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Hungry Beautiful Animals: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan
A heartfelt, humane, and even hilarious account of why rule-obsessed veganism fails and how a focus on flourishing can bring about an abundant future for all Perhaps you’ve looked at factory farming or climate change and thought, I should become a vegan. And like most people who think that, very probably you haven’t. Why? Well, in our world, roast turkey emanates gratitude, steak confers virility, and chicken soup represents a mother’s love. Against that, simply swapping meat for plants won’t work. In Hungry Beautiful Animals, philosopher Matthew C. Halteman shows us how—despite all the forces arrayed against going vegan—we can create an abundant life for everyone without using animals for food. It might seem that moral rectitude or environmental judgement should do the trick, but they can’t. Going vegan must be about flourishing, for all life. Shame and blame don’t lead to flourishing. We must do it with joy instead. Hungry Beautiful Animals is more than it’s a book of action, of forgiveness, of love. Funny and wise, this book frees us joyfully to want what we already know we need.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published November 12, 2024
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1937 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 28, 2024
As someone that's been vegan for over a decade, I try to give 5 stars to any book advocating for veganism. But I just couldn't with this one.
I found the content OK at best, but it was mostly the authors writing style that turned me off so much. I have never read a more "wordy" book in my life. I really struggled to get through the final two chapters. It felt like the author was trying to write poetry instead of an informative book. Then again, he is a philosopher. Here is a prime example from the book (keep in mind this is one sentence):
"Love's attention seems perfectly attuned for discerning the strange and wonderful cycles, convergences, and explosions of transformation, abundantly tuning in, as it does, to the intricacies of our desires and limits and assiduously tuning out impediments to flourishing that destroy what we want and obliterate boundaries we'd be wide to respect."
Like what? Why? And there's SO MANY more examples of this. I would NEVER recommend this book to someone unfamiliar with veganism or considering going vegan. It's so convoluted and poorly written that I don't see how this book would in any way capture their attention. I honestly don't understand how this book has the rating that it currently does (4.2).
I found the content OK at best, but it was mostly the authors writing style that turned me off so much. I have never read a more "wordy" book in my life. I really struggled to get through the final two chapters. It felt like the author was trying to write poetry instead of an informative book. Then again, he is a philosopher. Here is a prime example from the book (keep in mind this is one sentence):
"Love's attention seems perfectly attuned for discerning the strange and wonderful cycles, convergences, and explosions of transformation, abundantly tuning in, as it does, to the intricacies of our desires and limits and assiduously tuning out impediments to flourishing that destroy what we want and obliterate boundaries we'd be wide to respect."
Like what? Why? And there's SO MANY more examples of this. I would NEVER recommend this book to someone unfamiliar with veganism or considering going vegan. It's so convoluted and poorly written that I don't see how this book would in any way capture their attention. I honestly don't understand how this book has the rating that it currently does (4.2).
June 21, 2025
If we commit to changing our lives in going vegan we do so to stay the same, to become more fully who we thought we already were and thus to become more fully who we deeply desire to be.
I have read many books and papers trying to persuade my mind into joining a cause but I do not think I have ever read one that has tried to persuade my heart, this is what Halteman has accomplished. Putting aside the cause advocated for, this book is a truly excellent lesson in how to move yourself to change, or rather, align who you already are with who you want to be. This book contains fewer stats and figures about the horrors of meat than I expected, substituting understanding and sympathy for omnivores along with emotionally resonant stories about learning to appreciate other hungry beautiful animals. Halteman also expertly disarms the perfectionist requirements many readers might see vegans as holding to, advocating instead for perpetually "going vegan," recognizing the inevitability of mistakes in pursuit of "creaturely flourishing." Admittedly, I am not currently pursuing a vegan diet, nor will I be anytime soon, but this book has something to say for the heart of its cause, and "going vegan" is something I will consider pursuing in the future.
I have read many books and papers trying to persuade my mind into joining a cause but I do not think I have ever read one that has tried to persuade my heart, this is what Halteman has accomplished. Putting aside the cause advocated for, this book is a truly excellent lesson in how to move yourself to change, or rather, align who you already are with who you want to be. This book contains fewer stats and figures about the horrors of meat than I expected, substituting understanding and sympathy for omnivores along with emotionally resonant stories about learning to appreciate other hungry beautiful animals. Halteman also expertly disarms the perfectionist requirements many readers might see vegans as holding to, advocating instead for perpetually "going vegan," recognizing the inevitability of mistakes in pursuit of "creaturely flourishing." Admittedly, I am not currently pursuing a vegan diet, nor will I be anytime soon, but this book has something to say for the heart of its cause, and "going vegan" is something I will consider pursuing in the future.
August 6, 2024
If you’re tired of food rules, this book is for you. If you’ve ever felt joy or shame while filling your plate, this book is for you. If you eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this book is for you.
Hungry Beautiful Animals defies expectations from page one. A book more focused on the gruesome consequences of using animals for food could be easily shelved away to make room for the mundane concerns of daily life. (I.e., What’s in the fridge that we can heat up for dinner?) But daily life, and all of the hungry, beautiful experiences in it, is Halteman’s focus. With radical empathy and humor, Halteman uses his own journey to offer a fresh vision for going vegan. His story is about moving toward rather than away from, about seeking abundance rather than enforcing self-denial, and about the daily awe of eating well.
Simply put, Hungry Beautiful Animals tells a food story that sticks. In his distinctively engaging voice, Halteman welcomes anyone and everyone who eats to his table, and you won’t want to miss the meal. (And quite literally, there’s a recipe at the end of this book that will provide you with the most delicious tiramisu you’ve ever had, vegan or not.)
Hungry Beautiful Animals defies expectations from page one. A book more focused on the gruesome consequences of using animals for food could be easily shelved away to make room for the mundane concerns of daily life. (I.e., What’s in the fridge that we can heat up for dinner?) But daily life, and all of the hungry, beautiful experiences in it, is Halteman’s focus. With radical empathy and humor, Halteman uses his own journey to offer a fresh vision for going vegan. His story is about moving toward rather than away from, about seeking abundance rather than enforcing self-denial, and about the daily awe of eating well.
Simply put, Hungry Beautiful Animals tells a food story that sticks. In his distinctively engaging voice, Halteman welcomes anyone and everyone who eats to his table, and you won’t want to miss the meal. (And quite literally, there’s a recipe at the end of this book that will provide you with the most delicious tiramisu you’ve ever had, vegan or not.)
