Buzz
1. Chronicles of Loneliness
It's said that it takes one-third of the shared time to forget someone. For example, a three-year relationship might need a year to be forgotten. Once familiar for three years, after a year apart, life starts to normalize, with fewer visits from the chill of the past. Yet, the heart isn't quite ready for a new love journey. Is it really forgotten if the heart isn't ready? This book captures that shiver of the past, documenting the year after parting ways with a once-future partner. Questions of regret, remembrance, and the desire to return are met with denial, as memories become just that—shared moments, not the person. The past fades, making a return impossible. 'A thousand taels of gold cannot buy a look back,' illustrating the irrevocability of moving on.
2. Teetering at 25
Since its 2012 release, 'Teetering at 25' has warmly captivated readers with its witty yet profound exploration of modern youth life. It's a mirror to the overlooked novelties of our bustling existence, making it a must-read for anyone who is, has been, or will be 25.
3. Urban Supernatural
'Urban Supernatural' is Nguyen Ngoc Thach's latest foray into short stories, blending everyday modern life with elements of the eerie and uncanny. It features captivating narratives about ordinary individuals like a mukbang artist, a game-addicted office worker, and a gay man with FOMO, each story uncovering the hidden facets of six distinct fates through a lens of realism and objective insight.
4. Crying in Saigon
Saigon, a city of noise and opulence, often misleads many into believing it's a place of sheer happiness, questioning the need for tears. Yet, Nguyen Ngoc Thach's book opens up a different perspective on Saigon - a place where loneliness is magnified by the vastness of life. Through characters Me, Nam, Phan, Tu, An, and Thuy, six individuals from various social backgrounds find an unexpected connection in the bustling city, weaving a tapestry of emotions throughout the book. The conclusion, while not overly tragic, leaves a lasting 'haunt' of memories and thoughts about a place once thought to lack space for tears. The author believes everyone who steps into Saigon leaves with a lingering attachment, memories, dreams, and aspirations. Yet, it's also believed that everyone living in Saigon has once cried amidst its chaos.
5. Halfway to Loneliness
Nguyen Ngoc Thach's 'Halfway to Loneliness' is not solely for the author but resonates with the youth at large, sharing a common sentiment in life. True to its name, the book is filled with simple, concise writings and fleeting thoughts of a young individual. It turns seemingly trivial elements into profound insights for readers to contemplate. 'It's written not just for me, but for all of us, the young and bewildered in life and love, who've felt utterly alone in a crowd at least once in their lives.'
6. Wild Youth
'Wild Youth' encapsulates the most memorable and vibrant years according to Nguyen Ngoc Thach, filled with beauty, challenges, falls, depression, and crises the author navigated through. The book shares stories, notes, and life lessons on job skills, writing job application emails, facing first job interviews, crafting proper CVs, and thoughts on life, spending money wisely, and relationships with family and friends. Everything revolving around youth can be found in this insightful book.
7. Heartbreak is Okay
Everyone experiences love and betrayal, transitioning from complete happiness to profound loss, eventually realizing love isn't something to chase forever. 'Heartbreak is Okay' by Nguyen Ngoc Thach, navigating over a decade of romantic turmoil, serves as a beacon of hope and comfort for those who've lost love. It emphasizes that life doesn't end with heartbreak; it's an opportunity to grow stronger, more resilient, and start anew. After all, heartbreak isn't a life sentence but a step towards realizing one's worth and deserving of true love.
8. A Drop of Womanhood
'A Drop of Womanhood' unfolds short stories reflecting the life and fate of women, blending joy and sorrow, happiness of a flower seller, and the anguish of womanhood. It reveals the strength of women in today's society, their independence, yet occasional need for support during vulnerable moments. The book encourages a mature understanding, thoughtful judgment, and a multifaceted approach towards women, revealing the diverse essence hidden within each individual.
9. The Depths of Womanhood
The story begins with a rumor about the spirit of a woman dead for over twenty years seeking revenge. It's a mosaic of lives intertwined, each character a piece of a dark puzzle. The narrative starts with hatred and ends in blood, highlighting that while women are not inherently vicious, desperation can lead to tragedy. 'The Depths of Womanhood' reflects my understanding and love for womanhood, completed five years ago and refined to fit the era of the 1960s in Saigon. Unlike linear storytelling or third-person perspectives, this novel unfolds through the voices of fifteen different characters, each contributing a piece to complete the story, revealing secrets and surprises towards the end. The intent to experiment with this narrative style was inspired by the notion that behind every person lies a unique story, interwoven with the lives of others, adding layers of complexity.
10. Heart of a Lioness
'Heart of a Lioness' is a remarkable book, not just for its content as the first memoir of a lesbian in Vietnam, but also for its powerful inspiration to the youth seeking to follow their own path. Just five years ago, the concept of homosexuality was unfamiliar to many in Vietnam, but recent years have seen pride parades and public displays of love among same-sex couples, showcasing a spirit of love equality. The book tells the story of Nguyen Thanh Tam, a small person with the mighty heart of a lion, who also founded Viet Pride - Vietnam's first pride parade. This narrative stands as a testament to the evolving acceptance and celebration of LGBTQ+ identities in Vietnam, inspiring others with its story of strength and the quest for equality.
