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I Contain Multitudes
I Contain Multitudes | Ed Yong
You contain 10 trillion of your own cells, but harbour ten times as many microbes. You have around 23,000 genes, but the microbes inside you wield 100 times more. In short, you are microbes or, more flatteringly, microbes in a human-shaped sack. Microbes sculpt our organs, protect us from poisons, guide our behaviour and bombard us with their genes. But they also hold the key to understanding all life on earth. In I Contain Multitudes, Ed Yong opens our eyes and invites us to marvel at what the world looks like when we know more about our inner ecosystems, our staggering multitudes, and the ground-breaking science behind them. We learn the secret, invisible, and wondrous biology behind the corals that construct mighty reefs, the beetles that bring down forests and the squid that create their own light shows. We learn how bacteria can alter our response to cancer-fighting drugs, influence sexual preference, affect mental health and even modify our genetic make-up. Through this new lens, all living things are suddenly connected. I Contain Multitudes will rearrange the way you think about science, and the way you think about yourself.
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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

Fascinating and great on #audio #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 8mo
48 likes1 comment
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Daisey
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This is the second time I‘ve listened to this audiobook, and it was just as fascinating as the first time!

#nonfiction #audiobook #reread

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Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

Fascinating!! And though I listened closely to the audiobook, I know so much didn‘t stick in my brain, but what did has altered the way I look at the world! What a great way for the average (non scientific) reader to learn about how bacteria has shaped life on this planet! This would be a great pick for #NaturaLitsy too. Love Ed Yong!

AnnR This is one of my favorite nonfiction science related books, too. 13mo
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Kristy_K
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Pickpick

Utterly fascinating. I never knew I needed a book about microbes but this was so informative and easy to comprehend. Highly recommend.

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Soubhiville
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Pickpick

I knew there were beneficial gut bacteria, but I wasn‘t aware of all the details of what that means and the ways microbes effect every living thing. Amazing!

Did you know there are worms in the deep sea that don‘t eat at all because their biomes produce all of the nutrients they need?

Did you know bioluminescent squid are bioluminescent because of tiny microbes that live inside them?

I learned so much reading this. I‘ll read everything by EY.

SamAnne I thought this one was much better than his most recent. Absolutely loved this one. 2y
Hooked_on_books Ed Yong is the bomb!!! 2y
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MicrobeMom
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#12Bookin2022 I reread this one with my students for my upper level Microbiology course. It is an amazing read and as a microbiologist, I feel it is the most excessive read that explains the importance of bacteria. So this is my December pick! And that rounds out my 2022! Thanks @Andrew65 Great way to reflect on the year.

SamAnne I loved this one! More than his current one An Immense World. 2y
Daisey I loved this one and need to reread/relisten! 2y
Andrew65 Looks good. Thanks for playing along, I agree, it has been a great way to review the Reading year. 2y
40 likes3 comments
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Chrissyreadit
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Pickpick

Listened to this on audio after hearing @MicrobeMom give a rave review- it took me 3 months to finish- not because it was bad- because it was great! And I only listened when I could really pay attention (hard because I‘m usually multitasking when doing audio) - I am hopeful and fascinated by the study of microbes and human health- there is so much to discover and apply! I also highly recommend this to science/non fiction lovers.

MicrobeMom So glad you enjoyed it. Still my reread with my students! Hopefully they like it as much as you did! ♥️♥️ 2y
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Karkar
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Mehso-so

I was really looking forward to this one. But maybe my hoes were too high and that made me not like it as well. I really wanted it to be all about all the stuff in our bodies. But there was too much about other things.

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TheRiehlDeal
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#manicmonday #LetterI
Thanks for the tag @CBee !

📚 Tagged, I Am the Messenger, Intensity (TBR), I‘ll Be Gone in the Dark (TBR)
✍️ 🤷‍♂️
🎥 Interstellar, Inception, IT (2017)
🎸 I Prevail and Ice Nine Kills
🎶 I Hate Everything About You (Three Days Grace), I Miss the Misery (Halestorm), In the End (Linkin Park), It‘s Not Over (Daughtry)

CBee Thanks for playing 😊 2y
18 likes1 comment
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TheRiehlDeal
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Pickpick

This was a fascinating listen about how microbes play a critical role in our everyday lives.

