Not sure if you are looking for something like this, but Among the Believers by VS Naipaul is a nonfiction work (presented almost like a travelogue) in which he details his visits to non-Arabian Islamic states (he focuses on Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia). He really makes the locations and the "everyday" beliefs of the people come alive in a way that reminded me a lot of the Kite Runner's portrayal of Kabul.
That is specifically for your request above for "Middle Eastern" stuff.
Also noticed your original post mentioned psychology - I had to read "Opening Skinner's Box" by Lauren Slater before my first psychology course back in high school. It was a great read, and provides some great "starting point" knowledge about psychology by taking you through 10 important experiments and findings in the 20th century.
In terms of philosophy, political theory, and literature classics, everyone above has you pretty well covered.
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