The Formation of an Idea

OK, so I was inspired to write this one night (sleep deprivation could've been an influence) after reading a web comic, Questionable Content. I decided that as much as I read, as opinionated as I am, and the fact that the written word and I have a relationship that can be defined as the most intense affair of my life, a blog could very well be a new channel for me to venture down.

Be prepared: I'm a novice, so I might ramble a bit in the beginning. I do not want to start this off as true literary criticism or analysis. That's not my intention with this. I simply want to share my thoughts and opinions on what I'm reading. I would love feedback, both positive and negative. I want to inspire people to read more. Share. Form opinions that aren't simply "this was good" or "this was boring." I want to take those for whom Twilight was the first book they'd willingly picked up in ages, and introduce them to a world of well-written and/or creative worlds that can only be produced in ink, paper, and binding (or digitally, but that deflates the point I'm going for).

So let's start this thing off with the last book I've read. Fast Food Nation. Now, I'm sure plenty of you out there have heard of the documentary at least. I know it looked familiar when I was presented with it. It was an assignment for some of my students, and I like to be current (as in have read) the books they're studying in their English classes. I'd never read this one, so I checked it out of the library. And was immediately fascinated.

Now, I majored in agricultural economics in college, so much of it wasn't as informative for me as for other people; I was aware of many of the conditions described, since choice of majors was coupled with my intense fascination and revulsion of our food and its various sources. Up front, I should probably say: This is not a novel about the health-risks associated with eating fast food. There is a section on e coli and salmonella, but those are bacteria that are found in many sources of food, not just that which is served from a restaurant.

This book was filled with incredible stories from so many sectors of our nation's food industry. The author interviewed everyone from farmers, fast food workers, slaughterhouse workers, to owners of conglomerates. He definitely did his research for this. That right there earned him huge props in my book. I don't want to give too much of this away, but it is difficult to give this a description or a crit without either being incredibly vague, as I've been, or giving away something.

I'm not a health-nut, as anyone who has seen my thighs will agree to, but this book at the least will make you think twice on what you're eating, even if it's only as you're putting it in your mouth. It's not telling you what not to eat, that fast food is bad for you; it is merely giving the average consumer a better insight and understanding to the world that brought your food to your plate. I love red meat, and this didn't stop me from enjoying my chili tonight. That being said, it does remind us that grocery shopping can be an ethical choice as much as a financial one.

And should it? Do you buy the brand that is a co-operative, such as Ocean Spray and Land-O-Lakes, or do you opt for a large conglomerate, such as Kraft?With one you know that more of the profit will go back to the farmer who actually did the work. The other employs millions of people. Is one decision any more ethical than the other? I personally want to know the most I can about where my food comes from, but then, I'm strange and I realize it. If I could afford it, I'd go strictly organic... but let's face it, most of us just can't afford to eat/live like that.

Which brings me to my next piece of rant: the price of eating healthy. Have you ever stopped and compared the price of a healthy meal to that of a fast food meal? There's a reason college students gain weight and live totally unhealthy (as a generality). Ramen and The Dollar Menu are simply what collegians can afford. I know this goes the same for many of my students. Many have never made their own hamburger. The price of meat, cheese, condiments, and extras... they'd never be able to afford it. But they can go buy two off the dollar menu and eat well. We are being set up to get fat. Simple as that.

What do you think? Am I going too far? Do you have a valid argument for me? I want to know, I want to hear your thoughts.

Read the book. It'll make you think as you chew.

So.... What is This?

Well, first of all, let me start by saying thanks for looking (or for accidentally clicking on this link, however you got it) and welcome. Up front, laying it on the table, I make no promises for this thing. I am not Carrie Bradshaw--I don't spend all of my paycheck on shoes, I understand the purpose of and use a hairbrush, and I'd never be caught dead, much less on camera, in a tutu. So don't expect Sex and the City. If I rant, it's probably by something that has angered me or caught my attention as confusing. This is not a medium for relationship catharsis, and I understand this. So don't worry. No drama here.

I enjoy reading. Sometimes I think I may be one of the last few people of my generation to do so. I like everything from fluff books (yeah, those stupid vampire books I've even been known to peruse. But at least I admit it). I enjoy British literature, not a big fan of early American lit (because those people were boring to the boredom of suicide) and I read everything in between. I read at least one nonfiction a month. And I am always willing to take recommendations.

So here is where I'm talking about it. The good, the bad, when one touches me so much I want to cry, and when the only thing that makes me feel better after reading it is to throw it at the wall. I have a designated spot and everything. It's not lit crit with citations and proof. But it's not some idiot (OK, so maybe your perspective on that is different from mine) sitting behind a laptop who thinks Twilight is one of the best books ever written. Sorry, I don't mean to insult my readers this early on. But seriously. I'll give you lists of books and series that are not only better written (i.e. not written on a 3rd grade reading level) that are considerably more inventive.

Let me know what you think. What's good, what I need to improve upon. I'm doing this on the fly, without any real review, at least until I get the hang of it. So let's share books. I don't care if it's digital copy or good ol' fashioned hardback. Let's read!