Miss Vietnam Phuong Anh loves reading books about how the brain works.

Reading is an important and necessary habit, runner-up Phuong Anh encourages everyone to read and participate in book-related activities.

- Let's talk about your reading preferences for stories, novels and history books. Which book does Phuong Anh like? My reading preferences started when I was little. One of the first books I read was Harry Potter. I like adventure books and often read works like Harry Potter, Twilight, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Eragon. Recently, I just read A court of thorns and roses - this is a series about adventures and magic elements. Sometimes my friends also introduce me to some books about history or stories related to life. For example, I really like the trilogy by Yuval Noah Harari including Sapiens - A Brief History of Humankind, Homo Deus and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century . Actually, I have just read Sapiens and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century , but I think this is a book series that anyone can access. The content is summarized and explained very easily about human history. I believe that after reading this, we will have more thoughts and deeper perspectives on life. This is a book series that I really want to introduce to everyone.

1st Runner-up Miss Vietnam 2020 Pham Ngoc Phuong Anh. Photo: FBNV

- It's quite interesting to know that Phuong Anh is interested in books about how the brain works. What have you learned from these books and how have you applied them to your life and work? I like to read many genres, related to life and how people work. In particular, I often read about how the brain works. I want to mention two authors: Malcolm Gladwell and Daniel Kahneman. Daniel Kahneman is famous for his book Thinking, fast and slow , in which he pointed out that the brain is divided into two systems: fast thinking (intuition) and slow thinking (reasoning). For example, when asked about the multiplication table, you will answer immediately - that is fast thinking, while slow thinking is when you have to solve a more complex calculation. I realize that it is necessary to balance between using system 1 to quickly solve everyday problems and system 2 for more complex, strategic decisions. The same goes for learning a foreign language, which requires daily practice so that vocabulary and sentence structure become natural reflexes in quick thinking. The second author is Malcolm Gladwell, with works such as Blink, Outliers and What the dog saw. In Blink , he explores the brain's ability to make quick decisions based on minimal information, similar to Kahneman's quick thinking and intuition. In many situations that require decisiveness, the brain relies on experience and intuition to make the right decision. Reading books helps me understand more deeply how the brain works, which is really interesting. - Which book has deeply influenced Phuong Anh? I want to mention a favorite author, Alain de Botton, who writes about love. The book The course of love is my favorite work. The writing style is simple and easy to understand, talking about love and relationships. One detail that I always remember is that when we are close to someone, like a relative or lover, we often have moments of anger for no reason. For example, after a day of being scolded by the boss, we take it out on our partner. It may seem unfair, but Alain de Botton explains that this happens when we feel comfortable and love that person. The book helped me to have a different perspective on love and relationships.

Phuong Anh often incorporates reading into daily activities. Photo: FBNV

- How interesting is reading English books and is it more difficult than reading Vietnamese books, in your opinion? If possible, I will try to read books in the original language, usually English. This helps me understand the author's ideas authentically, without translation, and increases my vocabulary. I find that reading English, especially professional books, is often easier to understand because I am used to studying and working in this language. However, for stories, sometimes I still prefer to read in Vietnamese, because the richness and emotion in my mother tongue brings a deeper experience. - Reading is very good, but many young people have difficulty creating a long-term habit. As a busy person, how does Phuong Anh spend her time and what is her secret to maintaining reading? Maintaining a reading habit is not easy, especially when we are faced with many jobs and responsibilities. Regularly using the phone to update news and surf social networks also makes reading more difficult. I have a few habits and tips that help me maintain my reading and support my learning process. First, I set small, specific goals. Instead of trying to read a book in a short time, I just read a little before going to bed. As long as I read every day, it becomes a routine, like going to the gym - it only takes an hour at a time, but maintaining it 3-4 times a week will form a habit without creating pressure. Second, I incorporate reading into my daily activities. Books must always be with me. During free time, like when waiting for a bus or at the doctor's office, instead of scrolling through social media, I will take the opportunity to read a few pages. This way I make efficient use of my time. Third, I don't pay too much attention to choosing books. I can find books that suit my mood and interests, not follow the trend of reading philosophy or history books. Reading what I like is the most important. Finally, connecting with the reading community is also a way to maintain the habit. Joining a reading group can inspire me and help me discover many interesting books. In the US, there are many book clubs where people read and discuss together. This is a good idea that can be applied to community activities for young people.

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