The Undiscovered Self by C.G. Jung
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As I began reading this work, I was struck by what seemed like prescience on the part of Jung; how could he so clearly see the very things that I am witnessing around me in this present day? But what's clear is that Jung was an extremely keen observer of the human condition. There is nothing new under the sun, and the struggles of the human psyche have persisted since time immemorial.

Jung speaks at length about the external actors (namely government and religious entities) which exercise power over the masses by taking advantage of the fragmentation of the human psyche. We hobble ourselves and our ability to unite as a collective towards truly progressive means because we are so disconnected from our own knowledge of self. Even with pure or good-hearted intentions, our unacknowledged shadows can lead us astray.

This is a very introspective work, as it implores the reader to first look inward and face one's own darkness before attempting to face that of the world. I think such an approach to self-development is one that every single human could make powerful use of. This was my first foray into Jung but I'm quite eager to read more.

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Karma: A Yogi's Guide to Crafting Your Destiny by Sadhguru
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For most of us, karma is what we want it to be. It's the amorphous benevolent force that rewards us for our charity and punishes us for our crimes. We believe that it is a system that gives us what we deserve, whatever we deserve, based on how good or bad of a person we've been. While this idea may bring a certain kind of solace, it's clear to most that it isn't a true reflection of how life works. "Bad" things happen to "good" people, and vice versa. If karma as we know it exists, then how can we explain the fact that our world is rife with injustices?

The answer is that karma as we know it is not karma as it is. In Karma: A Yogi's Guide to Crafting Your Destiny, Sadhguru dismantles our misconceptions surrounding the concept and offers a detailed explanation of exactly what karma is and how it operates in our lives. However, this book isn't a simple how-to manual; it does not dictate how you should live your life. It is a book that calls for self-evaluation. It calls for us to ask ourselves: what does it look like to consciously live life?

Regardless of whether or not you connect to the mystical aspects this book, it is chock full of useful nuggets that you can carry into everyday life. It's also quite an entertaining read if you enjoy fables, as Sadhguru uses many stories to help illustrate his points. Spiritually, it's the kind of book that evolves with you and calls forth a deeper level of introspection each time you read it. I personally foresee myself returning back to this book time and time again.

Thanks to Goodreads and Harmony Books for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Sex at Dawn: The Prehistoric Origins of Modern Sexuality by Christopher Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Are human beings naturally monogamous? When we shed the trappings of religious and social norms that dictate that a "proper" household is formed by the marriage between one man and one woman, what's left? When left to our natural instincts, when given the opportunity to indulge in our natural appetites, are humans a truly monogamous species? When we look at archeological evidence of our prehistoric existence, or to the lives of indigenous tribes untouched by Christian missionaries and their dictates, or even to the primate species whose genetic makeup and behaviors are closest to ours, do we find evidence of monogamous behaviors? These are the questions tackled by Christopher Ryan in Sex At Dawn, and his answer is a resounding "NO!"

Drawing from a variety of sources, Ryan gathers evidence to paint a compelling picture of a more community-oriented approach to both living and sexuality and argues that our futile centuries-old attempt to force human sexual behaviors into neat boxes has caused more harm than good, causing us as a species to be more disconnected, more violent, and more emotionally fraught than we would be otherwise. Ryan surveys the landscape of human sexuality and places our accepted "norms" under a microscope, analyzing the ways in which they go against the very nature of our being.

If you're here for the juicy bits, be prepared to slog through quite a bit of philosophical analysis of human nature and (pre)history. Ryan takes to task the assumptions made by classic philosophers, evolutionary psychologists, archeologists and even acclaimed primatologists, countering their arguments with more contemporary (or previously unseen) evidence regarding both human and animal behavior. Ryan purposely takes the time to build a solid philosophical and scientific foundation for his arguments before getting to the more interesting (and controversial) bits of information towards the end.

While I personally didn't agree with every single argument that Ryan makes (particularly his outdated notions about the physiological effects of soy on hormones), I did find his overall argument to be quite compelling and hard to refute without reverting back to socially imposed heteropatriarchal norms. I learned a whole lot about alternative conceptions of mating, marriage, and community, which really widened my perspective on different ways of living. While I'd already felt this way, I did find myself further convinced that humankind would absolutely benefit from a reevaluation of our social constructs surrounding relationships and sexuality. Maybe by shedding our conditioned shame and fear around sex and finding newer (or really, older), more flexible ways of relating to one another, we would find ourselves living in a more loving, more egalitarian, more peaceful, and less stressful existence.

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Washington Bullets by Vijay Prashad
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"This is the way of the camp of the coup. It wants to steal the soul of the people so as to reduce people into zombies who must bow their heads down and work, putting their precious labour towards the accumulation of capital for the tyrants of the economy."

