Eating Animals

It's been almost two years since my husband and I agreed our family was going vegetarian. The decision wasn't met with resistance by our sons and though there have been times we've had to fend for ourselves before or after an affair that will serve (meat) food, it's worked out ok. Then this summer we were at a cookout and someone slipped my oldest a brat and he ate it. I tried not to get upset, at least not at my son. He's in middle school now and I believe he needs to make his own choices, even if they will be different than my own values. But I also don't think he can make a decision without the facts. There are plenty of books out there I could have given him, many slanted towards vegetarianism, but I wanted something more objective. I gave him Jonathan Safran Foer's Eating Animals and had him read the first two chapters. He said he found it interesting, then didn't pick it up again, nor did he pronounce he wants to eat meat again. His vague reaction to the book made me pick it up myself again.

Full disclosure: I am in love with this book. I've read it two or three times before this last reading (and it's only a few years old). I will likely continue reading it at least once a year as I don't think I can get enough of it. It's an interesting format--part memoir, part journalism. I hate the title though and worry that people will not pick it up because of the title. (It is supposed to be a play on words-- we not only eat animals, but are animals who eat, but it seems so in your face to me.) There is so much humor and feeling inserted within the pages, along with eye-popping facts and statistics. But the thing I love most is that Safran Foer shows the reader that the issue is not cut and dry and ultimately leaves the reader in the position to decide what is right for her/him. I wish I could force everyone I know to read this book. Since I can't, I'm recommending it as I do think it is one of the most important books I've ever read.