I am not a Buddhist but I do appreciate lot of it’s teachings. One of my favorite authors is Pema Chodron. One of the places she lives and works from is Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia, a Buddhist retreat and monastery. I’d love to go there someday (my grandfather was from Nova Scotia too).
Her book “Start Where You Are” is one that I have read many times. It is about meditation, mindfulness and working through life experience rather than trying to run away from it. I also recommend “When Things Fall Apart”.
The following is a clip from a Bill Moyers interview on why she became a Buddhist:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4slnjvGjP4