Southeast Asia Recommended Reading (52 books)

Good Reads for travelers wishing to gain insight and understanding of Thailand, Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia

flag

1	First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers by Loung Ung 4.36 avg rating — 54,282 ratings score: 385, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Catfish and Mandala: A Two-Wheeled Voyage Through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam by Andrew X. Pham (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 6,708 ratings score: 283, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	Where Rivers Part: A Story of My Mother's Life by Kao Kalia Yang (Goodreads Author) 4.38 avg rating — 1,656 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	When Heaven and Earth Changed Places: A Vietnamese Woman's Journey from War to Peace by Le Ly Hayslip 4.12 avg rating — 4,367 ratings score: 199, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	One Foot in Laos by Dervla Murphy 3.70 avg rating — 208 ratings score: 188, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Ant Egg Soup: The Adventures of a Food Tourist in Laos by Natacha Du Pont de Bie 3.84 avg rating — 202 ratings score: 186, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Lost Executioner: A Story of the Khmer Rouge by Nic Dunlop 4.15 avg rating — 808 ratings score: 185, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	In the Shadow of the Banyan by Vaddey Ratner (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 22,039 ratings score: 182, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Very Thai by Philip Cornwel-Smith 4.20 avg rating — 146 ratings score: 179, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	The Last Gods of Indochine by Samuel Ferrer (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 51 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Survivor Love Thy Enemy by James Dennison 4.50 avg rating — 14 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	The Foreigner's Confession by Lya Badgley (Goodreads Author) 4.41 avg rating — 61 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Ringside Gamble: A gripping, emotionally powerful rollercoaster set in the heart of Thailand—where dreams, loyalty, and betrayal collide in an unforgettable tale of courage and survival. by S. J. Clarke (Goodreads Author) 4.41 avg rating — 37 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam by Neil Sheehan 4.24 avg rating — 12,570 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	The River's Tale: A Year on the Mekong by Edward Gargan 3.84 avg rating — 384 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	The Dream of a Thousand Lives: A Sojourn in Thailand by Karen Connelly (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 126 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	A Land on Fire: The Environmental Consequences of the Southeast Asian Boom by James David Fahn 4.11 avg rating — 27 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Tiger Balm: Travels in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia by Lucretia Stewart 3.13 avg rating — 15 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	Lucky Child: A Daughter of Cambodia Reunites with the Sister She Left Behind by Loung Ung 4.20 avg rating — 3,592 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	Now You See the Sky by Catharine H. Murray (Goodreads Author) 4.34 avg rating — 91 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	The King Never Smiles: A Biography of Thailand's Bhumibol Adulyadej by Paul M. Handley 3.82 avg rating — 553 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	Destination Saigon by Walter Mason (Goodreads Author) 3.51 avg rating — 196 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	A Fortune-Teller Told Me: Earthbound Travels in the Far East by Tiziano Terzani 4.21 avg rating — 8,307 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Another Quiet American: Stories of Life in Laos by Brett Dakin (Goodreads Author) 3.69 avg rating — 305 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Bangkok Days by Lawrence Osborne (Goodreads Author) 3.41 avg rating — 1,156 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Bangkok Babylon by Jerry Hopkins 3.36 avg rating — 195 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Travelers' Tales Thailand: True Stories by James O'Reilly (Editor) 3.76 avg rating — 211 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	The Cat from Hue: A Vietnam War Story by John Laurence 4.35 avg rating — 807 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	When the War Was Over: Cambodia and the Khmer Rouge Revolution by Elizabeth Becker 4.25 avg rating — 703 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Lost in Laos by Lydia Laube 3.31 avg rating — 45 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Café Lovely by Rattawut Lapcharoensap 3.97 avg rating — 3,439 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	The Road of Lost Innocence: The True Story of a Cambodian Heroine by Somaly Mam 4.20 avg rating — 8,787 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Cambodia Now: Life in the Wake of War by Karen J. Coates 3.96 avg rating — 45 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	When Broken Glass Floats: Growing Up Under the Khmer Rouge by Chanrithy Him (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 5,034 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	Destination Cambodia: Adventures in the Kingdom by Walter Mason (Goodreads Author) 3.47 avg rating — 79 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Emergency Sex (And Other Desperate Measures) : True Stories from a War Zone by Kenneth Cain 4.08 avg rating — 4,659 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	The Last Executioner: Memoirs of Thailand's Last Prison Executioner by Chavoret Jaruboon 3.79 avg rating — 286 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	The Beach by Alex Garland 3.99 avg rating — 98,415 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	The Dead Do Talk by Porntip Rojanasunan 3.75 avg rating — 44 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	The Perfume River: An Anthology of Writing from Vietnam by Catherine Cole (Editor) 3.62 avg rating — 16 ratings score: 85, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	From the Land of Green Ghosts: A Burmese Odyssey by Pascal Khoo Thwe 4.14 avg rating — 1,794 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	Write Home for Me : A Red Cross Woman in Vietnam by Lamensdorf Jean Debelle 3.65 avg rating — 34 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	The Girl in the Picture: The Story of Kim Phuc, the Photograph, and the Vietnam War by Denise Chong 3.96 avg rating — 2,368 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	Vietnam My Great Escape by Tina Bui 4.33 avg rating — 3 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	The Sorrow of War by Bảo Ninh 4.08 avg rating — 11,491 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	When the Clouds Fell from the Sky: A Daughter's Search for Her Father in the Killing Fields of Cambodia by Robert Carmichael (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 90 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Vietnam, Now: A Reporter Returns by David Lamb (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 229 ratings score: 80, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Mother and the Tiger: A Memoir of the Killing Fields by Dana Hui Lim (Goodreads Author) 4.36 avg rating — 33 ratings score: 80, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Over the Moat: Love Among the Ruins of Imperial Vietnam by James Sullivan 3.68 avg rating — 103 ratings score: 79, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Vietnamese Memories Vol.1: Leaving Saigon by Clément Baloup 3.87 avg rating — 163 ratings score: 79, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	One Crowded Hour by Tim Bowden 4.38 avg rating — 492 ratings score: 78, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	The Elimination: A Survivor of the Khmer Rouge Confronts His Past and the Commandant of the Killing Fields by Rithy Panh 4.13 avg rating — 571 ratings score: 78, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars