Reader’s Digest Australia December 2021

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CONTENTS 74 DECEMBER 2021 COVER PHOTO: KEITH LIGHTBODY FOR NATURALISTE CHARTERS; (THIS PAGE) GETTY IMAGES Features 50 74 26 everyday miracles food on your plate No Ordinary Day Cherries earth’s heroes Saving lives changes Sweet or sour, always The Mystery Of the outlook of two delicious. DIANE GODLEY Australia’s Orcas people. A filmmaker is 80 convinced there’s a EMMA TAUBENFELD wonder of nature AND TOM PARZYK health occurring. DAVID LEVELL Fighting Nature’s 56 Silent Cancer 34 Pancreatic cancer is humour hard to spot – but exclusive interview Bye-Bye 2021 researchers are Brother Act There’s always a funny learning more. Author Lee Child side to life, even in took a risky decision lockdown with a ZOË MEUNIER to share his writing disgruntled family. duties with his 90 younger brother, PATRICIA PEARSON Andrew. MELANIE EGAN photo feature 64 Making The World 42 Go Round relationships The invention that health My Parents, In Love set us in perpetual That Gut Feeling A volatile marriage motion. The impact of the doesn’t mean there’s gut microbiome on no affection. CORNELIA KUMFERT overall wellbeing. LAUREN DEPINO 96 FROM THE BOOK FROM NEW YORK TIMES THE CSIRO GUT CARE GUIDE then and now 68 Conquering The Laundry Load culture We air the dirty A World Of laundry of washing Christmas Treats clothes through Unique dishes make history. the holiday festivities special. THE EDITORS ZOË MEUNIER ON THE COVER: THE MYSTERY OF AUSTRALIA’S ORCAS – PAGE 26 readersdigest.com.au 1

CONTENTS 104 110 Departments science 120 the digest The Couple 18 Pets Who Helped Save art of living 20 Health The World Go With The Flow 24 News From The The husband and Embracing novelty World Of Medicine wife behind the first can make us happier. COVID-19 vaccine. 145 RD Recommends LEAH RUMACK DAVID GELLES regulars FROM NEW YORK TIMES 124 4 Editor’s Note 6 Letters 110 travel A Feast For 10 News Worth 13 things The Senses Sharing Scent-sational India’s capital city News About Smell offers spice markets 12 My Story Making sense of the and ancient palaces. 16 Smart Animals ability to smell. 60 Look Twice PRIYA KRISHNA FROM 88 Tell Me Why EMILY GOODMAN HEMISPHERES MAGAZINE 102 Quotable Quotes 114 132 humour 48 Life’s Like That culture bonus read 78 Laughter, This Is Dedicated To... George And Tiger The Best Medicine Behind every book The unlikely dedication lies friendship between a 108 All In A Day’s a story. very old dog and cat. Work LIZZIE ENFIELD LAURA GREAVES FROM THE the genius section BOOK A DOG’S BEST FRIEND 152 The New Science 118 Of Passwords entertainment 156 Puzzles Jenga! 159 Trivia A simple tower of 160 Puzzles Answers blocks began a 161 Word Power beloved game. V. KUMARA SWAMY ★ ★ 2022 • Vo ★ ★ 2022 • Vo ILLUSTRATION: SERGE BLOCH ted by Austrtaeldiaby Australia ns • 2022 ★ ★ ns • 2022 ★ ★ QUALITY SERVICE AWARDS 2022 Discover Our Annual Survey Winners Page 163 ★ ★★ ★



READER’S DIGEST EDITOR’S NOTE Always Better Together IT’S SAFE TO SAY THAT 2021 is a year we’re all pleased is coming to an end. Across our readership, individuals and families have been tested like never before. But, it’s also been a time to reassess what really matters in life. With lockdowns hopefully behind us, communities are returning to a new normal with a greater emphasis on local connections. As we start to plan our New Year’s celebrations, I’m certain Patricia Pearson’s sentiments in ‘Bye, Bye 2021’ (page 56) will strike a chord with our readers. PHOTOS: (CHILD BROTHERS) TASHA ALEXANDER; (NOUGAT) GETTY IMAGES Because even though 2021 has been anything but happy, that’s no reason to hold off celebrating and anticipating a Happy New Year for 2022. In the spirit of Christmas, this issue has stories about inspiring experiences and perspectives. ‘Melodies Straight From The Heart’ (My Story, page 12) is a gentle account of how two young sisters and a brother planned the most unique Christmas gift for their parents. Siblings working together is also the key theme of ‘Brother Act’ (page 34). In our exclusive interview with authors and brothers Andrew and Lee Child, the pair discuss their unique relationship which has seen the older Lee hand over the authorship of the Jack Reacher book series to Andrew. In what is one of the most heart-warming literary partnerships in recent times, they reinforce the comfort and intensity that occurs when family members collaborate. During the lockdown year of 2021, top-quality customer service became more important than ever for businesses to remain relevant to their customers. Our annual 2022 Quality Service Awards has identified those businesses that have delivered the highest standards of customer service over the past 12 months, with good ‘old-fashioned service and innovation’ (page 163). Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at Reader’s Digest, LOUISE WATERSON Editor-in-Chief 4 december 2021

AUSTRALIA 2022 QUALITY SERVICE AWARDS WINNERS AUSTRALIA Vol. 201 ★ ★ 2022 • Vo ted by Austetdrabliay Australians • 2022 ★ ★PANCREATIC No. 1200 ★ ★ 2022 • Vo ns • 2022 ★ ★ CANCER December 2021 KILLER WHALES OFF WA Research ★ ★★ ★ That Gives A Discovery EDITORIAL That Shocked Hope Editor-in-Chief Louise Waterson The Experts Managing Editor Zoë Meunier PAGE 80 Chief Subeditor Melanie Egan PAGE 26 Art Director Hugh Hanson NOW Senior Art Designer Adele Burley The Couple INCLUDES Art Designer Annie Li Who Invented Senior Editor Diane Godley THE PFIZER FREE Associate Editor Victoria Polzot VACCINE DIGITAL DIGITAL PAGE 104 APP Head of Digital Content Greg Barton ACCESS HOW AN ELDERLY ADVERTISING DOG AND CAT Group Advertising Became Firm Friends & Retail Sales Director Sheron White Sales Manager Darlene Delaney PAGE 132 Advertising Support Manager Rebecca Zhang EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW •All ADVERTISING LEE AND ANDREW CHILD Partners In Crime Writing and RETAIL INQUIRIES ONLY Sheron White PAGE 34 Mobile Phone 0421 897 140 Email [email protected] SAVE 50% DISCOUNT SAVINGS PUBLISHED UNDER LICENCE OFF TOTAL COVER PRICE BY DIRECT PUBLISHING PTY LTD $39 FOR 12 ISSUES •CUSTOMER SERVICE: SUBSCRIPTION PLUS and CUSTOMER INQUIRIES ONLY Online www.readersdigest.com.au +SPECIAL FREE GIFT Phone 1300 300 030 Fax (02) 9004 4830 +FREE DELIVERY Email [email protected] Mail Reader’s Digest Magazine, PO Box 6458, Already a subscriber? Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086 You can take advantage of this great offer to renew MOVING? Please notify us of your change of address your subscription. six weeks before you move. TO SUBSCRIBE MAIL PREFERENCE We value you as a customer and trust Call 1300 300 030 that you enjoy our products. Occasionally, we make our mailing or visit list available to carefully screened companies whose products we believe may be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive readersdigest.com.au/subscribe these mailings, please write to: Privacy Officer, Direct Publishing Pty Ltd, PO Box 6458, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086 CALL CENTRE HOURS: MONDAY–FRIDAY 6am–8pm READER’S DIGEST IS PRINTED ON PEFC-CERTIFIED PAPER. THIS SATURDAY–SUNDAY 6am–6pm (AEST) PROVIDES AN ASSURANCE THAT THE PAPER IS PRODUCED FROM SUSTAINABLY MANAGED FOREST AND CONTROLLED SOURCES. For more information on our app visit: www.readersdigest.com.au/App PRINTED BY OVATO LIMITED, 8 PRIDDLE ST, WARWICK FARM, NSW 2170, FOR DIRECT PUBLISHING PTY LTD, 431 WARRINGAH ROAD, FRENCHS FOREST, NSW 2086. © 2021 DIRECT PUBLISHING PTY LTD (ABN 81000565471). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. REPRODUCTION IN ANY MANNER IN WHOLE OR PART IN ENGLISH OR OTHER LANGUAGES PROHIBITED

