Ultra-Processed People / Chris van Tulleken

 

4 out of 5 stars

This is another one of those books that make you think about what you buy at the grocery store. Ultra processed foods (UPF) have become ubiquitous in our food stores. What is a UPF you ask? It is a food that generally comes in a lot of plastic packaging and it has an ingredient list that includes things that you don't have in your kitchen (and you may not even have any idea what they are). One researcher refers to them as “industrially produced edible substances.” Another calls them “pre-chewed" as they slip down our throats so fast and easily.

The author actually encourages you to keep eating UPF while you read the book, but it becomes increasingly difficult to do as you proceed. I found myself heading for the fruit bowl for a juicy peach and reveling in the natural flavour. That's not always my go to snack, however. I don't have a sweet tooth, but I lurve salty snacks—chips, cheezies, popcorn, crackers, rice cakes, pretzels. Carbohydrates and salt. Even better if there's some fat involved, butter on popcorn or dip for the chips. But now that I have multiple health issues, I make sure I eat enough healthy food before I head to the grocery store and I avoid the junk food aisle. You can't eat it if you don't buy it.

”The basic construction materials of UPF are industrially modified carbs, fats, and proteins, and the processes they are put through remove almost all of the chemical complexity. The intensity of ultra-processing means that vitamins are destroyed, fibre is reduced, and there's a loss of functional molecules like polyphenols. The result is lots of calories but very little other nutrition. …Those thousands of chemicals [lost] bring health benefits, but they also bring flavour. And so, when they're stripped out, flavouring must be added back in. But this added flavour won't contain any of the lost nutrients that it should signal.”

I recently consulted a dietitian, who recommended that I switch out my fat-free coffee creamer with milk. I was resistant to the idea until I read the ingredient list on the creamer this morning. Now I'm having difficulty enjoying my morning coffee. I was somewhat relieved to see that my preferred spaghetti sauce (for those days when I'm not willing to cook) has only two additives, but I was dismayed by the contents of my favourite cottage cheese. We all have to decide how much and how many UPF we are willing to consume. It's a definite advantage to be interested in cooking. I have to confess that, as a gluten free eater, I was horrified at what van Tulleken wrote about xanthan gum, a key component of GF baked goods. I have a jar of it in my baking cupboard. Microbial slime is not really something I want in my muffins! I think I must get tested for celiac disease to see if I can reintegrate wheat products into my diet.

As disturbing as I found this book, I'm glad that I read it. If you find this book useful, I would recommend The Dorito Effect: The Surprising New Truth About Food and Flavor. It also deals largely with processed food as well as the connections between flavour and nutrition. If you're particularly interested in the care and feeding of your microbiome, I would suggest Fiber Fueled: The Plant-Based Gut Health Program for Losing Weight, Restoring Your Health, and Optimizing Your Microbiome as well. Don't beat yourself up if you continue to consume UPF but , like me, you may hear Fernanda Rauber whispering in the back of your mind, “It's not food, it's an industrially produced edible substance.”

The Wellness Trap / Christy Harrison

 

4 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***

Reading Prompt: Book with a picture of food on the cover
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 7

As P.T. Barnum once said, there's a sucker born every minute. We've probably all fallen for a health scam or two. This book was just the confusion clearing thing that I needed right now. There's nothing like a health problem to send you to the internet to research and all the modern Barnums are there waiting for you.

I read this author's book Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating three years ago and appreciated her realistic analysis of diet culture. In that book, she warned that the weight loss industry was trying to rebrand themselves as “wellness" purveyors. In this one, she helps us sort the wheat from the chaff within the wellness movement. Let me tell you, there is precious little wheat and a helluva lot of chaff!

When you have a health issue that you are trying to resolve, as I do, you tend to lose perspective. Thankfully the only unnecessary purchase that I made was a bottle of vitamin C tablets. Not a tremendous loss, but as a dietitian pointed out to me, that vitamin can be easily obtained through food. I guess I'll finish the tablets, but I won't be buying more. As the author points out, there are few regulations on the supplement industry. We don't know if we're getting what we paid for. I've always tried to buy brands made in Canada to hopefully avoid adulteration concerns, but why buy unnecessary things at all? The author also points out that many of the supplement producers are owned by pharmaceutical companies. So if you're trying to avoid “big pharma," good luck with that.

