Recommended Books???

At the moment I'm reading Change of Heart by Neck Cooney - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159056233X?ie=UTF8&tag=vegancom&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=159056233X

It's about effective advocacy. I'm really liking it so far. Also, I haven't read this book but I saw Melanie Joy talk when she was in Melbourne about the psychology behind eating meat and I think her book would be fabulous - http://www.amazon.com/Love-Dogs-Pigs-Wear-Cows/dp/1573245054/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381101340&sr=1-1&keywords=melanie+joy

I'd recommend "Dominion" by Matthew Scully.

It covers a lot of the big issues to do with how animals are treated, but comes at it from an interesting angle, as Scully is politically conservative and religiously grounded. It may not necessarily be in line with your own views, but it may give you some more back-up when talking to people who don't believe animals have rights that need respecting.

n.b. my copy was published in 2002, so there may or may not be a more recent edition.

'But You Kill Ants' by John Waddell.
Provides answers to 100 objections to vegetarianism and veganism - a must have for any vegan who's ever been asked questions or been challenged about their ethical lifestyle and diet.

I'm currently reading 'Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others' by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky.
It was recommended by Melanie Joy's Carnism Awareness & Action Network, who said this:

"We receive so many emails from people who openly admit and display signs of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS), sometimes referred to as “compassion fatigue”. STS is common in those who witness violence toward others. STS is virtually ubiquitous among vegans, who both witness the violence of animal agriculture and contend with the denial or disregarding of such violence by the dominant culture. STS, when unrecognized and untreated, can lead to depression, despair, and ultimately burnout. With understanding, however, vegans can prevent and treat STS to cultivate more empowered and sustainable lives, as individuals and advocates.

We highly recommend Trauma Stewardship, by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, for anyone seeking to live more peacefully and mindfully as they work toward creating a better world."

I recommend "Thanking the monkey," but I can't remember the author. It's an excellent book that covers how animals are treated for food, pets, entertainment, fur, experimentation and more, and ethical arguments against each. Great for information and also a laid-back, low-key approach to veganism.

This is a great point raised as sometimes it can be overwhelming the amount of despair and gloom one can feel when reading, watching, hearing about such atrocities that animals have to endure.  Great to know such a book exists.  

Thanks to everyone once again who has replied so far and the links are awesome, I know it's been a great help for me so far and hopefully others, educating oneself is key, keep them coming.