December 6, 2024
Super wordy. Lots of philosophizing....not a lot of substance or pratical advice.
October 27, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc of this book on veganism.
I am not a vegan, but I always love reading different points of view on the stance and I'm more so interested in the health benefits with scientific studies of a vegan diet, but this book was more so centered around the morals, ethics, and environmental impacts that veganism has on the world. It does make you think about everything going on in the food industry and how our food is processed and steps that can be taken to help eliminate or change these practices to benefit the animals, the environment, and the world as a whole.
It was an interesting read, and though I will more than likely never go vegan, this book and other books definitely helped to add to my perspective of staying mainly plant based.
I am not a vegan, but I always love reading different points of view on the stance and I'm more so interested in the health benefits with scientific studies of a vegan diet, but this book was more so centered around the morals, ethics, and environmental impacts that veganism has on the world. It does make you think about everything going on in the food industry and how our food is processed and steps that can be taken to help eliminate or change these practices to benefit the animals, the environment, and the world as a whole.
It was an interesting read, and though I will more than likely never go vegan, this book and other books definitely helped to add to my perspective of staying mainly plant based.
January 31, 2025
As the title somewhat suggests, this book reads more like an intimate, hilarious and—even—juicy memoire or confessional than it does a structured "case" (joyful or otherwise) for going vegan.
Seems like some of the negative reviews on here lament that Hungry Beautiful Animals does not arm the reader with knife-point arguments ready-made for concealed carry and quick draw in a skirmish against omnivores. A reasonable objection, if that's what you're looking for from this work. (But aren't there a million of those already btw?)
What you get instead though is a riveting emotional exploration that made me tear up and laugh out loud at a topic that, as an omnivore, has never even held my attention in structured "case" or argument form previously. I was left with a warm, impassioned new sense of adoration for animals as our fellow Earth cohabitants that I've never felt before. And was not left with a heap of "shoulds" that I intellectually agree with but will inevitably ignore. In a time in culture and society when honesty and vulnerability (and joy) are in such short supply, this book feels like it's from another planet.
One pro tip: Go with the audiobook (!!) even if that's not your preferred format. I had seen Halteman give a guest lecture before so was familiar with his in-person/spoken passion and charisma. I started with physical copy but made the switch upon learning that Halteman read the audiobook himself. It's a notably sublime experience that's easily worth the double purchase. Will seriously revisit it next time my hope for the world dims and a jolt of compassionate joy is needed to revive me.
Seems like some of the negative reviews on here lament that Hungry Beautiful Animals does not arm the reader with knife-point arguments ready-made for concealed carry and quick draw in a skirmish against omnivores. A reasonable objection, if that's what you're looking for from this work. (But aren't there a million of those already btw?)
What you get instead though is a riveting emotional exploration that made me tear up and laugh out loud at a topic that, as an omnivore, has never even held my attention in structured "case" or argument form previously. I was left with a warm, impassioned new sense of adoration for animals as our fellow Earth cohabitants that I've never felt before. And was not left with a heap of "shoulds" that I intellectually agree with but will inevitably ignore. In a time in culture and society when honesty and vulnerability (and joy) are in such short supply, this book feels like it's from another planet.
One pro tip: Go with the audiobook (!!) even if that's not your preferred format. I had seen Halteman give a guest lecture before so was familiar with his in-person/spoken passion and charisma. I started with physical copy but made the switch upon learning that Halteman read the audiobook himself. It's a notably sublime experience that's easily worth the double purchase. Will seriously revisit it next time my hope for the world dims and a jolt of compassionate joy is needed to revive me.
December 12, 2024
The first big surprise of this book is that it's so ticklishly funny. The subtitle refers to a "joyful case," so I should have seen the humor coming. But I didn't expect that joy to arrive in such a hilarious register. In a way, the book reminds me of G. K. Chesterton's work in that its deadly serious and, at the same, time, constantly antic, incorrigibly playful.
Halteman writes with all his heart, but that deep care is somehow consonant with some pretty mad funny lines.
I guess the other surprise--okay, there're more than two--is that the book isn't just about going vegan. This is one of those books that, when you're reading it, you're thinking, again and again, "This author is talking about everything."
Rarely have I come across a book that offers such a high and holy challenge in such a gracious and convivial manner.
(I don't quite know how he does it, but I suspect that whatever "it" is has more a hold on the author than he does on "it.")
Halteman writes with all his heart, but that deep care is somehow consonant with some pretty mad funny lines.
I guess the other surprise--okay, there're more than two--is that the book isn't just about going vegan. This is one of those books that, when you're reading it, you're thinking, again and again, "This author is talking about everything."
Rarely have I come across a book that offers such a high and holy challenge in such a gracious and convivial manner.
(I don't quite know how he does it, but I suspect that whatever "it" is has more a hold on the author than he does on "it.")
March 13, 2024
With Hungry Beautiful Animals, Matthew Halteman blows open the doors of the exclusive, elitist club of veganism, transforming it into a jubilant block party... and everyone is invited.
Halteman writes with a unique cocktail of honesty, humor, and humility that I don't expect from vegans (or philosophers, or humans in general.) He welcomes you, whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever your age, to join him in a creative, compassionate, community-focused movement toward a vegan lifestyle. He doesn't pretend like it's easy, or tidy, or free of internal or external conflict, but he does navigate anecdotally through the uneven terrain with a passion and sincerity that is both inspiring and relatable.
I don't often find books on polarizing topics that I can freely and universally recommend, but this one, I can. Whether you're optimistically veg-curious or skeptically giving this whole review the side-eye, Halteman just wants to hang out with you and share some stories and emotions and successes and failures and cheer on your inner vegan-in-waiting with infectious enthusiasm.
Halteman writes with a unique cocktail of honesty, humor, and humility that I don't expect from vegans (or philosophers, or humans in general.) He welcomes you, whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever your age, to join him in a creative, compassionate, community-focused movement toward a vegan lifestyle. He doesn't pretend like it's easy, or tidy, or free of internal or external conflict, but he does navigate anecdotally through the uneven terrain with a passion and sincerity that is both inspiring and relatable.
I don't often find books on polarizing topics that I can freely and universally recommend, but this one, I can. Whether you're optimistically veg-curious or skeptically giving this whole review the side-eye, Halteman just wants to hang out with you and share some stories and emotions and successes and failures and cheer on your inner vegan-in-waiting with infectious enthusiasm.
