Better World Book Club discussion

Say a few words about yourself. :)

My name is Amanda and I couldn't make the Meet-Up last night after a really long meeting and day at work. I love reading. I love being a vegetarian. I volunteer for Florida Boxer Rescue and was elected to the Board of Directors last September. I love my boxers, Ory and Bella and my foster boxer, Miles. I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone, whether online or in person at one of our meet-ups.

Hi, Amanda. My name is Dara. I'm assisting Sophia with this bookclub. It's awesome that you volunteer for a rescue group. We have a few other members already who are involved in rescue groups/efforts as well. I actually adopted my dog after deciding to volunteer at A New Beginning Pet Rescue (via HandsonOrlando.com). I decided to JUST LOOK at their petfinder profile out of curiosity and I fell in love with the picture of the puppy I ended up adopting.

We selected our first book in part because the author (Will Tuttle) will be in Orlando at the end of next month so we should be able to arrange for him to speak to the group! I hope you make it to the next meetup to discuss in person. :)

Jessi here. For those that didn't make it last night but would like to be part of the club, hi!
I'm one of the organizers of the Vegetarians of Central FL and Animal Activists of Central FL. I'm a graphic designer and going to Rollins evening school to eventually do PR/marketing/writing/design for an animal-related non-profit. I am a rescue-dog nut too, and do some volunteering with Pet Rescue by Judy, among other places.
I am excited to see Will Tuttle again, I met him at the Animal Rights Conference in LA a couple years ago - he is a great speaker and writer. Peace!

Ofmatt (dara) wrote: "Hi, Amanda. My name is Dara. I'm assisting Sophia with this bookclub. It's awesome that you volunteer for a rescue group. We have a few other members already who are involved in rescue groups/effor..."

I know of A New Beginning! Whenever they see boxers at shelters, etc. they give us a head's up. I also recommend them to anyone who says a boxer is "too big" for them. Or if they don't care about purebred. Unfortunately if I volunteered for an all breed rescue I would have about 10 dogs at my house. I wouldn't be able to say no. :( I already bought the book for my nook (only $7!) and plan to start reading this weekend. Would love to hear from the author too! Thank you for the warm welcome! ;)

My name is Khinna. I was very intrigued by the topic of this group, and the selections that will be raised, and discussed. While I don't live in FL, my family and I are members of our Vegetarian/Vegan society in our local area in Georgia.

Welcome to the group! I'm glad you'll be able to participate in our online discussion once we get started. :)

Hello all. I feel like I haven't seen everyone in the meetup group in ages. My work schedule and taking care of my friend's German Shepherd have been non conducive to going out much. I've got the book on Kindle ans started reading it yesterday. Unfortunately on kindle it does not tell page numbers, so with interesting passages I will have to give it in percentages or quote the whole thing. I haven't done many online discussions so this will be an interesting experience.

Hey guys, I just joined Goodreads as an author of books on human rights, security and human trafficking so when I searched 'human rights' this was the first group that jumped out. Glad to be here and look forward to discussing various subjects with you. I would probably be most active in the international affairs and human rights discussions because this is where my expertise lies.

Welcome to the group! Feel free to suggest books here: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4... I'm sure you've had to do a lot of research to write your own book. :)

Hey all! I am a vegan and very big into everything this group talks about. I also do not live in florida but would love to partake in online discussions! I am really looking forward to this!!

Welcome Britt! There are others who aren't local and we're excited for any input! :)

Hello! My name is Rebecca and I live in Virginia Beach (for now, we tend to move around a lot). When I was very little my family lived in Nepal and when I was teen we lived in Europe which made me very aware of the global impact our every day choices and spending habits can have. Since having a family of my own, I've been reading more books on this group's topics in order to impart globally-minded values to my husband and son. My interests have recently spread to veganism after my son declared himself a vegetarian (in the middle of a steakhouse). I joined this group in order to get more reading suggestions and book reviews. Thanks!

Mrs.soule wrote: "Hello! My name is Rebecca and I live in Virginia Beach (for now, we tend to move around a lot). When I was very little my family lived in Nepal and when I was teen we lived in Europe which made me ..."

How old was your son when he did that? I went to Charley's Steakhouse in Orlando when I was in Middle or High School (and was vegetarian). They had the sadest excuse for a salad bar. Needless to say, I had to eat something on the way home...

Amanda wrote: "Mrs.soule wrote: "Hello! My name is Rebecca and I live in Virginia Beach (for now, we tend to move around a lot). When I was very little my family lived in Nepal and when I was teen we lived in Eur..."

Amanda, just about a month ago - he's 4.

Mrs.soule wrote: "Hello! My name is Rebecca and I live in Virginia Beach (for now, we tend to move around a lot). When I was very little my family lived in Nepal and when I was teen we lived in Europe which made me ..."

Wow, that is pretty amazing. At that age, I didn't even know what a vegetarian was.

Hi Dara and all,
My name is Kristen and I'm a new vegetarian, from Los Angeles. I'm currently reading Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer and came across this group...so it was meant to be! :)

Looking forward to learning a lot and being better informed.

