A closer read: Hong Vu, writer
My relationship with books began at a very early age. Three to be exact. That was when I received my very first book. My dad picked it up from the side of the road. It was a very worn copy of Peanuts, and the very first story in there was the one where Charlie Brown misplaced his library book. He was even convinced that the people from the library were going to come and hurt his parents or put him in chains and drag him away. Thankfully he found the book in the refrigerator. His happy dance! His glee! It’s all tattooed in my brain. And the book is still with me in my apartment now. Sometimes, when I’m feeling particularly nostalgic for the childhood I never had, I pick it up and flip through it very carefully, remembering every smell and mark.
When I first started reading books, I quickly learned that it can do two things for me: 1) it can act as a sanctuary for me, a place of magic and escape, and it truly was; and 2) it can make everything out of reach within reach—imagination solidified, captured through words, and with every turn of the page, something curious or unexpected can happen, can extend this fantasy into unheard-of realms.
Books saved me from being someone I was afraid of, and I’m so grateful to have that. I owe so much to the characters that taught me about kindness, gratitude, and the strength in vulnerability. I learned about empathy, fear, and a loneliness that never quite escapes you. I learned that there exists true grace in honest pain, and that nothing is irrevocable, but somehow, some things are irrevocable. The clarity and compassion in complexity. And that’s really what it’s all about, isn’t it? The back and forth turn of every relationship, with every page.
I’m so excited about this series because I know I’m not alone in this. I know there exists millions of people who have found friends and foes within those pages, a story waiting to unfold. And because I hope this intimate peek into people’s relationships with the books in their libraries can reveal more than just a love for reading, it can reveal meaningful experiences, a journey of growth that’s never ending, impressions made within seconds, and most of all—how books can save you and shape you all at once.
Do you remember the moment you fell in love with books?
I think it happened shortly after I learned how to read, but I can’t pinpoint the exact moment. I do remember my mom taking me to the library every week, and I would check out around 20 to 30 books at a time because I never felt like I had enough. I had to read everything. And thankfully I still feel that now.
What book has truly touched you to your core?
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine – I relate to that story in so many ways, and you can’t help but cheer for the protagonist. It was such a personal experience to see how she allowed herself to open up with every act of kindness extended to her. Also, not that much of a spoiler, but I sobbed when she finally got her cat.
Is there a book you wish you wrote?
A Tale for the Time Being – Ruth Ozeki is simply brilliant. Every word is sacred and written with intention. Every part of the story was truly unforgettable.
What is your favorite book?
Never Let Me Go – every time I read it, I feel myself sighing after every page. Kazuo Ishiguro is truly a beautiful writer, and he’s a master at capturing the realm of emotions at any given moment – stretching seconds or minutes into whole pages that can haunt you for years. I still revisit that very last scene where she allows herself to imagine Tom quite frequently for inspiration. And tears.
What book do you think everyone should read at least once in their lifetime?
A collection of essays from someone they admire. For me, it was Jessi Klein’s You’ll Grow Out of It because it removed that veil of make-believe and placed her vulnerability, failures, and success in a realistic and raw realm. She doesn’t hide the messy parts, and she doesn’t want to. That was definitely more aspirational for me than any self-help book I’ve ever picked up.
How do your books live in your home? How do you store them so they feel like home to you?
A chaotic blend that makes sense to us. We just know where things are, but it’s not organized as well as it should be. We also always have stacks of books in various corners, books that we are studying or waiting to work on. And as an excessively neat person, I know that should bother me, but it actually makes me really happy to see them. It signifies purpose to me. It represents our own experiences, our own story.
How would you describe your relationship with books in one word?
Codependent.
