Although The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down may sound like the debut album from an obscure EDM artist, this little non-fiction book has changed the world in more ways than one.

The book was written by Anne Fadiman, a journalist with some serious pedigree. Fadiman's father is Clifton Fadiman, a legendary editor, writer, and part-time quiz show host. After following her father's footsteps into the world of journalism, Fadiman stumbled across the story of Lia Lee, a young Hmong child (more on them soon) who's diagnosed with epilepsy. Fadiman was only planning on writing a single article about Lia, but after the piece was rejected by The New Yorker, she figured she might as well upgrade to a full-blown book.

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down documents the struggles of the Lees, a family of Hmong refugees who live in sunny Merced, California. After the youngest daughter, Lia, is diagnosed with epilepsy, the family runs headlong into the stubborn American medical system—an experience made even more difficult by the fact that parents Nao Kao and Foua can't speak a lick of English.

But that's not all, folks. You'll also learn about the history of the Hmong (we told you so), including their migration from China to Laos, their participation in the Vietnam War alongside American soldiers, and their deeply mystical religious practices. Far from being a boring history lesson, these anecdotes give us the context we need to understand Lia's struggles.

Though it's often heart-breaking, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down is a worthwhile read for countless reasons. Whether you're interested in cultural diversity, modern medicine, or traditional spirituality, The Spirit Catches You has you covered.