Vijay Prashad's Washington Bullets is one of the most powerful bodies of work that I've read all year. This collection of essay-like chapters guides the reader across nations and throughout time, giving us a birds-eye view of the variety of methods that Washington has used to violently squash attempts at self-determination. Washington's decades-old imperialistic quest to acquire and control the resources of nations across the globe has left an endless stream of bodies in its wake - and most Americans are none the wiser.

Utilizing powerful and poetic prose, Prashad presents us with a bloody mosaic illustrating the truth behind Washington's crusade to bring "freedom" and "democracy" to "uncivilized" nations across the globe. In telling their stories, Prashad pays homage to the freedom fighters, to the indigenous and the marginalized peoples who have dared to resist the stranglehold of U.S. imperialism. This is a chilling and gripping narrative driven by the empathy of someone who dares to bear witness to struggle, who seeks to bring into the light the truths that have been purposefully obscured and pushed into darkness.

While this work will inevitably attract readers of particular political leanings, it is necessary reading for all - especially for Americans who still buy into the standard propagandistic good guy/bad guy narrative that is presented in schools and in the media. Though it isn't a very long book (around 150 pgs or so), the material might be dense and heavy for some. It may require reading bits and pieces at a time, even if only to take a moment to breathe and absorb it all.

However one decides to read this book, it is worth reading in its entirety. The information contained within these pages puts both history and current events into perspective, challenging informed and uninformed readers alike to center the oppressed in their view of international politics.

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Count Down: How Our Modern World Is Threatening Sperm Counts, Altering Male and Female Reproductive Development, and Imperiling the Future of the Human Race by Shanna H. Swan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"The status quo has persisted for too long—and it’s endangering the reproductive health and survival of human beings and other species. The time to correct course is overdue and more important now than ever."

In late July of 2017, Dr. Shanna Swan went viral. Leading media publications from the BBC to the Financial Times to Newsweek ran shocking headlines based on Dr. Swan's research findings that sperm counts have dropped by a precipitous 50% in the last 40 years. Speculation abounded: Will this problem continue? What does this mean for our future here on Earth? The findings of Dr. Swan's research were indeed astonishing, but like every other sensational story, Dr. Swan's research disappeared from the news cycle, eventually to be forgotten. The problem, however, persists.

Count Down builds upon this and a plethora of other research findings that all point to one terrifying fact: our modern lifestyles are having deleterious effects on fertility and reproductive health, not only in humans, but in other species as well. Persistent chemical pollutants in our households, air, oceans, drinking water and food supply are having measurable effects on our ability to reproduce. Left unabated, this will inevitably have tragic consequences for our future here on this planet.

The findings presented in Count Down are unsettling, and Dr. Swan doesn't shy away from ringing the alarm. She makes it clear that the problem is urgent and backs up her claim with research that is presented in an organized, easy to follow, and easy to read manner. Leaving no stone unturned, Dr. Swan also presents a range of solutions, from individual tools for mitigating pollutant exposure (a "personal protection plan") to regulatory recommendations for bridging the gap between science and unchecked corporate practices.

Count Down is an important resource in the ongoing conversation on the destructive effect that Westernized, hyper-consumptive lifestyles are having on our bodies and our ecosystems. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is concerned about the future of life here on this planet.

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Plagued: Pandemics from the Black Death to Covid-19 and Beyond by John Froude
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Plagued: Pandemics from the Black Death to COVID-19 and Beyond, Dr. John Froude takes us on a historical and scientific journey through the world of pathogenic diseases. On its face, such a description may cause some eyes to glaze over, but this book isn't simply a list of facts about plagues. Nor is it simply a scientific exploration of how pathogens interact within bodies and throughout populations. We're given a little bit of everything, which makes this a book that readers from a variety of backgrounds can enjoy.

Froude does get into the genetic and biochemical intricacies of each pathogen, and while some may find this information to be easy to follow, other readers may feel a bit bogged down by it. However, this doesn't characterize the book in its entirety. Froude presents himself as scientist, doctor and storyteller all once, painting a narrative that in its totality is quite accessible. He deftly transports the reader to the places and times where viral and bacterial plagues ravaged populations, tracing each pathogen from its source and taking us along its journey from cell to full blown pandemic.

Froude also does a great job of illustrating how plagues themselves shape culture. He includes poetry, art, anecdotes, and excerpts from letters to give the reader an on-the-ground perspective of just how different peoples and nations dealt with plagues throughout time. I also appreciated the thread he weaved throughout the centuries, showing the intimate connection between war, colonialism, and the spread of pandemics around the world. This gave the book a more well-rounded narrative that makes it more enjoyable than your average science-based book.