September 6, 2024
This is a big book. Not the sort of big book that the ancient Greek poet Callimachus lamented ('mega biblion, mega kakon'; “a big book is big trouble”). No. 'Hungry Beautiful Animals' is big in beauty and joy and kindness and hilarity and honesty and humility and hope and love. It is magnanimous in the word's most literal sense: big-hearted (magnus + animus).
Here is an exquisitely written, ebullient book, an effervescent, soul-fueled, soul-filled labor of love, sometimes heart-wrenching, more often heart-soaring, always inspiring and entirely captivating. 'Hungry Beautiful Animals' is so beautifully crafted that readers with the narrowest of visions and smallest of imaginations will find themselves transported by the compelling, inspiring, hopeful and energizing content, and see that this ‘going vegan’ isn’t just possible, but legit exciting, and, ultimately, necessary for the good of all living beings including the planet itself.
Matt writes, “My hope…is to woo you, to dazzle you, to inspire you with a vision of a vegan world so grand that no rigid “-ism” [sc. veganism] with a one-size-fits-all rule book and infinite ways to get disqualified could contain it” (p.8). For in this book, you will find no shame, no blame, no judgment, no expectations of perfection. You will find possibility, wonderment, hope and understanding, and you will find out how, for example, dog turds and goose shit can proffer experiences of epiphanic proportion that catapult you towards and along a journey of uniting and opening the body-mind-soul. As the Buddhist leader Thich Nhat Hanh noted, “No shit, no lotus” (more often translated as “no dung” or “no mud”). Thanks to Gus and the geese and Matt’s awakenings, we have the lotus that is 'Hungry Beautiful Animals'.
I never expected to say this regarding a book on vegan living, but I *was* wooed and dazzled and inspired, and I imagine scores of others will be as well. I read 'Hungry Beautiful Animals' in only two sittings (it's that hard to put down!), thoroughly captivated, in total enjoyment, and with an increasingly opening and warming heart. 'Hungry Beautiful Animals' is, by my lights, a “kairos” moment.
A little over 2,000 years ago, the Roman poet Catullus began one of his poems with 'vivamus atque amemus', “let us live and let us love”. The ‘us’ here is specifically directed towards the poet and his lover. To me, though, this exhortation, when expanded and issued forth to all living beings, captures well the essence and sentiment of Matt’s glorious work. Let us all live and let us all love.
Here is an exquisitely written, ebullient book, an effervescent, soul-fueled, soul-filled labor of love, sometimes heart-wrenching, more often heart-soaring, always inspiring and entirely captivating. 'Hungry Beautiful Animals' is so beautifully crafted that readers with the narrowest of visions and smallest of imaginations will find themselves transported by the compelling, inspiring, hopeful and energizing content, and see that this ‘going vegan’ isn’t just possible, but legit exciting, and, ultimately, necessary for the good of all living beings including the planet itself.
Matt writes, “My hope…is to woo you, to dazzle you, to inspire you with a vision of a vegan world so grand that no rigid “-ism” [sc. veganism] with a one-size-fits-all rule book and infinite ways to get disqualified could contain it” (p.8). For in this book, you will find no shame, no blame, no judgment, no expectations of perfection. You will find possibility, wonderment, hope and understanding, and you will find out how, for example, dog turds and goose shit can proffer experiences of epiphanic proportion that catapult you towards and along a journey of uniting and opening the body-mind-soul. As the Buddhist leader Thich Nhat Hanh noted, “No shit, no lotus” (more often translated as “no dung” or “no mud”). Thanks to Gus and the geese and Matt’s awakenings, we have the lotus that is 'Hungry Beautiful Animals'.
I never expected to say this regarding a book on vegan living, but I *was* wooed and dazzled and inspired, and I imagine scores of others will be as well. I read 'Hungry Beautiful Animals' in only two sittings (it's that hard to put down!), thoroughly captivated, in total enjoyment, and with an increasingly opening and warming heart. 'Hungry Beautiful Animals' is, by my lights, a “kairos” moment.
A little over 2,000 years ago, the Roman poet Catullus began one of his poems with 'vivamus atque amemus', “let us live and let us love”. The ‘us’ here is specifically directed towards the poet and his lover. To me, though, this exhortation, when expanded and issued forth to all living beings, captures well the essence and sentiment of Matt’s glorious work. Let us all live and let us all love.
August 22, 2024
I was privileged to be an early reader of this book and I am so excited for it to be out there in the world in just a few months. This book made me laugh, it made me cry, and it helped me to understand that being vegan is not about moral perfection. I have tried to be a perfect vegan several times but have always come up short. After reading this book, I came to the realization that instead of feeling guilt about not being a "perfect 10" vegan, I can strive to do the best I can, where I am, with what I have. Matt is a brilliant philosopher and storyteller, and shines light on a new perspective about how to love animals while also understanding your own limitations. To me, this book feels more like a love story to all the beautiful species of animals in the world, and less a book about what a person should or shouldn't eat (which is what scares a lot of people away from a vegan lifestyle). Overall, the tone of this book is humble, honest and optimistic. It has an open and inclusive message about pursuing veganism and I hope that many people who are curious about eating more plant-based will read this book!
September 4, 2024
Pleased and honored to have been given an opportunity to read this book pre-release! Matthew Halteman takes you on a journey that takes the “unreachable” or “unattainable” tropes out of becoming vegan. This is an engaging read! Dr. Halteman is a talented wordsmith- his anecdotes are funny and relevant, the information delivered in a succinct and genuine fashion. ‘Hungry Beautiful Animals’ not only makes a case for being vegan as a new normal from a personal health and wellness perspective, he gives real-world and timely reasons why this is a global must. Dr. Halteman does successfully take the “-ism” out of being vegan. He gives anyone considering taking the first step toward making a change for their health and for the sentient beings of the world a sturdy launching pad. Vegan IS the future, and ‘Hungry Beautiful Animals’ is the perfect guide book!
