See Bookstores in Indonesia for information on where to order/purchase these books.
Non-Fiction Books
Stormy With a Chance of Fried Rice: Twelve Months in Jakarta
by Pat Walsh
In great storytelling style, Pat shares short vignettes of his year-long Jakarta sojourn when he was editing a truth commission report on Timor Leste. The short stories that comprise the book are a mix of the fun lighter side of life as an expat, his cultural encounters and experiences as well as serious topics. As we join Pat in his daily experiences with Indonesians of all walks of life, we are privy as well to Pat’s insightful explanations into aspects of the history and culture of Indonesia. Pat’s unique ability to share the funny side of his many daily encounters with Indonesia bring shared memories back to us all. Anyone who has lived as an expat in Jakarta will find reading his book fun and fascinating at the same time.
Balinese Food: The Traditional Cuisine & Food Culture of Bali
by Vivienne Kruger
Just when you thought you knew a lot about Bali, along comes this in-depth look at the cuisine and how it fits into everyday culture. In Balinese Food the author brings to life Bali’s time-honored and authentic village cooking traditions. In over 20 detailed chapters, she explores how the island’s intricate culinary art is an inextricable part of Bali’s Hindu religion, its culture and its community life. This book provides a detailed roadmap for those who wish to make their own exciting exploration of the exotic world of Balinese cooking!
City of Dreams: An extraordinary journey, inside the heart of Indonesia’s capital — Jakarta
by Mark Medley
A series of short stories that delve into the events and lifestyles of both Indonesians and expatriates in the 21st century in Jakarta. Each story may amuse, amaze or simply confuse you — as you journey into a city that the locals call the City of Dreams.
Culture Shock! Jakarta: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette
by Terry Collins (original by Derek Bacon)
The 2007 edition of the original book authored by Derek Bacon is an essential guide to living in Indonesia! Author Terry Collins covers a wide range of subjects, giving advice to newcomers on: First Impressions, Fitting into Society, Settling In, Food and Entertaining, Culture and Travel, Communicating, Doing Business, and of course a bit of Indonesian History and Government to round out this very informative guide!
A Comprehensive Indonesian-English Dictionary (Second Edition)
by Alan Stevens
The most authoritative resource on the Indonesian language, this up-to-date dictionary features over 1,100 pages of roots, words, and phrases. Published in 2004, this essential reference book is the result of more than twenty years of research and documentation. Its features include the latest terminology from the worlds of business, technology, and government, with sample sentences from newspapers and literature. A valuable tool for communication.
Transnational Lives: Expatriates in Indonesia
by Anne-Meike Fechter
A very interesting study on the lives of expatriates living transnational lives in Jakarta, Indonesia. The book draws on the author’s extended research among the expatriate community in Jakarta. The findings, which relate to expatriate communities worldwide, provide a nuanced analysis of current trends among a globally mobile workforce.
Kretek: The Culture and Heritage of Indonesia’s Clove Cigarettes
by Mark Hanusz
This beautifully illustrated book, detailing the past and present of Indonesia’s clove cigarette, is a coffee table book to display and share. A work of art in itself, author Mark Hanusz has included page after page of images from around the world, drawing the reader into the world of Kretek, just as the fragrance of this cigarette with its unique combination of tobacco and cloves has woven its way through the history of Indonesia.
Bule Gila: Tales of a Dutch Barman in Jakarta
by Bartele Santema
Are you ready for a chuckle, or two, or a hundred? Bart of Bugils fame shares a host of hilarious “Tales of a Dutch Barman in Jakarta.” The book is full of stories of his and his expat customers’ everyday encounters with Indonesians and their culture. His stories show his insight into the Indonesian culture and the humorous twists that arise in encounters between expats and Indonesians — both in the bar and in life in the city of Jakarta. A really FUN read!
Playing With Fire: Adventures in Indonesia
by Nick Langston-Able
A tale of one man’s journey through a country riven with political and economic change with one simple purpose in mind: to experience its culture and the natural beauty of its volcanoes. It is not meant as a guidebook to unveil the perfect Indonesian vacation, but rather a deep and witty narrative recounting the author’s immersion in a foreign culture. Anecdotes about Indonesian cultural oddities are interspersed with a very real picture of tourist life and travel destinations. All in all, an interesting read and a truthful look into the heart of a Southeast Asian nation.
