The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast

Author: Michael Scott Moore

The title says it all. Michael Scott Moore was captured by Somali pirates for almost a thousand days. This book is a harrowing tale of how Michael was able to keep his sanity and somehow live to tell his story. What is astonishing is the uber-calmness that he exudes on every page of this narrative. Here's a quote that sums up his stoicsism -- "The appropriate answer to the question Why me? is the other question Why not me?”

When I read books like this, it clarifies my mind and makes all my problems seem trivial in comparison. Thanks to the ordeal he has been through, Michael was able to step back and reflect on many aspects of his life.  Earlier in his career, he had written a column against female circumcision and received much kudos for it in California. But he acknowledges that it probably made no difference in the parts of the world where it is practiced. As a prisoner in Somalia he had more relevant conversations of the practice, but had no ability to act on it. It made him reflect that to have a positive impact on this world, you need the right idea, at the right time, in the right place and also need to be in a position to be taken seriously. 

The book has an eclectic mix of characters that includes, Somali pirates and their Chinese, Filipino and American captive. There's not much by way of conversation, but Michael tells a gripping tale like no other.

The obesity code - Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss

Author: Dr. Jason Fung

Every few years there’s a new theory on losing weight. It’s now a question of how long will this theory last. In that spirit, let’s dive into “The obesity code” which purports to have found the answer to the question that has puzzled humans for last few centuries. Why do some people gain weight, while others can eat bags and bags of unhealthy snacks all day, and still avoid the obesity trap. 

Dr. Jason Fung very eloquently describe the mechanics of digestion. First he sets out to explain the outsize role that hormones play in our digestive process. In particular he is focused on the hormone “insulin”. At a fundamental level, the food we eat is broken down into chains of sugars (carbohydrates), amino acids (from proteins) and fatty acids (from fat). The cells in our body use the blood sugar(glucose) for energy. The crux of the book is how the hormone, insulin has a key role to play in allowing sugar to enter the cell. 

Given their chemical composition, carbohydrates raise blood sugar more than other foods. This rise stimulates the release of insulin that starts the cells machinery of ingesting the sugars. Proteins and Fats don’t end up triggering the release of insulin and hence avoid opening the floodgates. There could be other side-effects of overindulging in protein and fat, so don’t go crazy.

Finally we get to the prescriptive part. First Dr. Fung outlines what we should eat (or not). 

- reduce intake of refined grains and sugars

- eat moderate amount of proteins

- increase consumption of natural fats

- maximize fiber

Equally important from an insulin perspective is “When to Eat”. He recommends balancing insulin dominant periods with insulin deficient periods. In other words, balance your feeding and fasting. Intermittent fasting is a great way to achieve this.

The Line Becomes a River: Dispatches from the Border

Author: Francisco Cantú

Border Security was dominating the news media during the time of Trump’s presidency.  I don’t recall how I came across this book, but am really glad that I read it. The book detail’s Cantú’s exeperiences as a Border Patrol Agent and you will get a first hand view of how things are quite different than what you read about in the mass media. He delves into the complexities of immigration, capturing the humanity of those seeking a better life while acknowledging the challenges faced by the Border Security agents. 

The memoir is deeply introspective and provides a view into Cantú’s internal struggles and moral dilemmas as he grapples with the ethical implications of his work. It touches on themes of identity, justice and the consequences of policies on both sides of the border. Read this and you will a much better understanding of both the migrants crossing the border and the people whose job it is to secure it.