December 15, 2024
If you’re looking for a book that tells you why you should be vegan and how to do that, you will not find that here. Instead, this book invites you to take on the internal work that is a part of going vegan…to solidly understand YOUR why and how and even your when. I deeply appreciated Matthew’s wholistic view of going vegan, how it encompasses cultural, spiritual, social, physical and psychological components and conditions, all of which are equally important, but each of which requires its own work. And it is work to understand each of those at a level that cultivates change in us, and leads to change in how we live in this world and understand our place in it. I’m sure some people will not like this book because it doesn’t give answers as much as it questions, but it is in that questioning that the reader has the opportunity to grow and change. I finished this book a different person than I was when I started it. It was the catalyst of change in understanding my relationship to other animals, human and non-human, and to being open to the wonder of all that each was created to be. “The beauty of showing fidelity to wonder is the way it opens you to seeing a purposeful whole of meaningful mutualism where once you had seen only isolated parts.” (p.152). Going vegan is to cast a vision that sees the flourishing of all creatures, and that is a future I want to be a part of.
December 14, 2024
As a vegan since 2018 (and before that vegetarian since 2013) & registered dietitian who commonly works with vegan, vegetarian, & plant-based people, I fairly was confident I’d enjoy this book! BUT I didn’t realize I’d love it! Matt is an amazing storyteller & the entire book captivated me. Plus his journey to going vegan will be relatable to many! I love the emphasis of progress over perfection in this book because the perfect vegan does not exist. I will be happily recommending this book to my clients & plant-based or plant curious folks in my life for years to come!
January 31, 2025
After some deliberation, I'd like to retract my previous review, but for transparency sake, am leaving it below.
Taking into account my own shortcomings when it comes to book selection (I happen to be someone who prefers cold hard facts, numbers, and clinical feeling data in non-fiction), I failed to appreciate this book for what (I think) it is: an emotional recollection of a personal account of the journey of becoming vegan (among other things).
In all reality, it's incredibly difficult to rate someone else's journey.
I now see that I wanted this book to be something that it was not meant to be (preferably filled with an insane amount of graphs, charts, and numbers 😂), and ended up reviewing this book in a negative light because of my insistence on focusing on what I perceived as flaws.
I apologize for this, and feel much gratitude for the authors kindly response to my concerns which invited me to reconsider my previous opinions in a nonjudgmental space.
My ultimate conclusion here, is that this book might be just the thing for someone looking for something more poetic, emotional and highly personal.
If you are like me, and prefer something more straight to the fact and filled with cold hard facts, then I would have to say that this book may not be for you.
Original review:
DNF at almost halfway.
Being a vegan, I love consuming vegan content and giving everything I enjoy a glowing review. It's hard, when you resonate with the cause, to "shoot the messenger" who had their heart in the right place but failed in their execution.
That being said, I can't recommend this book to anyone, vegan or non. It is so overly saturated in unnecessary words, flowery, poetic comparisons, and countless needless additions to already complete sentences that it is agonizing to try and wade through.
I also couldn't put my finger down on who exactly this book is for. The introduction promises to not shame or guilt the carnist reader, and then immediately jumps into some very preachy and overdone lectures paragraphs on, seemingly, what I would consider just that. And, from the vegan side of things, the whole book is needlessly graphic and feels somewhat pointless as it is offering up information that is already widely available elsewhere, and presents it in a difficult to grasp, lengthy format.
Don't even get me started on Gus and his appalling diet. Now, hang on. I'm not the one making it sound like his owner was feeding him carrots and carrots alone. I'm sure (I hope and pray?) that he was being fed much more than that, but the way that the author comes to his own personal realization of the responsibilities of animal caretaking by way of visualizing "Fence-to-fence carrot mush and not a feces-free patch of tundra on which to relieve himself." And that apparently Gus had "...passed almost 3,500 pounds of carrots." That really made me concerned to the point of discomfort (although I'm sure with eating that many carrots, my discomfort was infinitesimally smaller than that of someone elses...)
I'm most certainly not claiming that plant-based diets aren't an option for dogs, as there have been some really inspiring and incredible studies that have come out with highly compelling evidence of the health benefits of plant-based diets for them recently. (Further reading: https://plantbasednews.org/animals/ca... ) But for Heaven's sake, feeding your dog thousands of pounds of carrots is utterly ridiculous.
This has been debunked. Please see the authors response to my original review below!)
Another truly unfortunate line of thinking that reoccurred multiple times as I was reading was that one would have to spend a lot of money to make sure to get in all their nutritional needs for their vegan diet. Excuse me? When was the last time whole plant foods were anywhere near as expensive as animal foods? My own food bill went down measurably when I went vegan, and testimonials far and wide echo the same sentiment. And, if anecdotes turn people off, a simple walk through a grocery store is proof enough. Pigs will fly before corn, beans, and rice cost more than eggs, butter, and flesh.
Last but not least, I truly don't think that this book is going to be any kind of strong inspiration for encouraging people to go vegan. It's too wordy, too flowery, overly poetic, and has such a forced flavor of neutrality that it's simply infuriating.
Taking into account my own shortcomings when it comes to book selection (I happen to be someone who prefers cold hard facts, numbers, and clinical feeling data in non-fiction), I failed to appreciate this book for what (I think) it is: an emotional recollection of a personal account of the journey of becoming vegan (among other things).
In all reality, it's incredibly difficult to rate someone else's journey.
I now see that I wanted this book to be something that it was not meant to be (preferably filled with an insane amount of graphs, charts, and numbers 😂), and ended up reviewing this book in a negative light because of my insistence on focusing on what I perceived as flaws.
I apologize for this, and feel much gratitude for the authors kindly response to my concerns which invited me to reconsider my previous opinions in a nonjudgmental space.
My ultimate conclusion here, is that this book might be just the thing for someone looking for something more poetic, emotional and highly personal.
If you are like me, and prefer something more straight to the fact and filled with cold hard facts, then I would have to say that this book may not be for you.
Original review:
DNF at almost halfway.
Being a vegan, I love consuming vegan content and giving everything I enjoy a glowing review. It's hard, when you resonate with the cause, to "shoot the messenger" who had their heart in the right place but failed in their execution.
That being said, I can't recommend this book to anyone, vegan or non. It is so overly saturated in unnecessary words, flowery, poetic comparisons, and countless needless additions to already complete sentences that it is agonizing to try and wade through.
I also couldn't put my finger down on who exactly this book is for. The introduction promises to not shame or guilt the carnist reader, and then immediately jumps into some very preachy and overdone
I'm most certainly not claiming that plant-based diets aren't an option for dogs, as there have been some really inspiring and incredible studies that have come out with highly compelling evidence of the health benefits of plant-based diets for them recently. (Further reading: https://plantbasednews.org/animals/ca... ) But for Heaven's sake, feeding your dog thousands of pounds of carrots is utterly ridiculous.
This has been debunked. Please see the authors response to my original review below!)
