学进去

My house is made of wood, glass and stone. It is also made of software.

If you come to visit, you’ll probably be surprised when you come in. Someone will give you an electronic PIN to wear. This PIN tells the house who and where you are. The house uses this information to give you what you need. When it’s dark outside, the PIN turns on the lights nearest you, and then turns them off as you walk away from them. Music moves with you too. If the house knows your favorite music, it plays it. The music seems to be everywhere, but in fact other people in the house hear different music or no music. If you get a telephone call, only the nearest telephone rings.

Of course, you are also able to tell the house if you want something. There is a home control console (控制台), a small machine that turns things on and off around you, which is in fact a computer.

The PIN and the console are new ideas, but they are in fact like many things we have today. If you want to go to a movie, you need a ticket. If I give you my car keys, you can use my car. The car works for you because you have the keys. My house works for you because you wear the PIN or hold the console.

I believe that several years from now on, most new homes will have the systems that I’ve put in my house. The systems will probably be even bigger and better than the ones I’ve put in today.

Top Book Review Sites

Nobody likes to spend money on a new book only to face the feeling of disappointment. The solution is to check out a few book review sites before you hit the shops. Which book review sites are worth considering? Here are the best ones.

Goodreads

The site can give you inspiration for which novel or biography to read. You can do a book search by plot or subject, or join book discussions and reading groups with thousands of members. You can add your own rankings to books you’ve read and leave reviews for other people to check out. Sometimes, there are even events like question-and-answer sessions with authors.

Bookish

Bookish helps you prepare for your next meeting with discussion guides, book quizzes and book games. There’re even food and drink suggestions. Moreover, the site also offers lots of editorial content in the form of author interviews, opinion essays, book reviews and recommendations and reading challenges. Do look at the Must-Reads section of the site regularly to get the latest book reviews.

StoryGraph

Here the book rating is determined by the site’s large community of readers. Each book review provides information on the moods and pacing of the story. It also shows whether the story is plot- or character-driven, what readers feel about the extent of character development and how lovable the characters generally are.

London Review of Books

The site covers culture, literature, philosophy and other subjects. Part of its content includes amazingly detailed book reviews. If you feel that most modern book reviews are too brief for your liking, the site should suit you best. You’ll have a deep understanding of the themes of the story, as well as a detailed picture of the events taking place in the book.