\"Shantaram\" VS \"Store desires\"

Hi all! I love these two books, I decided to organize a mini-contest! Now I will tell you about them in comparison, and also at the same time will Express who for me is the winner, but I will be glad to read your comments.
So: Alexander Speke Store "Desires" or Gregory David Roberts "Shantaram".
First we start with the external data:
First, volume. Immediately we see that action-adventure novel by Alexander Spika easier to use, with him you can not leave even on the road, as its volume is 250 pages. But "Shantaram" is not put in a little bag, because this book consists of 864 pages.

Next, a few words about the cover, "Shop of dreams" shows us the main character, Spica, draws his image, which after reading is 100% identical with that described in the book. A cover of "Shantaram" represents only the views of India.

Both books are good for their philosophy. Reading "Shantaram" you so appreciate the philosophy of the Hindus, you will want to visit this country. You will also learn about the procedures safely and happily to live, despite the poverty, or the devastation of life. But love-adventure "Shop of dreams" will help you cope with the addiction desires to find life balance and advance to a new perception of life. The correct fulfillment of desires is the key to success in life!

The next point of comparison is the accuracy of current facts. Hero "Shantaram" costs us much farther than Speke and his main character, Alexander, we believe more. For the Russian audience, of course, it is hard to imagine the realities of both life, but the problems of the hero of the "Shop of dreams" for us is more real: loans, bad habits, overweight, dull work, monotonous family life, problems with the wife or husband with this... everyone is faced almost daily.

So, I guess you've noticed that my preference is given to Shop of wishes, and how you think. which book is better?