1 . 4 Books that Work Better on Audio
Strained eyes from staring at a screen all day? Give your eyes a break and dive into these audiobooks instead. Listening to an audiobook stimulates the same parts of the brain as reading does, and it is also helpful if you’re feeling anxious or depressed. Here are a few examples:
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Bryson’s genius lies in his ability to write about hard subjects—from Shakespeare to the human body—while making them seem so easy. Listening to it will teach you about everything from the Big Bang to particle physics, without ever feeling like a lesson.
The Best of Me by David Sedaris
Now, for the first time, David Sedaris reads his autobiographical stories on Radio 4, bringing us his funniest and most memorable work. It opens our eyes to what is at absurd and moving about our daily existence, which is almost impossible to read without laughing.
Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
There’s no shortage of LOTR audiobooks knocking around on Audible, as they have broad appeal across all age groups, being an ideal company for family car journeys. These are complete and clock in at a full 22 hours and 38 minutes, perfect for those looking to get their money’s worth.
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
This tale of Abraham Lincoln mourning his son in a graveyard full of ghosts is the winner of the 2017 Booker prize. The book has no less than 166 different narrators—the result being that some readers complained of getting lost. But the audio one makes easy work of distinguishing between varied characters with their distinctive voices.
1. Which is not an advantage of an audiobook?| A．Reduction in anxiety. | B．Easy access without pay. |
| C．Protection for eyes. | D．Activation of the brain. |
| A．A Short History of Nearly Everything. | B．The Best of Me. |
| C．Lord of the Rings. | D．Lincoln in the Bardo. |
| A．It makes the story more attractive. | B．It suits people of all ages. |
| C．It tells the characters apart. | D．It helps the author win a prize. |
2 . 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. |
3 . The long summer vacation is a perfect time for reading, and these are the books you'll want on your reading list. Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you have something through our links, we may cam a commission（佣金）.
The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers
If you or your children grew up watching Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, you'll want this 2018 book by Maxwell King to be at the top of your list. It is the first full-length biography of Mr. Rogers and gives readers a never-before inside look at the life and carcer of the beloved television icon.
The Darwin Affair
Billed as one of the most “inventive and entertaining novels of 20l9,” this Victorian-era thriller by writer Tim Mason is a perfect addition to your summer reading list. Set in London in 1860, it details the events that occur after an intruder（闯入者）tries to murder Queen Victoria, Fast-paced and lively, this page-turner would appeal to fans of Charles Dickens.
Becoming
In her New York Times Best Seller biography, former First Lady Michelle Obama gives readers a personal glimpse into her childhood, schooling, early career choices, marriage and life in the White House. Eye-opening and inspirational, Becoming gives us a fascinating look into the life of one of the most recognized women in America.
The Leon Sisters
This new novel by best-selling author novelist Jill Shalvis is sure to appeal to fans of her previous contemporary romance novels. It tells the story of Mindy Lemon, a mom of three, and her sister Brooke. If you're a fan of romance novels, you'll want to add it to your list.
1. How did Mr. Rogers gain his popularity?| A．Through his character on TV. | B．Through Maxwell King's book. |
| C．By watching neighborhood. | D．By writing biographies. |
| A．It is entertaining and relaxing. | B．It is published in London. |
| C．It tells a story in the 19th century. | D．It is written by Charles Dickens. |
| A．Maxwell King's. | B．Tim Mason's. | C．Michelle Obama's. | D．Jill Shalvis's. |
4 . The best science fiction books of 2021
We take a look at the most exciting new science-fiction books of 2021. No matter what kind of science fiction fan you are, we're sure you'll find something to add to your reading list.
The Saints of Salvation
By Peter F. Hamilton
The Olyix have laid siege（围攻）to Earth, harvesting people for their god. Cities are ru¬ined by their weapons and millions have either fled to seek refuge in space or are fighting a war that seems unwinnable. As Earth's defeat draws ever closer, a team are sent to enter the Olyix's air-ship secretly. Their plan? This is the final science fiction in Peter F. Hamilton's extremely surprising series The Salvation Sequence.
A Desolation Called Peace
By Arkady Martine
This impressive sequel（续集）to Arkady Martinets Hugo Award-winning science fiction book sees the Teixcalaanli Empire facing an alien threat which could bring about its complete destruction. Fleet captain Nine Hibiscus sends a person to negotiate with the mysterious invaders...
Jack Four
By Neal Asher
Jack Four-one of twenty human clones-has been created to be sold. His purchasers are the aliens and they only want him for their experimentation program. But there is something different about Jack. No clone should possess the knowledge that's been loaded into his mind.
Rabbits
By Terry Miles
Rabbits is a secret, dangerous and sometimes deadly underground game. The rewards for winning are unclear, but there are rumors of money or it might unlock the universe's greatest secrets. Everyone knows that the deeper you get, the more deadly the game becomes-and the body count is rising. Since the game first started, ten rounds have taken place. The eleventh round is about to begin, and what happens in the game, stays in the game...
1. What can we know aboutThe Saints of Salvation?| A．It's about the war among people on earth. |
| B．The Olyix are defeated in the end. |
| C．It belongs toThe Salvation Sequence. |
| D．It's the last novel of Peter F. Hamilton. |
| A．He gives the alien a complete destruction. |
| B．He lets someone negotiate with the alien. |
| C．He fights against the alien bravely. |
| D．He makes the alien face a threat. |
| A．In a book recommendation. | B．In an art magazine. |
| C．In a biography. | D．In a novel |
5 . The city of Richmond announced that Roscoe Burnems would become the city’s first poet laureate (桂冠诗人), a poet recognized for achievements in poetry
During his two-year term as a poet laureate, Burnems is responsible for being a poetry advocate by providing access to poetry throughout the city and offering opportunities to use the power of words to heal wounds, open hearts and minds, and bring people closer together. He has the freedom to create and develop his own projects during his term and will receive a $4,000 annual bonus.
Burnems’ love of poetry began at an early age when he was struggling against depression. His English teacher recommended him to read poetry, which later brought him a peaceful mental state and helped him recover from depression. He soon decided that poetry was something he would run after for his lifetime. “People gravitate to poetry because they can find themselves in the poems,” he says. “It allows readers to feel the emotional part of our experiences.”
He says poetry is a great platform to discuss mental health. depression and the emotional stresses that come with daily life. Relieving those stresses is central to some of the work he does with young people Last year. Burnems started a youth poetry producing competition for local high school students.
Burnems says he loves and supports different types of art, and his next move is to explore poetry through cooperation across media Richmond’s paintings on the wall are a good example. He says, “Richmond is getting known for these beautiful paintings on display across the city, and I want to add a literary component to that.”
1. What is Burnems’ responsibility as a poet laureate?| A．Creating more good poems. | B．Developing his own projects. |
| C．Spreading the power of poetry. | D．Bringing poetry lovers together. |
| A．Poetry made him more confident. |
| B．Poetry helped him through a tough time. |
| C．He was influenced by his English teacher. |
| D．He viewed writing poems as a lifelong career. |
| A．Take pride in. | B．Be used to. | C．Break away from. | D．Be attracted by. |
| A．To shift his focus to paintings. | B．To combine poetry with other arts. |
| C．To hold more poetry competitions. | D．To help youth with mental problems. |