Another truly unfortunate line of thinking that reoccurred multiple times as I was reading was that one would have to spend a lot of money to make sure to get in all their nutritional needs for their vegan diet. Excuse me? When was the last time whole plant foods were anywhere near as expensive as animal foods? My own food bill went down measurably when I went vegan, and testimonials far and wide echo the same sentiment. And, if anecdotes turn people off, a simple walk through a grocery store is proof enough. Pigs will fly before corn, beans, and rice cost more than eggs, butter, and flesh.
Last but not least, I truly don't think that this book is going to be any kind of strong inspiration for encouraging people to go vegan. It's too wordy, too flowery, overly poetic, and has such a forced flavor of neutrality that it's simply infuriating.
Read
November 28, 2024However ethically imperative it justifiably seems to animal rights advocates and casual vegans alike, the ending of animal exploitation through the building of a vegan world has abundant resistance to overcome before coming into being. Even in the easiest of cases where personal resistance is not adamant but pliable, there is usually ample moral as well as practical inertia to defeat. In Hungry Beautiful Animals: The Joyous Case For Going Vegan, Matthew Halteman offers a motivating voice and a helping hand to make the personal transition just a little easier.
Halteman is an academic philosopher, but no philosophy book could be described as joyous, and this is no book of philosophy. The subtitular joyous is accurate: this is not simply a modestly hopeful book but, remarkably, a happy one.
You can read the rest of my review on Open Letters Review:
https://openlettersreview.com/posts/h...
October 13, 2024
Picked up fast in our Little Free Library.
December 3, 2024
I was so hopeful about this book. Being a vegan for the past 5 years, I wanted more objective reasons for going vegan, but I tired of his scatalogical references and anecdotes about his dog.
Read
December 14, 20244.75 STARS
How this book ended up on my TBR: Have I mentioned how amazing my library is? It's amazing. I went to collect another round of books to keep me occupied for their two-month closure, and this book was sitting on the table in front of the check-out kiosks. Would I really want to read this book? I knew it would make me feel awful about my eating habits. I knew I had a student promising to give a persuasive speech about going vegetarian; I happen to like those speeches. And I will say that I have been vegan-curious, especially when we were living behind a meat-packing plant and around the corner from a pig sanctuary. So I said SURE, LET'S GO.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I knew that there were a lot of very, very good reasons to go vegan (though I will say that I learned a lot, including the different ways that one can practice going vegan, not just food). Halteman covers all those reasons very early on in something of an obligatory way, but he also does so by sharing his own experience with his English bulldog, Gus, as well as his own philosophical journey. This entire book is an invitation to explore going vegan (as opposed to veganism, which Halteman doesn't use). The following passage essentially shows the heart of the book:
The destination of this journey is an inviting, empowering, and inclusive understanding of everyday vegan living that abandons the demoralizing goal of arriving once and for all at a perfected individual identity in favor of inspired but practical striving toward a global aspiration--to do what one enthusiastically can, within one's limits and always imperfectly, to live toward a truer, more beautiful, better vegan world. Instead of framing our individual efforts to go vegan in terms of the achievement of a one-size-fits-all state of being (a "cruelty-free" identity), we'll envision going vegan as a liberating journey of becoming that unfolds uniquely for every person based on what their individual and communal situations inspire and enable them to contribute.
So essentially why I like this book so much is that basically makes an argument for why going vegan is actually a step towards living a more authentic life. Assuming that you also agree with all the reasons for why having more of a plant-based diet is a good thing, Halteman addresses all the reasons for why we live with the disconnection and why pursuing a vegan lifestyle can help to put our bodies and spiritual life more into alignment. There is absolutely no shame in this book, and I love the book for that, because shame really doesn't work as a motivating factor. Instead of making decisions because we know it's the right thing to do, this book is more of an invitation and allows for a more personal, imperfect journey. What was interesting to me is that there are several ways to practice going vegan, and I wish Halteman had gone more into elaborating on that topic. He focuses on food and explains his choice: changing your food consumption to a plant-based diet is a major step that's going to make way more of an impact, and it's likely to be the first step into living a vegan lifestyle.
This is a very personal book for Halteman, and I really enjoyed it. Some of the philosophical explanation feels a little excessive for me, but I get why he's doing it, and I like his style. There is an awful lot of the word "beautiful" throughout this book, so be prepared for that. But I genuinely enjoyed this book and can say that it's had me ever more curious about incorporating vegan options in my life. (I'd want to go vegetarian, and continue with eggs and milk-based products, but apparently those are the worst offenders, SO THERE WE ARE).
--
PS. If you all ever go to The StoryGraph, let's be friends there! Here's my profile.
How this book ended up on my TBR: Have I mentioned how amazing my library is? It's amazing. I went to collect another round of books to keep me occupied for their two-month closure, and this book was sitting on the table in front of the check-out kiosks. Would I really want to read this book? I knew it would make me feel awful about my eating habits. I knew I had a student promising to give a persuasive speech about going vegetarian; I happen to like those speeches. And I will say that I have been vegan-curious, especially when we were living behind a meat-packing plant and around the corner from a pig sanctuary. So I said SURE, LET'S GO.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I knew that there were a lot of very, very good reasons to go vegan (though I will say that I learned a lot, including the different ways that one can practice going vegan, not just food). Halteman covers all those reasons very early on in something of an obligatory way, but he also does so by sharing his own experience with his English bulldog, Gus, as well as his own philosophical journey. This entire book is an invitation to explore going vegan (as opposed to veganism, which Halteman doesn't use). The following passage essentially shows the heart of the book:
The destination of this journey is an inviting, empowering, and inclusive understanding of everyday vegan living that abandons the demoralizing goal of arriving once and for all at a perfected individual identity in favor of inspired but practical striving toward a global aspiration--to do what one enthusiastically can, within one's limits and always imperfectly, to live toward a truer, more beautiful, better vegan world. Instead of framing our individual efforts to go vegan in terms of the achievement of a one-size-fits-all state of being (a "cruelty-free" identity), we'll envision going vegan as a liberating journey of becoming that unfolds uniquely for every person based on what their individual and communal situations inspire and enable them to contribute.
