A community reading program centered around the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, The Sympathizer, by Viet Thanh Nguyen. From January through March, readers of all ages are invited to celebrate The Sympathizer with author talks, film screenings, cultural presentations, storytimes, book club discussions and more!
Author Viet Thanh Nguyen
Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 6:30pm
Viet Thanh Nguyen is author of The Committed, which continues the story of The Sympathizer, awarded the 2016 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, alongside seven other prizes. He is a University Professor and the Aerol Arnold Professor of English and American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California and recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim and MacArthur foundations.
Books available for purchase, courtesy of Mysterious Galaxy. No registration required, all ages welcome. Early arrival suggested.
Norma Hertzog Community Center
1845 Park Ave
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
For more information, call (714) 566-3034 or email ocpl.programs@occr.ocgov.com
Cookbook Author:
Chef Tu David Phu
Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 11:00am
Chef Tu David Phu’s culinary journey is a captivating blend of heritage and innovation. Raised in Oakland, California, Chef Phu is a first-generation Vietnamese-American with deep roots back to Phu Quoc, renowned for its artisanal fish sauce production in Asia. Throughout his career, Chef Phu absorbed the essence of various culinary traditions, from American culinary excellence to classical European techniques. Yet, a profound connection to what he calls “the memory of taste” led him back to his Vietnamese roots.
Complimentary books available, while supplies last. Early arrival suggested. Beverage prepared by the Charlie Cart Committee.
No registration required, all ages welcome.
Westminster Library
8180 13th Street
Westminster, CA 92683
For more information, call 714-893-5057 or email ocpl.westminster@occr.ocgov.com
Cookbook Author:
Chef Tuệ Nguyễn
Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 11:00am
Chef Tuệ Nguyễn, a.k.a. social media icon @TwayDaBae, is an acclaimed Vietnamese chef and one of the fastest rising stars in the culinary space. Since graduating from culinary school and beginning her content creation journey, she has showcased her skills through sold-out pop-ups in Los Angeles and New York City, which led to her partnering with the world-renowned h.wood Group to open the hottest new restaurant in Los Angeles, DiDi. Her debut cookbook Di An was released in September 2024 with Simon & Schuster and named one of the best cookbooks of 2024. She can be seen as the current host of Making it Big on BuzzFeed’s food network Tasty and as the host of People’s digital food show, Celeb Eats. Tue has been featured in Forbes 30 under 30 2024,
Esquire, Eater, LA Times, Eater LA, Thrillist, Hollywood Reporter, Paper Mag, and more.
Complimentary books available, while supplies last. Early arrival suggested.
No registration required, all ages welcome.
Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library
1855 Park Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
For more information, call 949-646-8845 or email ocpl.costamesadd@occr.ocgov.com
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of culture with Thiên Ân Performing Arts! Enjoy an exciting lion dance and a captivating drumming performance. Afterward, join us for fun and interactive crafts!
Saturday, February 22 @ 11:00am
Westminster Library
8180 13th Street
Westminster, CA 92683
Sunday, February 23 @ 1:00pm
Tustin Library
345 E. Main Street
Tustin, CA 92780
Saturday, March 8 @ 11:00am
San Juan Capistrano Library
31495 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
New Wave
Sunday, January 26, 2025 @ 2:00pm
NEW WAVE is a historical documentary about displaced Vietnamese refugee youth who fled their country by boat and then in the 1980s redefined their identities in suburban Orange County, California, through New Wave music. Through intimate accounts from Southern California Vietnamese music industry veterans, viewers will learn of how they healed and transformed by building a raucous music scene that the Vietnamese diaspora and fans worldwide still celebrate today, nearly 40 years later.
Runtime: 1h 28m
No registration required. All ages welcome.
Refreshments courtesy of the Charlie Cart Committee.
Tustin Library
345 E. Main Street
Tustin, CA 92780
For more information, call 949-646-8845 or email ocpl.programs@occr.ocgov.com
The Waves Now Calm, The Fading Light & Finding The Virgo
Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 2:00 pm
The Waves Now Calm is a personal documentary that reflects on the legacy of the Indochina Refugee Crisis through the memories of a retired Malaysian fisherman and the Truong family's Thanksgiving celebration in Houston.
Theo Hướng Đèn Mà Đi (The Fading Light) follows a Vietnamese American revisiting his childhood home in Saigon, reflecting on the events that shaped his life amid the legacy of the Vietnamese boat people.
Finding the Virgo follows a family of Vietnamese boat refugees, rescued in 1980 by the U.S.-based cargo ship LNG Virgo, as they embark on a decades-long search for the captain and crew who gave them a new life.
Runtimes:
The Waves Now Calm - 14 min
The Fading Light - 22 min
Finding the Virgo - 50 min
No registration required. All ages welcome.
Tustin Library
345 E. Main Street
Tustin, CA 92780
For more information, call 714-566-3034 or email ocpl.programs@occr.ocgov.com
Mr. Cao Goes to Washington
Saturday, March 15, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Mr. Cao Goes to Washington follows the real-life unexpected journey of Rep. Joseph Cao–the first Vietnamese American elected to the US Congress in 2009. Will Cao keep his integrity and idealism intact?
Runtime: 71 min
No registration required. All ages welcome.
Westminster Library
8180 13th St
Westminster, CA 92683
For more information, call 714-566-3034 or email ocpl.programs@occr.ocgov.com
Granny Boot Camp, I Want You to Live, The Morning Passing on El Cajón Boulevard, Lion on the Mat, & No Crying at the Dinner Table
Saturday, March 29, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Granny Boot Camp (5 min): A grandma, fearing Asian hate and reluctant to leave her house, finds courage with the support of her grandchildren.
