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Books

Books Like a lot of other travellers, we had plenty of time to read books and took this opportunity to learn more about the countries we were visiting. Books are really important when you travel over a long period of time, they often give you more background and information than a guidebook and become something to do while waiting for the next bus or train. In Asia we enjoyed cheap books from street vendors, sold in a re-keyed format (spelling mistakes and typos included). Elsewhere second-hand bookstores and swapping with fellow travelers were other ways of getting a cheap read but we realised quickly that a bad swap could be worse than having no book at all. The list is short and we could add so much more, these are our favourites.

		The Tunnels of Cu Chi by Tom Mangold, John Penycate Berkley Publishing Group, 1997 ISBN: 0425089517 A collection of accounts from Vietnamese and American soldiers fighting in the tunnels near Saigon. It's a documentary style book and there is a lot of historical background as well as hard-core personal wartime experiences in the tunnels. If you intend to visit the tunnels of Cu Chi, this is a must-read and gives you an insight into the motivations and fears of both sides during the Vietnam war.

		First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung Publisher: Mainstream Publishing, 2001 ISBN: 1840185198 Autobiography of a five year old growing up in Cambodia during the genocide of the Khmers rouge. This is a very emotional and powerful story that leaves aside the complex political situation to concentrate on a family tragedy. If you don't know much about history in Cambodia, this true story is a great way to grasp the horror of what happened. Loung Ung survived and published the book in the USA.

		Holy Cow! by Sarah MacDonald Publisher: Bantam, 2004 ISBN: 0553816012 The true story of an Australian journalist who reluctantly follows her boyfriend to settle in Delhi. Holy Cow is hilarious and written from a foreigner's point of view. What makes it really interesting is that it's a recent account of India and for example mentions the events of 9/11 and the tensions over Kashmir. It's very easy to read and full of incredible detail about Indian culture and beliefs.

		The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd, 1996 ISBN: 014024980X Paul Theroux takes a series of train journey accross Asia. As ever he is more interested in the journey, his travelling companions and all the practicalities of train travel than the destinations themselves. Although the book is written about his experiences in the seventies, incredibly many of them still ring true today. If you are fans of Paul theroux travel writing, like us, you'll like it.

		O-Zone by Paul Theroux Penguin Books Australia Ltd. ISBN: 0140105093 Nothing to do with travelling, this is an early science fiction book by Paul Theroux. Set in the near future, a group of friends set off into the forbidden area of O-Zone for a New Year's celebration. It's a gripping story and the future world he describes is disturbing and convincing. Plenty of pages to keep you entertained.

		Down Under by Bill Bryson Publisher: Black Swan, 2001 ISBN: 055299703X Much more than a collection of amusing antipodean anecdotes, Bill Bryson has really taken the time to thoroughly research his subject. You will learn a lot about Australian history, have a taste for some of the mythic Aussie places and a few laughs at Bill's expense.

		A Walk in the Woods. Bill Bryson Publisher: Black Swan, 1998 ISBN: 0552997021 The best Bill Bryson ever. This is just hilarious. He sets off to walk the Apalachian trail in the USA without realising the distance involved and recruits an old friend to walk the trail with him. Along the way they confront their numerous fears of the great American outdoors. The historical background is as fascinating as the adventure itself and if you are a scaredy cat like Bill, you will laugh a lot.

		City of Joy by Dominique Lapierre, Kathryn Spink (Translator) Publisher: Arrow, 1992 ISBN: 0099140918 A classic and a bestseller. A young priest devotes himself to help the inhabitants of the City of Joy, a ghetto in Calcutta. Also the story of a family leaving the countryside for a better life in the city. The book is very moving as the details come from Dominique Lapierre's true experience with the deprived people in the City of Joy. Since the publishing the book has become a film (I haven't seen) with Patrick Swayze.

		Falling Leaves Return to Their Roots by Adeline Yen Mah Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd, 1999 ISBN: 0140287809 The true story of an unwanted chinese daughter. It's mostly a family story but it's set against the backdrop of the revolution and the exodus of the Cantonese to Hong-Kong and the rest of the world. The sibbling rivalry and crualty are hard to believe but the references to chinese culture are fascinating.