4⭐️
8/14/22

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MicrobeMom
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Getting a little work reading in on this beautiful day before it gets too hot! Then I will climb back into my air conditioned hole in my house! 😂😂

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Nutmegnc
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Brilliant concept, entertaining erudition, fabulous audio by Charles Anson. But honestly ew bugs.

40 likes2 stack adds
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Ltrueblood
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Pickpick

This was a stunning book in both its complexity and simplicity. I‘ve always loved Biology and this book made me fall in love with it all over again. And I have hope for the advances we‘ve had in microbial science. A fascinating read!!!

DrexEdit Ooooo! I really want to read this one! Ed Yong edited this years Best American Science and Nature Writing which I really enjoyed! 3y
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LMAN8BSA
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Pickpick

This book is very unique because it present scientific knowledge in a narrative format; and even does so without being an absolute snooze fest. There are definitely instances of concepts being repeated, but truthfully, this is one of the best scientific books I‘ve ever read.

If you want to learn more about microbes, microbiomes, and their impacts on the world, this is the book for you.

violabrain I absolutely loved this book! Ed Yong is one of my favorite science writers! 3y
LMAN8BSA @violabrain There‘s definitely a reason he‘s won so many awards! 3y
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shayjackson3
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Some relevant bio books from my shelf that I will be attacking this year. Always striving to learn more about the world around me.

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effani
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I'm planning to finish out the year with the book I'm reading now and some short fiction, so this is my final (probably illegible) #BookSpin spreadsheet. There's a lot to think about on my reading habits here, but the thing that stands out to me is that February was the only month when I hand-curated the list. All the others were programmatically generated, so I would have guessed that I would read the most from February's list, but I didn't.

effani Tagged: more or less at random, a book that I enjoyed and wouldn't have read without the challenge.

I feel like I say this every month, but: Thank you so much, @TheAromaofBooks! This challenge has really enriched my reading life (and been a fun little scripting project too).
4y
TheAromaofBooks I love this!!! I'm so glad this little challenge inspired you to read more!! 4y
16 likes2 comments
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SamAnne
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Pickpick

A 4 star read and audio. Great scienc writing about the evolution of microbes, their complex relationships wit humans and animals, and what can go wrong when things get out of whack. Some discussion on new research—fecal transplants anyone? And expanding your microbe community helps build resilience against allergies—dogs are healthy for you esp. for kids! And playing in the dirt. And I bet chickens are good for you too!

Leftcoastzen Cool photo! 4y
Hooked_on_books This was a great book. And I definitely worry about the Purell generation of kids and how well they‘ll be able to fend off disease. Your dog is so cute and I love the color pattern on your chicken! (edited) 4y
SamAnne @Hooked_on-books. So agree. I spent a lot of time in the dirt as a kid, swimming in a river next to dairy farms and hugging a lot of animals. I have only one allergy and a pretty good immune system. And for those who have read The Cooking Gene, Michael Twitty mentions Dominique chickens several times, one of the first breed to come over to America. Gilda is a Dominique. And a friendly lady. 4y
72 likes3 comments
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SamAnne
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Thoroughly enjoying this non-fiction read. Yong is an engaging reader with a sense of humor to boot. Been wanting to read this ever since I heard Terry Gross interview him.

tenar I enjoyed this one, too! I had heard Yong is one of the best current science writers, and this book made me a bit of a believer. 4y
Crazeedi This has been on my holds, witing impatiently! 4y
Crazeedi Waiting! 4y
SamAnne @Crazeedi it doesn‘t disappoint! 4y
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RowReads1
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Lcsmcat Thanks for sharing. It‘s an article worth taking the time to read. 4y
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effani
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Pickpick

