I haven’t finished any books in the past few days, partly because I haven’t been in the mood for anything I’m already reading, and partly because I’ve been busy with the new job. I have been reading some other stuff, though.

From the NY Times, Food That Travels Well reports on some new research which suggests that “food miles” shouldn’t be the only factor we look at if our goal is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with food production and transportation.

Why Are So Many Americans in Prison? looks for reasons why, despite falling crime rates, the number of Americans in jail is steadily rising. I was most interested in the bare facts about the American penal system—I hadn’t realized, for example, that the US incarceration rate is greater than that of any other country, or that American jails house 25% of the world’s inmates. Interesting stuff.

Yann Martel’s What is Stephen Harper reading? project is fabulous and funny. Really must finish Life of Pi—the man is clearly a genius.