Community launches first book read

“Double Luck,” a memoir by author Gordon Lu, will be the first selection in a community reading program set to launch in the spring.

The project, modeled after many throughout the nation that aim to ignite community discussions and promote reading, is the first of its kind in Porterville.

Lu will give a speech about his book at Porterville College on Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m.

The public is invited to his presentation.

PC Professor Ted Wise, who has used the book in language arts classes at the college, called the book “highly readable.”

“In my 35-year career I’ve never seen any book so admired, that has touched so many people,” he said.

The book has been taught locally to students as young as third grade.

Wise said the book will appeal to everyone from “young children to grandmas and grandpas.”

According to Wise, Lu has donated proceeds from book sales to many different charitable organizations, including educational scholarships.

Wise said the college is currently in the “planning stages” of the reading program, but is reaching out to community organizations to join the project.

“It’s a way of not only promoting reading, but also a way of bringing the community together,” he said.

For more information, call Porterville College, 791-2264.

-- Contact Sarah de Crescenzo at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or sdecrescenzo@portervillerecorder.com.