READER’S DIGEST LETTERS Reader’s Comments And Opinions Return To Glory For those of us lucky enough to have visited the Notre Dame Cathedral before the devastating fire that almost destroyed it, images of the ferocious flames roaring skywards, and the toppling of the spire, broke hearts not just in France, but all around the world (‘Saving Notre Dame’, September). Now more than two years on, the complex repair, restoration and rebuilding of Notre Dame continues in the safe hands of scientists and craftsmen with century-old skills, passionate about bringing new life to the cathedral that never lost its heart. JUDITH CAINE Finding A Family they wanted was his hard-earned PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES money – is so sad. ‘Learning to Love’ by Melissa Fay Greene (September) has stayed with I think that in the photo of Izidor, me. For Izidor to have had such a at age 30, there is still a troubled painful life – unable to comprehend tension depicted in his facial what love is, not be able to relate to expression. It took the earth- a loving family and then to meet his shattering shock of his adoptive biological parents and discover all family’s involvement in an accident Let us know if you are moved – or provoked – by any item in the magazine, share your thoughts. See page 8 for how to join the discussion. 6 december 2021

for Izidor to realise how much they Letters mean to him. BETTY ANN MATTHEWS A ROSE BY ANY Ouch! OTHER NAME Unfortunately, your article on We asked you to think up a funny caption for this photo. dental pain (‘7 Common Causes of Off to the fur ball. Dental Anxiety’, September) did NOT address my two biggest causes DANNY FUHRMANN  of anxiety – jaw pain from opening my mouth so wide during the CatHatsrophe procedure and the financial stress. I have to save up for several years CHRIS MARTIN for each time I go, even with extras Ready for the ‘Catwalk’! insurance. ANDREW BEVERIDGE MERRAN TOONE A Change Of Heart Aunt Mabel was a bit of a sourpuss. The article ‘Human Hearts’ KEN WISE (September) resonated with me. It is touching to see how Firdaus Abdul I’ve always had a head for flowers.  Hamid contributed to society after coming out of prison. Firdaus’s DONNA WINTER  actions show that perseverance Congratulations to this month’s WIN A PILOT CAPLESS winner, Danny Fuhrmann. FOUNTAIN PEN WIN! The best letter each month will win a Pilot Capless Fountain CAPTION CONTEST Pen, valued at over $200. The Capless is the perfect Come up with the funniest caption combination of luxury and for the above photo and you could win ingenious technology, featuring a one-of-a-kind retractable $100. To enter, email fountain pen nib, durable [email protected] metal body, beautiful rhodium accents and a 14K gold nib. or see details on page 8. Congratulations to this month’s winner, Betty Ann Matthews. readersdigest.com.au 7

READER’S DIGEST and compassion go a long way in shaping our society and world to READER’S DIGEST SHOP become a better place, even in tough For quality products, book sales and more, call 1300 300 030 or head to times like COVID-19. Strive on, Readersdigest.com.au/shop Firdaus! LIN ZIHAO CONTRIBUTE Life Is Short R E A D ER S D I G E S TAU S T R A L I A As with so many articles in Reader’s Anecdotes and Jokes $50–$100 Digest, ‘The Longest Walk To The Altar’ (My Story, August), made Send in your real-life laugh for Life’s Like That me think about my life. The article or All in a Day’s Work. Got a joke? Send it in for stated, ‘Life is short’ and of course it Laughter Is the Best Medicine! is if you measure a person’s lifespan in relation to the time humans have Smart Animals Up to $100 been around. Share antics of unique pets or wildlife Many would say I have been in up to 300 words. around too long, I turned 91 in November. I have been an RD My Story $400 subscriber for at least half of my life and I could not count the number Got an inspiring or life-changing tale? of articles that have helped me to be Submissions must be true, original, still reasonably healthy at 91. unpublished and 800–1000 words. BRUCE POWER Letters to the Editor and Reader Submissions Conversation Starters Online Follow the ‘Contribute’ link at ‘A Child Reader’ (My Story, October) readersdigest.com.au Email [email protected] evoked memories of my own Mail Reader’s Digest Magazine, PO Box 6458, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086 reading journey. My dad has Please include your name, address, subscribed to Reader’s Digest for as phone number and email. long as I can remember, so it was Letters: We may edit letters and use them in all always easily available in our home. print and electronic media. When both my brother and I Submissions: All submissions become our married, a subscription to Reader’s property on payment and subsequent publication in the magazine. We may edit and Digest was one of Dad’s Christmas fact-check submissions. For terms and conditions, go to www.readersdigest.com.au/ presents to us and our new spouses. terms-and-conditions/submission-guidelines. We cannot return or acknowledge material There has always been a copy of the not accepted for publication. current magazine in our homes. OUR PRIVACY STATEMENT Direct Publishing Pty Ltd collects your information to provide As conversation starters, the articles our products and services and may also use your information for the marketing purposes of RD and/or selected corporate partners. If the information is not provided you will be unable to access our products or services. Our Privacy Policy at readersdigest.com.au/privacy-policy contains full details on how your information is used (including how we may share your information with our affiliate companies in the US or other overseas entities), how you may access or correct information held and our privacy complaints process. are outstanding! DIANNE HAINES 8 december 2021

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READER’S DIGEST NEWS WORTH SHARING Critical Care Team Saves History A mbulances are normally sponsors help bankroll the project, PHOTO: COURTESY PRINCE’S FOUNDATION associated with medical care, and local communities donate food but in Romania, a different and housing to the volunteers, while kind of ‘ambulance’ is racing to save local governments supply construction the life of historical structures. In materials. “It works similarly to an 2016, architect Eugen Vaida founded emergency medical intervention,” Ambulance for Monuments. Starting Vaida says. “There is an ambulance with a tool-filled truck, he roamed that comes to the site, assesses Romania repairing neglected historical the damage, stabilises the patient, buildings and monuments with the and then the patient is ready for help of volunteers. Now, some five treatment.” Vaida estimates there years later, Vaida has seven trucks, 500 are still around 600 monuments in volunteers and has saved 60 structures, Romania that need help. He would including medieval churches, ancient love to see his efforts reproduced in windmills and castles. Various other countries. COMPILED BY VICTORIA POLZOT 10 december 2021

News Worth Sharing PHOTOS: GETT Y IMAGES. SOURCE: (GNOME) ABC.NET.AU A Simple Way To Make Gnome Is Where Workers Happier The Heart Is T he pandemic has changed Brigitte Smith from Adelaide the idea of work-life balance, never imagined that her so what better time to quirky collection of garden re-evaluate the working week? gnomes and statues would Iceland is ahead of the game. bring Christmas joy to her For four years, starting in 2015, neighbourhood. The collection, 2500 workers (about one per which started with a statue of a cent of the country’s work force) soldier (representing her husband reduced their 40-hour work week who served in the army for more by four or five hours while still than 30 years) has grown to more receiving the same pay. than 300 over the past eight years. Researchers found that, As the collection grew – much unsurprisingly, the workers – of which she bought from garden drawn from hospitals, preschools centres and second-hand shops – and offices – were happier and Smith noticed the joy it brought to less stressed. They were also just her community. “They come here as productive. Nearly 90 per cent for five minutes and don’t think of Iceland’s workforce now work about anything,” Brigitte told the fewer hours. Similar initiatives are ABC. “They just have a smile and being considered in New Zealand then they go back to reality.” and Spain, while politicians in Japan and California have Though the display is enjoyed proposed testing it. throughout the year, Christmas is her favourite time. The garden is lit up and decorated with ornaments and a life-size Santa makes an appearance on Christmas Eve to give treats to visiting children. She describes the happiness this brings as magical. “I’m not a taker, I’m a giver. And this is sharing in the smile on people’s faces, especially nowadays.” readersdigest.com.au 11

