Book ideas to gift everyone on the holidays
December is a month that requires a lot of creativity from people. Finding the right gift to friends and family might be tricky. You are either overwhelmed by the many possibilities, or completely clueless in what to give to that distant relative who you only see during the holidays.
No matter which group you identify with the most, the safest bet, in our opinion, is to gift books! So we got you covered! Here is a list of suggestions to make all loved ones happy.
Books for new vegans/vegetarians
The Vegan Transformation
Wherever you are on your own journey—whether you are curious about the benefits of eating more plants or are already vegan and want to experience greater impact and joy—The Vegan Transformation is an invaluable roadmap. From research findings that illuminate the path to wellbeing, to inspiring stories of transformation, to exercises and meditations that support your journey, this book is a faithful companion in forging your own compassionate, healthy, and purposeful life. Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/the-vegan-transformation/
Vegan Made Easy
Vegan Made Easy: A Practical Guide to Plant-Based Living is a must-have resource on the “how” and “why” to go vegan. Drawing upon their extensive knowledge and passion as animal and vegan advocates, the authors have created this book to empower readers with the practical know-how to embrace plant-based living as a transformative path to a more compassionate and sustainable lifestyle. Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/vegan-made-easy/
Food for Thought
A science-based analysis of the social and environmental impacts of eating animals, written by food engineer Camila Perusello. This is a book that debunks the meat and dairy industry, including the so-called “humaine” practices. The readers will also find a guide on how to live vegan inside. Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/food-for-thought/
Sistah Vegan & Brotha Vegan
These sibling books gather a series of narratives written by North American black-identified vegans. Collectively, these activists are de-colonizing their bodies and minds via whole foods veganism. Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/sistah-vegan/
Vegan Voices
Why are you vegan? That is a question every vegan person heard at least once in their lives. Vegan Voices is a collection of testimonials about how our food choices are deeply connected to the issues of our time. Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/vegan-voices/
Books for kids
Free Bird: Flaco the Owl’s Dreams Take Flight
Based on a true story, Free Bird: Flaco the Owl’s Dreams Take Flight is an inspiring picture book for children ages 4-8 chronicling the adventures of Flaco the owl as he escapes from a zoo to follow his dreams of flying free and enjoying freedom in the wilds of NYC.
Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/free-bird/
Children’s Loving Library
Gabriel, Cluck, and Pickle follow the lives of farm animals seeking refuge. It is a great trilogy to introduce the theme of veganism for kids, especially if they are starting to compare their diets with those of their friends. All books were written by Cheryl Moss and illustrated by Irene Blasco. Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/the-childrens-loving-library/
The Be Kind Alphabet
For children who are learning their first letters, The Be Kind Alphabet helps them learn with empathy. Each letter gets its own poem, inspired by a different animal. Written and illustrated by Anouk Frolic, this book is a great addition to your child’s library. Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/the-be-kind-alphabet/
Hope, the Hopeful Piglet
Hope is a baby piglet born on a factory farm. The book follows Hope’s journey as she expects the day she will be taken to a new place, dreaming about the woods, the beach, and the park. A story that should be shared with the next generation. Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/hope-the-hopeful-piglet/
Claude & Medea
A book for older kids, Claude & Medea tells the story of two adventurous middle school students who find themselves facing Manhattan criminals. With their odd substitute teacher, Ms. Rattlebee, on their side, the two kids begin to view the world differently. Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/claude-medea/
Books to start the new year with hope
Animal Stories: Lives at a Farm Sanctuary
In 2006, William “Bill” Crain was a psychology professor and his wife, Ellen, a pediatrician. They purchased a run-down farm in upstate New York, and two years later opened Safe Haven Farm Sanctuary. It is now home to over 170 animals rescued from slaughter. In Animal Stories, Bill writes about how he and Ellen decided to start the sanctuary and tells the stories of 25 animals and their many surprising behaviors.
Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/animal-stories/
The Farm Animal Movement
The way we treat animals in the United States is about to change. In this book, Jeff Thomas shares a constellation of stories from people who are working hard to end factory farms. A perfect book to start the year feeling hopeful!
Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/the-farm-animal-movement/
The World Peace Diet
Our food choices tell us about our relationship with the world we live in. Since it was first published, in 2005, The World Peace Diet presents the outlines of a more empowering understanding of our world. Will Tuttle shows how we can move our consciousness forward as a species.
Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/the-world-peace-diet/
Recovery Writing
Author James Ryan calls himself and addict in recovery. After over twenty years sober, he shares his own and others’ experiences with writing as a healing tool.
Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/recovery-writing/
Life of Pei: The Battle for Compassion
Life of Pei: The Battle for Compassion is an inspirational read for those who are grappling with their thoughts and direction in life. In honest and moving detail, Pei describes her life experiences and how she found meaning in her life and a pathway to help other people who needed support and direction. Pei encourages a reasoned and integrated approach to foster empathy and compassion—not just for other people, but also for animals and the environment.
Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/life-of-pei/
Books for your coffee table
Voices of the Herd: Portraits of the Rescued Cows and Their Sanctuary Stories
Voices of the Herd takes you inside animal sanctuaries, revealing the hidden lives of rescued cows through breathtaking black-and-white photography and heartfelt stories. With each portrait, Mark Peters captures their personalities, resilience, and the love they share—while exposing the harsh realities of animal agriculture.
Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/voices-of-the-herd/
Jo-Anne McArthur’s photo books
Jo-Anne McArthur’s photos speak directly to the reader’s heart. As powerful as her images are the stories that accompany them. The Animals are Leaving Us, Captive, Hidden, and We Animals are great additions sure to spark important conversations in the living room.
Check all of the author’s books here: https://lanternpm.org/book-authors/jo-anne-mcarthur/
Pit Bull Flower Power
Pit Bulls suffer with the misplaced fame of being hellhounds. In this photo book, Sophie Gamand composed lovely images of those friendly dogs in flower accessories. All of the photos’ stars were in shelters, waiting for rescue, when the pictures were taken.
Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/pit-bull-flower-power/
Books for the critical thinker
Aphro-ism
This collection brings forward new theoretical frames on race, advocacy for nonhuman animals, and feminism. From pop-culture elements, the authors engage in a groundbreaking analysis of the compartmentalized nature of contemporary social movements.
Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/aphro-ism/
Racism as zoological witchcraft
Author Aph-Ko takes the 2017 movie Get Out as a starting point to show the many ways that white supremacist notions of animality and race exist through the consumption and exploitation of flesh. It is a book that aims to provide the pathway to genuine liberation.
Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/racism-as-zoological-witchcraft/
Aftershock
Aftershock is about the struggle for a world in which nobody lives in fear of atrocities perpetrated by human beings. It is a book that explores the culture of trauma that people have created through our violent exploitation of the Earth, other animals, and one another.
Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/aftershock/
Books for the animal activist
Entangled Empathy
What if, instead of focusing on animal rights, we empathetically responded to their needs? Author Lori Gruen presents the concept of entangled empathy, a type of caring perception focused on attending to another’s experience of well-being.
Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/entangled-empathy/
Muzzling a Movement: The Effects of Counterterrorism Law, Money, and Politics on Animal Activism (Revised & Updated Edition)
The U.S. government has spent decades crafting laws designed to silence animal rights activists, from ag-gag legislation that criminalizes whistleblowing to the prosecution of protesters as terrorists. In this revised and updated edition, attorney Dara Lovitz exposes how corporate greed and political fear have systematically stripped activists of their First Amendment protections.
Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/muzzling-a-movement-2/
SALT
This graphic novel by Coyote Jacobs is, unfortunately, inspired by true events. With bright colored images and an impactful story, this is a book about two men and their mission to free a monkey from a vivisection lab.
Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/salt/
How to Create a Vegan World
Author Tobias Leenaert approaches the idea of a vegan world in a pragmatic manner. How to Create a Vegan World brings forward strategies that can help animal rights activists and vegan activists to communicate effectively.
Get the book: https://lanternpm.org/book/how-to-create-a-vegan-world/
Check out all of our books on the link: https://lanternpm.org/books/