Did a Book Make You Go Veg?

First of all, I’ll acknowledge that a book cannot make you do anything. Whether it’s the Bible, The Anarchist Cookbook, or anything from Oprha’s book club, a book cannot hold you and knife point and make you, say, lose ten pounds or create a more meaningful life. It can, however, help you to change your own life. After all, if we weren’t inspired so much by books, they would have died out long ago; with the rise of technology they’ve certainly been given ample opportunity.

Many people cite books when asked why they went vegetarian. I’ll admit that reading Animal Liberation by Peter Singer largely influenced my own decision to stop eating meat in college. A lot of the suffering that animals undergo is simply not on our radar until it’s been pointed out to us. It’s like a phrase I learned in a social justice class in college: “When you’re privileged, you just don’t see it.” The phrase was meant for how white people often don’t see injustices present within other cultures and colors—but it holds true with this situation as well. When you’re privileged enough to not be on the menu, you don’t see the suffering.

With Alicia Silverstone’s The Kind Diet making its debut, more people will certainly be exposed to the reasons behind going veg—as well as the benefits. Other popular, influential books that have shown people the veggie light include:

Slaughterhouse: The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect and Inhumane Treatment Inside the U.S. Meat Industry: Besides having a title that’s a mouthful to say, this book discusses how current regulations for slaughtering meat are inhumane and cruel.

Skinny Bitch: This popular book about healthy eating also tackles the benefits of going vegetarian and vegan. Its authors expressively promote these lifestyles in the book as well.

Good News for All Creation: This book is credited with being behind a lot of Christians turning to vegetarianism.

Eat Right, Live Longer: Vegetarians who made the choice on health reasons rather than for the sake of animals often turn to this book, written by a doctor, which explains how weight loss, disease prevention, bone strength and many other health benefits can arise from a vegetarian lifestyle.

Did a book inspire you to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle—or any other type of lifestyle? If so, what was the title—and why was it so moving? Share your experiences in the space below.