The Chain Exposes the Fate of our Food

I've been carrying around Ted Genoways' The Chain: Farm, Factory and the Fate of Our Food in my purse for quite awhile now, reading it just a a little at a time. It is quite a lot to process.

I mentioned in August that I had started reading The Chain. Back then, I shared I had learned that I never ever wanted to try Spam, and we feeling really great about becoming pescatarian. I also said that although I've always felt pretty educated on the food world, I loved learning more.

Which is all still totally true.

In a Q&A with Genoways, the author explains the title of his book:

In meatpacking plants, the speed of processing is set by a chain conveyor system. The chain determines everything about how a day in the plant goes. During times of high demand, the company will try to push the speed of the chain to get more output. When it gets to running too fast, injuries occur and food can be processed improperly. Workers often talk about the chain as if it were a living thing, something to be feared. This book is really an examination of what happens when the chain is allowed to run unbridled. 

Probably the best summary I've found of what I read.

What Genoways does so well in The Chain is he makes it about people, not about pigs. Although he seems to tell a lot of similar stories, each story still held my attention and had me flipping through pages. More importantly, it made me want to talk about what I read. In my opinion, that's what makes a non-fiction book a success. If I want to share what I've read and have discussions that could possibly teach a friend or peer something new, that's wonderful.

Basically, The Chain, is really great journalism.

Also, the cover is so nice. So nice and simple.

Forward, but not being grotesque. And of course, can anyone really go wrong with red, white and black? I hope they keep this as the official cover and not just the proof! That's always a disappointment.

The Chain is out on October 14 (so soon!) but you can pre-order it on the Harper Collins site. If you want a little sample of Genoways' writing, you can read his related articles.

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more wonderful food writing

this AMAZING cookbook just arrived

my Tigers lost today, and I'm feeling homesick

Adam Begley's Updike Biography

I think there are very few times I would willingly carry around a 500 page book in my purse for a full month. I'd rather keep a novella or small paperback with me at all times. But, for the past month or so, Adam Begley's Updike has gone almost everywhere with me.

We've enjoyed breakfast and a few Happy Hours together.

And I can't wait to snag a hardbound copy of this to add to my collection of John Updike books. It is that good that even though I have this lovely review copy, I will purchase one for myself.

This is truly one of my favorite biographies. Of course it helps to be interested in the subject, but I loved the way Begley intertwined Updike's personal life story with the characters in his work. Some of these connections, I knew before reading the book, but the ones I was just discovering were so exciting I found myself remarking out loud. Of course, they were exciting for me, but if you aren't a fan of Updike's work, you probably would have been able to contain yourself like a normal human.

Begley's writing in this was great. And although the writing itself never felt slow or dragging, it was the perfect biography to work through at a slower pace myself.

And I'm so happy they stuck with the proof cover, designed by Leah Carlson-Stanisic on this one. Such a great black image of Updike.

Also, this book is cat approved.

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an Etsy treasury based on Updike's Rabbit, Run

one of my favorite passages by Updike

another nice cover by Leah Carlson-Stanisic

p.s. I'll be doing an interview with Risa Rodil, so study up! 

Visual Literary Inspiration from Risa Rodil

I love the weekly column Alliteration Inspiration from designworklife. First, alliteration is amazing. Let's use it all of the times. And, this column really is filled with inspirational pieces.

This quote, illustrated by Risa Rodil caught my eye for some pretty obvious reasons:

This really just makes me want to cozy up in the library with a book. She's created a series of illustrated quote posters for Harper Teen as well:

And of course, I can't not mention her Harry Potter pattern, which is available on a bunch of Society6 goodies:

Great work by Risa Rodil. You can see more of Risa's work on her Behance portfolio.

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a Harper title I'll be posting a review of soon

books vs movies: Harry Potter

another lovely quote about libraries

true story. meow!

Updike by Adam Begley

Sometimes I request books to review and forget about them and then they come in the mail and it is the best day ever.

For example, today when I arrived home there was a large envelope from Harper Collins and THIS was in it.

Do you even know my level of excitement right? [ the limit does not exist ]

I am maybe unhealthily obsessed with John Updike. Example 1. Example 2. I also had his photo tacked to my wall for most of college.

Anyway. I have so much to do tonight but I can be you a fair amount of dollars that instead I will dive straight into this.

Plus, the cover (designed by Leah Carlson-Stanisic) is so much better than this thing that happened.

