The Virgin's Lover by Philippa Gregory

Title: The Virgin's Lover
Author: Philippa Gregory
Type: Fiction
ISBN: 0-00-719278-9
Published: 2004
Comments: If only all history was this easy to read! Entertaining and yet I feel like I'm learning at the same time... thanks Philippa!

The Good Women of China by Xinran

Title: The Good Women of China - Hidden Voices
Author: Xinran
Type: Non-fiction
ISBN: 0-099-44078-4
Published: 2002
Comments: An eye-opening book about how women are treated in China, I had to force myself to read some of the chapters (each one is a tale of a different woman) as some of the treatment is barbaric.

The Foreign Expert by Mervyn Cull

Title: The Foreign Expert - A New Zealander inside Chinese journalism
Author: Mervyn Cull
Type: Non-fiction
ISBN: 1-877161-03-9
Published: 1997
Comments: An enjoyable short read (200 pages) about life in Beijing, prior to and after the Tianamen Square "incident". A useful book to read if you're planning on spending some time working in China.

Five Months in a Leaky Boat by Ben Kozel

Title: Five Months in a Leaky Boat
Author: Ben Kozel
Type: Non-fiction
ISBN: 0-7329-1191-5
Published: 2003
Comments: Another book about Siberia, this time a rowing trip the length of the fifth longest river in the world. Tim Cope is involved in this journey too. Well written and going places you don't normally read of this is a great book.