READER’S DIGEST MY STORY Melodies Straight From The Heart Three children secretly plan a magical surprise for their parents BY Patricia Scott IN 1955, AT AGE 12, I BECAME The Ugly Duckling and The King’s obsessed with the idea of New Clothes. I remember feeling recording an album for our the romance and sadness of Hans parents for Christmas. My Christian Andersen as he dreamed sister, aged nine, brother, ten, about the lovely ballerina. So moved, and myself would sing our favourite we chose the song The Ugly Duckling songs from the era – an unusual from it, as well as God’s Little Candles undertaking for a child and Open Up Your Heart (And Let in those days. The Sun Shine In) to record. My sister and I used to take our The recording was to be kept a time washing the dishes so we could secret from our parents. I found a sing our hearts out to the latest local studio, Dunford Recordings, songs by Doris Day, Pat Boone, not too far from where we lived Rosemary Clooney and Vera Lynn. in Christchurch. I rang and asked There were also a few child stars the cost of making a record. It was at the time, like Shirley Temple two pounds, ten shillings (today’s and Judy Garland, who gave us equivalent of NZ$95). I also asked inspiration. how much recording space was allowed on each side of the disc. We all loved the movie Hans Christian Andersen starring Danny To pay for the recording, I saved Kaye, with songs The Inch Worm, the money I earned from helping my 12 december 2021

My Story ILLUSTRATION: GETTY IMAGES Aunty Mae in the school holidays, rang the studio and booked an placing it in an old cash box. appointment for 10am on a Tuesday, two weeks before Christmas. I typed the words of the songs onto foolscap paper on my I arranged with Aunty Mae, granddad’s typewriter and pasted in strictest secrecy, to take us to them on cardboard backing so they the studio at the appointed time. wouldn’t rustle when we recorded. Carrying the cash box, music and Then I timed our singing and typed song sheets, we arrived at the messages to fit the disc. studio, which was up a steep flight of stairs above Hoyle’s Appliance shop. I rang a family friend and persuaded her to accompany us on The studio was in a large room the piano. We couldn’t practise with and had an upright piano and a her for fear of being found out, so I microphone in one corner and desk got my sister and brother together with a control panel on it in another and we worked out a routine. I then – quite unsophisticated by today’s standards. Whether playing or listening, music is still one of Patricia Scott’s greatest loves. We sang our first two songs a Patricia, who lives in Whangarei, couple of times so they could select New Zealand, also enjoys writing poetry the best version, but by the time we and short stories. got to the third song we were rather tired, so only recorded it once. readersdigest.com.au 13

READER’S DIGEST My brother, Alan, added syncopation, My parents had been secretly or accent beats, to Open Up Your warned by my aunt about our Heart and he whistled the last part escapade, and unbeknown to us, of The Ugly Duckling. Years later, we they were downstairs in Hoyle’s would remember his whistling as he Appliance shop buying the had learned to whistle like a canary. radiogram while we were upstairs We added the message which I had recording. They actually saw the composed at the beginning of the record roll out onto the street. first side and wished Many years later our parents a “Happy when my parents Christmas” on the divorced, the one second side. THE RECORD thing they haggled When the recording over was who should was finished, it was ROLLED OUT have custody of our put onto a vinyl disc, OF ITS JACKET recording. While labelled and placed in sorting out my a cardboard sleeve. AND ONTO mother’s house in Outside the studio THE ROAD Christchurch in 2001, door, on the small I came across the landing at the top cash box, the typed of the stairs, my sister argued with song sheet and the pieces of music me over who was going to carry the we had used, complete with my record home. I had been holding childish writing on the cover. it very carefully but she snatched it I’m so happy that she had saved from me and it rolled out of its jacket, them. The recording has become down the stairs, bouncing onto the even more poignant for us as we lost pavement and then onto the road. our brother at the age of 42. Sadly Gasp! Horror! too, the Hoyle’s Appliance shop Mercifully, it was undamaged. and Dunford Recordings studio Christmas Day came and are no longer in existence as the we excitedly gave our precious building was destroyed by the 2011 present to our parents. They were Christchurch earthquake. overwhelmed, but they also had a Our recording has become an echo surprise for us. In the corner of the and wonderful memory of the past. lounge we discovered a brand-new radiogram to play the record on. Do you have a tale to tell? We’ll pay It had never occurred to me that cash for any original and unpublished we might need such an apparatus story we print. See page 8 for details to play the disc. on how to contribute. 14 december 2021

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READER’S DIGEST SMART ANIMALS Emotional encounters with creatures large and small Elephant Reunion playmates. But, as Ramu grew older ILLUSTRATIONS: GETTY IMAGES and stronger it was time for him CHANDANA BASUMATARY to be reunited with his herd at the National Reserve Park. My niece When my niece, Keya, was two was incredibly sad to see him go. years old, her father worked as a senior forest official for the Indian Fast forward 15 years to March Forest Services in Assam. At the 2021 and my niece heard news of time there were devastating floods Ramu from her father, who was now and a baby elephant got caught in working for the Assam government’s a current and became separated wildlife conservation. from its mother. The baby elephant was brought to their house to You could earn cash by telling us recover and my niece named him about the antics of unique pets or Ramu. Over the next three years wildlife. Turn to page 8 for details my niece became very attached on how to contribute. to him and the two were great 16 december 2021

Smart Animals My niece was very keen to be reunited with her old friend – she had been told so many stories about him by her parents but wondered whether he would even remember her. When they met, Ramu sniffed Keya and after just a few minutes there was recognition and emotion in his eyes. Keya couldn’t help tearing up. She was overjoyed that Ramu recognised her. Animals don’t forget the kindness they receive from humans. Elephants, particularly, are intelligent creatures with acute memories and they do not shy away from expressing their emotions. Nesting Box In the following weeks three chicks hatched; she fed them with VIRGINIA DE VOS worms and other goodies such as flies, moths and other flying Our rural property in Kardella, insects. Victoria’s South Gippsland, had a large metal letterbox positioned About four weeks later her babes outside our gate, where the postman left the nest and I was able to delivered notices and unofficial mail reclaim my property and clean out on his daily round in a car, as we the letterbox. I was sad to see them collected our usual mail in town via leave, and don’t remember seeing a post office box. them again, although numerous swallows fly in and out of my In the spring of 2016, I noticed garage when the door is open. a swallow fly in and out of the letterbox with twigs in its beak. brought to you by Peering inside I saw that she was building a nest. A few weeks later www.houseofpets.com.au she had laid eggs and was sitting patiently on them. I tried opening the letterbox and her new-found home, which made the bird irate. So I gave her right-of- way and a peaceful stay. readersdigest.com.au 17

READER’S DIGEST PETS Popular Pet Myths Debunked Getting the facts straight on commonly held beliefs BY Dr Katrina Warren OLD WIVES’ TALES, MYTHS, AGE-OLD BELIEFS – call them what you will, there are plenty of misconceptions relating to dogs and cats. Over time, some aspects of pet behaviour became ingrained in our psyche as common knowledge, when in fact this ‘knowledge’ is often quite incorrect. Veterinarian Dr Katrina Warren shares her expertise to challenge some common pet myths. Our regular DOGS ONLY EAT GRASS WHEN THEY FEEL SICK pet columnist, Dr Katrina Warren, Dogs sometimes eat grass to induce vomiting when is an established they are feeling unwell. But there are other reasons and trusted why a dog will eat grass, such as increasing dietary animal expert. fibre, to fill a nutritional void, or even because they are bored. Some dogs may simply enjoy eating grass. It is not usually a problem if the grass is pesticide- and chemical-free. If your pet is consuming grass constantly, or you are worried about a change in their behaviour, please chat with your vet to rule out any underlying medical issues.  CATS ALWAYS LAND ON THEIR FEET Cats are indeed very good at landing on their feet, and this is because they have an inbuilt balancing system called the ‘righting reflex’. This reflex allows them to turn themselves around when falling from heights 18 december 2021

Pets PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES to land on their feet. They Fact: milk is not the healthiest also have a flexible spin that beverage for felines helps them turn quickly. But not all cats land on their such as dead animals or faeces, feet all the time – often so their mouth is far from clean. those that fall from lower Dog saliva may have some heights don’t have enough antibacterial properties that doesn’t time for their body to adjust. usually cause harm to humans. And just because cats land However dog saliva is best avoided on their feet doesn’t mean around open wounds as it can cause they are unharmed by the serious disease by transmitting experience. They can be Pasteurella bacteria. injured when they land. Falls can cause a broken jaw, as CATS NEED TO DRINK MILK We well as fractures and life- threatening internal injuries. often see images of cats drinking milk in cartoons, and it is true that DOGS AND CATS ONLY SEE IN many cats enjoy the taste of milk BLACK AND WHITE Veterinarians and will happily lap it up, but milk is not great for cats. This is because and scientists once thought that dogs many cats are intolerant to lactose, and cats could only see in black and so drinking milk can result in white. However, scientists have found diarrhoea. If you like to give your cat this is not true. Dogs and cats don’t milk, look for lactose-free cat milk see the full colour range that humans at your pet store or supermarket. see, instead they have a muted Remember, it should just be a treat perception of colour, similar to that and not part of their daily diet. of a colour-blind person. It is thought that our pets see shades of yellow and blue but not green and red. A DOG’S MOUTH IS CLEANER THAN OURS You can’t compare the mouth of a dog with ours, it’s like comparing apples with oranges. Both dog and human mouths are full of bacteria, but a dog’s mouth has a largely different array of bacteria to humans. Dogs can pick up and eat some really gross things, readersdigest.com.au 19

HEALTH Ankle Pain Here’s how to tell what’s hobbling you BY Jessica Migala Whether you’re potential reasons behind pain, PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES participating in sport stiffness or swelling. or just going about your day, you will no IT’S A SPRAIN Ankle sprains are the doubt be saddled with ankle pain at some time in your life. The ankle number one sports injury. When a absorbs a high level of force. Landing ligament in the ankle tears, that’s a in an unnatural position or landing sprain. If it’s a sprain, you may notice suddenly can put excessive strain on bruising and swelling and the spot the ankle joint. may be tender to the touch. Sprains can range from mild to significant, Not all ankle injuries require according to the American Academy medical care, but here are some of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). 20 december 2021

Health Treatment involves RICE (rest, ice, IT’S A FRACTURE No one wants to compression, elevation), and in severe cases, physical therapy or a brace. get the news that they have broken an ankle. But if your pain kicks in IT’S A STRAIN While a sprain after a fall or you hit your ankle on something – and you have swelling may affect the ligament, a strain is and discomfort that won’t go away – when the muscle tears, explains the you could have a fracture. See your National Athletic Trainers Association doctor as you may need an X-ray. In (NATA). It may also be a stretch in some cases, you may have to wear a the muscle or tendon. Telling a strain boot or cast to protect the bones and apart from a sprain can be tough. let them heal. Consider what other symptoms you’re feeling. Along with ankle pain, IT’S A STRESS FRACTURE you may also feel muscle spasms, weakness, swelling and cramping, Many athletes are accustomed to says the AAOS. Practice RICE at home the discomfort of training – but they to treat a strain. still need to listen to their body, says Dr Parekh. It isn’t until they notice IT’S AN INJURY SOMEWHERE ELSE swelling that they go to get an MRI, only to be diagnosed with a hairline While it’s common to assume ankle crack in an ankle bone known as a pain means an ankle injury, it may stress fracture. A stress fracture is an actually be a problem up the chain, overuse injury caused by repetitive says foot and ankle orthopaedic movements. surgeon Dr Selene Parekh. For instance, an irritated nerve in your IT’S ARTHRITIS With chronic back or knee can show up as pain with numbness and tingling in your ankle. conditions like arthritis, the entire joint will be in pain, says Dr Parekh. YOUR FOOT’S THE CAUSE Because Arthritis commonly afflicts foot and ankle joints, and along with pain, you your ankle sits just above your foot, may also experience stiffness. it makes sense that it can also be the source of ankle pain. “Having IT’S OSTEOARTHRITIS A form of really high arches can change the mechanics in your foot, leading arthritis, osteoarthritis means you to changes in the mechanics in have damage to the cushiony cartilage the ankle,” says Dr Parekh. Being in the joint. With bone rubbing on extremely flat-footed can do it, too. bone, the pain can become worse Custom orthotics or a change in over time. Lifestyle changes like footwear may help, he says. exercise and losing excess weight can help take stress off the joints. readersdigest.com.au 21

READER’S DIGEST HEALTH 5 the sulphur compounds that are PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES; 1801 HOME REMEDIES IS PUBLISHED BY READER’S DIGEST © 2007 responsible for breath odour. Or use a Bad Breath toothpaste that contains tea-tree oil, a Fixes natural disinfectant. Avoid the embarrassment PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR of bad breath over the TONGUE Vigorously scrape your holiday season tongue over your teeth. Your tongue FROM 1801 HOME REMEDIES can become coated with bacteria that ferment proteins, producing gases CHEW ON THIS When out at a that smell bad. Scraping your tongue can dislodge these bacteria so you cafe or restaurant, munch on the can rinse them away. sprig of parsley left on your plate at the end of the meal. Parsley is DON’T SKIP MEALS When you rich in chlorophyll, a known breath deodoriser with germ-fighting don’t eat for a long period of time, qualities. If there’s no parsley, eat your mouth can get very dry. It an orange. The citric acid it contains becomes a perfect breeding ground will stimulate your salivary glands for bacteria. and encourage the flow of breath- freshening saliva. CHECK YOUR BREATH YOURSELF GO NATURAL Breath-fresheners, like Just how bad is your breath? To find out, cup your hands over your mints and sprays, are rarely effective mouth, exhale heartily, and take a in the long run. Instead, try using whiff. If your breath smells bad to a mouthwash containing chlorine you, it smells bad to others too. You dioxide (a gas used in small amounts can also perform the ‘sniff test’ on to purify water). This can dismantle dental floss after you pull it gently between your teeth. 22 december 2021