I think the take away message is to try to ask yourself, “Is someone asking me to pay for something?” A supplement, a program, hypnosis, a diet, a book, the list goes on. I try to remind myself that if the thing in question actually worked, it would be front page news, splashed all over. If it's a website with no news coverage, it's most likely snake oil. Even if something gets a lot of media coverage (I'm thinking of the South Beach Diet for example), if it isn't touted by the scientific arm of the medical establishment, be wary. Doctors presumably went into their profession because they care about their patients. They can be fooled by the scammers too, but their hearts are generally in the right place.

Pyramid schemes, bogus health claims, diets that get you started on your very own eating disorder, miracles promised by scammers galore. All of this complicated by the placebo effect that muddies the waters. Consumers must put their emotions on the backburner and engage their analytical abilities. It seems that we haven't progressed as far as we thought from the 19th century.

“Well-being doesn't require physical perfection or constant optimization. It doesn't necessitate being entirely symptom free or medication free. It's possible to be in a state of relative well-being even while living with chronic conditions, which are typically painted as barriers to wellness.”

I need to learn to be compassionate with myself and with those folks who are still ensnared by harmful ideas.

Dragon in Exile / Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

 

4 out of 5 stars

Okay, I have read the book that I accidentally skipped and I am theoretically up to speed on the progress of the Tree-and-Dragon (not a pub, FYI). The planet of Surebleak amuses me. It reminds me of the episode of the original Star Trek where Kirk and Spock have to deal with gangsters and try to speak their lingo. It becomes obvious in this book that there is resistance to Korval's moves towards law and order (and education, safety, public services, etc.) But the Bosses in charge have seen the benefits of civilization and are unwilling to return to the previous system. Conflict ensues.

It was pleasing to see Kareen and Kamele branch out on their own, establishing their own home and instigating their research project. I also had fun watching Kamele become a confident shooter and enter a contest. So different from her Delgado experience!

So, from here on I will try to stick to the straight and narrow, being a bit more careful of series order. That will make comprehension easier at least.

Book number 505 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

The Well of Ascension / Brandon Sanderson

 

3.4 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer 2023***

Reading prompt: Fantasy that is not based on a European medieval period
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 6

Whew! Finishing this book gets me out of the traffic jam of due dates that I've been navigating for the last week or so. E-books, interlibrary loans, and regular library books, they were all coming due in a clump!

I reread the first book in this series earlier this year to be prepared to continue on. I'm glad that I did--I'd forgotten a number of crucial details. I had a long wait for this volume. It is apparently very popular in my city. Sanderson seems to be one of those authors that splits readers into two camps: those that love his writing and those that find his books boring. I guess it depends on what you're focused on.

His strength is the magical system used by the Allomancers and his plotting. The characterization is a bit thin, most people being defined by their magical talent. I would suspect that he created quite a detailed outline of the whole series before the writing got underway. The writing sometimes feels a bit mechanical, kind of fill-in-the-blanks.

Since my preference is robust characters, I found this installment to be good, but not wonderful. It was good because we learn more about the Terris people and about the kandra. It was also intriguing to have Kelsier's Inquistor brother reappear (twice) briefly, leading me to believe that he will play a role in future events. We are introduced to the Koloss, a violent and irrational species.

Vin learns a fair bit about herself during this book. She finally comes to terms with her love of Elend, which is satisfying. She also explores her capacity for violence and killing, something that probably should feel more disturbing than it does. Elend, too, has some realizations: he is happy as king and protector of his people. He does know what to do for them and how to get people working toward a common goal.

Sanderson is no George R R Martin, but he does sacrifice some prominent characters. Clubs and Dox fall in battle, Ham is wounded and Breeze is catatonic. Sazed has lost the love that he just found and is walking wounded. How much longer will Kelsier's crew be able to hang together? Will Elend and Vin still need them? Yes, I will be reading the next volume.

Book number 503 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

Behind Closed Doors / B.A. Paris

 

3 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***

Reading Prompt:  Book that you can find on a beach reads list on GR

Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 9

I seem to be saying this a lot lately: I have an uneasy relationship with the thriller genre. And my book club seems to be enamored with them. But this one was pretty palatable to me.

