A Banh Mi for Two

June 15, 2024
As they fall in love, two girls in S�i G�n discover that family and food are connected. Lan, who's from a family of b�nh m� sellers, moonlights as the writer for popular S�i G�n street food blog A B�nh M� for Two. When an upcoming journalism competition offers a way to bring much-needed income to her family's business, Lan jumps at the opportunity to write her take on the theme of "The Most Beautiful City in the World." But writing no longer feels the same since her dad's recent passing. A chance encounter with Vivi, a Vietnamese American student who's also one of her longtime followers, may be the spark she needs to write again. Vivi was inspired to visit S�i G�n after reading Lan's blog, but she also yearns to learn more about why her mom, who's reticent on the subject, left Việt Nam (Vivi's father became a refugee at age 3). When she finds hidden photos from her mom's past, Vivi plans a secret trip to Việt Nam with her friend Cindy. Vivi comes to an agreement with Lan: She'll help Lan overcome her writer's block in exchange for help with finding her maternal relatives. Told in alternating perspectives, this book has an enticing premise, but the rushed pacing and lack of details distract from the tenderhearted moments that carry the story. More nuance would have helped with exploring the complexities of queerness, history, and culture within the book's setting. Charming but skims the surface. (Romance. 13-18)

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July 22, 2024
Vietnamese teen Phan Ngọc Lan secretly authors popular food blog A Bánh Mì for Two. But when a bad case of writer’s block puts her blog on hiatus, she spends time working at her family’s bánh mì stall in Sài Gòn. In the U.S., meanwhile, Vietnamese American college student Vivi Huỳnh feels disconnected from her heritage; she is curious about her mother’s childhood in Việt Nam, but her mother refuses to talk about her experiences. Inspired by Lan’s blog, Vivi travels to Việt Nam as part of a study abroad program, unbeknownst to her parents. After a chance encounter brings Vivi and Lan together, Vivi encourages Lan to submit a piece about Sài Gòn to a prestigious writing competition. As thanks, Lan helps Vivi track down people who can tell her more about her mom. Driven by a shared passion for Sài Gòn, the two embark on numerous adventures, falling for each other in the process. Explorations of identity, generational history, and trauma are tempered by the girls’ sweetly developing romance. Vibrant descriptions of Việt Nam and its culture adorn Nguyen’s lively debut, a love story ideal for foodies yearning to travel. Ages 14–up.