According to family legend, I started reading tomato soup labels when I was two. But my earliest _________ are of The poky Little puppy, comics I found in the attic (阁楼). I quickly moved on to the library. I _________ Little House on the Prairie and absolutely anything by Judy Blume.

I don’t know whether I read because I was curious or I was curious because I read. Probably _________ . I do know, _________ ,that books were my shelter, they gave me safety and _________ when life was confusing or uncertain. They were a (n) _________ and a peaceful oasis. Books transported me to places I never imagined I’d visit and _________ me to ideas I had never considered. I preferred Watership Down to hide-and-go-seek with the neighbor _________ . My father worried that I was turning into a recluse (隐士),but I was _________ . Maybe they made me smarter. I know they provided me with __________ .

So, when I had my son, it surprised no one that I filled his room with __________ . With a certainty I didn’t know, I read to him for hours, hoping that the magic I experienced would __________ him. It did. Now he writes disjointed __________ about fire engines, policemen and flying birds. He is becoming a(n) __________ storyteller—just like his parents. I __________ to him through stories in a way I didn’t imagine.

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.

I was a high school senior. One day, I skipped classes and walked into the ________. I spotted a book called The Treasure of Pleasant Valley written by Frank Yerby. Its name really ________ me, but I didn’t want others to know I was reading books because I was a troubled boy then. So I just ________ the book. After I had finished reading it, I took it back. When I ________ it, I saw another book ________ written by Frank Yerby. So I thought, maybe I’d read that, too. So I put it under my jacket and later I took it back. That semester, I ________ a total of four books by Frank Yerby.

Years later, I met Mrs. Grady, the teacher who had been the ________ . She told me she had seen me taking the first book. She said her first ________ had been “to go and tell the boy, you don’t have to steal a book”. You can ________ borrow them from the library and pay nothing. They’re ________ .” Then she realized I didn’t want anybody to ________ I was reading. So she decided that if I liked the book, she would ________another one for me to read.

And every time I took a ________ book out, she began to look for another. This wasn’t ________ because books were hard to get in those days. I was ________ to Mrs. Grady for getting me into the habit of enjoying reading so that I could eventually go to law school.