Clifton author Lisa Wingate’s latest book, The Summer Kitchen, which was inspired by South Waco’s The Gospel Cafe, has been selected as the book of the spring for the community.

It’s part of One Book One Waco, a community book club of sorts, in which twice a year the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce encourages everyone to read the same book in hopes of it being a catalyst for discussion among Wacoans.

“The Summer Kitchen” was written by Clifton author Lisa Wingate.

Books with similar themes also are chosen for teenage and child readers. This year, those books are Runaway by Wendelin Van Draanen and That Book Woman by Heather Henson, respectively.

The book selections were announced Wednesday at the city’s R.B. Hoover Library.

The first of a host of events designed to drum up discussion about the book is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Central Library, 1717 Austin Ave. For a complete listing of events, go to WacoChamber.com/OneBook.php or call 757-5630.

The Summer Kitchen is not set in Waco but deals with the issues of poverty, hunger and community. The Gospel Cafe, 825 S. 10th St., was founded 13 years ago by Sherry Castello, Marsha Martie and Susan Cowley when the women transformed a former neighborhood crack house into a restaurant that served all, regardless of social standing or ability to pay.

Van Draanen’s Runaway is about a girl who runs away from her fifth foster home in hopes of finding herself, a release from the chamber states.

That Book Woman is about a relentless librarian who visits children in rural areas.

equinn@wacotrib.com

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