This is excellent science writing, as I've come to expect from Ed Yong. He weaves a LOT of research into a compelling story and generally avoids overselling the conclusions. I've been thinking more than usual lately about sanitation, so I was particularly interested in the studies about the microbiome of the built environment that were described in the last chapter.

effani In just under the wire, this was my May #BookSpin book. Thanks, @TheAromaofBooks! I have no idea when I would have gotten to this book if it weren't for the challenge. 4y
TheAromaofBooks Yay!! So glad you enjoyed your pick!!! 4y
SamAnne Am reading right now and loving it. 4y
effani @SamAnne Yay! I'm glad you're also enjoying it. 4y
22 likes4 comments
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effani
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"Gutless bone-eating snot-flower worm" is my new favorite species name that doubles as an insult.

Lesanne Oooh, I‘m stealing that! (edited) 4y
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effani
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Funny timing: I've listened to two different podcast episodes this weekend that have mentioned this book. Both only tangentially related to the book, both good.

http://ohnopodcast.com/investigations/2020/5/9/ross-and-carrie-cure-covid-sympto...

https://www.microbe.tv/twiv/twiv-610/

(Yes, I'm behind on podcasts...)

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effani
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Seems like the footnotes in this book weren't proofread at all. In Chapter 3, all the numbers are off by one - you can see here how the text of footnote 48 is clearly supposed to go in the location marked 49.

UCLAoso That‘s annoying, is it an ARC? 4y
effani @UCLAoso No, I paid for it. 😕 At least so far it seems like it's just the footnotes and not the main text. 4y
UCLAoso @effani 🤞🏽 4y
17 likes3 comments
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effani
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We got a hammock! Excellent reading spot on a nice day.

rachelm Lovely! 4y
wanderinglynn Great reading spot! 4y
19 likes2 comments
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effani
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I'm not normally one for pointing out typos in published books, but writing "faces" instead of "feces" is a heck of a typo! ??

Texreader Whoa! That‘s a doozy. You‘d think someone could have easily caught that one. 4y
effani @Texreader Right?! I guess they probably didn't proofread the footnotes as carefully as the main text, but still. 4y
18 likes2 comments
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underground_bks
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Pickpick

Ed Yong writes so enthusiastically about the expansive microbial world and our human understanding of it, past and present, that these science and research packed pages are a joy to read. More remarkable is Yong‘s insistence on the moral of the story: it is the balanced mutual self-interest of community, not dog eat dog competition, that is the beating heart of life.

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effani
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And now on to this month's #BookSpin book. This was the only nonfiction on my list and I'm not sure I'm in the mood for nonfiction, but it's the one that came up. At least I know Ed Yong is a good writer. (And I'll probably take a break for Murderbot soon!)

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effani
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Here's my #BookSpin list for May (with apologies to the authors with encoding issues in their names that I don't have the bandwidth to fix right now). This month I decided to pull just from ebooks that I own.

I'm sticking to my usual pace of one, maybe two of these books in a month, but I salute those of you going for the #BookSpinBonanza!

Thanks as always to @TheAromaofBooks for hosting the challenge!

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Glad to have you along for another round!! 5y
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GoneFishing

Within 24 hours of moving into a new place we overwrite it with our own microbes, turning it into a reflection of ourselves.

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RowReads1
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Becker
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Pickpick

Really fascinating. This information dense, but highly readable book could be read 10 times and you would continue to get more out of it each time. It is a marvelous look at microbes and how they populate and control everything in our world. I have a new born respect for the humble bacteria. A must read for anyone interested in science and development.

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Megabooks
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#7days7covers #covercrush #audiobookcovers Day 3

If anyone else would like to post a cover they find beautiful for the next 7 days (no explanation), please do. Lord knows we could use more beauty in the world!! 😊😊

Cinfhen Oh, nice cover 🤩 5y
Megabooks @Cinfhen Thanks!! 5y
Beholderess Sounds like an interesting idea 5y
96 likes3 comments
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underthebelljar
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Reading this next. Hoping it‘s very readable for a science book.

