I learned so many interesting food/flavor/taste tidbits reading this book. I know sugar and salt are addictive, but now I know why our bodies crave it in the first place. Who knew that pandas don't taste umami or that cats don't taste sweetness? I now know more about added flavors, and although it still kinda weirds me out, I realize that it's not as unhealthy or unnatural as I thought. In fact, living in the Midwestern short growing season, I'm excited to discover they are close to improving the flavor of tomatoes shipped north in the off season. Plus, who knew that shipping can affect the flavor so much? I skimmed bits when he went into DNA and genetics since that bores me, but overall I really liked this. I especially like how he ended by reminding the reader to eat mindfully when "meals become a time for dining, not merely eating."

I received an advanced copy via Edelweiss.

This book and these stories are going to stay with me for a long time. I took my time reading this because the subject matter is heavy and I needed to take a break once in a while, which sparks some guilt since that privilege isn't available to people living these stories everyday. I watch and read news stories of the situations in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, but I had no idea just how awful (horrible? these words aren't strong enough) it is for the people Daesh targets. I'm glad Mikhail and Abdalla connected so the book can spread awareness of the nightmare created by Daesh.

The subject matter and stories told are worth 5 stars, but the format confused me so I knocked off a star. It took me a while to understand the phone call format and where the narrator/author was. I like how near the end of the book she visited the area and met some of the people whose stories she had heard. Maybe it will read better when it's published.

I want to get together with Gabrielle and drink wine while discussing life. This book is a taste of that and doesn't shy away from racism, infertility, rape culture, poor choices and life lessons. I appreciate how honest she was about her life, the good and the bad.

Fun way to wrap up the series!

While I did like this, the humor wasn't really a type I like, or at least I wasn't in the mood for. It was bold, in-your-face, almost brash at times, and that's not what I expected. After watching her interview on the Daily Show, I realized that's all true to her personality. Maybe knowing that before I started reading would have changed how I felt about the book.