Oil Patch: Living in Oil Company Compounds from Desert to Jungle
by Gary Gentry (of Jakarta Players fame)
Gary shares humorous stories of his many years in the oil patch from Libya to Borneo. Stories of his years in Indonesia include a look at the single man’s entertainment in “Hormones,” “Bu Wati” a woman of the streets, tracking elephant “Spoor,” and descending into “The Stone Age: The Oil Patch.” Every expat has a story to tell… and Gary’s make for an enjoyable read!
Ibu Maluku: The Story of Jeanne van Diejen
by Ron Heynnerman
The unique story of a resolute woman who survives the hardships of remote jungles of Maluku, the horrors of two world wars, and the life-threatening political upheavals that preceded the birth of the Republic of Indonesia. Her story reminds one of Mother Theresa and Florence Nightingale because, like these women, Jeanne had an overriding sense of duty — that of wanting to be of service to her fellow man. During her life, she distinguished herself as a planter, nurse, midwife, gardener, and social worker.
Indonesian Heritage Series
A fascinating collection of excellent reference books on Indonesian history and culture, written by a stellar panel of experts, both Indonesian and foreign. The Indonesian Heritage Series is an invaluable resource for those serious about learning more about Indonesia. Each volume contains detailed coverage of different topics on a major heritage theme presented in an easy-to-follow visual format with hundreds of photographs and illustrations. First series on Ancient History, The Human Environment, Early Modern History, Plants, Wildlife. Second series on Architecture, Performing Arts, Religion and Ritual, Language and Literature.
Revolusi: Indonesia and the Birth of the Modern World (NEW)
by David Van Reybrouck (English translation 2022)
A sweeping and vividly written oral history of Indonesia’s independence struggle and its place in shaping the modern world. Drawing on hundreds of interviews across the archipelago and beyond, Van Reybrouck weaves together personal testimonies and historical analysis to produce what many consider the definitive account of Indonesia’s revolution for a general audience. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the country they are living in at a deeper level.
Fiction Books
Cigarette Girl
by Ratih Kumala
An intriguing story that weaves back and forth through several generations of small town kretek cigarette manufacturers in Indonesia. Set on the island of Java, the story follows the evolution of several families involved in the manufacture of kretek, clove cigarettes. The tale follows the kretek businesses from their early years under the colonial rules of the Dutch East Indies in the early 1940s, through three generations of families who live through the Japanese occupation, the struggle for independence, and the bloody coup in 1965. Rich in cultural insights and the almost mystical beliefs in kretek, the story winds its way through the complicated relationships between a dying patriarch, three sons who stand to inherit, a jealous wife and the mysterious cigarette girl. Published in its original Bahasa Indonesia, English and German.
Tiger with a Human Soul
by Barbara Bisco
Barbara brings to life the ancient royal courts of the Mataram kingdom in Central Java through the escapades of Suhitra, the young palace servant who tends the tigers. The tale of her attraction for Surya, the son of a palace goldsmith, takes them both into dangerous realms amidst the lives of the palace elite and the commoners who serve them. Especially interesting for anyone who has lived in Yogyakarta or studied Javanese culture, the book is rich with culture references and nuances explaining how the Javanese live, think, and approach life.
Jaipong Dancer
by Patrick Sweeting
A sweeping tale of love, hate and moral corruption set against a backdrop of violent unrest in the post-independence struggle of the early 1950s. We follow the story of Yahyu, a young Javanese immigrant to Sumatra, who makes one mistake that changes her life forever. Throughout the story her beauty draws people to her and her skills as a classical Javanese dancer make her the envy of many. The story touches on the themes of Javanese culture, the perils and joys of having a “belando” boyfriend, political rebellion, migrant issues, and traditional forest dwelling tribes of the Sumatran rainforest.
From Jarrow to Java (on a beer scooter)
by Joe Writeson
An entertaining, humorous and cleverly observational book based on some of the unique characters and situations encountered during the course of a large construction project in East Java during a crucial time in Indonesia’s history. The cast includes all the usual suspects — Europeans, Australians, Americans — but the starring roles are held by Indonesians. The timescale covers immediately before, during and after the downfall of the Soeharto regime, centered around the building of an Independent Power Plant consisting of eight coal-fired power stations.
Night of the Water Spirits
by Barbara Bisco
This intricately woven tale takes the reader through the lives of two young people who meet in Thailand as children. We watch their early friendship develop and grow throughout the years and their interactions with Thai culture and everyday encounters. The novel offers interesting insights into the lives of expatriates in Thailand and Indonesia and in particular, the study of Southeast Asian lizards and the Komodo Dragon. Written by Jakarta expat Barbara Bisco.
