Siddhartha, Paperback/Hermann Hesse

This best selling classic takes place in ancient Nepal around the time of Gautama Buddha. It starts as Siddhartha, the son of a Brahmin, leaves his home to join the ascetics with his companion Govinda. The two set out in the search of enlightenment. Siddhartha goes through a series of changes and realizations as he attempts to achieve this goal.