tells a story of a young man, who was away from home for 12 years, coming back to his hometown in Istanbul. What embraces him is not only love, but a series of murder cases as well.
4. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, 2013, by Rachel Joyce
The novel tells a story of a 60-year-old man who lived a boring and unhappy life, until one day, he received his old friend's letter who got cancer. In deep shock and sorrow, he went out to send his reply letter. 627 miles in 87 days, he walked depending on one belief that “his friend can survive as long as he walks”.
1. Whose book can make you rethink your own life?A.Jack Kerouac. | B.Milan Kundera. | C.Orhan Pamuk. | D.Rachel Joyce. |
A.On the Road. | B.Life Is Elsewhere. |
C.My Name Is Red. | D.The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. |
A.He walked to keep healthy. | B.He was in deep shock and sorrow. |
C.He expected his friend to live longer. | D.He lived a very boring and unhappy life. |
3 . Teens and younger children are reading a lot less for fun, according to a Common Sense Media report published Monday.
While the decline over the past decade is steep for teen readers, some data in the report shows that reading remains a big part of many children’s lives, and indicates how parents might help encourage more reading.
According to the report’s key findings, “the proportion (比例) who say they ‘hardly ever’ read for fun has gone from 8 percent of 13-year-olds and 9 percent of 17-year-olds in 1984 to 22 percent and 27 percent respectively today.”
The report data shows that pleasure reading levels for younger children, ages 2-8, remain largely the same. But the amount of time spent in reading each session has declined, from closer to an hour or more to closer to a half hour per session.
When it comes to technology and reading, the report does little to counsel (建议) parents looking for data about the effect of e-readers and tablets on reading. It does point out that many parents still limit electronic reading, mainly due to concerns about increased screen time.
The most hopeful data shared in the report shows clear evidence of parents serving as examples and important guides for their kids when it comes to reading. Data 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.
As the end of school approaches, and school vacation reading lists loom (逼近) ahead, parents might take this chance to step in and make their own summer reading list and plan a family trip to the library or bookstore.
1. What is the Common Sense Media report probably about?A.Children’s reading habits. | B.Quality of children’s books. |
C.Children’s after-class activities. | D.Parent-child relationships. |
A.In paragraph 2. | B.In paragraph 3. |
C.In paragraph 4. | D.In paragraph 5. |
A.E-books are of poor quality. | B.It could be a waste of time. |
C.It may harm children’s health. | D.E-readers are expensive. |
By Roald Dahl
Price: $ 10.25
Gifted and sweet, Matilda White goes largely unnoticed by her less-than-loving parents. Things only get worse when she goes to school. Luckily, her teacher, Miss Honey, helps Matilda discover how special she is and encourages her to create the life she dreams about.
Ivy & BeanBy Annie Barrows
Price: $4.59
When Ivy moves in across the street, Bean is sure they won’t be friends. They are just too different. However, when Ivy helps Bean get away from her sister, who is trying to get Bean in trouble, a friendship blossoms between the unlikely pair. Kids who enjoy this book can read the whole series over the summer.
Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary DeedBy Emily Pearson
Price: $ 7.99
When Mary decides to give some fresh-picked wild blueberries to a neighbor, she starts a chain reaction of kindness. After Mrs. Bishop makes and shares newly-made cake, her recipients go on to spread kindness to others they meet. Mary might be a common little girl, but she learns that even children can help make the world a better place.
FrederickBy Leo Lionni
Price: $ 14.39
Frederick is a mouse who lives with his family in a large field. During the summer, all of the mice begin to store food to prepare for the cold winter months. All of the mice except Frederick, that is. Instead, Frederick collects things such as rays of sun, rainbows and words. Although the others think he is stupid, they come to learn that everyone’s contribution counts.
1. Who helps Matilda discover how special she is?A.Her friend, Annie. | B.Her neighbor, Mary. |
C.Her father, Mr. White. | D.Her teacher, Miss Honey. |
A.Roald Dahl’s. | B.Leo Lionni’s. |
C.Emily Pearson’s. | D.Annie Barrows’s. |
A.Cakes. | B.Blueberries. |
C.Books. | D.Flowers. |
A.$4.59. | B.$7.99. |
C.$14.39. | D.$10.25. |
A.A story book. | B.A lesson plan. |
C.A book review. | D.A kid’s magazine. |
5 . Do you want to read some books? Here are some new books that you might be interested in.
Beyond the Sea of Life on a Bridge Called Why
Joel M Levin MD
www.authorhouse.com
Hardback | Paperback | E-book
﹩34.99 | ﹩20.99 | ﹩3.99
This book looks at some basic questions about human existence(生存).
Pages and Leaflets(小册子) of North Oxfordshire
My Lineage Pre-1700-1959 Angela Fortnum
www.authorhouse.co.uk
Hardback | Paperback | E-book
﹩25.94| ﹩12.90 | ﹩4.99
Every family has a story. And for Angela Fortnum, her family story would begin eight generations before her and date back to the turn of the eighteenth century in England. In the end, the story of the family lives on today, as this book acts as a legacy(遗产) to Angela and her mother's family.
A Time to Remember
Story of an American Family Terry Bass
www.xlibris.com
Hardback | Paperback | E-book
﹩71.99 | ﹩61.99 | ﹩3.99
This book shares the story of an American family in this heartwarming, moving description of 50 Christmases. It is a welcome story of family, celebration, confidence and love.
The Lakes in My Head
Paddling an Unexplored Wilderness Lesli Chinnock Anderson
www.xlibris.com
Paperback | E-book
﹩19.99 | ﹩3.99
This book focuses on Lesli Chinnock Anderson's life when she suffered from a serious illness. It describes her journey through loss, change and building a strong relationship with God.
1. What will you choose if you are interested in human existence? ______A.The Lakes in My Head. | B.Beyond the Sea of Life on a Bridge Called Why. |
C.A Time to Remember. | D.Pages and Leaflets of North Oxfordshire. |
A.It doesn't have any hardbacks. | B.The E-book costs ﹩4.99. |
C.Love can be found in the story. | D.It is a story of an English family. |
A.Terry Bass. | B.Angela Fortnum. | C.Joel M Levin M | D.Lesli Chinnock Anderson. |