i just read "the tutor of history" by manjushree thapa. i really liked it and her descriptions are so accurate that reading the book puts you back in nepal. another great novel is "the poisonwood bible" by barbara kingsolver. one of the best books i have ever read! it really captures the sensation of feeling like an outsider in an unfamiliar country incredibly well. "100 years of solitude" by gabriel garcia marquez ifs full of poetic beauty, lyricism, and surrealist imagery. "night" by elie weisel is another intense, devastating book. and a very fast read. there are so many amazing books, but the best of all time is a children's book: "harold and the purple crayon" by crockett johnson. the story of the creative process and creative thinking/problem solving through a kid's book....it's fantastic! oh, and "the little prince" by antoine de saint exupery is another wonderful "children's" book that reminds us, as we grow old, it's important to stay young at heart.