Moray_Reads I loved this one. It's fascinating 5y
LauraJ Very readable. 👍🏼 5y
Megabooks It is! 5y
underthebelljar @Moray_Reads @LauraJ @Megabooks Good to hear! The topic is absolutely fascinating 5y
39 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Plaidsticks
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Pickpick

So much to learn, so little time. #audiobook

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Eyelit
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#audiobaking is working for me. Although I will say my choice of book is slightly questionable for the venture... 🤣
Trying my hand at Mexican chocolate snickerdoodles - because I can‘t keep spending all my money at the vegan bakery that sells these. My attempts are not quite as pretty, but they are just as tasty imho! Gotta love Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar!

Peddler410 Have you read First Rule of Punk by Perez? Middle grade book — I‘m 90% sure these cookies are in that book 🙂 6y
Eyelit @Peddler410 I haven‘t - but I just read the synopsis and it sounds awesome! Even cooler that it mentions vegan cookies as yummy as these 😃 6y
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tracyrowanreads
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My reading has been all over the place lately. I've been reading a lot of graphic novels and a lot of short stories. Most notably: A People's Future History of the United States, edited by Victor LaValle.

But what I enjoyed most is the audiobook of I Contain Multitudes. It sent me out looking for information on bacteria and single-celled creatures and viruses, and mosses and lichens, and other small things. I really recommend it.

Daisey I truly enjoyed this one and want to listen to it again sometime. 6y
Gezemice This one intrigues me and I want to read it, too! 6y
tracyrowanreads @Gezemice I found it fascinating. 6y
27 likes1 stack add4 comments
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me_myshelf_and_i
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1 slip & fall on the ice + 1 fractured wrist = a prescription to stay in bed and read all day 🤷🏻‍♀️ #silverlining

ladyonequestion I like the appropriate medical looking book too! Get well soon tho x 6y
Suet624 Oh no! I‘m so sorry. 6y
Crazeedi Get well soon! Sending healing vibes😊😊😊 6y
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PurpleyPumpkin Sorry about this! Hope your wrist heals quickly. 👍🏽 6y
Naj So sorry about this. Hope you get well soon. 6y
Bookwormjillk Oh no! I hope it‘s not your reading hand 😀 6y
Redwritinghood The hazards of winter. I hope it‘s not too painful and heals quickly. 6y
Laura317 Ouch! I‘m so sorry. Get well soon! 6y
Kaye ♥️ 6y
xicanti Boo ice. 😔 6y
kezzlou85 Ouch. Hope it heals quickly. 💜 6y
valeriegeary 😩😢 ouch ouch ouch!!! 6y
hgrimes oh no!! Hope you‘re doing ok and recover quickly! 6y
Purrfectpages Oh no! Hope the books make recovery go quicker! 6y
Smrloomis Hope you recover quickly 😣🤞🏽 6y
59 likes15 comments
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BooksAtNight
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Ed Yong has fast become one of my favorite science writers (right up there with Mary Roach). He doesn‘t just give you scientific facts until your brain hurts - he tells you a story of the science and never forgets to highlight the people behind the science. And he is writing a second book! If you enjoy science writing, definitely give him a try.

Chrissyreadit Nice! I had not heard of him- do you think physical book or audio better? 6y
BooksAtNight @Chrissyreadit I listened to the audiobook and found it quite enjoyable! 6y
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me_myshelf_and_i
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Saturday morning ritual - reading with my best little bud, Lump 😻📚

Erofan So cute 💕😻 6y
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violabrain
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Pickpick

Fascinating and full of whimsy, despite being a science book. I loved it!

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Well-ReadNeck
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Pickpick

Listened to this one on audiobook. Good narration but lots of clipped, corrected piecing together in parts.

Very interesting topic and fairly accessible. I did fast forward in some parts because it got a bit bogged down in places, but overall, a recommendation.

violabrain I‘m reading this right now! It‘s fascinating! 6y
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Well-ReadNeck
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#TBRTuesday

Here‘s what I‘ve got going on this week. My dd had her wisdom teeth out today (all went well) and I hope I‘ll have lots of reading time as she rests and heals.

