I was wandering in the park when I spotted my friend, John,     1     (read) novels, which was why his writing skills were amazing. Those     2     (scene) described in his latest novels were always so vivid and the     3     (plot) were always beyond our expectation. However, though his mother was patient     4     him, she didn’t permit him     5     (spend) much time reading novels for fear that it would affect his studies. Indeed, he was always willing     6     (spend) large amounts of money on books every month. Moreover, once he learned about a book, he would never hesitate     7     (get) it.

Through teaching myself to love reading, I gathered some tips to motivate you     1     (take) up reading.

Don’t give up after the first book. To be     2     (honesty), if I quit reading after my first book, I would never have become the reader I am today. Surely, you won’t love every book you read. Some will bore you while others will get you to occupy     3     (you) in reading every page. If you don’t like the first book you read, put it aside and switch     4     another one.

Track your progress. If you track the books you read, you will definitely feel a greater sense of achievement after each book. It is appropriate     5     (create) a routine. Whether that is early in the morning or before bed,     6     (come) up with a routine is of necessity. What’s more, choosing a place where you are unlikely to     7     (distract) from your reading.

Overall, reading is a lifelong hobby. Don’t equip yourself     8     complicated books; invest your time in the books which interest you.

3 . Books That Celebrate Diverse Holidays and Traditions

It’s important to remember there are a diverse set of holidays available to explore. Below are a few books that help introduce children to different holiday cultures and traditions.

Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto, illustrated by Ed Martinez

While helping her mother with Christmas celebration, Maria is tempted to try on her mother’s diamond ring. After getting caught up in the joy of the holiday and playing with her cousins, Maria realizes the ring is missing! That’s when she and her cousins come up with a plan to eat all of the tamales, in hopes of finding the ring.

Together for Kwanzaa by Juwanda G. Ford, illustrated by Shelly Hehenberger

This is a story about a little girl named Kayla who wants to see her older brother Khari come home so they can celebrate Kwanzaa together as a family. Khari is stuck at college when a snowstorm hits and his car breaks down. Will he make it home in time for Kwanzaa?

A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

This book is a funny, nostalgic tale of Christmas Eve afternoon through Christmas night in Wales, and is full of unique imagery and poetic prose. It will arouse a sense of familiarity for some young readers while introducing them to different aspects of Christmas traditions.

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frane Lessac

The word otsaliheliga is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. This is an amazing story that describes a journey through the seasons with a modern-day Cherokee family. Cherokee history and traditions are also woven into the story in a very kid-friendly way.

5 . In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life and neglect the simple pleasures that bring us true _______. One such pleasure is reading, a hobby that can transport us to different worlds, broaden our horizons, and enrich our lives in _______ ways.

Reading is not only a source of entertainment but also a _______ tool for personal growth. Through books, we can gain _______ and understanding of topics ranging from science and history to human behavior and emotional intelligence. We can learn about different cultures, religions, and philosophies, _______ a deeper understanding of the world around us.

Moreover, reading has the ability to spark our imagination and creativity. As we _______ the stories of characters in novels or poems, we are invited to imagine their worlds, emotions, and motivations. This exercise in imagination can lead to increased creativity in our own lives, helping us to find new _______ to problems and approaches to challenges.

In addition to its intellectual benefits, reading can also be a source of comfort and relaxation. Curling up with a good book after a long day can help to reduce stress and _______ a sense of calm and well-being. The act of reading itself can be a form of meditation, helping us to _______ our attention and quiet our minds.

_______ , reading is a hobby that offers countless benefits to our lives. It enriches our minds, sparks our imagination, and provides a source of comfort and relaxation. In a world that is constantly changing and _______ , the joy of reading remains a constant source of happiness and growth. So why not _______ time for reading in your daily life and discover the joy it has to offer?

By making reading a part of our daily routine, we can open ourselves up to new ideas, expand our knowledge base, and _______ our minds in ways that are both enjoyable and _______ . The joy of reading is a gift that keeps on giving, so let’s make sure to _______ it by picking up a book today.

6 . Once upon a time, a doting (溺爱的) mother asked Albert Einstein what she should read to her son to help him grow up as brilliant and intelligent as the famous scientist.

“Fairy tales,” he said, wisely nodding his head.

Why? Why would Albert Einstein — the Nobel Prizes Winning physicist recommend reading fairy tales? Was he joking? All the evidence suggested he was deadly serious. He also said, “When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.”

Childhood is one of the factors that blur (使变模糊) the distinctions between the self and other objects. Thus fantasy stories appeal to children and appear to make sense to them.

There are several commonly accepted genres (类型) of fantasy, “Animal Fantasy” which centers around the lives of lovable talking animals and “Modern Fantasy” which focuses on adventures in other worlds and magical events. I am inclined to add a third genre “Human and Animal Fantasy”, which mixes human and animal characters. Another genre of fantasy may be “High Fantasy” which features heroes who combat evil and save the world from destruction.

Fantasy feeds a child’s imagination and encourages creativity. The enjoyment that the genre engenders (产生) promotes reading and enhances literacy. Moreover, the fantasy genre may be used for teaching purposes. For example: A story about cruelty to animals would limit appeal to a child; however, a fantasy celebration of closeness between the children and their pets may give an element of excitement as the children are able to save animals from someone with cruel intentions.

Children love the Harry Potter series, and if they only see the movies they will miss a great opportunity to develop their reading skills by spending time with the lovable young wizards and witches (巫婆) of the Hogwarts community.

9 . I was about 13 when an uncle gave me a copy of Jostein Gaarder’s Sophie’s World. It was full of ideas that were new to me, so I spent the summer with my head in and out of that book. It spoke to me and brought me into a world of philosophy (哲学).

That love for philosophy lasted until I got to college. Nothing kills the love for philosophy faster than people who think they understand Foucault, Baudrillard, or Confucius better than you — and then try to explain them.

Eric Weiner’s The Socrates Express: In Search of Life Lessons from Dead Philosophers reawakened my love for philosophy. It is not an explanation, but an invitation to think and experience philosophy.

Weiner starts each chapter with a scene on a train ride between cities and then frames each philosopher’s work in the context (背景) of one thing they can help us do better. The end result is a read in which we learn to wonder like Socrates, see like Thoreau, listen like Schopenhauer, and have no regrets like Nietzsche. This, more than a book about understanding philosophy, is a book about learning to use philosophy to improve a life.

He makes philosophical thought an appealing exercise that improves the quality of our experiences, and he does so with plenty of humor. Weiner enters into conversation with some of the most important philosophers in history, and he becomes part of that crowd in the process by decoding (解读) their messages and adding his own interpretation.

The Socrates Express is a fun, sharp book that draws readers in with its apparent simplicity and gradually pulls them in deeper thoughts on desire, loneliness, and aging. The invitation is clear: Weiner wants you to pick up a coffee or tea and sit down with this book. I encourage you to take his offer. It’s worth your time, even if time is something we don’t have a lot of.