I LOVE JSF! I was a big fan of his fictional writing (EL&IC made me cry so much) and I am just so glad that he deviated from fiction to write Eating Animals. As an established author, that was a risk he didn't have to take, but it worked out so well and he has become such a good advocate for animals. I really like his approach--that perhaps people should view the issue in similar terms as the environmental movement, instead of as an all-or-nothing movement. Every one of his interviews that I've read or listened to has been excellent--so well articulated and well reasoned.

Enough of my literary crush! Welcome to the group! :)

Hello! I am Jodie and I am vegetarian. I am active in some animal rights groups in NJ and NYC. I am currently in Argentina and it is very difficult to eat healthy here. People think chicken and ham don't count as meat. Additionally, the amount of stray dogs and horses here is heartbreaking.

Anyways, I love reading and would love to be able to discuss books with like minded people.

People who think vegetarians eat chicken are far more common that I would have thought, but this is the first I've heard of people not thinking ham counts as meat. It's depressing to be in a place where the people regard animals even less than what's "typical." :( Most of my family members don't even understand why my dog is neutered. Pets are considered far more "disposable" here.

Glad you found the group though!

Hi y'all!
I have wanted to join this group for a while because my Wed nights were always busy... but starting next month, I'll have more time. I had been a flexitarian that mostly ate vegan for years, but a little over a month ago, I finally decided to just go vegan once and for all and I'm so happy I did! My family doesn't all understand why I'm doing it, but I hope they'll slowly come around. I'm currently "reading" Veganomicon -- yup, I read cookbooks, unfortunately I don't do a lot of actually cooking, but I'm trying to change that =)
I look forward to meeting everyone soon -- either online or in person!
Smiles,
lily

Welcome to the group! I think I might have met you at a VegCF picnic almost a year ago? Unless that was another Lily, which is quite possible.

My name is Lavinia, I've been writing since I was very young. I self-published my first poetry book, "She Wasn't Allowed to Giggle," a collection about domestic violence and child abuse.


"She Wasn't Allowed to Giggle" has been shared with the Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS) Organization. They help girl survivors of commercial and sexual exploitation and trafficking. They received a complimentary copy to share with their members. I am honoured that they were interested and that the book will serve the purpose for which I published it.

She Wasn't Allowed to Giggle is available on Smashwords:http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/924...

And on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005QTX282

I am also LOOKING FOR REVIEWERS. Anyone interested in reviewing my book, feel free to contact me here on Goodreads or via email at thompson_lavinia@yahoo.ca.

Hi everyone, I'm Jo :) I'm not from Fl, but thought this sounded like a great group. I've been vegetarian for four years now, and try to be as proactive for animal rights as I can. I share my home with two wonderful dogs, and possibly will be taking in my brother's three cats soon :P I'm also a huge lover of horses and used to ride a lot as a teenager :)

Hey my name is Yazid. I would love to have debates about everything. I'm writing a story in Goodreads called Betrayal. You can search for it in my profile.

That's all. :)

HOLA DE PUERTO RICO!!!!!!! My name is Sharon Carlaine, and I have been vegan since 2001. Since 2005 I have lived here in San Juan, and have been the founder/president of the Alianza Veganos Puerto Rico. I am also the owner of 3 vegan nonprofit corporations that help us have fun events & vegan lectures. We have given lectures, created & supported the first all organic public garden in PR, and started the community-run recycling project here. It has been a lot of fun, but we still have a looong way to go!!


What does trolling mean?

LOL

Hi i am chami and live in Sri Lanka. I've been searching for this kind of group and finally found it.:)

dara wrote: "Say a few words about yourself. :)" Hi. My name is John Atcheson, and three years ago, I retired after working in the environmental field for over 35 years. I wrote and published an environmental thriller, hoping it might reach people on a more visceral level than the rational policy wonk stuff I'd spent my life working on. So far so good. I look forward to participating with this group.

Chami wrote: "Hi i am chami and live in Sri Lanka. I've been searching for this kind of group and finally found it.:)"

Welcome to our group! Feel free to start discussions about any book. I would love to participate with you all!

Stacy wrote: "Chami wrote: "Hi i am chami and live in Sri Lanka. I've been searching for this kind of group and finally found it.:)"

Welcome to our group! Feel free to start discussions about any book. I would ..."
Thnx Stacy :).

Hi! My name is Ben, and I am from Philadelphia. I am a vegan animal advocate, and I work for a non-profit veg outreach organization. I am also an English major and love to read! So I found the best of both worlds here! I am about to read Animal Liberation, and I hope to have some awesome discussions with you all!

Bee wrote: "Hi! My name is Ben, and I am from Philadelphia. I am a vegan animal advocate, and I work for a non-profit veg outreach organization. I am also an English major and love to read! So I found the best..."
Hi Ben! I will be travelling to Philly for the first time this summer... any veg restaurants you'd recommend? Welcome to our group!

