1 . If you’ve ever needed an excuse to bury yourself in a really good book, now is the time, 2021 is filled with page-turners, must-reads and novels with beautiful sentences. That’s why we’ve rounded up our favorite stories of the new year. If it’s out now, get your copy; if not, get ready to pre-order.
Outlawed
Price: $26. 00, $18. 18 (30%off)
Welcome to the new feminist (女权主义) world. Anna North’s western novel follows Ada, a 17-year-old who has to run away from her town after she’s unable to get pregnant (怀孕) a year into marriage. It features everything you have ever wanted in a read: strange cowgirls, a group of feminist outlaws and more.
The Push
Price: $26. 00, $16. 16 (38%off)
Nothing like a psychological thriller to kick off a new year that is hopefully not as psychologically disturbing as last year. In Aslhley Audrain’s fiction, a new mother begins to doubt not all is right with her baby.
The Wife Upstairs
Price: $27. 99, $19. 09 (32%off)
This modern adaptation of Jane Eyre trades in Gothic mystery for southern secrecy. In Rachel Hawkins’ latest page turner, expect the romance you love in the original tale with all the modern features.
Aftershocks
Price: $26. 00, $16. 86 (35% off)
This one is actually not a fiction book, but we couldn’t not include—it’s that good. Nadia Owusu’s powerful memoir (回忆录) tells her childhood and perhaps an even more meaningful journey, the one to self-discovery.
1. Which of the following books is the cheapest after the discount?| A．Aftershocks. | B．Outlawed. |
| C．The Push. | D．The Wife Upstairs. |
| A．Nadia Owusu. | B．Rachel Hawkins. |
| C．Anna North. | D．Ashley Audrain. |
| A．It is adapted from Jane Eyre. |
| B．It is a thriller about a mother and her baby. |
| C．It is a western novel about a feminist. |
| D．It tells a writer’s self-discovery journey. |
2 . Could J. K. Rowling please leave Harry Potter in peace? 2010 was a good time to move on. We all know that Harry Potter’s last adventures hit the bookstore in 2007, and three years later the Warner Bros adaptations ran their course in cinema, too. For many fans, the young wizard had worked his magic through most of their childhood. But in 2018, a new Harry Potter extended universe film, Fantastic Beasts: The Crime of Grindelwald, was out.
I love Harry Potter series and I always will. It’s all there in my memory: I remember the first delight at reading “Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal”. The wizarding treasure hunt, thrown by my parents for my ninth birthday with my dad dressed as Hagrid in the garden, was so clear in my mind. I remember deciphering (破译) my copy of the Deathly Hallows, the first book I read in English, and having to check the French for “wand”. The 2001 trip to the cinema to see Philosopher’s Stone, and all the ones that followed are kept clearly.
However, someone needs to call a halt to the endless afterlife of Potter’s fictional universe. It was enough in the seven books and eight films. We didn’t and don’t need a community website, a theatre play, the printed script of said movie, and even more movies.
Rowling has created 21st-century modern literary classic. I always look up to her as the textbook classy writer: respectfully drawing attention from readers, successful but wise enough to withdraw. She also cares much about the causes she holds dear. In 2011 alone, she donated 16% of her net worth to charities. Of all contemporary authors who hit gold, Rowling remains one of the very most inspirational.
The saddest thing is that Rowling helped with the writing of the Cursed Child. She regularly “revealed” new details about Potter’s magical world on Twitter. Today, I decided to give up: I don’t follow Rowling on Twitter. I don’t want to see the new film. Thank you, Joanne Kathleen Rowling. I have enough valued stories—I don’t need new ones any more.
1. The last book of Harry Potter series was published in ______ .| A．2007 | B．2010 | C．2011 | D．2017 |
| A．felt rather easy to understand Harry Potter series |
| B．was quiet fond of Harry Potter series and its films |
| C．read Harry Potter series with the help of his parents |
| D．missed the time of watching Harry Potter movies with his parents |
| A．Share. | B．Appreciate. | C．Stop. | D．Change. |
| A．The talent J. K. Rowling has. |
| B．The author’s praise for J. K. Rowling. |
| C．The influence of J. K. Rowling’s works. |
| D．The author’s expectations of J. K. Rowling. |
3 . Books in the Past Reconsidered
The Bright Ages
Matthew Gabriele and David M. Perry ($30)
You’ve probably heard it said that the Middle Ages were horrible, yet “ nothing could be further from the truth, ” said Eleanor Janega in Slate. Finally, two historians have produced a brief account about the era’s complexity and the history that almost anyone can enjoy reading.
