I read this when I was in first or second grade. I remember being impressed with how Wilbur wanted to avoid being slaughtered and eaten.

Written by one of my dad's classmates from Penn State, I started reading it in the 9th grade out of curiosity. It's description of the horrible manner in which animals are treated - both in science labs, and in food production, made a mark. It would not be much longer before things would click.

This is not a strictly vegetarian cookbook. However, many Indians are vegetarian in their daily lives, and Jaffrey introduced me to this flavorful, easy-to-make cuisine. There are enough vegetarian recipes to go around, suggested menus, and Jaffrey's obvious love of cooking.

I thought this was a diet book. Well, it is, but it made a rather in-your-face argument for the vegan, organic diet. When I read it several years ago, I still had my doubts, but it started my thoughts that dairy was NOT the health-food I'd been told.

Another great vegan cookbook. Moskowitz encourages improvisation in your cooking, and I realized that I could easily modify my previous lacto-ovo veg recipes to the vegan way.

Up until last year, I still held a small conviction that dairy and eggs were important to good health. Campbell's China Study gives overwhelming credence to the health benefits of a vegan diet, and the detriments of the typical Western diet.