A Taste for Green Tangerines
by Barbara Bisco
A sizzling escape to a richly drawn other world — this is a book about finding yourself in the most unexpected of places. Disillusioned with her London life, anthropologist Bethany Parker takes up a last-minute offer to help build an eco resort in the Indonesian rainforest, trading cappuccinos and a lackluster boyfriend for mosquito nets, longhouses and an international team of environmentalists. Thrust into a lush, colorful and sometimes brutal world of tribal traditions and erotic tensions, Bethany is forced to learn about herself as she learns about Borneo. Written by Jakarta expat Barbara Bisco.
The Spice Garden
by Michael Vatikiotis
An incredible tale of the turbulent late ’90s on a small island near Ambon. A fictional tale based on true events, it tells the story of the drastic changes to quiet idyllic island life with the onset of before unseen religious strife. The book is a very enjoyable read, full of insights into island life, small island politics, inter-religious affairs and the needs of a peaceful community to heal the wounds caused by outside agitators.
Jakarta Shadows
by Alan Brayne
Set in today’s tumultuous Indonesia, this thriller is a great read. Expats in Indonesia will find many insightful and entertaining references to life as we know it, with familiar landmarks and situations that expats find themselves drawn into.
This Earth of Mankind (NEW)
by Pramoedya Ananta Toer
Indonesia’s most celebrated novel, and required reading for anyone who wants to truly understand the country’s soul. Set in the early 20th century, it follows the life of Minke, a young Javanese man educated in a Dutch colonial school, as he navigates the injustices and complex social hierarchies of life under colonial rule. The first book in the Buru Quartet, it is a powerful exploration of identity, love, and the struggle for freedom. Widely regarded as one of the great novels of Southeast Asian literature.
The Rainbow Troops (NEW)
by Andrea Hirata
A beloved Indonesian bestseller (original title: Laskar Pelangi), translated into English and dozens of other languages. Set on the island of Belitung, it tells the heartwarming story of a group of determined children and their devoted teacher who refuse to let poverty extinguish their dreams of an education. A joyful, moving window into Indonesian village life that resonated with millions of readers worldwide and was adapted into one of Indonesia’s highest-grossing films.
Expat Community Publications
Museum Nasional Guidebook
The Guidebook takes visitors on a walking tour through the 16 sections of the National Museum in Jakarta. Beautiful photographs of items in the collections as well as descriptions of the collections and selected artifacts. The Guidebook serves as a fascinating pictorial introduction to artifacts throughout Indonesia’s history.
The Jakarta Explorer
This 372-page book is an indispensable guide to well-known and little-known historical and cultural sites in Jakarta, as well as many other hidden treasures of interest in the areas surrounding Jakarta. Compiled by the Indonesian Heritage Society’s Explorers groups.
An Indonesian Alphabet
by Sue Potter
Using knowledge gathered over a 25-year stay in Indonesia, Sue’s collection of informal insights and essays covers Indonesian topics from A–Z.
What’s New Jakarta
E-newsletter with upcoming community events.
Indonesian Heritage Society Publications
A range of publications produced by the Indonesian Heritage Society covering history, culture, and the arts of Indonesia.
Newspapers, Magazines and Newsletters
Indonesia Expat (UPDATED)
Indonesia’s largest expatriate readership publication, aimed at the expatriate and English-speaking Indonesian community in Indonesia. Now published monthly in both print and digital formats, with daily content updates at indonesiaexpat.id. Features well-known authors covering business, lifestyle and outreach in the archipelago, distributed to apartments, embassies, companies, international sports clubs, international schools, and more.
NOW! Jakarta: Life in the Capital
Monthly magazine covering news on restaurants, sports, music, movies, culture, shopping, travel and social issues in Jakarta. Available in both print and digital editions, with a free downloadable e-version at nowjakarta.co.id.
The Jakarta Post
For decades, the Jakarta Post has provided the expatriate and English-reading Indonesian communities with excellent coverage of local, national and international events. The Jakarta Post is preferred by the majority of expatriates for its unbiased coverage of the news. Available in print and online at thejakartapost.com.
Tempo English Edition
Tempo is Indonesian investigative journalism at its best. The English version of this prestigious news weekly provides information on news and current events to expats and English-speaking people in the region. Since its establishment in 1971, Tempo has been known for its ground-breaking and objective news, risking all to maintain its editorial independence. Available in print and digitally via the Tempo app and en.tempo.co.
Jakarta Globe (UPDATED)
English language digital news publication with a focus on business reporting and news and life and times of Jakarta. Popular with the expatriate community. Note: The Jakarta Globe discontinued its print edition in 2015 and is now a digital-only publication, updated daily at jakartaglobe.id.
