Getting started with Libby
With Libby, you can enjoy free ebooks, digital audiobooks, and magazines from your library. All you need is a library card.
Step1
Download or open Libby on your device:
● iOS devices: Apple App Store
● Android devices: Google Play
● Amazon Fire tablets: Amazon Appstore
● Windows, Mac, and Chromebooks: libbyapp. com
Step 2
In Libby, follow the prompt (提示) to find your library and sign in with a library card.
Step 3
Look through your library's catalog (目录), and then borrow a book or audiobook or open a magazine.
Step4
Borrowed titles appear on your Shelf. Book and audiobook loans (借出) are downloaded to the app automatically (自动地) when you're connected to Wi-Fi, so you can read them when you're offline. To save space on your device, magazines don't automatically download, but you can download individual issues by yourself.
On your Shelf, you can:
· Tap loans to only see your book and audiobook loans.
* Tap Read With... to choose where you'd like to read a book (Kindle or Libby), and then finish sending to Kindle (U. S. libraries only) or start reading in Libby.
* Tap Open In Libby or Open Audiobook to start reading or listening in the app.
* Tap Manage Loan to see options like Renew Loan and Return Early.
· Tap Magazine Rack to see your magazines:
* Tap a magazine's cover to start reading.
* Tap to see options, like Download and Subscribe.
Street artists have the unique ability to turn the entire world into their canvas (画布). Artist David Zinn's work is no different, as he masterfully uses his natural environment to bring his delightful creations to life.
Depending on the seasonal conditions around him, Zinn combines his character-filled chalk drawings with fallen leaves and more permanent landscape features, including rocks and sidewalk cracks.
Zinn's drawings remind people of children's book illustrations and often feature animals with adorable look. Even though he draws a variety of creatures, his art does feature some recurring (多次再现的) characters—including Sluggo, a tiny green animal; Philomena, a flying pig; and Nadine, a small but brave mouse.
Zinn chooses to draw his creations onto staircases, streetlamps, and other fixtures of urban life besides the flat sidewalks. The artist also uses optical illusions (视觉错觉) in his work, providing the appearance of bottomless chasms (大裂口) or holes in sidewalks for his characters to climb in or out of.
Zinn has been making characteristic chalk art around Ann Arbor Michigan, since 1987. However, his drawings have attractive sidewalks all over the world.
Due to the materials that he uses and the fact that his art is often located in high-trafficked locations, all of Zinn's chalk drawings are temporary, only lasting for as long as nature allows them to. However, this contributes to their uniqueness, as no two drawings will ever be the exact same.
In order to be viewed, Zinn's work also forces people to look down and pay attention to the environment around them, which is more and more difficult in our ever-changing and increasingly connected world. However, his colorful creatures encourage people to stop and smell the roses, and find something lovely.
What does a 450-million-year old land plant have to do with waking you up for work in the morning? Unless you're sleeping on a forest floor, we'd say not a whole lot. Moss (苔藓) Echo is out to change all that, bringing ancient nature into the modern home in a rather clever little device.
The Moss Echo has actual moss growing on it. But it's not just a mini garden; it's a handy home device that keeps time, works as an alarm clock and includes a Bluetooth speaker, with an LED display that's programmed through a smartphone app. Moss sits on a replaceable moss filter (过滤器), which surrounds the network of LED bulbs (灯泡). Besides, Moss Echo has been created by its team to act as a powerful purifier (净化器), with the plant's tiny leaf-like structures—called phyllids—taking in pollutants and then releasing clean air back into the environment. It also comes with plenty of nature-themed features, like a sleep mode that plays relaxing sounds of the great outdoors to help you drift off, and an alarm clock that'll wake you up in an equally gentle way.
For anyone who has experienced a moss takeover in the garden, you'll know that these plants are extremely adaptable. The moss here can survive for six months without water, but we don't recommend preventing your little air-quality helpers from a drink; the creators suggest giving it a spritz (喷) a couple of times a day.
However, if your brown thumb does strike, makers Moss Lab have replacement filters that click into the device's frame (框), for an additional cost. If watered, even irregularly, the moss should stay happy and healthy for many years. There are some personalizing add-ons, like switching up the look with different wood and metal frames, for an additional price.
The Moss Echo is available for US$179, which is 40% off expected retail. Included in the pack is a white or black unit, USB-C cable and a sleek water spray bottle.
Are you one of those people who, when you have a cappuccino or tea in a café, immediately write a review about it on Google? Some of us tend to write about every single experience. It doesn't matter how small they may be: buying a book, taking a train trip, going to the hairdresser...
These messages and scores that describe our experiences provide information to other people. The phenomenon (现象) shows that we live in a society extremely fond of labels (标签). It seems we've learned to live our lives guided by reviews and comments on social media, by "likes", and by the number of stars awarded to a product or a person.
However, are we taking it to the extreme? The delusion (错觉) of hyper-valuation (高估) is the tendency for any product, experience, situation, or person to be the object of numerical (数字的) labeling. In fact, something as simple as having a coffee or reading a book, now requires you to make the effort and translate that experience into a score of one, two, or even five yellow stars.
Social media and the delusion of hyper-valuation have introduced the idea to you that everything must be perfect. You seek the best experience. The ideal person. The dream service.
For example, you want your coffee to take you to the Piazza di Spagna in Rome. You want the hotel pillow you sleep on to be as soft as silk and the taxi you take to have the shiniest wheels. Only then will you give the service five stars and a good review.
The idea that you're going to value everything about the experience when it ends forces you to live it through the filter (滤镜) of analysis and judgment. It leads you, sooner or later, to feelings of frustration and dissatisfaction. Because sometimes, the coffee might be cold and bitter, but it's not the end of the world.