So essentially why I like this book so much is that basically makes an argument for why going vegan is actually a step towards living a more authentic life. Assuming that you also agree with all the reasons for why having more of a plant-based diet is a good thing, Halteman addresses all the reasons for why we live with the disconnection and why pursuing a vegan lifestyle can help to put our bodies and spiritual life more into alignment. There is absolutely no shame in this book, and I love the book for that, because shame really doesn't work as a motivating factor. Instead of making decisions because we know it's the right thing to do, this book is more of an invitation and allows for a more personal, imperfect journey. What was interesting to me is that there are several ways to practice going vegan, and I wish Halteman had gone more into elaborating on that topic. He focuses on food and explains his choice: changing your food consumption to a plant-based diet is a major step that's going to make way more of an impact, and it's likely to be the first step into living a vegan lifestyle.
This is a very personal book for Halteman, and I really enjoyed it. Some of the philosophical explanation feels a little excessive for me, but I get why he's doing it, and I like his style. There is an awful lot of the word "beautiful" throughout this book, so be prepared for that. But I genuinely enjoyed this book and can say that it's had me ever more curious about incorporating vegan options in my life. (I'd want to go vegetarian, and continue with eggs and milk-based products, but apparently those are the worst offenders, SO THERE WE ARE).
--
PS. If you all ever go to The StoryGraph, let's be friends there! Here's my profile.
January 7, 2025
Vegans have a marketing problem: they're perceived to be annoying, self-righteous, judgmental, and inflexible.
Author Halteman's book is designed to fix that perception to make veganism more appealing and less threatening.
In his excellent book "The Better Angels of Our Nature," Steven Pinker observed that humanity has become less barbarous with each passing century.
Consider the improvements to:
- Women's rights
- Gay rights
- Racism
- Slavery
- Death penalty
- Wars
- Prisons
Pinker was asked, "What will people in the 22nd century think of us? What are we doing that will seem barbarous and immoral to future humans?"
Pinker said (I'm paraphrasing), "The way almost everyone financially supports the barbarous and inhumane treatment of animals by buying and eating animals."
True.
Today's vegans are like the anti-slavery people 200 years ago: annoying, and everyone wished they would just go away.
How can vegans be more inviting? It seems like an all-or-nothing club.
This book says, "Relax. You're welcome to join the tribe."
"Hungry Beautiful Animals" is a vibrant and engaging exploration of veganism.
The book stands out for its joyful and inclusive approach, aiming to transform the often polarizing topic of veganism into an inviting conversation.
Halteman's writing can be too verbose, but it is filled with humor and anecdotes that resonate regardless of one's dietary choices.
### Key Themes
- Joy and Kindness: Halteman emphasizes that adopting a vegan lifestyle can be a source of joy rather than a burden. He encourages readers to view veganism as a journey filled with possibilities rather than a strict set of rules that can lead to feelings of shame or guilt.
- Personal Stories: The book is rich with anecdotes that illustrate the interconnectedness of all living beings. For instance, Halteman reflects on moments his dog (Gus), who inspired him to write this book.
- Community Focus: Halteman invites readers from all backgrounds to join in a collective movement towards kindness and compassion for animals, promoting the idea that everyone is welcome in this exploration of veganism, even if you're not hardcore, full-time.
- Practical Guidance: Beyond philosophical discussions, the book provides practical suggestions for leading a more animal-friendly life, including tips on creating pollinator-friendly habitats in one's yard.
The book offers profound insights and the ability to provoke thought without condemnation.
It is an engaging read that challenges preconceived notions about veganism while fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
Overall, Hungry Beautiful Animals is a book about veganism and an invitation to live more compassionately and joyfully with all beings.
Author Halteman's book is designed to fix that perception to make veganism more appealing and less threatening.
In his excellent book "The Better Angels of Our Nature," Steven Pinker observed that humanity has become less barbarous with each passing century.
Consider the improvements to:
- Women's rights
- Gay rights
- Racism
- Slavery
- Death penalty
- Wars
- Prisons
Pinker was asked, "What will people in the 22nd century think of us? What are we doing that will seem barbarous and immoral to future humans?"
Pinker said (I'm paraphrasing), "The way almost everyone financially supports the barbarous and inhumane treatment of animals by buying and eating animals."
True.
Today's vegans are like the anti-slavery people 200 years ago: annoying, and everyone wished they would just go away.
How can vegans be more inviting? It seems like an all-or-nothing club.
This book says, "Relax. You're welcome to join the tribe."
"Hungry Beautiful Animals" is a vibrant and engaging exploration of veganism.
The book stands out for its joyful and inclusive approach, aiming to transform the often polarizing topic of veganism into an inviting conversation.
Halteman's writing can be too verbose, but it is filled with humor and anecdotes that resonate regardless of one's dietary choices.
### Key Themes
- Joy and Kindness: Halteman emphasizes that adopting a vegan lifestyle can be a source of joy rather than a burden. He encourages readers to view veganism as a journey filled with possibilities rather than a strict set of rules that can lead to feelings of shame or guilt.
- Personal Stories: The book is rich with anecdotes that illustrate the interconnectedness of all living beings. For instance, Halteman reflects on moments his dog (Gus), who inspired him to write this book.
- Community Focus: Halteman invites readers from all backgrounds to join in a collective movement towards kindness and compassion for animals, promoting the idea that everyone is welcome in this exploration of veganism, even if you're not hardcore, full-time.
- Practical Guidance: Beyond philosophical discussions, the book provides practical suggestions for leading a more animal-friendly life, including tips on creating pollinator-friendly habitats in one's yard.
The book offers profound insights and the ability to provoke thought without condemnation.
It is an engaging read that challenges preconceived notions about veganism while fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
Overall, Hungry Beautiful Animals is a book about veganism and an invitation to live more compassionately and joyfully with all beings.
October 6, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Matthew C. Halteman’s “Hungry Beautiful Animals: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan” is a refreshing and inspiring take on the vegan movement, offering a perspective that is both compassionate and practical. Halteman, a philosopher known for his work on animal ethics, presents a compelling argument for veganism that goes beyond the usual moral and environmental appeals, focusing instead on the joy and abundance that a vegan lifestyle can bring.
The book is structured around Halteman’s central thesis: that going vegan is not about deprivation or self-denial, but about flourishing and creating a more abundant life for everyone. He challenges the conventional narratives that often surround veganism, such as the idea that it is inherently difficult or restrictive.
In “Hungry Beautiful Animals” Halteman’s blends philosophical insights with practical advice. He draws on a wide range of sources, from scientific studies to personal anecdotes, to build a case that is both intellectually rigorous and deeply personal. His writing is accessible and engaging, making complex ideas easy to understand without oversimplifying them.
