I went on a reading binge after Juniorette was born--what else to do during all those night wake-ups in the first six weeks? Below are the four best books of the bunch, in my opinion:
1. Big Chicken: The Incredible Story of How Antibiotics Created Modern Agriculture and Changed the Way the World Eats (Maryn McKenna, 2017)
McKenna traces the rise of chicken as the main protein in the United States, a rise inextricably linked to heavy antibiotic use. She describes how chickens lost their diversity and essentially became standardized blocks of tofu with feathers, legs, and beaks. She examines industrial practices as well as the alternative movements that have sprung up in response to rising consumer awareness of the health costs of so-called "superbugs." Her documentation of the bacterial threat is chilling. However, Big Chicken does end on a positive note, unlike, say, Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. Incidentally, I haven't bought chicken since reading this book.
2. Molly's Game: The True Story of the 26-Year-Old Woman Behind the Most Exclusive, High-Stakes Underground Poker Game in the World (Molly Bloom, 2014)
Molly's Game is a memoir about how former Olympic skiier Molly Bloom ended up running an invite-only, high-stakes poker game for the moneyed dudes of LA and New York. She includes observations about the mindset of poker players, presents the drastic lifestyle changes her new role afforded, and describes her evolving strategy for staying on top of the game. Gotta respect the hustle! Now a movie starring Jessica Chastain.
3. The Secret Life of Fat: the Science Behind the Body's Least Understood Organ and What It Means For You (Sylvia Tara, PhD, 2016)
The author, a biochemist, makes a compelling case for loving your fat by understanding it as an organ critical to your body's performance. She uses examples of fat-related diseases to emphasize that having too little or too much can cause havoc on our health. For those hoping for some tips on how to lose weight, alas, it's the same old (yet effective!) advice: diet and exercise. Still, this book made me appreciate the role that fat plays in my health, and I'm now less judge-y of myself and others who have muffin tops. Just means there's more to love!
4. Tell Me Where It Hurts: A Day of Humor, Healing and Hope in My Life As an Animal Surgeon (Dr. Nick Trout, 2008)
Dr. Trout is a British animal surgeon who has plenty of experience under his belt. He's passionate about his patients, and his empathy extends to their human companions. He structures the book around one day to showcase both the clinical issues he has to deal with--starting in the wee hours of the morning!--as well as the other challenges of the profession, such as cost considerations for owners, how to communicate with patients who can't talk, teaching and mentorship, etc. I would bring my pet to Dr. Trout based on this book, because his love for animals shines through. I mean, if I had a pet.
TL;DR: All four books are great summer reads to expand your mind!
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This post brought to you by swimming!
McKenna traces the rise of chicken as the main protein in the United States, a rise inextricably linked to heavy antibiotic use. She describes how chickens lost their diversity and essentially became standardized blocks of tofu with feathers, legs, and beaks. She examines industrial practices as well as the alternative movements that have sprung up in response to rising consumer awareness of the health costs of so-called "superbugs." Her documentation of the bacterial threat is chilling. However, Big Chicken does end on a positive note, unlike, say, Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. Incidentally, I haven't bought chicken since reading this book.
Molly's Game is a memoir about how former Olympic skiier Molly Bloom ended up running an invite-only, high-stakes poker game for the moneyed dudes of LA and New York. She includes observations about the mindset of poker players, presents the drastic lifestyle changes her new role afforded, and describes her evolving strategy for staying on top of the game. Gotta respect the hustle! Now a movie starring Jessica Chastain.
The author, a biochemist, makes a compelling case for loving your fat by understanding it as an organ critical to your body's performance. She uses examples of fat-related diseases to emphasize that having too little or too much can cause havoc on our health. For those hoping for some tips on how to lose weight, alas, it's the same old (yet effective!) advice: diet and exercise. Still, this book made me appreciate the role that fat plays in my health, and I'm now less judge-y of myself and others who have muffin tops. Just means there's more to love!
Dr. Trout is a British animal surgeon who has plenty of experience under his belt. He's passionate about his patients, and his empathy extends to their human companions. He structures the book around one day to showcase both the clinical issues he has to deal with--starting in the wee hours of the morning!--as well as the other challenges of the profession, such as cost considerations for owners, how to communicate with patients who can't talk, teaching and mentorship, etc. I would bring my pet to Dr. Trout based on this book, because his love for animals shines through. I mean, if I had a pet.
TL;DR: All four books are great summer reads to expand your mind!
---
This post brought to you by swimming!
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