What to read before a trip to South East Asia

So this is my first ever trip to South East Asia - and the saying "Fail to prepare, prepare to fail" is one that's been at the back of my mind.  For me, I think it's important to familiarize yourself with some of the culture, customs and history of the country you are planning on visiting.  I will be volunteering in Cambodia and Thailand for a combined time of 5 months.  I feel it's especially important for me to know at least a little of the country before I go since I will be living and working alongside locals.  Also, as I am teaching I will be in a position of influence and trust and I don't think I can fully take on that role unless I understand a little of the people and their country.  

I chose to embark on this adventure and take on this challenge so that I could fully immerse myself in the local culture of Cambodia and Thailand. I'm hoping to get a true sense of the real Cambodia and Thailand instead of a tourists insight. So ofcourse, I won't know everything before I go (nor do I want to) part of the fun of it is is experiencing first hand the new culture and all it encompasses. However, that said, I've read a few guides and books - some I've chosen myself and some were passed on to me by friends. 

Here's all the books I have:

 

These books on Thailand were given to me by a friend there's a guide book, map and phrase book included; a phrase/vocab book is essential for teaching! 

Lonely Planet Cambodia book.  Lonely Planet needs no introduction! I've used them loads before both online & other books.  I used their 'Europe on a Shoestring' guide for my interrail trip. 

No good traveler would be without one of these! A map! If you're going to spend money on any guide make sure you have an UP-TO-DATE map! These Marco-Polo ones are my favourite: very reliable.  This one also comes with sticky arrows (great for planning a trip)!

This book perhaps needs (and deserves) more of an explanation.  The author of 'First they killed my father' is Loung Ung and she has also written 'Lulu in the Sky' & 'Lucky Child'.  She is a survivor of the Pol Pot regime and this book is harrowing and completely candid but remarkably enlightening.  In my research of this book it got mixed reviews - some people felt that it was unrealistic that this book was written from the point of view of a 5 year old child; however I think Ung deals with this exceptionally well.  For ANYONE travelling to Cambodia, I think this book is a must read.  It gives the reader an appreciation of the country's appalling and devastating history, but also delves into the emotional and personal effects on a real Cambodian family. 

 I hope you've enjoyed this post and maybe found it useful! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it?