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“Reading marathon”

Reading is similar to a marathon, only through passion and persistence can one enjoy the process and finally reach the finish line. Therefore, Guangzhou City University of Technology (GCUT) held several reading activities to encourage its students to read with pleasure.

To enrich students’ campus life and advance them to enjoy reading while broadening their horizons through improving their reading abilities, GCUT’s library and School of Civil Engineering jointly hosted a “reading marathon” in the Room 301 of the library on November 27, which was organized by GCUT’s Reader Association. Participants from different schools of GCUT gathered to explore the world through books.

Organizers explained rules of the activity to the participants in details. Then, participants chose books they preferred with necessary materials such as pens and paper. They immersed themselves in reading, some read silently, others took passages from books or pondered over what they read. It seemed that they communicated with the world in books with the sound of pens writing continuing, which revealed that they all enjoy the pleasure brought by reading. Though in a small room, books became their best partners that led them to travel over the time, space and knowledge.

The reading marathon came to an end three hours later. Participants handed in what they wrote during their reading, including beautiful sentences they read and their thoughts. As a reward and encouragement, the library sent each participant an exclusive medal and delicate gift.

A student from the International Business School said that the three-hour reading activity allowed participant to enjoy reading while exercising their focus and self-control. She also appreciated such activity that helps participants focus on reading to feel the strength and beauty of words. Moreover, she hoped that similar meaningful activities could be held in the future to enrich students’ life. Another student from the Reader Association stated that the holding of reading marathon encouraged students to make full use of their extracurricular time in reading while it provides a platform for meeting new friends with books. He believed that the memory of the activity would leave a lasting impression on its participants, becoming the motivation to enjoying reading in the future. Furthermore, it is expected that the activity could play an important role in promoting reading to be a habit in the campus.

Mystery boxes of books: a new experience of reading

Two book fairs of mystery boxes were held respectively on the hall of the first floor in the library on November 13 and November 28 to arouse students’ reading interests in the form of “mystery boxes” that are popular among college students in order to bring new reading experience and get rid of traditional reading modes. The activity attracts over 200 participants to take part in reading a new book from opening a mystery box.

What was most eye-catching is that the book stand with exquisite packaging on the two days. Unlike traditional procedures of borrowing books, every book from the book stand were wrapped with delicate packaging, thus becoming a “mystery box”. In this way, without knowing which book it is, it will greatly promote their curiosity and desire to explore more. Moreover, the types of books in the mystery box are various, from novels, classics to popular science books, which ensures that every participant can find a surprise during the activity.

The library also sent tailored-made canvas bags and special key rings for every participant as a way to appreciate their participation. Such gifts are practical with delicate designs, which is consistent with the theme of the reading activity. While participants were enjoying reading, they were also awarded with a special souvenir.

The reading activity brought unique and unforgettable reading experience for participants, while it created a more lively atmosphere in the library. Moreover, it attracted more students to enjoy the beauty and pleasure of reading in an interesting way. The library will continue to hold more innovative and interesting reading activities in the future, helping to make reading a necessary part of GCUTers’ life, which will function as a heaven to their minds and sources of inspirations.