looking for recommendations for books that are not textbooks

[amaravati]

First, I was wondering if someone can tell me more about the material in this book "Authentic Japanese: Progressing from Intermediate to Advanced" I want to know if the materials will pick up from "An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese" and not a rehash as well the the quality of writing. I am only a beginner, but I'm thinking about moving back to Thailand soon, so I want have all the books that I can order via online before moving back, since mail services in Thailand are quite unreliable.

Also I am planing to use non-textbook resources to help me learn Japanese. I am looking for recommendations (something that I can buy online or from amazon.co.jp) I am intertested in something similiar to this http://www.jlist.com/IMAGE/DAljS or books containing collection of stories aiming for children with grammar around intermediate level like this one http://www.jlist.com/IMAGE/zIaq7 , but without being bilingual. Of course any online resources are especially welcome, since they are free.