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my Etsy treasury based on Rabbit, Run

one of my most popular pins is an Updike quote

I totally bought this dress because of Rabbit, Run

some book reviews if you want something to read

Book Review: Drunk by Ann Dowsett Johnston

There's something cliche, but something that is just kind of perfect, about the cover for Ann Dowsett Johnston's new book, Drink. The rings left from the wine glass on the napkin or the bedside table or the kitchen island. Because it's about what women are left with after the glass is empty.

If you are a girl/woman/female person and

a. a casual drinker or

b. a binge drinker or

c. a regular drinker or

d. an excessive drinker or

e. a non-drinker

... you need to read Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol.

Beyond being a story of Ann's personal struggle with alcoholism, Drink takes a close look at how the alcohol industry is targeting women with their products and advertising. While I was reading it, I definitely started to notice all of the "girl" drinks I hadn't really separated in my mind before. I also took a step back and realized just how prominent the presence of alcohol is in our daily lives. Drink discusses how to increase in alcohol abuse among women affects our private and public lives, and the overall impact of increase on society as a whole.

I could spend days telling you about what I learned in Drink, but I'd really rather you read it yourself, and then we can talk about it. There's definitely a discussion that needs to be happening.

But I will share a few things that really stood out to me:

• When discussing minimum pricing on alcohol in other countries, Ann says the United States isn't expected to follow suit. Throughout most of the country, "beer is often the cheapest liquid available—cheaper than water, orange juice or milk." Sad but true!
• The alcohol industry seems to be following the same patterns as the tobacco industry, which means that right now, alcohol is being marketed to younger crowds than before. And especially young women. After reading Bitter Brew, and thinking about the ads I see, I can definitely agree with this. 
• Drunk driving is really, really moronic. I know this should be common sense. It's something we all say we'd never do, but it happens far too often. 

I really could go on forever, but like I said, this is a must-read. It didn't make me quit drinking, in fact, I'm having that totally relatable glass of wine after work that Ann talks about so much in the book as I type this. But, it has definitely made me examine my own habits and the habits of my peers, as well as the role all of this has in greater society. 

And wonderful work by Leah Carlson-Stanisic on the design. Thank you for not putting some terrible stock photo depicting some sort of Sex and the City-esque scene on this cover. 

+ my review of Bitter Brew
+ another alcohol-related book I'd really like to read

New October titles from Harper Collins: Drink, Focus

I received another batch of books to review from Harper yesterday. Seriously, what is better than having the doorbell ring and opening your front door to find that books have arrived for you in the mail? Nothing. Not a thing.

Especially when there are really strange forwarding messages on the packaging. Like this:

Anyway, I had completely forgotten what books I had requested and was pleasantly surprised to find these inside:

I'm heading to WMC Fest this weekend and taking Drink with me, as well as another Harper book that I got halfway through and then almost lost in the mess of moving, Do Cool Shit. I think Focus will be the perfect read for when I get home from the festival.

Plus,
+ one of my favorite books I've reviewed
+ about my move, in case you missed it.

Adam Johnson and Ray Bradbury

I know I've been talking about my new job a lot and not so much about books but there really is something great about having a job you truly love. When you care about what you're creating more than you care about your recognition or payment for it, I think that really shows in your work.

Which is definitely the case for Adam Johnson, a Senior Designer at Harper Collins. Some of Johnson's most recent work is this series of Ray Bradbury covers.

On his blog, Adam writes:

I have a passion for working on his covers because quite frankly the majority out there have not been done well enough. They seem to often paint him in a whimsical or comical light and do not take him seriously enough, nor capturing the beauty of his writings.

I want to use my powers for good, so-to-speak. I am passionate about things that are meaningful and enriching to the soul, like I find him to be. There is so much smut, filth, and degrading writing done with beautiful covers that I hope he now has fair advantage. I’m hoping new readership will come to him and that he will be seen for what he really is—a national treasure, a bearer of light & truth, and an enormous literary figure.

There seems to be a general desire among many designers I've interviewed or read about to bring design justice to their favorite authors and works. I feel like this is just part of the reciprocal relationship between author and reader, but an aspect that non-designers wouldn't really understand.

You can CLICK HERE to view some of Adam's other work, but I want to also mention his cover for "The Glory of Their Times". I have a vintage hardback copy of this book which I absolutely love and it makes me happy to see that Johnson's cover retains some of that vintage feel. In fact, I'm considering picking up a copy just to have the set.

I encourage you to check out Adam's website, including his identity and illustration work. I know that finding it has started my Saturday on the right foot.

(images / found via designworklife)

The Odyssey

Just wanted to share this fantastic cover for Homer's The Odyssey:


I recently found an older copy of The Odyssey and would really like to reread it soon. I wish I had this copy, though!