I should really be reading books about the history of where I am but I am not. Part of that is because I just don't feel like it and part of it is because they are all photo copies.

My sister works in publishing. I feel like I would be stealing from her if I bought a photocopied book. I also want to support the author. I suppose in this case, they would be happy to get their stories out however possible. But the quality is so bad; you can see right through the page.

Anyway, here is what seem to be the popular books on the backpacker's trail:

For Vietnam:
When Heaven and Earth Changed Places
The Girl in the Picture
The Sorrow of War

For Cambodia:
First the Killed My Father
Children of the Killing Fields

I would also benefit by reading about Buddhism but haven't done that either. I have been talking to a lot of people about how forgiving the Cambodians are of the Khmer and I can't help but wonder if Buddhism has something to do with it.