Whether you are on a sandy beach, at a quiet coffee shop, or simply in the comfortable confines of your own home, nothing quite beats a good book. The Expat reader will be happy to discover that there exists a vibrant and informative array of literature concerning life in Malaysia that is sure to enhance the enjoyment of their stay. Listed here is a selection of notable titles to get your travel bug biting and provide some added inspiration.

1) Lonely Planet Kuala Lumpur Melaka & Penang (Regional Travel Guide)

Author: Joe Bindloss and Celeste Brash

A thorough and highly readable overview of life in Malaysia’s major urban centers, this Lonely Planet Regional Travel Guide –though targeted specifically at travelers – is well worth purchasing whether you are an expat or tentatively considering becoming one. Though there is a plethora of Kuala Lumpur, Malacca and Penang travel guides out there, Lonely Planet will provide the reader with the most value for his/her money. The guide begins with a succinct outline of how the new-arrival can orient oneself (with great ease) to the Malaysian cultural climate; find the best (and most economical) places to eat and means of travel, and delve into some of the most unforgettable experiences that Malaysia has to offer.  What makes the book particularly valuable is the way it highlights some of the ways that potential dangers and annoyances can be overcome at certain locals.

The Lonely Planet Guide to Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Penang should not be thought of as a simple, skeletal tourism directory (though it certainly lists an extensive variety of locations complete with descriptions of the principal sites and features). Background histories of important locations are also included – structured in an extremely helpful timeline fashion- and the collection of invaluable route maps at the back of the guide make it a useful travel companion.
   
The density of information found in The Lonely Planet Guide to Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Penang means that the reader, even after years spent in Malaysia, can pick the book up, browse through and plan a new, exciting adventure with ease and peace of mind.

2) Floating on a Malayan Breeze- Travels in Malaysia and Singapore

Author: Sudhir Vadaketh

Both an inspiring travelogue and a poignant commentary on Malaysian-Singaporean relations, Sudhir Vadaketh’s Floating on a Malayan Breeze chronicles the epic 30-day bicycling trip undertaken by two Singaporeans (the author Sudhir Vadaketh and his companion Sumana Rajarethnam) around the Malaysian peninsular. On the course of their travels, during which they subsisted on a budget of 3US$ a day, the pair interviewed and conversed with a diverse cross-section of individuals, from fishermen in Kuala Kedah to activists from Penang, about the cultural and socio-political issues that both link and differentiate Malaysia and Singapore. Though the book does deal with political issues extensively, it is anything but dry and serves as an excellent primer for understanding the complex patchwork of Malaysian society.
   
It is not often that one finds a poignant and honest sociological commentary welded to an enjoyable bicycling chronicle. Floating on a Malayan Breeze is sure to intrigue and inspire.

3) Where Hornbills Fly- A Journey with the Headhunters of Borneo

Author: Erik Jensen

The amazing memoir of a man who, in his youth, spent seven years living with the Iban Dayak natives of Sarawak. Where Hornbills Fly is sure to appeal to just about anyone interested in a good real-life story that deals with the plight of an indigenous people in the face of massive environmental and cultural upheaval. Erik Jensen’s language is pleasantly bereft of the overbearing bias and urgency that generaly permeates more anthropological or political assessments of indigenous rights, and he manages to paint a vivid yet down to earth picture of the world the Iban Dayak have lived in since time immemorial as well as the most significant challenges they have faced over the last fifty years.  The author dwelt with his native companions in their long houses, learnt their language, and eventually worked with the Iban Dayak to forge a lasting development program.
   
An excellent book for anyone looking to be stimulated into planning a trip to Borneo, Where Hornbills Fly will make a valuable addition to any library. 

4) Malaysia at Random

Authors: William Citrin, Gabrielle Low and Joane Sharmila

Filled with a fascinating, and at times hilarious, array of facts and figures, Malaysia at Random is an excellent trivia book to leaf through to find either a good laugh or a conversation starter. Chapters include the proper ways to pray at a Hindu temple, a diagram on how the KL Smart Tunnel Works, and even which international Pop-Stars have managed to kick up a fuss whilst on tour in Malaysia. Detailed illustrations and sketches compliment the categories, as do charts and lists that deal with subjects ranging from law to etiquette. The Kindle version of Malaysia at Random is also available for purchasing on Amazon.

5) Malaysia-Portrait of a Nation

Author: Wendy Khadijah Moore, Photos by Radin Mohd Noh Saleh

This colorful, glossy visual guide contains over 140 dazzling photos of the exotic peoples and places that contribute to the rich cultural tapestry of Malaysia.  The azure waters of Tioman Island, the sparkling cityscape of Kuala Lumpur and the playful Orang Utans of Sarawak are just a few of Malaysia’s many amazing features that have been captured with stunning detail in this volume.  Photography fans and readers who enjoy National Geographic Magazine features will be please to find Malaysia-Portrait of a Nation to be filled with excellent still lives of everyday Malaysians going about their business. The humble shop-stalls, fishermen racks and rice paddies become sites shown in the book convey a real aesthetic quality which is difficult to find outside obscure galleries and exhibitions. There are also some exquisite colonial European paintings of Malaysia’s colonial era ports.
    
Perfect both as a coffee table book and a trip-tempter evening read, Malaysia: Portrait of a Nation is well worth the purchase.