The program is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Parking will be available in the Central Library garage for $5 after 5 p.m. Auditorium doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

"East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres" is a collection of Lam's personal essays on living in the midst of two cultures, American and Vietnamese, and the influence of Eastern culture on the West.

Lam is the cofounder and editor of New American Media and has also written the book "Perfume Dreams: Reflections on the Vietnamese Diaspora." He is a regular commentator on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered." Lam lives in San Francisco.

This program is presented in partnership with the Washington Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce and is sponsored by the Vietnamese Bar Association of Washington, the Southeast Asia Center of the University of Washington, Garvey Schubert Barer, PeaceTrees Vietnam and City University of Seattle.

Books will be available for purchase and signing.

For more information, call the Library at 206-386-4636.

For more information contact:

Andra Addison, communications director
206-386-4103