READER’S DIGEST News From the WORLD OF MEDICINE THE BENEFIT OF SHORT better verbal fluency compared to PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES BURSTS OF EXERCISE non-singers. This makes sense, since it’s a hobby that requires attention, Health experts used to say you versatile information processing, needed to exercise for at least linguistic output, learning and ten minutes at a time to gain memory. any benefits, but evidence has accumulated that anything is better PARKINSON’S PATIENTS than nothing. That’s why the WHO’s SHOULD HIT THE LINKS Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour no longer Exercise is one of the most recommends a minimum duration powerful treatments for people for an exercise session. with Parkinson’s disease, but many patients lack the motivation. In an Meanwhile, scientists have adopted effort to identify a physical activity the term ‘exercise snack’ to refer to that’s beneficial, research presented at bursts of physical activity that take the American Academy of Neurology little time. Examples include a few compared tai chi – which is known to push-ups, 60 seconds on an exercise greatly improve balance and prevent bike, or a jog up a flight of stairs. falls – to golf, a favourite sport of It’s still ideal to get longer exercise many people over 55. Within ten sessions regularly, but you’ll benefit from any amount that you can weeks, the Parkinson’s patients fit into your day. assigned to playing golf saw   their balance and walking ability improve. Just CHOIR SINGING as importantly, 86 BOOSTS THE BRAIN per cent of golfers said they were Lifting your voice in “definitely” likely to a choir has cognitive continue the activity benefits, according after the study’s end, to a Finnish study compared to 33 per published in Plos cent of the tai chi group. One. The study found that elderly singers had 24 december 2021

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The Mystery Of Australia’s Orcas Scepticism over his claims that killer whales inhabited the Southern Ocean motivated Dave Riggs to keep searching. His discovery shocked everyone BY David Levell PHOTOS BY Keith Lightbody for Naturaliste Charters readersdigest.com.au 27

READER’S DIGEST arine filmmaker Dave Riggs was on one of his regular jobs in February, 2006 – wildlife spotting for an annual bluefin tuna research expedition in the Southern MOcean. Departing Esperance, Western Australia, at 5am, the boat was steaming through typically rough summer waters for four hours when around mid-morning, at the edge of the continental shelf – almost 40 kilometres offshore, where the ocean plunges from 100 to 800 metres in depth – he saw it. Keeping a close watch on the tuna The occasional orcas weren’t the lures trailing from the stern, Dave only oddities Dave encountered. He suddenly caught movement from the always saw more wildlife, especial- corner of his eye. He swung around ly wandering albatross (later found as a huge black dorsal fin briefly rose to be indicative of an orca presence) into sight, carving through the swells around Bremer Canyon than any- about 30 metres from the boat. where else the tuna survey passed on its 2000-kilometre oceanic circuit be- “What the hell was that?” he said to tween Esperance and Albany. Then himself, but he already knew. It wasn’t there was the smell; organic and rich, a swooping shearwater, whose wing- like fresh compost, often detected in spans can be deceptively fin-like. It the same vicinity. It was an earthy was a killer whale, or orca, a very rare smell, but also weird and unfamiliar. sight off the Australian coast. Sometimes Dave saw a turbulence Yet this was to be just the first of in the distance, like a furious splash- the orca sightings Dave would ex- ing underneath big dark clouds, which perience during his tuna trips in the he took for flocking seabirds. But the next few years. He always saw them tuna scientists weren’t interested. around Bremer Canyon, 70  kilo- metres off Bremer Bay (a coastal vil- ‘No, that’s not splashing or birds,’ lage 180 kilometres east of Albany the skipper would say dismissively. at the bottom of Western Australia). ‘It’s just raincloud on the horizon.’ One of many deep submarine can- yons along the Southern Ocean’s con- Four seasons of strange phenom- tinental shelf edge, it wasn’t known ena continued until 2010, when an for anything remarkable. But that oil exploration prevented the tuna was about to change. survey crossing Bremer Canyon that year. Seeking corroboration of what 28 december 2021

Dave Riggs found what he thought was a killer whale habitat 70 kilometres off the coast of Western Australia, but no one believed him PHOTO: BELLA BUSHELL he’d seen there, Dave obtained the sperm whales had drawn them. Ear- oil venture’s wildlife survey results. ly in 2004, one tag washed ashore They matched his own observations at Bremer Bay – an amazing coinci- – more life around Bremer Canyon dence, as its carrier, ‘Shark Alpha’, had than anywhere else – plus confirma- travelled some 2000 kilometres north tion that methane was leaking from to Ningaloo Reef and back again. its seaf loor, and it was potentially very rich in commercial quantities The tag’s condition and data in- of oil and natural gas. dicated something had eaten Shark Alpha, then excreted or regurgitated As Alice said in Wonderland, things the tag. A high-speed underwater became “curiouser and curiouser”. chase had occurred shortly before- hand, but what could catch and de- Dave added another piece to the vour a 3.2-metre great white shark? puzzle when he recalled an incident years before, something he’d long put Shark Alpha’s fate loomed in Dave’s aside as just another mystery of the mind as more evidence for his grow- sea. In late 2003 he was document- ing suspicion that Bremer Canyon was ing the tagging of great white sharks incredibly special, a sea-life ‘hotspot’ at Bremer Bay, where nine stranded with resident orcas. It seemed almost readersdigest.com.au 29

READER’S DIGEST A race against time: Dave wanted to prove the orcas’ existence before an oil and gas venture started drilling too astonishing to believe. No fixed its existence could be proven. orca habitats were known in Austral- Putting his film-making skills to ian waters, and Bremer Canyon was crossed by an international shipping good use, Dave approached ABC-TV channel. Dave wondered, how could with a documentary proposal: What such large, air-breathing animals have killed Shark Alpha? A giant squid? escaped notice until now? (Orcas reg- Another great white? An undiscov- ularly surface for air and are, on aver- ered species? Or, as he speculated, a age, seven metres in length.) killer whale? He had an idea to help solve the The ABC jumped at the chance. mystery – and more importantly, help Filming at Bremer Canyon was ar- save Bremer Canyon from industrial ranged for January 2013. The boat exploitation. The oil and gas venture set off from Esperance at 7pm one planned to sink an exploratory well, evening for an overnight trip to the which would devastate the surround- site. Rough, three-metre swells, ing ecosystem. If it really was a ma- raised by a strong southerly wind, rine life hotspot, drilling would wipe meant that no one got any sleep. out a unique natural treasure before By dawn, they were about 50 kilo- metres east of the suspected hotspot. 30 december 2021

The Mystery Of Australia’s Orcas The boat slowed down so they could from the stress of the trip) plummet keep watch. By 6am the vessel was at the overwhelming sight. The deck zig-zagging along the deepwater can- filled as everyone scrambled from yons of the shelf’s edge. Everyone was below, shouting with excitement. on deck – anticipating, hoping, cam- Marine scientist Michelle Blewitt eras ready. began crying with emotion as the sea The sea showed nothing. No birds, around them churned with frolicking no visible signs of life. Dave began orcas. They were curious about the to wonder if he’d imagined it all. boat and in a playful mood. The frustrated, sleep-deprived crew Dave heard it over and over again: began to turn on him, some openly “My God, you were right!” making fun. “You’re screwed,” one They spent the next three weeks said. “This is the last time you’ll ever filming at Bremer Canyon. Dave com- work in the film industry.” pared photos of orcas taken during Everyone else on the boat had given tuna surveys with the ones they were up. One scientist assured him if orcas filming and recognised the same really did frequent this busy shipping whales. It was the best evidence yet of lane, someone must have noticed long a fixed habitat. before now. More than 200 A couple of hours Suddenly, a shiny killer whales have later only three of since been iden- the dozen aboard black-and-white tified as seasonal – Dave, the skip- bulk flashed into residents of Bremer per and a camer- view. Then another, Canyon. Today it is aman – remained the largest known on deck. They got and another orca aggregation within 500 metres spot in the south- of their target, and ern hemisphere. still nothing. The turbulence on cloudy horizons Dave was filled with despair, when Dave reported on the survey trips was suddenly a shiny black-and-white explained at last. It was orcas hunting bulk flashed into view. Then anoth- in packs, with scavenging seabirds er, and another. An entire pod was flocking overhead. The ABC crew was charging through the swells towards now in the middle of that turbulence, them. The choppy surface was alive filming at Bremer Canyon for the first with orcas – at least 60. Everywhere time. Crews from passing ships had he looked there were orcas! probably seen similar orca activity Thrilled as he was, Dave felt his many times over the years without heart-rate (which had been racing ever suspecting what it was. readersdigest.com.au 31