I can tell that we are going to have a lively discussion this evening. Why did Grace get married to a man she hardly knew? Why did she trust him so easily, especially since she had less-than-devoted parents? To which I ask, have you got any abusive men in your family? If you do, you may have grown up feeling that abuse is normal. You may be drawn to abusive men and accept their cover stories because the whole vibe feels familiar. I've watched it happen in my family and it's one of many reasons that I never married. 

I loved that it was Grace's sister, Millie, with Down's Syndrome, who inspired Grace. Loved the ending. It's not often that I find it easy to read a thriller but this one kept me going!

Sons of Heaven / Kage Baker

 

4 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer 2023***

Reading prompt: Book that is categorized as alternate history
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 2

For seven books, Kage Baker has teased us with knowledge of the Silence. Now, in the eighth novel, everyone is preparing for the end of history, 2355. Since Dr Zeus Corporation has no records beyond this date, it is assumed that there will be a significant shift in reality. There are lots of theories but no facts. Each faction makes plans based on their own desires and preferences, planning the future in their own image.

As readers, we get to spend time with all of the various interest groups and hear what they're plotting and see where they are going to conflict with each other. Meanwhile, Mendoza and Edward Bell-Fairfax are busy solving the problem of Nicholas and Alec needing to be re-embodied.

The ending seems to wrap things up, maybe not neatly, but finishing the story arc. And yet, there are more books. It will be interesting to see what those are all about.

Book number 502 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

Tangled Webs / Anne Bishop

 

3.25 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer 2023***

Reading prompt: Book that is sixth in a series
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 4

This series is so cheesy! Everyone roars and bellows. Lucivar rampages and Daemon lurks and threatens. Because they can, I guess.

I still can't parse the power dynamics in this world. The men claim to be scared of the witches, but also feel the need to protect them? If they are so badass why do they require assistance? It gets rather circular.

So, yet another melodramatic story line. A foolish man with a grudge sets up a “spooky house" with deadly traps built into it. Then he impersonates Jaenelle and sends invitations to her nearest and dearest. The first two of the Blood who arrive are fooled into entering the trap and then the game is afoot.

When all else fails, use a big stick. You needn't bother walking softly either. A fun read for an uncomfortably warm day.

Book number 501 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

Matter / Iain Banks

 

3.25 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer 2023***

Reading prompt: Book that has been on your ‘to read' list for over 5 years
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 7

For the first time I floundered while reading a Culture novel. Not because the book wasn't Banks' usual fare, but because I have ended up with 4 library books due within days of each other. This one is an e-book with someone waiting for it, so it became priority one. I didn't want it to just disappear before I finished reading. Not the best conditions for reading pleasure.

Iain Banks had a remarkable imagination. He produces a plethora of alien beings, each stranger than anything that I could come up with. He also creates realistic problems with interspecies communication. The Culture theoretically has a philosophy similar to Star Trek's Prime Directive—to allow less developed cultures to progress at their own pace without interference. In practice, however, they have their spy agencies, Contact and Special Circumstances.

In this novel, we follow multiple members of a royal family from a small portion of a multi-level Shell World. The girl child, of course, is devalued and leaves, eventually becoming a Special Circumstances agent. That is until her father is killed, one of her brothers flees from assassination, and SC becomes interested in what is taking place on this Shell World, where an incredibly ancient city is being revealed by a tremendous waterfall. The youngest son of the royal family ends up in charge of the recovery of artifacts from this dangerous excavation.

A small royal family of a primitive kingdom becomes the focus of interstellar intrigue. I believe I would have enjoyed it more if I had been able to read in a more leisurely fashion.

Book number 500 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

Alliance of Equals / Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

 

4 out of 5 stars

I seem to be doomed to reading this series out of order! I picked up this volume without checking, so it is my own fault. (It doesn't help that there are two orders, chronological and publication order, that one can choose to use.)

I was immersed in the affairs of the Dragon immediately and stayed up far too late last night striving to finish. I gave in at midnight, unable to keep my eyes open. This despite the fact that Shan and Priscilla are far from my favourite characters in this space opera and the trade aspect of Korval is of much less interest to me than pilot adventures. It was Shan's daughter Padi who captured my imagination. Lee and Miller are introducing the next generation of Korval, allowing my favoured characters to become elders and moving the focus to these youngsters. And these children have been affected by their time in hiding from the Department of the Interior, made too responsible, too adult, for their ages.

