Middle School Students' Essential Literary Masterpieces Guide

Author: Wu Shaohua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: We read to understand or gain enlightenment, and to perceive the world around us. We have no choice but to read. Reading is almost as essential as breathing—it is our fundamental function. A good book is a lifelong friend, unchanging and ever-present, offering patient companionship and joy. When we are in distress or peril, a good book never turns its back on us. A good book lives in harmony with us, providing pleasure and instruction in our youth, and comfort and solace as our hair turns white. Reading extensively, especially classic works, greatly benefits the improvement of writing skills. The French writer Montaigne once described his writing experience: "In my study, I would sometimes flip through this book, sometimes look at that one, and while pacing back and forth, I would jot down and organize my thoughts, which then formed the following words." Our ancient Chinese people also had the sayings "Read ten thousand volumes, and your pen will flow like the divine," "A fish without water will wither its scales; a mind without books will lose its spirit," and "Travel ten thousand miles, read ten thousand books." The practices of great minds both within and beyond China have proven that reading, observing, and thinking are the essence of writing.