READER’S DIGEST The Search For The Ocean’s Super Marine Park was created, preserv- Predator screened in November 2013, ing 4472 square kilometres of ocean causing a sensation. Its conclusion, around the orca habitat. that Shark Alpha was most likely taken by a larger great white, was overshad- Science and tourism continue side- owed by the amazing revelation of the by-side as Bremer’s reputation grows. orca habitat. Dave was deluged with Orcas are seen there almost daily from enquiries from people keen to visit the January to mid-April. Seabirds, pilot site – scientists and tourists alike. whales and beaked whales abound at the surface, while below lurk sword- The first outing took place the fish, sharks and ten-metre giant squid. following summer, in January 2014, Orcas have even been filmed attacking thanks to a loaned fisheries patrol a blue whale – the largest creature on boat and a crowd-funding campaign. Earth, now extremely rare – on three occasions at the hotspot. A month later, another boatload witnessed the first documented pre- Exactly why Bremer Canyon is a dation of beaked whales by orcas in hotspot remains unproven. Nutri- Australian waters. Another mystery ent-rich water forced upwards from was solved: the weird, earthy odour lower depths is a factor, but its causes was the smell of dying beaked whales, are uncertain. Dave suspects the site now known as a sure sign of the pres- might have a deepwater ‘cold seep’ ence of hunting orcas. reef, where leaking methane combines with water to form ice-like structures. By pure coincidence, Paul Cross, This attracts shelter-seeking crusta- owner of Naturaliste Charters ceans, and with them a food chain of whale-watching business, was predators all the way up to orcas. aboard. Astounded, he offered to join forces with Dave on regular tours to Dave still wonders how the orcas the 20-square-kilometre hotspot at went unnoticed for so long, and he Bremer and adjacent Hood Canyons. marvels at the good fortune leading to their discovery and protection at the However, the threat of oil wells very moment their Australian home still loomed, and four years of lobby- faced destruction by drilling. “It was ing for the site’s protection followed. like they wanted to be recognised, Luckily the oil and gas prospec- wanted to be known,” he muses. tors withdrew, and in 2018 Bremer Prehistoric Penguins In 2006, some schoolchildren discovered a fossil on New Zealand’s North Island. Now, 15 years later, it has been identified as a species of long-legged giant penguin dating back to the dinosaur era. STUFF.CO.NZ 32 december 2021

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READER’S DIGEST BROTHER ACT To secure the future of his hugely successful Jack Reacher PHOTOGRAPHED BY TASHA ALEXANDER Siblings crime series, writer Lee Child Andrew turned to his brother, Andrew (foreground) and Lee Child BY Melanie Egan W ith an estimated worth of over a billion dollars, the Jack Reacher thriller series commands enor- mous reader loyalty. So, the an- nouncement two years ago that author Lee Child, now 67, would partner with younger brother Andrew Grant on the next few books before retiring, had booksellers looking anxiously at their bottom lines. Every year for 24 years, the Jack Reacher series has delivered like a lavish Santa Claus, with Bad 34 december 2021

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW readersdigest.com.au 35

READER’S DIGEST Luck and Trouble, Persuader and One into,” he says in an exclusive interview Shot each topping the bestseller lists. with Reader’s Digest. Equally, the series’ devoted inter- The Reacher series has sold over 100 national readership expressed hope million copies, there have been two that the character of Jack Reacher, a movies and an Amazon streaming TV hard-hitting itinerant investigator, series is in the works. Reacher’s love of wouldn’t disappear into the wilder- coffee has even led to a roaster brand ness of small-town America, never to being named after him. be seen again. But no brand is anything without “I love my readers and know they its adherents, and in this case, read- want many, many more Reacher sto- ers live and breathe Reacher or “the ries in the future,” Lee said at the time. big guy”, as Lee fondly calls his fic- “I would love to make that promise, tional hero. but realistically I’m ageing out of be- Lee tells the stor y of an elder- ing able to keep it.” “WE BOTH LIKE ly woman his ac- The next best al- TO BE IN CHARGE countant met in an airport bookshop ternative was to turn SO WE DIDN’T who was adamant to his “baby brother” KNOW HOW IT Reacher was a real Andrew Grant, now WOULD PAN OUT” person who hitch- 53, who has written hiked across the US, nine well-received spreading mayhem detective and thrill- and taking care of er novels. Lee, born James Grant, adopt- problems in equal ed the pen name of Lee Child when measure. “Jack Reacher tells his sto- he started writing. Andrew will take ries to Lee Child and he writes them on the name of Andrew Child for the down,” she said firmly. partnership. At one level, her belief might be the BIG SHOES TO FILL case. When Lee starts his novels, he doesn’t have a plot or synopsis, and With two books now behind them, The often figures out the mystery when Sentinel (2020) and Better Off Dead Reacher does. (2021), the Child brothers are hitting Andrew found his brother’s writing their stride. methods challenging. “He’s famous Stepping into Lee’s, and by exten- for never planning,” he explains. “It sion, the shoes of 1.96-metre-tall Jack was unnerving, like walking across a Reacher, has been demanding for An- tightrope without a balancing tool.” drew. “I don’t think I could have cho- Although not a writer who meticu- sen or found any bigger shoes to step lously plots out every scene, Andrew 36 december 2021

Brother Act likes to know where he is go- ing. “We’d get to the end of a scene or a passage and I’d ask, ‘What happens next?’ Lee would reply, ‘Well, I don’t know.’” This element of surprise and divergence from the pre- dictable comes across in the novels. “It’s a confidence that if you don’t have a safety net, you have to believe that you’re heading in the right direc- tion,” says Andrew. WORKING TOGETHER PHOTO: COURTESY OF LEE CHILD Knowing that Lee Child’s huge Although separated by 14 years, the fan audience was waiting to brothers felt an affinity from the start see what they were capable of, and Lee’s “unscripted, un- as a Reacher writer,” says Lee. “But se- charted, unplanned” meth- cretly I feel worried that he’s going to ods, were the two hardest be better at it than I am.” things Andrew found working on The Sentinel. Self-doubt also kept Andrew up at night. As a writer, he says, you have The brothers wrote it in the initial to learn to tune out the voice at the stages of the pandemic. Based in dif- back of your mind saying, “Oh, it’s no ferent places, they thrashed out how good, no one will like it, your editor to write together – because neither will hate it.” had worked with anyone before. The spectre of the readership wait- “We’re not the best at playing well ing for the next Reacher novel cranked with others,” Andrew says. “We both up his fears another notch. like to be in charge so we really didn’t know how the collaboration was going “There’s a lot of self-discipline in- to pan out.” volved in focusing entirely on doing the job and not second-guessing or Lee agrees that working well togeth- psyching yourself out.” er was by no means guaranteed. They both had private worries. “Secretly, I think Andrew believes that he’s got to work very hard to justify his position readersdigest.com.au 37