Halteman’s approach is notably inclusive and non-judgmental. He acknowledges the challenges and barriers that people may face when considering a vegan lifestyle and offers practical solutions to overcome them. This empathetic tone makes the book particularly appealing to those who may be curious about veganism but are hesitant to make the leap.
The book is rich with stories of individuals and communities who have embraced veganism and found joy and fulfillment in the process. These narratives serve to illustrate Halteman’s points and provide inspiration for readers. Whether it’s a family discovering new culinary delights or a community coming together to support sustainable agriculture, these stories highlight the transformative potential of veganism.
“Hungry Beautiful Animals: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan” is a must-read for anyone interested in the vegan movement or looking to make more compassionate and sustainable choices in their life. Matthew C. Halteman offers a fresh and uplifting perspective that is sure to resonate with readers.
Matthew C. Halteman’s “Hungry Beautiful Animals: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan” is a refreshing and inspiring take on the vegan movement, offering a perspective that is both compassionate and practical. Halteman, a philosopher known for his work on animal ethics, presents a compelling argument for veganism that goes beyond the usual moral and environmental appeals, focusing instead on the joy and abundance that a vegan lifestyle can bring.
The book is structured around Halteman’s central thesis: that going vegan is not about deprivation or self-denial, but about flourishing and creating a more abundant life for everyone. He challenges the conventional narratives that often surround veganism, such as the idea that it is inherently difficult or restrictive.
In “Hungry Beautiful Animals” Halteman’s blends philosophical insights with practical advice. He draws on a wide range of sources, from scientific studies to personal anecdotes, to build a case that is both intellectually rigorous and deeply personal. His writing is accessible and engaging, making complex ideas easy to understand without oversimplifying them.
Halteman’s approach is notably inclusive and non-judgmental. He acknowledges the challenges and barriers that people may face when considering a vegan lifestyle and offers practical solutions to overcome them. This empathetic tone makes the book particularly appealing to those who may be curious about veganism but are hesitant to make the leap.
The book is rich with stories of individuals and communities who have embraced veganism and found joy and fulfillment in the process. These narratives serve to illustrate Halteman’s points and provide inspiration for readers. Whether it’s a family discovering new culinary delights or a community coming together to support sustainable agriculture, these stories highlight the transformative potential of veganism.
“Hungry Beautiful Animals: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan” is a must-read for anyone interested in the vegan movement or looking to make more compassionate and sustainable choices in their life. Matthew C. Halteman offers a fresh and uplifting perspective that is sure to resonate with readers.
December 31, 2024
There are few more universally hated individuals than vegans. When my partner told his family he'd become a vegetarian, he told me it probably would have been easier to come out to them as gay. They were furious. I have sat across from new acquaintances who, when they learn I am vegetarian, tell me they grieved friendship with their best friend when she stopped eating meat. I documented with screenshots for a while, then got overwhelmed, by people who romanticize bacon, declare the joy of eating meat, while also claiming that no one announces themselves faster than a vegan. I have never seen anyone post as many pictures of meals as delighted meat-eaters.
My question to all of them: why on earth would any of us choose this path unless we thought it was truly the right one? You hate us. We have fewer eating options. We are mocked and sometimes lose friendships. Why would we do this to ourselves unless we were deeply, morally convicted?
Halteman tries to take all that angst, shame, and ostracization that plagues veganism, and turn it around. His heart and message are beautiful. He seeks to bring joy to a more beautiful vision of the world where food doesn't mean death, and every feeling creature lives a life of pleasure and agency. I wanted this to be exquisite. Unfortunately, the writing fails its intention. It is redundant, effusive in all the wrong places, and lacking in focus and specificity, not to mention structure, which I never did unearth despite my best efforts to make it make sense. While segments are really beautiful and moving, as a whole it does not perform the function it seeks, and is not a book I could hand to anyone other than an avowed animal rights activist.
My takeaway is that philosophers need really strong editors, and this one doesn't have one. Which is tragic because what he has to say is so important and delightful. I would certainly invite him to speak. Also, he's just clearly a lovely person.
My question to all of them: why on earth would any of us choose this path unless we thought it was truly the right one? You hate us. We have fewer eating options. We are mocked and sometimes lose friendships. Why would we do this to ourselves unless we were deeply, morally convicted?
Halteman tries to take all that angst, shame, and ostracization that plagues veganism, and turn it around. His heart and message are beautiful. He seeks to bring joy to a more beautiful vision of the world where food doesn't mean death, and every feeling creature lives a life of pleasure and agency. I wanted this to be exquisite. Unfortunately, the writing fails its intention. It is redundant, effusive in all the wrong places, and lacking in focus and specificity, not to mention structure, which I never did unearth despite my best efforts to make it make sense. While segments are really beautiful and moving, as a whole it does not perform the function it seeks, and is not a book I could hand to anyone other than an avowed animal rights activist.
My takeaway is that philosophers need really strong editors, and this one doesn't have one. Which is tragic because what he has to say is so important and delightful. I would certainly invite him to speak. Also, he's just clearly a lovely person.
August 16, 2025
Matthew C. Halteman’s Hungry Beautiful Animals is a rare blend of intellect, heart, and humor that redefines what a book on vegan living can be. Rather than leaning on guilt or rigid rules, Halteman invites readers into a vision of veganism rooted in joy, abundance, and connection. This is not about perfection. It is about possibility and the belief that even small steps toward compassion can ripple outward in powerful ways.
Through a tapestry of personal stories, philosophical reflections, and moments of unexpected humor, Halteman makes the case for “going vegan” as a journey rather than a fixed identity. He moves beyond the typical talking points to reveal how everyday experiences, even something as mundane as cleaning up after a pet, can become gateways to deeper awareness and empathy for all living beings.
What makes this book so engaging is Halteman’s ability to be both deeply thoughtful and warmly relatable. He addresses serious ethical issues without heaviness, offering readers an uplifting sense of possibility rather than a list of demands. The result is a work that inspires without lecturing and invites without pressuring.
I had the opportunity to interview Matthew on my podcast, Plant Based Eating for Health. He is as delightful in conversation as he is in his writing, warm, engaging, and full of thoughtful insights. I highly recommend any host looking for an inspiring and captivating guest to connect with him.
Hungry Beautiful Animals is more than a book about diet or ethics. It is a celebration of life itself. It will leave you rethinking your relationship with animals, food, and the planet, and it just might spark the kind of hope and curiosity that lead to lasting change.
