River Town by Peter Hessler is a must-read book for:
a) anyone who’s going or has been to China
b) anyone who did / wants to do Peace Corps work
c) anyone who enjoys travel writing
Hessler has a gift for writing. In this work he describes and reflects on two years in the Peace Corps in a small China town. It’s gorgeous on every level and more revealing of China than any guide book could hope to be. Five stars.