READER’S DIGEST Once their first collaboration had the British forces that had liberated been published and received with Bergen-Belsen concentration camp acclaim, Andrew felt more comforta- in Germany in 1945. His mother, ble writing their second novel, Better Audrey, showed him little affection. Off Dead. He could concentrate on “I was totally unwanted,” he has been honing his writing style. “For nine quoted as saying. books, I tried very hard not to sound anything like my brother in case Elsewhere, in his authorised biog- anyone said I was copying him,” he raphy, The Reacher Guy by Heather says. “All of a sudden, I had to do a Martin, Lee says of his parents: “They 180-degree turn and write in a way had hard lives, and they did the best that sounded like him.” they could, probably. They did pretty well in difficult circumstances.” The brothers made a pact not to reveal who wrote the various parts What his parents definitely did, of the books. A very different kind however, was awaken in him a love of pact, their first, was made when of reading. Teaching himself to read Andrew was just five and Lee was 19. at a young age, he read voraciously, whatever he could lay his hands on at FAMILY DYNAMICS his local library, as well as his grand- mother’s Reader’s Digests. With an age gap of 14 years, Andrew was quite young when Lee left home. W hen he was four, Lee’s fami- Like Lee, Andrew chafed against his ly moved to Birmingham. Heavily parents. He felt like a fish out of water bombed during World War II, Bir- in the family. “But I could look at Lee, mingham in the 1950s and 1960s was who was doing his own thing, and a bleak and racially divided place. A see that there was a way forward.” young Lee played football among the rubble of old bomb sites. The birth of his younger broth- er came as a relief to Lee, too, who It is little wonder that he wanted had sometimes wondered if he was a to escape, perhaps to the wide, open “changeling”, because he felt so dis- plains of America. Today Lee owns tant from his family. a sprawling ranch in Wyoming. Andrew has one close by. Born James Dover Grant in Coven- try, UK, in 1954, Lee was the second It was in Birmingham, too, that Lee oldest of four boys. Andrew was the learnt to fight with his strong fists youngest. and strategic ploys. Towering over his schoolmates, Lee offered protection By his own account, Lee did not and endangerment – something that get on well with his late parents. fans will recognise in Reacher. His disciplinarian father, Rex, was a civil servant who had been among After attending the prestigious King Edward’s School, Lee went to 38 december 2021

Brother Act Sheffield University, where he stud- Reacher, who doesn’t go looking for ied law, although he never practised, trouble, but it nonetheless finds him. mov ing instead into drama and “No, I’m a man with a rule. People television. leave me alone, I leave them alone. If SIBLING BOND they don’t, I don’t,” Reacher says in Nothing to Lose. Andrew has a vivid memory of Lee The partnership has been made comforting him after he had been easier because the brothers think yelled at by his parents for some rea- and act in a similar way – same DNA, son or other – and then telling him same upbringing, went to the same they needed to make a pact to look university and support the same UK after each other. “We will always have football team, Aston Villa. “We both each other’s backs,” Lee reassured the get it,” Lee says. upset five year old. The fact that he was the very first Meanwhile, Lee “STORYTELLING... Jack Reacher fan tells “a horrendous HELPS US OUTWIT makes Andrew very story” of going for a proud. Lee sent him walk with Andrew OUR ENEMIES the draft of his first when he was still AND GIVE novel, Killing Floor, tiny. to see if it was “any US COURAGE” good”. Andrew was “A head of me I terrified picking it saw this neighbour- up. There was a lot hood bully who had been picking fights on the line. with me since primary school.” Lee Lee had been retrenched from thought, This is going to be bad, and Granada Television where he had told Andrew to “look at that dog in worked for 18 years, and needed to the garden”. Andrew toddled off, try- make an income. “Brother to broth- ing to find the dog. Then Lee hit the er, if I had had to phone Lee and say, bully, knocking him down. ‘Listen, I’m really sorr y but your “Andrew came back and said, ‘I book is terrible,’ it would have been can’t see a dog’,” and they calmly a horrible conversation.” walked on. Lee felt bad about it af- Fortunately, Killing Floor, which terwards, because although it may was published in 1997, wasn’t ter- have been necessary to protect rible, winning both the Anthony himself and Andrew, “it wasn’t very Award and the Barry Award for Best civilised”. First Novel. And Andrew became As he tells this story during our like every other Jack Reacher fan – interview, I am reminded of Jack “eagerly waiting for the next one”. readersdigest.com.au 39

READER’S DIGEST Actor Alan Ritchson plays Jack Reacher be viewed as a ‘knight errant’, who PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES in Amazon’s new streaming series breaks away from the world of his origin to go off on his own to right ROUGH JUSTICE wrongs. Andrew will continue Lee’s tradition “Storytelling is essential to our sur- of starting to write each new novel on vival as a human race,” writes Lee in September 1, the date Lee sharpened The Hero, his non-fiction book on the a set of pencils and wrote the first creation of stories and why human- paragraph of Killing Floor. kind needs heroes. “It helps us outwit our enemies and give us courage.” Reacher, a former US major and a dispenser of rough justice, doesn’t The purpose of fiction, he tells me, play by the rules. One reason Reach- is to give people what they don’t get er is so popular, Lee says, is that al- in real life. According to Lee, peo- though he’s not a goody-goody by any ple need an antidote to “a constant means, “he’s fair, he’s honest and he real-world buzz of low-level frus- will do the right thing”. tration. If their car is stolen, they’ll never get it back,” he says. “If their He sees his character as fitting into house is burgled, they’ll never see a long line of narrative folk heroes. In their stuff again, and the police will storytelling tradition, Reacher can never catch the burglars. But they will in a book.” In The Sentinel, the brothers placed Reacher in an environment where he was challenged techno- logically, taken out of his natural element, and propelled into a world of high-tech crime. For Andrew, who worked in tele- communications for 15 years before writing his first novel, Even, pub- lished in 2009, it was familiar terri- tory. Although they started writing the book in 2019, its themes of cy- bercrime, ransomware and election fraud have become highly topical. “Every day there’s a new story in the press about some website or school or hospital that’s been hit by ransom- ware,” says Andrew. The storyline of 40 december 2021

Brother Act Better Off Dead is closer to the Reach- departure for the Booker Prize Foun- er his fans know and love, and finds dation, with their judges usually from him in an adrenaline-fuelled adven- scholarly or literary backgrounds. Lee ture in a small Arizona town close to and his fellow judges committed to the US/Mexican border. reading every word of the 162 book THE NEXT CHAPTER submissions – an undertaking he thor- oughly enjoyed. As Andrew starts to do more of the Currently he is an executive produc- heavy lifting, Lee is looking forward er on the new Jack Reacher streaming to retirement – which he says is a series, with the first seven episodes valuable period of life. “People ask if launching in the new year. Alan I am happy now that I have retired? Ritchson, who starred in the DC TV The truth is, I retired because now series Titans, is taking over the part I am happy. The times I grew up in, previously played by Tom Cruise in and the place and my family, all left the films. As TV is not as star-driven me with an implacable horror of being as movies, they were able to find the mediocre. Finally, after all these years, right actor who could not only per- I have grown to accept I escaped that form, “but look the part!” says Lee. fate,” he says in The Reacher Guy. This was important after Reacher fans Certainly, he has a lot to feel sat- weren’t happy to see their hero being isfied about. Frequently topping the played by the 1.7-metre-tall Cruise. prestigious New York Times bestseller Heading into the next chapter of his list, Lee has two honorary doctorates life, Lee plans to read – and read. “I’ve for literature and various done a lot of travelling as lifetime achievement part of my job so I’m not awards, including: author going to travel, except in of the year in the 2019 my head,” he says. “I’m go- British Book Awards and ing to lie on my sofa, where PHOTO: COURTESY OF BANTAM PRESS being appointed Com- I can be anywhere thanks mander of the Order of to all these authors.” the British Empire (CBE) As for the new Reacher in the 2019 Queen’s Birth- books? “I’m really looking day Honours List. forward to them. I hope He was also invited to that Andrew is better serve on the 2020 Book- than me, and that the er Prize judging panel. BETTER OFF DEAD books carry on for ages, The selection of such a BY LEE CHILD AND because it means that I’ve commercially success- ANDREW CHILD © 2021 got something good to ful author as Child was a IS PUBLISHED BY BANTAM read.” PRESS. AVAILABLE NOW. readersdigest.com.au 41