This book was informative, entertaining, and terrifying all at once. I would recommend it to anyone hoping to expand their knowledge of how pandemics start, spread, and sustain themselves across spaces and throughout time.

Thanks to NetGalley, BenBella Books & John Froude, MD for an ARC of this book.

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How Not to Diet: The Groundbreaking Science of Healthy, Permanent Weight Loss by Michael Greger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me preface this review by saying that Dr. Greger is my kind of nerd. I've been a fan of his books and NutritionFacts.org since I first became vegan four years ago. He is a consummate researcher who always leads with the best available body of research to support his claims and suggestions. I love his snarky, sometimes corny deadpan humor and his ability to take otherwise dry nutrition science and shine a light on the most exciting tidbits. How Not To Diet, like all of his other books, embodies all of this.

Dr. Greger begins by fleshing out the causes, consequences and solutions to America's obesity crisis, laying the blame squarely in the lap of the meat-heavy, highly processed Standard American Diet. He then proceeds to flesh out the characteristics of an "ideal" weight loss diet - one that is safe, effective, health-promoting, and easy to adhere to. Once this foundation has been laid, Dr. Greger provides a list of (safe!) tips and tricks that can help further boost weight loss. He then ties it all together in a summary chapter, which can serve as a standalone TL;DR (too long, didn't read) for anyone who doesn't have the time to sit and wade through all of the information.

While this book is geared towards those looking to lose weight, it can also serve as a beneficial resource for anyone looking to improve their health. It's also a great read for people who are interested in nutrition science. Every time I picked this book up, the nutrition geek in me would emerge, wide-eyed and child-like, excited to learn another fascinating piece of information. I took my time with this encyclopedic text so as to really savor each morsel of knowledge. This was absolutely necessary because the man gave us a veritable buffet of scientifically-backed information. Greger himself advises to treat this book as a reference, and the well-organized chapter structure makes it very easy to do just that. I have nothing but high praises for this book and would recommend it to any and everyone.

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Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition by T. Colin Campbell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Does any of this sound familiar?: "That has too many carbs," or "I need more protein to build muscle," or "I need some vitamin C, I feel a cold coming on." If so, then you're familiar with the concept of nutritional reductionism. It's when the constituent parts of foods - macronutrients, micronutrients - are considered more important than the whole food itself. This concept is a result of nutritional science's discoveries about the health benefits of certain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Bolstered by a supplement and food industry which has sought to capitalize on these discoveries by selling these constituent parts individually, our concept of nutrition and proper eating has been seriously skewed.

This is the argument made by Dr. T. Colin Campbell in his book Whole. That we've become so obsessed with carbs and fats and proteins and vitamins that we're unable to see that the real magic lies in the whole food itself. Of course, as this is a follow-up to his acclaimed China Study, Dr. Campbell is specifically discussing the nutritional power of whole plant foods. He argues that much is lost and a lot of confusion abounds in the public discussion of nutrition when we reduce foods down to their individual nutrients.

Chock full of cool information about foods (who knew that apples were so fascinating?), Dr. Campbell aims to steer the conversation about nutrition and health towards the notion that it is the whole fruit, the whole vegetable, the whole grain, the whole legume, and inevitably, the whole diet that matters most for health outcomes. This book rejects the complicated, commercialized rhetoric of nutrition science in favor of something much simpler, and much more intuitive: to improve health, eat a diet based primarily on plant foods in their whole, unadulterated forms. That's it.

This book was a pivotal, foundational text for my own whole food, plant-based lifestyle. I recommend it for anyone seeking to improve not only their knowledge, but also their relationship with food.

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Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention by Manning Marable
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For quite some time I've been eager to get into Manning Marable's Reinvention. Back in college Marable was something of a minor intellectual celebrity in our Caribbean Students' Association, and I'd always meant to take the time to explore some of his work. With the pages of Autobiography still fresh in my mind, I dove into Reinvention, ready to expand upon what I already knew.

The strength of this work lies in the breadth and depth of research. No one can deny that this book was quite thorough, and gave an impressive amount of context for what's written in Autobiography. Each chapter of Malcolm's life is placed within the greater context of racial and class struggle, and Manning did a great job of connecting Malcolm's life to the events that were occurring on the larger national and international stage.

Marable's extensive, decades-long research allowed for a treasure trove of previously unknown information that paints a very rich and compelling narrative. Marable's aim was to separate the man from the myth; he felt like the presentation of Malcolm in Autobiography was in many ways too fictive and incomplete. This is unsurprising. The fact that Haley was often left to his own devices during the writing of Autobiography, as well as the fact that it was published after Malcolm's death does call a lot into question. Indeed, Marable was very keen to point out contradictions between his research and what's written in Autobiography. Marable also did not hide the fact that he was somewhat suspicious of Haley and his motives.