Thank you! And there are many! Hip City Veg is definitely one of the best and has an awesome menu, literally everything is good (it's on 19th and Chestnut St.) Su Xing is a mostly vegan Chinese restaurant--go during the lunch specials between 11-2pm, you get a huge portion of food for less than $8 (between 15th and 16th St. on Sansom) Vedge is an upscale gourmet place; it was voted #1 gourmet just because the food is so good (not too mention it's all vegan) Blackbird Pizza has ridiculously good vegan pizza, faux wings, sandwiches, etc (6th and South). Govinda's has a really good faux cheesesteak as well, and a lot of other good options (Broad and South St.) Mi Lah is another good one (16th and Locust (I think)).

I'm working in Dallas now and will be on the road until July 31st,
and I already miss all the veg places in Philly!! Although there are surprisingly some good vegan places down here too.

Bee wrote: "Thank you! And there are many! Hip City Veg is definitely one of the best and has an awesome menu, literally everything is good (it's on 19th and Chestnut St.) Su Xing is a mostly vegan Chinese res..."

Wow, thank you!! I am even more excited about my trip now and can't wait to bookmark all these places on YELP!! Glad to hear there are places in Dallas; I've been told the only good veg places are in Austin and the rest of Texas is a big Tex/Mex or BBQ!

Hi - would like to introduce myself. I am an animal advocate and vegan, live in New York, and am a novelist. I have just released the first book in a series of suspense novels that feature an animal rights investigator. Thought there were enough cops, PI's, lawyers and investigators looking out for human justice - it was high time someone stepped up to look after animals. So glad there is a group lie this on Goodreads!

Hi, Robin! I just looked at your book The Chain on here. It looks very promising! I love seeing a moral message come through more creative mediums. I will definitely check it out. :) Are you doing any promotions for it? The one GR review is very positive, but it's lonely out there on its own! :P

Hi Dara, Thanks for replying and for your interest. I am doing some promotion with animal welfare/rights blogs, radio etc. More people seem to post reviews on Amazon. Trying to reach mainstream readers with an animal protection message. Let's stay in touch! Best, Robin

Hello everyone! My name is Erin! I live near Dallas in Texas and couldn't find any book clubs in the area(go figure!), I really look forward to being part of the discussions. I've been vegan for 4 years now and before that I was vegetarian for 5 years before that. I live with my boyfriend(also vegan) and our two dogs. I work in a restaurant and am going to school for massage therapy.

Hi folks!

I am a vegetarian and an author who has tried, for 25 years or so, to use my writing to make a difference in the way humanity views and behaves toward other living things. I write essays, magazine articles, children's books and recently came out with a novel. I also paint animals as well (just as a hobby, although I've sold a few pieces!). I'm looking forward to seeing what topics people discuss here!

Hi, I'm Kit and I live in the UK with my vegan, environmentalist wife, Katie. I write novels with strong animal rights themes and run a small business, after having once been a therapist. Katie and I are also animal activists but instead of breaking the law we try to think of exciting and unusual ways to influence people.

You and your wife sound like great people, Kit! I'm Tanya Sousa - also an author of a genre like yours. :-) Do tell what you like to create/write!


Kit wrote: "Hi, I'm Kit and I live in the UK with my vegan, environmentalist wife, Katie. I write novels with strong animal rights themes and run a small business, after having once been a therapist. Katie and..."

Tanya wrote: "You and your wife sound like great people, Kit! I'm Tanya Sousa - also an author of a genre like yours. :-) Do tell what you like to create/write!


Kit wrote: "Hi, I'm Kit and I live in the UK wit..."

Hi Tanya, I wrote my first novel on the theme of animal rights about three years ago. However, the theme was too strong and it attracted a lot of trouble from carnists etc, out to discredit it. The novel was dystopian, psychological and philosophical and I had it self-published. The reason being that very few agents/publishers will touch such a novel, which is why so few of them exist! Self-publishing is not something I'd recommend, unless you can get it done without too much cost.

Hi everyone! My name is Jessica and I live in the suburbs of Chicago. I have been vegan since May of 2015 but have been vegetarian since 2007. I am a school social worker at an alternative high school and I am involved in a few animal activism groups :) I've had a hard time finding like minded people in my area and I am so excited to get to know you all!! I also just started a blog that will be featuring vegan recipes and a cruelty free lifestyle! I have two dogs and am getting married next summer!!

Hi Jessica! I'll bet you have a challenging job - but I know from experience (I was a guidance counselor for years), that it's a very important one. Hats off to you!


Jessica wrote: "Hi everyone! My name is Jessica and I live in the suburbs of Chicago. I have been vegan since May of 2015 but have been vegetarian since 2007. I am a school social worker at an alternative high sch..."

Hello Everyone!

We're an indie book publishing company! We proudly support authors and artists who inspire discourse, shine light in the darkest corners of society and tell stories that offer reflection on what it means to be human.

We donate $2 from every book sold to grassroots organizations! We support organizations working for the humane treatment, rescue, or wellness of animals, the conservation of our planet, human equality, or other humanitarian services!

We're happy to be a part of the group.

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