42 december 2021 ILLUSTRATION: GETTY IMAGES

HEALTH THAT GUT FEELING Most of us are aware that the gut plays a major role in our overall wellbeing. CSIRO food scientists explain just how important it is – at every stage of life FRO M THE BOOK T H E C S I R O G U T C A R E G U I D E Over the years, we’ve come with many essential micronutrients, to understand more about and generate many other compounds, the gut and, in particular, including short-chain fatty acids. about the huge collection of bacteria – the gut mi- As we’ve unravelled the interactions crobiome – that it sustains. The gut between our gut microbiome and our microbiome helps develop and main- immune system, we’ve learnt that this tain a healthy metabolism, a healthy all starts at birth, when microbial col- brain and a healthy immune system. onisation of the gut occurs. This early We now also know that a major piece microbiome has a role in shaping the in the gut health puzzle is fibre. development of a person’s immune system. Eating the right types of foods Most of the gut microbes in our GI for feeding the gut microbiome during tract can be found within the large infancy has been shown to have life- intestine. They help provide the body long benefits to the immune system. readersdigest.com.au 43

READER’S DIGEST By the age of about two-and-a-half available as a food source for the gut to four years, the gut microbiome has microbiome populations contained fully developed. The make-up of the in the large intestine. microbiome population of an indi- Of the nutrients we consume, vidual then remains relatively stable fibre has the biggest influence on the throughout adulthood, although sig- gut microbiome. A diverse range of nificant alterations can occur. There dietary fibres creates a diverse and are also gradual shifts as we age. more resilient gut microbiome, lead- An imbalance in our gut microbi- ing to good gut health by building ome can be brought on by poor diet an environment less favourable to and lifestyle choices over the long the growth of potentially harmful term, including a diet low in dietary microbes. Diverse dietary fibres also fibre and high in processed foods. It enhance the immune system and may contribute to the development promote healthy functioning of the of disease, including type 2 diabetes. tissues and gut barrier. Individual differences in the com- A healthy gut environment is as- position of our gut microbiome may sociated with a decreased risk of a affect how the body reacts to some range of diseases, including bowel dietary components and may also cancer, type 2 diabetes and obesity. predispose some people to particu- Fibres are generally classified as lar diseases. Advances in analysing soluble or insoluble (see page on the our microbiome may help right). Resistant starch is deepen our understanding also important for sup- of its role in our health and porting a healthy gut mi- wellbeing, and allow us to crobiome. personalise diets. FIBRE DIVERSITY FIBRE IS ESSENTIAL Since the various types of Dietary fibre consists of fibres vary in their capacity a diverse group of mostly to promote gut health and plant-based complex car- function, the best option is bohydrates that are not to consume a wide variety digested – that is, they are of wholefoods that are as not broken down by the FROM THE CSIRO close to their natural state enzymes in the upper gas- GUT CARE GUIDE BY as possible. This ensures DR MICHAEL CONLON, trointestinal tract. PENNIE TAYLOR, that a diverse range of ben- Since dietary fibres DR CUONG TRAN AND eficial gut microbial spe- cies can thrive and thereby are not digested in the MEGAN REBULI. promote gut health. small intestine, they are © 2021. PUBLISHED BY MACMILLAN AUSTRALIA. AVAILABLE NOW. 44 december 2021

That Gut Feeling TYPES OF DIETARY FIBRE PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Resistant starch Insoluble fibres, Soluble fibres dissolve resists digestion in the previously called in water to form viscous small intestine, passing roughage, account for gels that slow the through to the large about 70 per cent of most passage of ingested food intestine, where it is used plant food fibre. They tend through the upper GI by the gut microbiome. to be slowly and tract. Soluble fibres are Although resistant starch incompletely fermented also rapidly fermented in is an insoluble fibre, it is by the gut, commonly the large intestine, extensively fermented by increasing stool bulk. making them a good the gut microbiome. It is Some insoluble fibres are source of fuel for your gut available in starchy foods, fermented, increasing bacteria. often in small amounts, beneficial bacteria. and its structure can PROPERTIES: change during food PROPERTIES: • Lower cholesterol cooking and cooling. • Attract and retain water, • Slow digestion, which increasing food volume; helps control hunger and PROPERTIES: creating a sense of fullness increases the body’s • Encourage the growth of to control appetite ability to absorb beneficial bacteria • Assist in propelling food beneficial nutrients • Lower cholesterol, along the GI tract • Support the growth and assisting with blood • Increase stool bulk and activity of good bacteria. glucose control. aid in laxation. BEST SOURCES: BEST SOURCES: BEST SOURCES: • Nuts, seeds and • Legumes, ie chickpeas • Chickpeas, lentils legumes • Grains, such as rye, oats • Wholegrain cereals, • Oats, barley and and barley breads and pasta psyllium husk • Under-ripe bananas • Nuts and seeds • Fruit, ie apples, mango, • Cooked and cooled • Fruit, such as unpeeled pears, oranges, prunes starchy foods, such as pears and apples • Vegetables, ie Brussels potatoes, sweet potatoes, • Vegetables, ie green sprouts, eggplant, broad rice, pasta and beans. beans, spinach, cabbage. beans, parsnips, onion. readersdigest.com.au 45

READER’S DIGEST THE BEST TUNA SALAD SERVES: 4 Method RECIPE AND PHOTO: THE CSIRO GUT CARE GUIDE, PUBLISHED BY MACMILLAN AUSTRALIA PREP: 15 MINS Heat a large frying pan over medium heat, add the poppy seeds and sunflower seeds and toast, COOK: 5 MINS tossing, for 3-4 minutes until the sunflower seeds are golden. TOTAL FIBRE: 8 G Using a mortar and pestle, grind seeds until they FIBRE RATING: ✰✰ resemble a coarse almond meal. Set aside. (GOOD SOURCE) To make the dressing, place all dressing ingredients RESISTANT STARCH: √ in a jar with freshly ground black pepper and shake to combine. Ingredients Combine the lettuce, cucumber, snow peas, feta, • 1 tbsp poppy seeds avocado and coriander in a large bowl. Pour over • 2 tbsp sunflower seeds the dressing and toss to coat. • 1 small iceberg lettuce, Divide the rice evenly among four bowls, add the shredded salad and gently combine. Flake the tuna over the top and finish with the toasted seed mixture. • 2 Lebanese cucumbers, Tips halved lengthways, thinly sliced This recipe is a delicious way to use up any leftover cooked rice, a great source of resistant starch. • 150 g snow peas, To prep ahead, you can store the salad in the fridge trimmed for 3-4 days. Keep the dressing, tuna, rice and toasted seeds separate and add just before serving. • 80 g reduced-fat feta, crumbled • 1 small avocado, diced • 2 cups coriander leaves • 2 cups (370 g) cooked white or brown rice • 380 g tinned tuna in spring water, drained Dressing • Juice of 1 lemon • 1 tbls whole-egg mayonnaise • 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil 46 december 2021

FODMAP Download a FREE copy of I Just Feel Better cookbook kfibre.com/healthy-gut-recipes

READER’S DIGEST LIFE’S LIKE THAT Seeing The Funny Side “I’ve got about 20 pages of questionable CARTOON: DREW PANCKERI/CARTOONSTOCK.COM; ILLUSTRATIONS:GETTY IMAGES Internet comments here.” Blast From The Past Don’t Interrupt, Please I loved the dress that I bought at a I went to the cinema with my mother flea market. It fitted perfectly, and and her friend, which was a mistake the skirt was a swirl of intricate because they kept chatting to each pleats. I wore it confidently to an other during the film. The man evening party and glowed when behind us so got fed up he said, a woman exclaimed, “Oh, how “Excuse me, I can’t hear a word.” stunning!” Mum looked at him crossly and Yes, I was grinning from ear to replied, “I should hope not. This is a ear, until she added cheerfully, private conversation.” “Hang on to it, darling. Pleats will come back some day.” It’s a good job it was dark – my face was red with embarrassment. SUBMITTED BY MARY LOU WICKHAM SUBMITTED BY KIM YETTON 48 december 2021