Learwife
J.R. Thorp ($26)
You know King Lear’s story, but what about his wife’s? said Angela Lashbrook in The New York Times. In this novel, J.R. Thorp imagines that the queen was forced into an abbey 15 years earlier and later learned her husband and three daughters had died. While deep in grief, she stirs up chaos around her, and the resulting drama, is “ popular with cruelty, betrayal, andpassion. ”
Powers and Thrones
Dan Jones ($35)
Dan Jones’ longer new history of the Middle Ages focuses more on political and military events and trends, said Emily Michelson in The Washington Post. Jones’ version can be criticized for paying too little attention to ordinary people, but also “ gives us a complex Middle Ages where East and West are deeply connected. ”
The Last King of America
Andrew Roberts ($40)
Britain’s King George III is widely remembered as the mad emperor who lost the American colonies, said William Anthony Hay in The Wall Street Journal. King George did have failures and suffered from depression. Still, we misunderstand him if we fail to recognize that he put Parliament’s will above his own.
1. Which book is about the life of a queen?| A．The Bright Ages. | B．Learwife. |
| C．Powers and Thrones. | D．The Last King of America. |
| A．Dan Jones. | B．David M. Perry. |
| C．Andrew Roberts. | D．Emily Michelson. |
| A．$56. | B．$ 61. | C．$65. | D．$ 66. |
4 . The Last Greatest Magician in the World
In this book, we can learn about the wonderworker Howard Thurston. During his life, Thurston successfully made changes in entertainment. His magic show is regarded as the one that inspires our memories.
Author: Jim Stein Meyer Length: 384 pages Publication Date: Feb. 3, 2011
Beholders: A World Without Heroes
Jason Walker lives a peaceful life until one day he falls through a hole and ends up in a new foreign world. In Lydian, the people dress and behave differently, living in fear of their Emperor Surratt. But during Jason’s search for a way home, he learns of a magical word that could kill Surratt and becomes the hero he has never imagined.
Author: Brandon Mull Length: 464 pages Publication Date: Feb. 15, 2011
Life
With his honesty, Keith Richards brings us the story of a life we all have longed to know more of. Its hard to imagine a famous persons biography is as easy to drink in as Keith Richards life. The books content agrees with the rhythm of his voice so much that reading his tale is like sharing a cup of beer with an old friend.
Author: Keith Richards Length: 576 pages Publication Date: Oct. 26, 2010
The Monkey and the Monk
The famous translation of The Journey to the West is popular with English-speaking audiences. The book shows the novels most exciting and meaningful parts without taking anything away from their true spirit. Moreover, with a new form, this translation is sure to attract more fans.
Author: Anthony C. Yu Length: 528 pages Publication Date: Nov. 15, 2006
1. What kind of book is Beholders: A World Without Heroes？| A．A life guide. | B．A biography. |
| C．An adventure novel. | D．An educational book. |
| A．Honest. | B．Simple. |
| C．Hardworking. | D．Generous. |
| A．The Last Greatest Magician in the World. |
| B．Beholders: A World Without Heroes. |
| C．Life. |
| D．The Monkey and the Monk. |
5 . Internet Genealogy (族谱) is your guide to successful genealogy research using the World Wide Web. We also recognize, however, that the internet isn’t necessarily the only source for research, so Internet Genealogy will also tell you what to do if you cannot find the records you need and how to confirm your findings. The magazine also covers advanced genealogical methods such as DNA analysis, as well as software and technology reviews, case studies, databases and other internet-related family history topics.
$ 27.95 Print 1 year (6 issues)
$ 19.95 Digital 1 year (6 issues)
Your Genealogy Today is a how-to genealogy magazine. People who are trying to discover their family roots know that there is no “master plan” that tells you how to conduct your research. While some ancestral lines can be traced back several generations with relatively little effort, others can only be discovered after painstaking research. Your Genealogy Today recognizes that there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of different records and methods that may apply to your own research.
