Read Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy by Martha Wells, part of The Murderbot Diaries (#2.5) and fun as usual but so short (34p) that it does not even feel like a short story. And How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying, by Django Wexler. Which illustrates afresh my blockage on humorous fantasy, as previously experimented with Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. There is humour and wit, but the universe and the scenario and the characters all are terribly thin. And of limited interest…
While taking advantage of the remaining vegetables and fruits at the local market, like having radish, coriander and lemon salad at every meal, and garden tomatoes as well, and making daily breakfast compote from rhubarb and figs, plus the customary skyr and buckwhe(y/at) pancakes, the culinary experience this round was outside, with a dinner at Oktobre, a restaurant we had visited a few times, in the heart of Quartier Latin, and recently mentioned in Le Monde M(agazine). (The K stands for the previous name of the restaurant, Ze Kitchen Gallery bis.) The surprise entrées were a fabulous mix of Asia-inspired dishes with miso and raw fish, while the tagliatelle were al dente and perfectly (if mildly) spiced. The lobster bits were however superfluous, as soaked in cooking water and hence almost indistinguishable from sashimi sticks. The rice pudding also failed to deliver, with undercooked grains, an heresy for rice pudding. But the most surprising feature of the meal came with the strong insistence of the server that we add a tip to the bill when the menu stated service was already included, as compulsory by French law. Which we pointed out only to more arguing. Definitely annoying if this signals an incoming trend in touristy places, as tipping is definitely one of the most puzzling aspects of US life! (Another appalling US food story is how Trump imposed his ghastly culinary tastes on his hosts during his Asian tour…)
In continuation with the culinary theme, I also speed watched a rather silly K drama called Bon Appétit, Your Majesty (The Tyrant’s Chef), which sends a modern Michelin starred chef to 14th Century Joseon to be a cook for the current and tyranesque king. The plot is paper-thin but the cooking bits are pleasant (if overly inspired by French dishes, like bœuf bourguignon and macarons!)
pregnancies). The hugely predictable romantic developments are taking for ever, while the overall scenario is weak and unrealistic (even conditional on the local universe). As in other poor fantasy novels, the characters travel huge distances at times of upheavals of a cosmic scale, can indulge in fancy meals while the society is collapsing, uncover super-powers at times of need, and meet at the perfect moment to save the day (of fallen night!). In addition, the cosmogony of the local universe is poorly constructed, with different creeds conflicting. A single redeeming if idiosyncratic factor is the skills of Dumai in ice climbing and mountaineering, where she lost a few fingers… The second book was a trilogy, 
Made a purée from one breadfruit, which grows extensively in Guadeloupe. A nice taste close to potatoes with a nuttier flavour. Also made lots of (local) tuna ceviche, ideal for cold meals, and mango purées, taking advantage of the mango tree in the garden of my daughter’s rental. Even brought back a frozen jar of the purée (along with the massive avocados that grow on the island and a few of the local bananas). Tasted a fantastic 
