Beach Music by Pat Conroy

Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen (optional: plus the continuation: Shadows on the Grass)

Ladies of Liberty by Cokie Roberts

Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichi

The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined, by Steven Pinker

You can get a brief overview of the book in this video, in which the author discusses his theories at:  http://watchdocumentary.com/watch/steven-pinker-a-brief-history-of-violence-video_73a6c2ef5.html