Through a tapestry of personal stories, philosophical reflections, and moments of unexpected humor, Halteman makes the case for “going vegan” as a journey rather than a fixed identity. He moves beyond the typical talking points to reveal how everyday experiences, even something as mundane as cleaning up after a pet, can become gateways to deeper awareness and empathy for all living beings.
What makes this book so engaging is Halteman’s ability to be both deeply thoughtful and warmly relatable. He addresses serious ethical issues without heaviness, offering readers an uplifting sense of possibility rather than a list of demands. The result is a work that inspires without lecturing and invites without pressuring.
I had the opportunity to interview Matthew on my podcast, Plant Based Eating for Health. He is as delightful in conversation as he is in his writing, warm, engaging, and full of thoughtful insights. I highly recommend any host looking for an inspiring and captivating guest to connect with him.
Hungry Beautiful Animals is more than a book about diet or ethics. It is a celebration of life itself. It will leave you rethinking your relationship with animals, food, and the planet, and it just might spark the kind of hope and curiosity that lead to lasting change.
September 22, 2025
Only managed halfway because the writing was so unnecessarily convoluted. Definitely not recommended to help convince people to go vegan. Every sentence was as if he was trying to use the most grandiose language possible to describe basic concepts. It did not tell me anything new or even provide direct, basic information about going vegan or how intelligent/emotionally intelligent animals are. I get that wasn’t the point, but there wasn’t anything helpful in lieu of practical stuff either. His personal anecdotes, which were unique, could have been more efficient had they gotten to the point quicker (but were still very odd and wouldn’t really convince people either. See the first one “my dog ate 6 pounds of carrots every week and I neglected to clean up the yard for a long time in the winter so one day when the dog looked sad there was nowhere clean to shit, I felt bad that pigs are in the same circumstances in CAFOs.” Also weirdly another anecdote which spends a lot of time talking about animal shit which could have been spent more directly explaining the environmental impacts/health risks/animal abuse.) A lot of repetitive mentions of “kindergarten ethics” which is a good point to explain once but not spend an entire chapter repeating a laundry list of admirable concepts people are introduced to in kindergarten. I just don’t understand how he could think people would enjoy/easily comprehend this writing style or how this passed through editing.
November 2, 2025
This is an engaging and thought-provoking book that is a great read for the veg-curious - as well as those already well on their path. It approaches the reasons for going vegan much differently than many other books on this topic. While acknowledging the distressing realities of animal agriculture and other exploitive industries, which are often catalyst for considering vegan living, rather than "shaming" or judging the pre-vegan, it invites each of us to discover the beauty and wonder of the animal kingdom and natural world, the joy of delicious (plant-based) food, our personal ethics, our social connections, and all the amazing reasons that going in the vegan direction is aligned with our most authentic, fulfilled selves. The reader also gains insights into how we can draw on spiritual and practical tools to overcome the obstacles we may face when moving toward a vegan lifestyle. Halteman writes poetically, with powerful imagery as well as humor, inviting each of us to discover our own inner "vegan-in-waiting." Great read for personal transformation that has the power to catalyze societal healing as well.
May 17, 2025
Hmm. I identify as a somewhat lapsed vegetarian and credit reading (Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer) with my decision to radically cut my meat consumption in 2020. I’m not planning to go vegan, but I still enjoy reading about plant-based lifestyles from a specific POV — centered on animal rights and food systems. In this way, Halteman’s book just wasn’t the right book about veganism for me. Maybe it’s his training as a philosopher, but much of this was super flowery and woo-woo with clunky, overloaded, maudlin sentences. I wish he’d really gotten into the philosophical underpinnings of animal ethics. He’s a philosopher, and this would have been so satisfying! Instead there are these vague appeals to flourishing and belonging and becoming that assume that veganism is the only way to eat ethically and that you already know it. That may be true, but you still need to make the “case” your title promises. Nothing bad abojt this book! Just not how I prefer to read and think about food.
December 19, 2025
This book made me view veganism differently than I previously did. Halteman’s take on veganism is that it aligns with your truest self. I do not view myself as a murderer or as someone who would cause harm to others for my own benefit, yet by not pursuing veganism, I am complicit in those actions. This truth creates cognitive dissonance between my actions and who I perceive myself to be.
Halteman also has a term “vegan-in-waiting.” This just applies to anyone who hasn’t acknowledged veganism yet. Maybe one day, something will shift in them and they will realize a vegan lifestyle is one that best aligns with them. All people can be potential vegans.
He touches on the fact that you’ll make mistakes on your journey but I wish he would have brought it up more. And how even eating vegan once a month is more helpful than never being vegan at all. Any reduction of harm is still less harm than before.
Halteman also has a term “vegan-in-waiting.” This just applies to anyone who hasn’t acknowledged veganism yet. Maybe one day, something will shift in them and they will realize a vegan lifestyle is one that best aligns with them. All people can be potential vegans.
He touches on the fact that you’ll make mistakes on your journey but I wish he would have brought it up more. And how even eating vegan once a month is more helpful than never being vegan at all. Any reduction of harm is still less harm than before.
January 21, 2025
I like the arguments put forth in this book and the holistic approach that veganism intersects through race, social class, gender, ethics, morals etc. The book read a bit too preachy though, especially as he talks about his religious community a lot too. He is an erudite author and you can so tell he is a philosopher because it’s reflected in the wordy, convoluted sentences. I feel it was probably more fun to write this book than read it. In the end, I liked this book and reading these sorts of books always helps me realign myself and think about the things I care about. The inner vegan in me loved it, the outer vegan in me still wants to indulge in cheese fondue and Raclette cheese over Christmas. Even though it didn’t take me over the edge to veganism,it did inch me closer to my inner vegan.
April 8, 2025
I love the idea of this book. Going vegan has definitely been an improvement in my life, not a detractor, and I love that someone wanted to write a book to express that. However, the message gets lost in wordiness a lot of the time, with some glimpses of crisp insights and humor. I especially appreciated the description of a family Thanksgiving as a new vegan. I chose this book because I listened to an interview with the author on a podcast, and I thoroughly enjoyed the interview.
February 9, 2025
Filled with deft articulations of personal, authentic conviction for a plant-based life of abundance, Hungry Beautiful Animals stands as one man's scintillating testament. Through educated discourse, grace, humility and comedy, Halteman probes the veil between humanity and what's at the heart of its best interests.
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April 2, 2025Neighborhood book club #5
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