Indeed, imperfection is a part of life and it has its own certain charm.
The benefits of hiking
In today's fast-paced world, it's hard to find moments of peace. Yet, in modern life, nature remains an unchanging source of comfort and healing (治愈). Here are some hiking benefits.
●Hiking invites you to slow down.
Do you ever get overwhelmed by the busy life? Spending time outside is an opportunity for you to unplug from technology and tap into all the natural beauty that nature has to offer. When you aren't worrying about replying to texts or checking the likes on TikTok, you're more likely to enter into a state of presence. It's just you and your surroundings.
●Hiking inspires positive thinking.
Have you ever been in a sea of negative thoughts? Negative thinking can be debilitating (使衰弱的). Luckily, going on a hike can help you shift your awareness away from negative thoughts and emotions.
As you can see, nature has the power to put your negative thoughts on hold so you can enjoy the present moment.
●
Many studies have proven the beneficial effects on mental health. Physical activity causes the release of endorphin (a powerful chemical in your brain) which energizes your spirit, making you feel joyful. What's great is no matter the shape you're in, you can even benefit so much from a small hike.
Overall, hiking has a positive impact on your mental and physical health. Whether you are suffering from some negative emotions or just want a peaceful escape from the pressure in life, hiking is an exercise worth trying.
A. Hiking increases happiness.
B. Hiking builds up your body.
C. In this state time seems to stop.
D. It's a way to realize our personal worth.
E. Hiking is a great way to get out in nature and get some exercise.
F. According to a vlogger on the Red, nature effectively reduces her anxiety.
G. When you get into nature to seek something, you are also seeking your own true nature.
Klynn Scales had a tough time in her childhood. At just nine years old, she had to steal food to 1 her two younger brothers as her parents were not around.
2 the darkness that surrounded her, Klynn found comfort in the presence of a kind-hearted officer. His daily check-ins provided a sense of 3 and stability in Klynn's world.
One day, when Klynn 4 to appear at her usual spot, the officer's intuition (直觉) led him to her doorstep. What he found inside was a scene of 5 ——a seriously ill young girl in urgent need of medical attention. He rushed Klynn to the hospital where she received life-saving 6 for malnutrition (营养不良).
Over two decades passed, and the 7 of the officer still remained in her mind. Through the assistance of the Kansas City Police Department, she finally discovered his 8 , Officer Colvin, and arranged a heartfelt reunion.
Inspired by Officer Colvin's 9 , Klynn decided to find a job in law enforcement. 10 she prepared to graduate from the police academy, she had one special 11 —she wanted Officer Colvin to pin her badge (徽章) at the ceremony. 12 by that, Officer Colvin traveled to 13 her desire, witnessing (见证) the remarkable journey of the young girl. 14 recalling Klynn's achievements, he praised her for her courage to face challenges.
Meanwhile, Klynn 15 Officer Colvin with a plaque (牌匾) bearing the words, "A promise made, a promise kept, walking in the footsteps of a true hero!"
The Emei Female Kung Fu Troupe (团) is a groundbreaking martial arts group that uniquely shows the millennia-old essence (精华) of Emei martial arts. The troupe(consist) of eight female martial arts lovers, devote themselves to the traditional sport and it helps promote and preserve the cultural heritage (遗产) of China.
(official) introduced by the Emeishan Municipal Party Committee's Publicity Department, the troupe's first public performance went offa bang on platforms such as Douyin, Kuaishou, Weibo, and Bilibili.
Emei martial arts, (recognize) as a part of China's intangible cultural heritage, carry a rich and long-standing tradition. Over the centuries, Emei martial arts(evolve) into an important part of Chinese martial arts culture. The audience can appreciate the extraordinary charm women bring to martial arts deeply feel the vitality (活力) of traditional Chinese culture nowadays.
The response from Chinese netizens reflects a sense of pride and cultural confidence. Comments under the video include(enthusiasm) support and admiration, with many(express) their excitement and encouragement for the troupe. Phrases like "This is China … This is Chinese people" highlight the national pride and cultural(significant) of the troupe's achievements.
Dear Jerry,
……
Yours sincerely,
Li Hua
As we sped away from Konglor Cave on our trusty motorbike the sun was beating down like crazy in central Laos(老挝) at midday. We could still feel the coolness of the cave on our skin as we made our way back to Thakhek, where we had a flight booked for the next day. But little did we know that just about fifteen minutes after passing a tiny town on the dust y road, something unexpected was waiting for us.
All of a sudden, our motorbike stopped working as a result of a broken fuel line and we found that we were in the middle of a deserted road with no people in sight. As the minutes dragged on and on with no cars passing by, panic started to set in. But we knew despair wouldn't help us get out of this mess.
Gathering our courage, we all agreed to take turns to push the motorbike back towards the town we had passed earlier. Since we didn't have a map and were unsure about how far the town in our intended direction was, this seemed to be our best option. It was challenging to push in that heat, our clothes sticking to us and dust getting everywhere. Our feet were killing us too. As we continued pushing the motorbike under the sun, the weight of the motorbike seemed to increase with each step.
The dusty road stretched endlessly before us, disappearing into the horizon (地平线). We had no choice but to hope that the town was not too far away. We encouraged one another with words of support and occasional laughter to lighten the mood. However, as time ticked by, it became obvious that this journey would test not only our physical strength but also our mental endurance. Doubts began to creep into our minds—what if there were no towns nearby? What if we ended up going in circles?
Just when we were about to lose hope, an old dusty truck appeared on thehorizon.
……
As we left the repair shop in town the truck driver refused to accept the money I offered him