I personally believe that a great biography is one that refuses to deify the subject and rather seeks to give as complete and honest as possible a portrait of who that person was. Malcolm X was notoriously complicated and undoubtedly imperfect, and this is what endears him to so many. Marable's depiction of him adheres faithfully to this fact. The Malcolm X of Autobiography is a made-for-the-masses, sanitized depiction of the man; Marable's book presents Malcolm in raw form, flaws and all.

Marable does an excellent job illustrating how the theme of reinvention characterized Malcolm's life. He shows, in no uncertain terms, that in addition to the transformation narrative that we've come to know as Malcolm X's life story, there have been a number of ways in which his persona has been reinvented over time. In the chapter entitled "The Legend of Detroit Red", for example, Marable argues that there were a lot of liberties taken in the presentation of Detroit Red in Autobiography, and that a lot of the criminal aspects of the Detroit Red persona were greatly exaggerated in an attempt to make the story of Malcolm's transformation even more extraordinary. This skeptical approach characterizes much of Marable's work, and he makes it clear that his goal is to cut through the illusion and get to the facts.

I would be lying if I said that I didn't feel at times like Marable was playing a little fast and loose with conjecture. I did find myself feeling uneasy and even questioning Marable's motives for including certain salacious bits of information regarding Malcolm's marriage and sex life. I wondered at points if I was reading too hard into what felt somewhat like the passing of moral judgment. I came into conflict with myself because while I appreciate the notion of presenting a truthful narrative, I am also sensitive to the fact that there are some things that people would prefer to keep private. There are definitely things in here that I'm sure both Malcolm and Betty would've preferred to take to their graves.

I found myself grappling with questions of ethics; since Malcolm opened the door to his life by publishing Autobiography, and because he's become such a larger than life figure in Black history, does this mean that we are entitled to know every single detail of his life? Particularly if he omitted this information in his own life story? And especially if this information is coming from word of mouth and insinuations based on sometimes vague journal entries? While unpacking these feelings I was reminded of Malcolm's own words:

“I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I'm a human being, first and foremost, and as such I'm for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.”

If what Marable presents to us is indeed the truth, then maybe exposing this information was for the best. For what it's worth, Marable is fairly straight-forward and honest regarding the sourcing of his information, though some internal citations would have helped tremendously. While I did have my doubts, by the end of the book I no longer questioned Marable's motives, as his undying respect for the man is evident in his dedication to this work.

At the end of the day, I've no interest in a sanitized depiction of Malcolm's life story. I personally feel that the habitual deification of Black historical figures in particular has done a disservice to the everyday people who admire them. No one is perfect, and we can all benefit from learning to see people as they truly are, rather than who we'd prefer them to be. There are many things that Malcolm did that I wholeheartedly disagree with, things that even Malcolm himself came to regret as his personal politics evolved. However, the power and impact of the core of Malcolm's teachings cannot be denied, and nothing that Marable presents to us in this work makes Malcolm or his journey any less extraordinary.

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Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great book that delivers exactly what its title promises. If you're looking for a book that's light on the science, this isn't it. However, if you're curious to know exactly what's going on in the brain when we engage in exercise, as well as the myriad benefits that come along with these neurological changes, then this book is chock full of illuminating information.

Ratey does a great job of illustrating from the outset that the brain and the body work in tandem, and that what's good for one is good for the other. Exercise is as good for the brain as it is for the body. Using this knowledge as a foundation, Ratey presents us with scientific evidence showing how the neurological changes that occur with exercise have benefits for learning, memory, attention, the ability to handle stress, anxiety, depression, the ability to fight addiction, women's hormones, and the way we age. If you're skeptical about the usefulness of exercise beyond its ability to affect physique, Ratey presents plenty of proof that it is exponentially more beneficial than many realize.

I loved that the first chapter didn't immediately hit the reader with the neuroscience. Instead, the book begins with a heartwarming and inspiring case study of a school program that improved students' grades, test scores, social skills and emotional wellness through exercise. While the rest of the book provides a lot of fascinating studies and sympathetic anecdotes, I felt that the beginning chapter was the most powerful. It draws you into the book with the subtle reminder of the power of exercise in shaping the bodies and minds of the future.

If you're into neuroscience, health, medicine, or exercise science, I believe that this book is absolutely worth the read. However, I do wish that more of the presented information was more accessible. I can see how some readers may find the book to be too jargon-y, which is a shame because just about everyone can benefit from its contents. This information is powerful and holds the potential to be empowering for anyone actively seeking to improve their life.

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