Padi has mistakenly assumed that she is the only one who fears the DOI, thinking that she is the only “coward" in the family. This is part of the reason why she has rejected her role as a dramliza, a witch, and has sealed her talents into an inner fortress. But we are what we are and our true selves will manifest. Can Padi embrace her true self or will she self-destruct?

Now I will return to the previous book. Thankfully Lee and Miller provide enough background that each book is comprehensible even if you muff the order!

Book number 499 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

Fugitive Telemetry / Martha Wells

 

5 out of 5 stars

“The humans on the Station wouldn’t have to think about what I was, a construct made of cloned human tissue, augments, anxiety, depression, and unfocused rage, a killing machine for whichever humans rented me, until I made a mistake and got my brain destroyed by my governor module.”

I will be so sorry when Martha Wells decides she's done writing Murderbot. I can hardly remember what life was like before All Systems Red. And I love a murder mystery, so accompanying our reluctant SecUnit as it investigates is a treat. Plus we get to watch as our favourite rogue provides compassionate care for refugees, fellow investigators, and its long time friends. So much for being misanthropic!

Kevin R. Free does a masterful job, as usual. I always knew the difference between Murderbot’s inside and outside voices, plus he was very consistent when voicing the supporting characters.

I now feel 100% less murdery. Mission accomplished.

Exit Strategy / Martha Wells

 

5 out of 5 stars

“I hate having emotions about real humans instead of fake ones, it just leads to stupid moments like this.”

I think many introverts can identify with this! We have our (small) circle of friends that we're willing to be ourselves around. Our idea of hell is being surrounded by people we don't know and forced to make small talk. We feel like Murderbot trying to figure out what to do with its arms. How do extroverts decide what to talk about? It's a mystery!

As per usual, listening to Kevin R. Free brought my reliability rating up to 97%. Watching (well, listening to) Murderbot being heroic, both in rescuing Dr. Mensah and dealing with its own emotions, is very satisfying. In these anxious times, who could be a better main character than an ultra-anxious construct? Reading and listening to these books gives me a way to process my own daily worries. The Murderbot Diaries have become my version of The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon.

I can hardly wait for System Collapse, coming out in November. My father used to tell me not to wish my life away, so I won't wish that it was November, but I will live in happy anticipation.

Before They Are Hanged / Joe Abercrombie

 

R

4 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer 2023***

Reading prompt: Book that starts with a letter in the word BEACH
Virtual 12 sided dice roll: 7

Finished just under the wire! The book was due today and I finally got those last few pages read. Joe Abercrombie writes a compelling dark fantasy. There are three plot lines running through the book, and all of the relevant characters are facing significant challenges. The First Magus and his company are in search of a potential weapon and have a harrowing road to follow. The Northmen have decided to switch sides in the war in Angland, which may have been a mistake. But they adopt Colonel West, who gets his warrior name, Furious. Last but not least, Sand van Glokta gets sent to run the defenses of a doomed city, besieged by the Ghurkish. Has he been set up to fail? Is this how the High Lector rids himself of a damaged member of the Inquisition?

I was very engaged in all three story lines. I want to know what happens to all of them (and I'll definitely be reading Last Argument of Kings). Although there is plenty of blood, gore, and general warfare, there are interesting political currents that underpin these details, making the battles more intriguing than mere military manoeuvres. I was only a little disappointed in Glokta's inner monologue, which I didn't find quite as amusing as in Book One. Perhaps because I knew to expect it?

Does the First Magus regroup and make a new plan? Do the Northmen head for home and rejoin their former leader, Bethod? Can they go back? Will Glokta continue to please the High Lector or will he be returned to the torture chamber? I can hardly wait to find out!

Book number 498 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

Dragon Ship / Sharon Lee & Steve Miller

 

4 out of 5 stars

The continuing saga of Pilot Theo Waitley. Theo has taken on a Second and has her former lover, Win Ton ensconced in a medical unit in the bowels of her sentient spaceship, Bechimo. Her relative, Master Trader Shan yos'Galen, has assigned her an exploratory trade route to follow and collect information about economic conditions along it. However, Theo has Korval's luck—conflict seems to dog her heels.

The Department of the Interior seems to have figured out that she is a part of Korval and they pursue her as they do other family members. Meanwhile, Theo must negotiate with Bechimo, which has opinions of its own, and find more crew that she can trust to give them more flexibility.

