Editor's Note:

"Read ten thousand books, and your pen will be guided as if by the gods" is an ancient Chinese idiom that can be seen in students' textbooks. China's Ministry of Education has published an action plan to further promote reading among students across the nation. With new and diverse book recommendations, the reading scene is expected to be revived not only at schools, but also across society. To contribute to this endeavor, the Global Times launched "My Reading Life" essay contest for middle school students.

Please pick up a pen and share your stories with us at reading@globaltimes.com.cn

Participants will be rewarded once the article has been selected.

Photo: VCG

To love reading and enjoy reading is to love life and enjoy life.

When we immerse ourselves in the pages of a book, we are transported to worlds beyond our own, gaining insights into the human experience and expanding our understanding of ourselves and others. 

Reading can fill our lives and purify our souls. I enjoy reading and I love life. I enjoy reading Chinese classics such as the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Exploring the mythical and wonderful stories of demons and monsters in Journey to the West and experiencing the boldness of martial arts heroes in the Water Margin.

I also like to reflect upon the wars and turmoil during the historical period in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, while in Dream of the Red Chamber, I witness the prosperity and the ephemeral nature of the world.

Reading allows us to explore different perspectives, challenge our beliefs, and cultivate empathy. It is through stories that we connect with the past, envision the future, and find meaning of the present. 

As we turn each page, we uncover not only the stories of others but also the deeper layers of our own identity. Books become mirrors that reflect our thoughts, fears, and desires, while serving as windows that open up to the vast world beyond our immediate surroundings. 

In the quiet solitude of reading, we find a sanctuary - a place where we can confront our doubts, find comfort in shared experiences, and discover new passions.

To love reading is to embrace curiosity, to seek knowledge, and to nurture the soul with the richness of words. In this way, the act of reading becomes not just a pastime, but a vital part of living fully, with awareness and purpose.

The joy of reading is also found in the unexpected journeys it offers. A book can lead us down paths we never knew existed, introducing us to ideas that challenge our perceptions and inspire change. It is in these moments of revelation that we feel truly alive, energized by the discovery of new possibilities.

I also enjoy reading foreign classics and learning about the colorful lives portrayed by foreign writers. For example, The Chameleon by Anton Chekhov vividly satirized the shady phenomena of society at that time. 

Another book called Jane Eyre tells me the life of the protagonist Jane Eyre and depicts her character. The story is written like an autobiography, making it the best self-monologue in the world. In the book, I was able to grasp the courageous character of a woman, and reflect on what empowers a woman is never the co-dependence on her family nor husband, but her own intellect and intuition. 

To love reading is to continually seek growth, to feed our imagination, and to stay connected with the essence of what it means to be human. 

It is an act of self-care, a way to nourish our minds and spirit, and a reminder that, in every story, there is something to be learned, savored, and cherished. 

Through reading, we find companionship and a deeper connection to the world - a connection that enriches our lives.

Reading is a skill that can be continuously improved, allowing us to gain more from each book we pick up. In order to read better, I will try to consider why I am reading a particular book or text in the future. 

The author is a student at Beijing National Day School