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violabrain
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I can‘t stop laughing about this! 😂😂 He is describing names of the different octopuses (octopi?) in a lab that studies symbiotic microorganisms. I just love that he indicated the gender of Yuk the Octopus by putting “Mr” in parentheses! 😂😍😂😍 This whole book is delightful so far. I‘m loving it!

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RealLifeReading
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Pickpick

An absolutely fascinating book. It wasn‘t as intimidating as I had thought it would be and I loved all the examples he brings in to illustrate his points. I never knew that microbes could be so interesting !

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RealLifeReading
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Making chocolate digestives for the first time while listening to this audiobook. I love chocolate digestives and was curious to see what homemade ones taste like
#audiobaking

Gezemice Yumm :) 6y
LiteraryinPA Pardon my ignorance, but is a digestive a word for a cookie/biscuit? They look delicious! 6y
Bookzombie 🤤 6y
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GypsyKat Nice! Let us know how they turn out! 6y
Megabooks Great book! Enjoy the biscuits! 6y
readordierachel Those look incredible! 6y
FoxySocks Ok now I want digestives... 6y
Jeg They look like they might be better than the store bought ones. Perhaps healthier too. 6y
RealLifeReading @LiteraryinLititz i think originally they thought this biscuit could aid digestion! This recipe is a biscuit made w whole wheat and oatmeal 6y
RealLifeReading @megabooks this book is awesome 6y
RealLifeReading @readordierachel they‘re yummy! 6y
RealLifeReading @marge108 I adore digestives,chocolate or not 6y
RealLifeReading @Jeg yes I think the store bought kinda use palm oil. This recipe used butter 6y
GypsyKat Awesome, thanks! 6y
110 likes17 comments
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RealLifeReading
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Making some French bread this afternoon. #audiobaking

Cubanmommy95 Yummmm 6y
Lcsmcat What time should we arrive? 😀 6y
RealLifeReading @Lcsmcat hmmm in 4-5 hours! 😀 6y
Laylafinn Yum yum 6y
120 likes5 comments
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RealLifeReading
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Making scrambled eggs at 630 on a Sunday while listening to this fascinating audiobook - he‘s currently talking about how certain probiotics can possibly help with depression and stress

Moray_Reads I enjoyed this one too, it's fascinating! 6y
Cathythoughts The probiotics are meant to be powerful... do you make the kefir ?!!! 6y
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CouronneDhiver Cute spatula! 😆 6y
RealLifeReading @Moray_Reads it is so interesting! 6y
RealLifeReading @ephemeralwaltz I love scrambled eggs 6y
RealLifeReading @Cathythoughts I‘ve never really had kefir actually! 6y
RealLifeReading @CouronneDhiver 😀 thanks! It‘s from Daiso (edited) 6y
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RealLifeReading
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Thanks again for all your great nonfiction audiobook recommendations you guys! I decided to go with this one first! I had downloaded the sample and Yong had me at “pangolin”.

Daisey This book is fascinating! 6y
LauraJ Loooooove this book. 6y
Megabooks It‘s a great book! 6y
RealLifeReading @Daisey @lauraj @Megabooks I can see why! I‘m so enjoying it! 6y
107 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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CampbellTaraL
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1. Disney's The Little Mermaid
2. French Fries
3. Um, I'm not into any? Whatever ends up on SXM Alt Nation, Lithium, or Pulse channels when I'm driving to the grocery store.
4. I Contain Multitudes - Ed Yong (narrative nonfiction science about the microbiome that humans are, fascinating stuff!)
5. Will do!

#friYayIntro
Thank you @jesshowbooks these are always a fun way to kick off Friday!

TWMAuthor Airport with George Kennedy and favourite aeroplane the 747. Both chips and onion rings. Current read, my own work adding finishing touches. Music playlist from Vampire Diaries. Goodnight it's 4 am BB V-V! 6y
23 likes1 comment