What Theo does not realize is that her mother, Kamele, is enroute to Surebleak to speak to the delm of Korval about her love, Jen Sar Kiladi, aka Daav yos'Phellium. Meanwhile, Daav has been very nearly killed and is currently in the hands of the shadowy almost-ally known as the Uncle. It is unclear how the Clan will get him back, with the DOI sneaking about. The plot thickens!

This series is addictive! I may find myself looking for more Liaden adventures sooner than expected.

Book number 497 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

Necessity's Child / Sharon Lee & Steve Miller

 

4 out of 5 stars

I couldn't resist dipping my toes back into the Liaden universe and was glad to have this book on hand from the library. It is billed as a standalone, but if you aren't aware of the history of Clan Korval and their persecution by the Department of the Interior, a lot of the details will make little sense. I believe that it is standalone in that the main character, Rys, only occurs in this volume. He is found by a member of the kompani, a population who live in the literal underground and who are written to remind one of the Roma, though their customs hint at interesting origins on Surebleak.

We also get to know Syl Vor, the youngest Korval left on Surebleak (excepting baby Lizzie) as he seeks to find a place for himself. Separated from his cousins, Syl Vor is more than willing to attend school with the other children of Surebleak. Though not without its risks, it is deemed a good idea, and it is here that he comes into contact with Kezzi, a girl from the kompani. She becomes the link between Rys and the Korval.

All the action takes place on planet and it mostly concerns characters outside the usual focus of the series. It is refreshing to see the situation from a different perspective. One must wonder what exactly launched the DOI on this mission to eliminate Clan Korval?

Book number 496 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

Rogue Protocol / Martha Wells

 

5 out of 5 stars

I hate caring about stuff. But apparently once you start, you can't just stop.

So very true, Murderbot! Our intrepid SecUnit is kept busy using its entertainment feed as a learning module, then building potentially sketchy battle plans. You know, like we all do. I feel even less qualified to understand other humans than Murderbot and I can't rewind my recording or subject it to further analysis. A real handicap, that.

Kevin R. Free does an excellent job of interpreting our paranoid, anxiety-ridden construct. He does a creditable job of the other characters as well—I always knew who was speaking and got a sense of who they were. I found that a slightly faster speed was quite acceptable without feeling rushed and without making the narrator sound like a chipmunk.

My first time listening to this volume and I am loving this audio revisiting of a beloved series.

Everthing We Didn't Say / Nicole Baart

 

3 out of 5 stars

***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***

Reading Prompt: Book that has a house with yellow windows on the cover
Vlirtual 12 sided dice roll: 9

This is a thriller and I have an uneasy relationship with this genre. I think that choosing an audiobook rather than a printed one made this a good experience for me. If I'd been reading print, I suspect I would have stalled out, but having someone read it to me kept me engaged. Having said that, the narrator spoke v e r y s l o w l y. Drove me crazy until I increased the speed to get her up to normal human speed.

I will be seeing the author in a few days at a conference and I now have an idea what her writing is like. I liked that the main character was a librarian, having spent my working life in libraries myself. I also felt that her obsessive research of the old crime that had overshadowed her family was exactly what I would have done in the same situation. I enjoyed the two timelines, the present and 14 years earlier, alternating chapters. Baart placed the clues carefully, dealing them out gradually, allowing the reader a fair chance of pinpointing the actual murderer (but she fooled me anyway).

The main character, Juniper Baker, frustrated me from time to time with her cluelessness about other people. It can kind of be forgiven in a nineteen year old, but is less understandable in a librarian in her early thirties. I found by book's end that I had judged her a bit harshly, as her whole family was actively keeping secrets from her, making her feel like an outsider. I did enjoy the different role that the police officer, Everett Stokes, played in the plot. Presented as single, attractive, and also invested in solving the case, Baart could have taken the cliché route of making him a romantic possibility for June. Instead, she had a much more interesting role for him to play. I also appreciated that Baart didn't neatly tie up all the threads of June's life at the end. That's not how life works, so I liked that there were still relationships to be ironed out.

So, if you enjoy the thriller genre, this might be enjoyable for you. I think I'm done with this author, now that I've acquainted myself with her, but that's due to my own preferences, not a lack of skill.