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Bookish Flights: Books, Author Interviews & Must-Read Recommendations
Bookish Flights is the place to talk books and reading. This podcast focuses on connection, storytelling and the transformative power of books. Each episode invites guests to share the three books that have influenced them, unlocking their wisdom and how it changed their lives. Books are a bridge that connects us, a remedy for loneliness, and the best conversational currency to be the most interesting person in the room! Rooted in the belief that stories shape who we are, this podcast brings people together through a shared love of literature. Perfect for book lovers, Bookish Flights inspires listeners to discover the books that can shape their own lives.
You will love this show If you have ever asked:
- What are the best fiction and non-fiction books to read?
- Which books should I add to my reading list?
- How can I find more time to read?
- What are the best books for exploring new genres?
- What books are perfect for my kids?
- What is the publishing journey like for authors?
- What books do my favorite authors love to read?
Discover book recommendations across a wide range of genres, including historical fiction, romantasy, rom-coms, mysteries, thrillers and personal development. Check out the website www.bookishflights.com to see book club picks and the wide range of book flights.
Bookish Flights: Books, Author Interviews & Must-Read Recommendations
Between Heaven and Earth: Le Ly Hayslip on Vietnam, War, Healing and Hope (E165)
In today’s episode, I’m honored to chat with Le Ly Hayslip, internationally known Vietnamese-American author, philanthropist, peace activist, and speaker. Le Ly grew up in central Vietnam during the American-Vietnam War and later authored two bestselling memoirs, When Heaven and Earth Changed Places and Child of War, Woman of Peace. Her story of resilience inspired Oliver Stone’s 1993 film Heaven & Earth. Beyond her writing, she founded two humanitarian organizations—East Meets West Foundation and Global Village Foundation—dedicated to rebuilding Vietnam through education, medical care, and essential resources.
Episode Highlights:
- Her upbringing in a rice-farming family of 6 children in central Vietnam, living under the pressures of both American forces and the Viet Cong.
- The importance of protecting family gravesites and places of worship as a way of preserving identity and tradition.
- Why her book cannot be published in Vietnam, and how Oliver Stone’s film adaptation offers another way to experience her story.
- How returning to Vietnam in the 1980s inspired her lifelong humanitarian work.
- Her invitation to visit the beauty of Vietnam, where she leads trips in both the spring and fall.
✨ Le Ly also shared with me about the upcoming Global Village Foundation Awards Gala to celebrate 30 years of U.S. & Vietnam diplomatic relations at the on 11/15/25. You can find more information on the Global Village Foundation website.
Le Ly’s story is one of survival, forgiveness, and hope. As she says, “We cannot change the past. But if each of us stands up to change the world, we will change the world.”
Connect with Le Ly:
Show Notes
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Books and authors mentioned in the episode:
- Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East by Baird T. Spalding
- Many Lives - Many Times by Nguyen Phong
- Ramtha: The White Book by Ramtha
Book Flight
- On the Ho Chi Minh Trail by Sherry Buchanan
- Perfect Spy by Larry Berman
- Dancing in the Light by Shirley MacLaine
✨ Find Your Next Great Read! We just hit 175 episodes of Bookish Flights, and to celebrate, I created the Bookish Flights Roadmap — a guide to all 175 podcast episodes, sorted by genre to help you find your next great read faster.
Explore it here → www.bookishflights.com/read/roadmap
Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!