The Placer County Library will kick off an adult book-discussion program April 1 focused on a best-selling novel, “The Joy Luck Club.”

The free program will continue through mid-May.

“Everybody’s Reading‘The Joy Luck Club’ ” is modeled after successful programs offered in other communities across the United States.

“These events are a fun way to promote reading, and this is the first time we have tried a community reading event at the Placer County Library,” said Mark Parker, Director of Library Services. “We encourage everyone interested in participating to get the book and start reading. It contains fascinating characters and themes, and is significant both historically and culturally.”

Parker also said that information about the library programs, local history resources related to the Chinese in Placer County, and sample discussion questions can be found at the Library’s website.

Updated information and other resources also will be posted on the library’s website.

The library is encouraging participants to invite friends and family to join them; to organize book clubs in their homes or other places where people congregate such as coffeehouses, senior centers, community centers and houses of worship; or to read and discuss the novel with book discussion groups they already belong to. Participants in the book-discussion program also can discuss the book at the library’s online book chat site (http://pclb.blogspot.com).

In Auburn, book discussion groups will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 30 and from 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, May 2 in the Auburn Library, 350 Nevada St.

In Rocklin, a discussion-group meeting will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 1 at the Rocklin Library, 5460 Fifth St.

Written by Amy Tan and originally published in 1989, the 288-page novel focuses on mothers and daughters from four Chinese-American immigrant families.

In 1993, the novel was adapted into a feature film.

Events that will be held in conjunction with the program include:

• A kick-off event showcasing China’s multi-ethnic heritage. It will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 1 in the Rocklin High School Theatre, 5301Victory Lane. The program will feature The Red Shoes Performing Arts Center and Elk Grove Chinese Culture Association.
• A presentation by Richard Yue on the Chinese in Placer County. It will take place from 7 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 3 in the Beecher Community Room at the Auburn Library.
• A videoconference with Amy Tan that will be shown from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 17 in the Beecher Community Room at the Auburn Library. Sponsors include the Placer County Library, several other libraries and the California Centerfor the Book.
• Tours of the Auburn Joss House that will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, April 7, 14 and 21. Located at Sacramento Streetand Brewery Lane, the Joss House is one of the best-known buildings in Old Town Auburn and symbolizes the role of the Chinese in local history.
• A showing of the movie “The Joy Luck Club” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 24 in the Beecher Community Room at the Auburn Library.
• An evening of poetry and wine sponsored by Friends of the Auburn Library. It will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 27 in the Beecher Community Room at the Auburn Library. The program will include Chinese poetry read in Chinese and English by Auburn City Councilman Mike Holmes.