To develop one’s taste in English, the most effective way is to read English books widely. Yet one may be at a loss to choose the proper books, especially as a beginner. As a native Spanish, I would like to share some of my reading experience.

My first English novel was Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, recommended by many English teachers and professors as an ideal book for English learners. But my experience was somewhat horrible. I had great difficulty in understanding the novel, let alone enjoying it. It’s not the vocabulary that troubled me, but rather the way Austen constructs sentences, and her way of thinking, which seemed rather unfamiliar to me at that time. My fading enthusiasm was much recovered after reading Hemingway’s novel-A Farewell to Arms. No long and puzzling sentences. And I particularly liked his brief style. So my first suggestion is, as a beginner, you’d better choose modern novels instead of classical ones.

However, if you limit yourself to novels, you will miss a lot of treasures. Besides, English essays also play a key role. They can at once inform you, entertain you, and improve your taste in English. The best example is Bertrand Russell’s work. Its language is plain, yet you cannot help feeling the elegance and the special sense of humor. His simple language enables his philosophy within the reach of ordinary people. Therefore, here comes my second suggestion-essays are also vital.

Never follow others’ recommendations and opinions blindly, however famous or influential the person might be. We should be open to various ideas, but always think independently and determine for ourselves. As a saying goes, one man’s meat is another man’s poison. With that in mind, we are bound to find out our favorite writers through reading and develop our fine taste in English.

A trip to the library was like a great journey to a different country. To get there, we had to walk a mile. But our weekly journeys to the library were a piece of perfection. I had around me at one time all the people I loved best-my father and mother and brothers and sister-and all the things I loved best-quiet, space, and books.

I read a lot of books about science: not the spaceships my brothers preferred, but the birds and bees-literally. I brought home a book of birds and searched the trees for anything other than robins (知更鸟). I went through a phase of loving books with practical science experiments and used up a whole bottle of white vinegar by pouring it on the sides of our apartment building to prove that it was constructed of limestone (石灰石).

One Saturday, as I wandered through the young adult section, I saw a title: Little Women, by Lousia May Alcott. I had learned from experience that titles weren’t everything. A book that sounded great on the shelf could be dull once you got it home.

So I sat in a chair near the shelves to skim the first paragraphs. I read and read and read Little Women until it was time to walk home, and, except for a few essential interruptions like sleeping and eating. I did not put it down until the end. Even the freedom to watch weekend television held no appeal for me in the wake of Alcott’s story. It was about girls, for one thing, girls who could almost be like me, especially Jo. I had found someone who thought and felt the way I did.

We are seeking volunteers to join our program and make a difference in the lives of young children by sharing the joy of reading. As we know, in the field of education, the ability to read fluently and comprehend written text holds the key to unlocking a world of knowledge and opportunities. For children between the ages of 5 and 10, this skill is particularly crucial, as it forms the foundation for their academic and personal growth.

An Hour a Week from You

You’ll spend one hour a week reading stories with a child aged 5 to 10 years, on our secure online platform. The program involves two 30-minute sessions a week with the same child, spanning six weeks. Our online volunteering can fit around your schedule and there’s no need to travel. We ask all our volunteers to complete at least three programs a year, so we can continue to support as many children as possible.

A World of Opportunity for Them

With just one hour of your time each week, you can make a profound difference in a child’s life, nurturing their love for reading and fostering (促进) their ability to navigate the vast ocean of written communication. In essence, you help young readers make progress and open up a world of opportunity for their future.

Remember: YOUR TIME, THEIR FUTURE

As a bookmark volunteer, you’ll:

**help children gain the reading skills they need to progress at school and in life.

**help boost a child’s confidence by giving them one-to-one attention.

**show that learning to read can be fun! It’s amazing when you introduce a young reader to a book, comic, or poem that they love.

Join our community! Join us on this incredible journey! Volunteers can share tips and stories on our online forum and meet like-minded people at the online events. Enrich your week. Taking time out of your day to read with a child can support your own well-being as you enjoy a new experience. Together, we can create a world where every child has the opportunity to succeed both in school and beyond.