Norfolk Reads Together:
A Community Read
No better time than the present to join as a community and enjoy something together. During the month of May we will be holding discussions based on the book The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai.

The Mountains Sing  tells an enveloping, multi-generational tale of the Trần family, set against the backdrop of the Việt Nam War. Trần Diệu Lan, who was born in 1920, was forced to flee her family farm with her six children during the Land Reform as the Communist government rose in the North. Years later in Hà Nội, her young granddaughter, Hương, comes of age as her parents and uncles head off down the Hồ Chí Minh Trail to fight in a conflict that tore not just her beloved country, but her family apart.

Vivid, gripping, and steeped in the language and traditions of Việt Nam,  The Mountains Sing  brings to life the human costs of this conflict from the point of view of the Vietnamese people themselves, while showing us the true power of kindness and hope.

Immerse yourself in the Vietnamese culture with virtual tours, music, and activities. The book is available on Hoopla as an eBook as well as eAudio .

Keep an eye on our website , Facebook , and Instagram for more events and announcements.
Book Discussion Group Meetings
Wednesday, May 20th at 7PM:
Join Hangouts Meet
Join by phone
‪+1 707-867-0323‬ PIN: ‪507 989 727‬#

Thursday, May 21st at 1PM:
‪+1 530-832-8112‬ PIN: ‪175 590 440‬#
Immerse Yourself in Vietnamese Culture
Vietnam and Calligraphy

"In Vietnam, calligraphy is called “Thu Phap”; “Thu” means script while “Phap” means rule, in combination, the term means “the rule of writing”. It originated from the art of Hán or Chinese handwriting during a period of domination by the northern invaders." Read more about Vietnam and the history of calligraphy at the World Calligraphy Museum website and see how it has changed over the course of time and been adapted .

Want to try your hand at calligraphy? Check out the 41 tutorials available on our crafting platform, Creative Bug . All you need to login is your library card.

The Food of Vietnam

Vietnamese food is considered one of the healthiest cuisines available worldwide due to its minimal use of sugar, gluten, dairy, and oil. Relying on herbs and vegetables, Vietnamese recipes explode with flavor and are easier to make than you may think.

Try out these recipes and find more at The Spruce Eats.

Youth Programs
Everyone is invited to participate! Here are some titles and activities for our teen, elementary, and preschool age friends.

Teens:
“The Sympathizer” by Viet Thanh Nguyen

Middle Grade:
“Listen, Slowly” by Thanhha Lai
eBook and eAudio available on Hoopla

Preschool:
“Vietnamese Children's Favorite Stories" by Tran

“Lotus Seed” by Tatsuro Kiuchi

“Ten Mice for Tet” by Pegi Deitz Shea
Activities
Other Programs
Coffee Talk
11:00am and 2:00pm. Meets on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesdays of the month.

Grab a cup of coffee or tea and let's talk! Topics include book, movie, and tv recommendations, suggestions for ways to stay active and occupied, and discussing current events. Drop in to connect and talk with other friends from the library.

Virtual Meeting Information:
Coffee Talk, 11am: 
2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesdays
Join by phone: ‪+1 281-668-4246‬ PIN: ‪334 559 032‬#

Coffee Talk, 2pm:
2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tuesdays
Join by phone: ‪+1 314-474-2799‬ PIN: ‪555 069 382‬#
Weekly Story Times
Mondays at 11:00am: Baby and Toddler Story Time with Miss Meghan

Tuesdays at 11:00am (starting April 14): Sing Along with Miss Meghan

Wednesdays at 6:30pm: Pajama Story Time with Miss Meghan

Thursdays at 11:00am: Multi-age Story Time with Miss Courtney