This selection confirms the university’s commitment to learning about our communities and the wounds caused by the war and migration,” said Nice in the release.Įxploring the anguish of immigration and the lasting effects that displacement has on a child and her family, Bui documents the story of her family’s daring escape after the fall of South Vietnam in the 1970s, and the difficulties they faced building new lives for themselves.īui’s story is also an exploration of adjusting to life as a first-time mother and ultimately discovering what it means to be a parent - the endless sacrifices, the unnoticed gestures and the depths of unspoken love. “Butte County is home to several thousand refugees from the Vietnam War, primarily, but not exclusively, Hmong refugees. In a press release, Book in Common Committee Chair Laura Nice said among the reasons Bui’s debut book was selected was its relevance and timeliness. It is chosen each year by a group of Chico State and Butte College faculty and staff, as well as members of the local community. The Book in Common is a shared community read designed to promote discussion and understanding of important issues.

Special thank you to our community partners and sponsors.CHICO - The Book In Common selected for the 2022–23 academic year is Thi Bui’s “The Best We Could Do,” a 2017 illustrated memoir about the author’s family’s journey from Vietnam to the United States, their new life in the United States, and the universal struggles of connecting with family, culture and identity. This program was made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts The Big Read Program and Arts Midwest. VAALA is still in dire need of matching donations to continue providing programs like these! Donate Here. To claim your book, you must fill out an application and be able to pick up the book in-person at the Garden Grove Public Library. In an effort to provide access to reading resources for our communities, we are giving away a limited number of Thi Bui’s The Best We Could Do, a graphic memoir about Thi Bui’s family histories and refugee story. Location: Garden Grove Public Library and virtuallyĬopies of The Best We Could Do for all participantsĪrt Exhibition at the end of the program FREE COPIES OF THI BUI’S THE BEST WE COULD DO Oral Histories/Memoir Writing, Mixed Media Arts, and Comic and Zine-Making

The best we could do book