Free food, a free book, lively conversation and a chance to win a $100 gift card to the bookstore are incentives offered to draw sophomore students to participate in Porch Reads.

Porch Reads encourage recreational reading among UD students while building a sense of community by bringing students together to discuss the books.

Porch Reads, based on the concept that the Ghetto porches are a gathering place for students, reaches out exclusively to sophomores. Heidi Gauder, Coordinator of Instruction for Roesch Library, launched the Porch Reads program. She said sophomores often find themselves sandwiched between intensive first-year programs and upper-level classes.

'Sophomores are left out of the mix right now,' she said.

The first of four Porch Reads this school year was held Oct. 23 and 24. Students read and gathered to discuss Nick Homby's 'A Long Way Down,' a story about four lost souls who connect on the roof of an apartment complex as they are about to commit suicide.

Dr. Art Jipson, director of the criminal justice program, facilitated a book discussion held at junior Tyler Sink's home. Jispon said students were enthusiastic about discussing a book that dealt with issues of suicide and self-identification, and the students connected what they read to their own lives.

'I hope the one thing they gain is that they realize the power of their own voice,' said Jispon, associate professor of sociology. 'By that I mean that their interpretations matter. They are valid and meaningful.'

The Porch Reads program was implemented by the joint efforts of Roesch Library and Residence Education last fall. The program is funded by an academic excellence grant from the Office of the Provost. The discussions are traditionally held in Marianist meeting rooms, but former Porch Reads participate Sinks hosted this year's first Porch Reads in his home. Sinks said he enjoyed hosting the Porch Reads in his home and encourages other juniors to do the same.

'You get to meet people you would not have otherwise met and talk about a good book,' he said. 'I thought it was really cool. You got a free book. I passed it on to other people.'

Chris Schramm, director of residence education and assistant dean of students, helped to launch the Porch Reads program. She said she hopes students realize that reading is an 'exciting way to expand your imagination in a healthy way' while still being part of the UD community.

Schramm points out that students share similar life experiences at UD, but come from different backgrounds, and these factors are contributing to the intellectual discussion.

'We live in a world of multiple truths,' Schramm said. 'But you can be in the student neighborhood, be social, and still be true to what we are trying to do as an institute of higher education'learn.'

The next Porch Reads book is 'Night,' by Elie Wiesel, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. This book is Wiesel's autobiographical account as a holocaust survivor as he questions why so many people had to die and why he survived.

Porch Reads discussions will be held the week of Nov. 27. Contact Heidi Gauder at x94270 or ref@udayton.edu to register by Nov. 10.