I Want You to Live (9 min): Lia, a grieving Asian-American teenager, uncovers her mother's journal and learns about her family's journey as refugees during the Vietnam War.
The Morning Passing on El Cajón Boulevard (21 min):
This film explores the grieving rituals of refugee families through the eyes of Julie, a second-generation Vietnamese-American funeral director.
Lion on the Mat (17 min): A Vietnamese-American single mother channels her past trauma into martial arts as a form of healing and empowerment.
No Crying at the Dinner Table (19 min): In this poignant documentary, filmmaker Carol Nguyen delves into her family’s unspoken grief, trauma, and secrets through personal interviews.
No registration required. All ages welcome.
Westminster Library
8180 13th St
Westminster, CA 92683
For more information, call 714-566-3034 or email ocpl.programs@occr.ocgov.com
Join us for special storytimes as we celebrate Vietnamese culture.
Storytimes are open to children of all ages and their parents or caregivers.
Lunar New Year Storytime
Baby/Toddler
Tuesday, January 28 @ 10:30am
Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library
12700 Montecito
Seal Beach, CA 90740
Lunar New Year
Storytime
Tuesday, January 28 @ 10:30am
San Juan Capistrano Library
31495 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Lunar New Year Storytime
Kindergarten Readiness
Wednesday, January 29 @ 10:30am
Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library
12700 Montecito
Seal Beach, CA 90740
Lunar New Year
Storytime
Wednesday, January 29 @ 11:00am
La Habra Library
221 East La Habra Blvd.
La Habra, CA 90631
Lunar New Year
Storytime
Wednesday, January 29 @ 4:00pm
San Clemente Library
242 Avenida Del Mar
San Clemente, CA 92672
Vietnamese Culture
Storytime
Wednesday, February 19 @ 5:00pm
Garden Grove Chapman Library
9182 Chapman Avenue
Garden Grove, CA 92841
Vietnamese Culture
Storytime
Tuesday, February 25 @ 10:30am
Foothill Ranch Library
27002 Cabriole Way
Foothill Ranch, CA 92610
Vietnamese Culture
Storytime
Tuesday, February 25 @ 10:30am
Rancho Santa Margarita Library
30902 La Promesa
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Vietnamese Culture
Storytime
Saturday, March 1 @ 9:30am
Garden Grove Tibor Rubin Library
11962 Bailey Street
Garden Grove, CA 92845
Vietnamese Culture
Storytime
Saturday, March 8 @ 10:30am
Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library
12700 Montecito
Seal Beach, CA 90740
Vietnamese Culture
Storytime
Saturday, March 29 @ 11:00am
Fountain Valley Library
17635 Los Alamos
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
As part of One County, One Book readers are invited to join OCPL’s book club discussions to explore
intergenerational themes, including family dynamics, cultural identity, and the refugee experience
as reflected in Viet Thanh Nguyen’s The Sympathizer. Copies of the book are available at each
participating branch prior to discussions. Borrow eBooks using the Libby app by
OverDrive. Contact your library for more information.
Wednesday, January 8 @ 11:15am
Irvine Heritage Park Library
14361 Yale Avenue
Irvine, CA 92604
Thursday, January 23 @ 1:00pm
La Habra Library
221 East La Habra Blvd.
La Habra, CA 90631
Sunday, January 26 @ 3:00pm
Costa Mesa Mesa Verde Library
2969 Mesa Verde Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Saturday, February 1 @ 3:00pm
Brea Library
1 Civic Center Circle
Brea, CA 92821
Tuesday, February 4 @ 6:00pm
Garden Grove Tibor Rubin Library
11962 Bailey Street
Garden Grove, CA 92845
Wednesday, February 5 @ 6:00pm
La Palma Library
7842 Walker Street
La Palma, CA 90623
Saturday, February 15 @ 10:00am
Ladera Ranch Library
29551 Sienna Parkway
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Thursday, February 20 @ 1:00pm
Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library
1855 Park Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Wednesday, February 26 @ 10:30am
San Clemente Library
242 Avenida Del Mar
San Clemente, CA 92672
Thursday, February 27 @ 10:30am
Seal Beach Library
707 Electric Avenue
Seal Beach, CA 90740
Monday, March 3 @ 10:45am
Villa Park Library
17865 Santiago Blvd.
Villa Park, CA 92861
Monday, March 3 @ 5:00pm
Garden Grove Chapman Library
9182 Chapman Avenue
Garden Grove, CA 92841
Wednesday, March 5 @ 10:30am
Laguna Hills Technology Library
25555 Alicia Parkway
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Wednesday, March 5 @ 10:30am
Tustin Library
345 E. Main Street
Tustin, CA 92780
Tuesday, March 11 @ 5:30pm
San Juan Capistrano Library
31495 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Thursday, March 13 @ 2:00pm
Fountain Valley Library
17635 Los Alamos
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Friday, March 14 @ 1:00pm
El Toro Library
24672 Raymond Way
Lake Forest, CA 92630
Tuesday, March 18 @ 10:30am
Laguna Woods Library
24266 El Toro Road
Laguna Woods, CA 92637
Wednesday, March 19 @ 5:30pm
Los Alamitos-Rossmoor Library
12700 Montecito
Seal Beach, CA 90740
Tuesday, March 25 @ 1:00pm
Westminster Library
8180 13th Street
Westminster, CA 92683
This project is funded in part through a grant from the California Department of Aging and administered locally by the Orange County Office on Aging.