Readers all around Pierce County are delving into the 2009 Pierce County READS book selection. More than 40 events around the area will highlight topics in the book and promote discussion on some of the book’s themes.

The book selected is “Three Cups of Tea,” by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, which recounts Mortenson’s efforts to build schools in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. Mortenson’s mission is to counter extremism and terrorism by building schools and educating children, especially girls.

“He learned what strong needs they had for education,” said Mary Getchell, a spokesperson for the Pierce County Library System (PCLS). “Reading is what they need. As they become an educated society they can in turn have a much more meaningful life.”

PCLS chose “Three Cups of Tea” for its accessibility, notoriety and themes, and because co-author Relin, a journalist who recounted Mortenson’s story, was available to speak at the culminating event for Pierce County READS 2009.

In 1993, after attempting to climb K2 in northern Pakistan, Mortenson was separated from his climbing team and ended up in the village of Korphe. He recovered from the strenuous climb in that village and, before leaving, promised to raise funds for a school to repay the villagers for their generosity.

Mortenson raised the money for the school, but he did not stop there. With funding from Silicon Valley entrepreneur Jean Hoerni, Mortenson co-founded the Central Asia Institute, which has built almost 80 schools in rural areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan.   

“He learned what strong needs they had for education,” Getchell said.

The more than 40 programs coinciding with Pierce County READS will take place throughout the system’s 17 branches, as well as at other locations. The programs range from temporary body tattoo sessions to in-depth discussions on some of the book’s themes.

Some of the main themes PCLS and its partnering organizations will take on include volunteerism, philanthropy and education.

“What we’re really looking at is…bringing people together for a great cause,” Getchell said. “We really want to look at volunteerism…(and) philanthropic opportunities.”

“Three Cups of Tea” is available at all the Pierce County library branches, including in large text print, audio download, audio book and playaway formats. The book is also available for purchase at most bookstores in the area.

“We want everyone from the community…to be talking about it and sharing about it,” Getchell said.