Well, we've finally finished the last chapters of some of the 20+ books we started the trip with (not to mention the piles of boosk we bought along the way). Some of our favorites are below:
Pacific/SE Asia/AustralAsia
1. "Guns, Germs, and Steel" (Jared Diamond). This book is great if you're into history, botany, culture, or anything fun and smart at the same time. It's a dense book - kind of like taking a mini college class. It's especially informative if you're traveling in the Pacific/SE Asia/AustralAsia areas. (We've heard his new book "Collapse" is really good too).
The Himalaya Region
2. The Snow Leopard (Peter Matthiessen). Great if you're on a pilgrimage into the Himalaya and spending lots of time reflecting and alone.
3. Into Thin Air (John Krakauer). An exciting and introspective look at the 1996 Mt Everest climbing disaster. It's interesting, entertaining, and guilt-free (in case you feel guilty about escapism while you're in the midst of hard traveling).
India
1. "A Fine Balance" (Rohinton Mistry).
2. "The Namesake" (Jhumpa Lahiri). This is an excellent, bittersweet book set among Indian-Americans and the dual-identities (and struggles) of first-generation immigrants stradling two cultures and traditions.
General
"A Short History of Nearly Everything" (Bill Bryson). This is a fun and irreverent look at the development of western european science and the unusual personalities behind the breakthroughs.
The History Sections of your Lonely Planet travel guides always make for dispassionate reading when you're feeling overwhelmed by the local scene. If you need to dissociate for a while, but don't want to feel guilty about it, then bone up on the local history and idiosyncrasies from the point of view of those who understand your confusion.