$ 25. 00 Print 1 year (6 issues)
$17. 95 Digital 1 year (6 issues)
History Magazine opens a window on the past, providing believable stories about how our world became the place it is today. Written from a North American perspective (视角), History Magazine’s articles are clear, informative and insightful and come supported by beautiful images and maps. History Magazine breathes life into stories of the past, telling tales of both critical moments and everyday life with passion and spirit.
$ 24. 95 Print 1 year (6 issues)
$17. 95 Digital 1 year (6 issues)
1. Who is Internet Genealogy targeted at?| A．Software engineers. |
| B．Those interested in genealogy research. |
| C．Those who love stories of family history. |
| D．Researchers who are doing DNA analysis. |
| A．$35.90. | B．$25.00. | C．$19.95. | D．$17.95. |
| A．Stories of past lives. | B．European History. |
| C．Studies of family roots. | D．Advanced genealogical methods. |
6 . This year we had kids and caregivers in mind. So here are some favorite books for kids picked by readers and expert judges to while away the hours at home.
The Snowy Day
－by Ezra Jack Keats
One morning, a little boy in Brooklyn wakes up to a changed world - shining with fresh snowfall. Young Peter is black.Author and illustrator Ezra Jack Keats was white,but his sensitive description of a child's first experience with snow won the Caldecott Medal and was embraced by parents and children of all colors. (For ages 0 to 2)
Dreamers
－by Yuyi Morales
Yuyi Morales was born in Mexico and came to America with her baby boy in 1999. She builds that experience into a poetic praise for the immigrant experience - for learning a new life and language and for the dreams, hopes and talents immigrants bring to the USA.(For ages 4 to 8)
Hidden Figures
－by Margot Lee Shetterly and Laura Freeman
Margot Lee Shetterly adapts her groundbreaking book about Black female mathematicians at NASA for young readers, with illustrations by Laura Freeman. A great pick for any future mathematician or astronaut.(For ages 4 to 8)
Wells&Wong Mysteries
－by Robin Stevens
Best friends Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong do what any ambitious young women at boarding school would do: They form a detective agency and quickly run up against their first real case when Hazel finds the body of their science teacher on the gymnasium floor.
(For ages 10 and up)
1. Which writer is an award winner?| A．Ezra Jack Keats. | B．Yuyi Morales. |
| C．Margot Lee Shetterly. | D．Robin Stevens. |
| A．The Snowy Day. | B．Dreamers. |
| C．Hidden Figures. | D．Wells &Wong Mysteries. |
| A．The way they are created. | B．The authors’ experiences. |
| C．The ages of the potential readers. | D．The theme they try to convey. |
7 . Sometimes a book comes along that isn’t just “interesting” or “well done”— it’s a book where it seems like the author looked into your brain and wrote a book specifically for you. A book like that for me was released this week. It’s called 100 Things We’ve Lost to the Internet, written by editor Pamela Paul.
Paul lists 100 things we used to do that the Internet has either changed or taken over completely: writing letters, print newspapers, the joys of being bored, and not having all the knowledge in the world in your pocket.
As I’m a longtime accumulator of random knowledge, certain entries on the list—Being the Only One, Figuring Out Who That Actor is—hit me where live; remembering detailed facts is no longer nearly as impressive when everyone has the capability to find the answer in seconds.
On and on the list goes, with every minor shift adding to the pile. What this book does so well is illustrate the growth of that pile; while any individual item might be no big deal, the collected set is significant. It’s a list of ways in which the world now is different from the world then.
Obviously, Paul isn’t saying that everything back then was better. Time marches on, after all. and it’s tough to argue against the many benefits that the Internet has brought into our lives. But that isn’t really the point. It’s not about whether it used to be better. It’s that it used to be different.
100 Things We’ve Lost to the Internet is a fun read for those of us who share some of Paul’s memories and experiences. We remember what it was like and we like to remember. The landscape has shifted, and no doubt it will shift again as technology’s advancement continues apace. This book serves as a reminder of the simple truth that when gains are made, sometimes something is lost.
1. What is the purpose of the text?| A．To review and recommend a good read. |
| B．To comment on the effect of the Internet. |
| C．To argue for the viewpoint of a new book. |
| D．To urge the readers to value what they have. |
| A．Maps and Eye Contact. |
| B．E-pay and Compact Disks. |
| C．Postcards and Homeschooling |
| D．Bad Photos and Washing Machines. |
| A．Prove what I’m good at. |
| B．Introduce how I grew up. |
| C．Describe the place I live in. |
| D．Speak out what is on my mind. |
| A．Things in the past are better. |
| B．There’re no gains without pains. |
| C．The internet is a double-edged sword. |
| D．Technology is constantly changing the world. |
8 . The history of pop art begins with abstract art. Pop art emerged from the foundation of abstract art in the 1950s, first gaining recognition in Great Britain, then establishing itself in the United States in the 1960s.
In the 1930s and 1940s, abstract art was greatly popular, but people began to hate this art form. Most abstract art produced in this era could be found in art galleries or the homes of the elite(名流), not in the homes of everyday people. Pop art sprung onto the scene as the people's art.
Some art critics say pop art is a rebellion against abstract art; others say it is an extension of abstract art. You can see elements of abstract art in many pop art prints, especially those that consist of a collage（拼贴画） of images. However, some pop art pieces have nothing to do with abstract art, looking more like a photo of a popular consumer item, which impressed people deeply.
Richard Hamilton and Eduardo Paolozzi were two of the first contemporary pop art pioneers recognised in Great Britain. They were a part of the Independent Group, an organised group of British artists who wanted to challenge ruling modernist approaches to culture. They recognised the value of modern advertising and comic book images. They used these popular images in art as a social commentary, often building irony and humour into their artworks, thus creating a new form of art. These pieces were mass-produced and sold at affordable prices.
When pop art took off in the United States, it expanded to include a celebration of kitsch and the common images found in movies and television. Andy Wharhol is perhaps the most famous American pop art artist, known for his prints of the actress Marilyn Monroe, the singer Elvis Presley and of Campbell's soup cans. Andy Wharhol was inspired by images from advertisements and common consumer items. He also made a series of paintings which showed images of car accidents.
1. Why did people dislike abstract art?| A．People found it hard to understand. | B．Ordinary people couldn't afford it. |
| C．People disliked enjoying it in galleries. | D．It wasn't based on everyday life. |
| A．They are a rebellion against abstract art. | B．They have many elements of abstract art. |
| C．They are created so real. | D．They are products of advertisers. |
| A．introduce a new art form to the world | B．develop modern advertising further |
| C．create new comic book images | D．make British culture better known |
9 . If you are looking for recommendations on biographies(传记) that will educate you, comedies that will make your belly ache or stories that present the unique challenges women face every day, read on.
“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
A classic that never gets old. Set in rural England in the early 19th century, this tale centers around the Bennet family, a family of five daughters and their two parents who are desperate to find at least one of the daughters a wealthy match. Austen’s story focuses on the tension between marrying for love instead of just for power and fame, and also the unique pressure on women to find financial security by way of marriage at the time.
“Women in Science:50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World” by Rachel Ignotofsky
It is a sweetly illustrated and educational book that highlights the contributions of 50 women in the fields of technology, science, engineering and mathematics, from present day all the way back to 360 AD.
“Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls” by Elena Favilli
It tells the stories of female heroes from years ago and present day. With color portraits and biographies that are short and sweet, this book is a page-turner for anyone wanting to learn about influential women in the past and present.
“Becoming”by Michelle Obama
We wouldn’t be able to write this list without including Michelle Obama’s memoir. “Becoming” has the former FLOTUS discussing her childhood, family, motherhood, her own FLOTUS impact, the pressures of being part of the first Black family in the White House and balancing her public life now. And of course she writes all about meeting her husband and the many unique challenges they faced too.
1. What did the Bennets intend to do?| A．To marry their daughters to rich men. |
| B．To lessen pressure on their daughters. |
| C．To help their daughters marry for true love. |
| D．To make their daughters financially independent. |
| A．Jane Austen’s. | B．Rachel Ignotofsky’s. |
| C．Elena Favilli’s. | D．Michelle Obama’s. |
| A．They are all classics. | B．They are all biographies. |
| C．They are all related to the female. | D．They are all about heroes. |
