Posted in Announcements and Updates

Welcome back! Now that we’ve all had a nice, long summer break (haha!), I hope you’re ready to jump into the new school year with another book. We'll be starting again on September 22. Some of my fellow Tolkien fans will recognize this significant date as it is, of course, the birthday of both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. ;) Does this give you a clue?

No, we won't be reading the Trilogy (at least, not here anyway). We'll be taking the easier, but no less enjoyable, option by going through The Hobbit. I know I've been wanting to re-read it for a while, and I figured that most of you have probably either read it before and liked it or have been wanting to read it for a long time.

Now here's the cool part. If you do want to keep going and read the Trilogy, you can. I've created a blog called the Tolkien Reading Quest where, beginning on September 22, Tolkien fans can begin the challenge to read through as many Tolkien books as they choose. I've written out my own list consisting of 22 books ranging from The Hobbit and the Trilogy to The Silmarillion to the entire History of Middle-earth series. You don't have to read all 22, but you're welcome to join me in as many books as you want.

This time I think we'll try doing weekly discussions. It sounds like it would probably be more manageable for all of us. I'll also be posting trivia tidbits and stuff on the Tolkien Quest blog so you can check those out as we go along.

Also, if you know any other Tolkien fans who might like to participate, be sure to let them know about it!

Looking forward to our next reading adventure ;)
Sylvia

Posted in Announcements and Updates

Has it really been that long since I updated this blog? Yikes. I feel bad now. Thankfully, Eric reset the password for me so I could get it.

I think what the plan will be is everyone can have another week to finish the book, and then I'll post a final review type thing at the end. Does that sound like it'll work? I see from the comments that some of you went ahead and finished already.

Thanks for your patience! I hope to have this blog up and running like normal again soon! :)

Posted in Announcements and Updates

There seems to be enough interest to go ahead and read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  This time, I think we'll be reading it a little bit differently than we did The Magician's Nephew.  This book doesn't have normal chapters, instead it's broken up into five staves.  We'll take two days to read each stave, and at the end I will post discussion notes and questions.  That way, I'll be posting every other day rather than every day.  Overall, it will take ten days.

Unfortunately, we are a little pressed for time.  Normally, I wouldn't start a new book so soon after finishing one, but I did want to do this for Christmas.  My question is this: do you want to try to get it done before Christmas, or do you want to read part of it before and then finish afterwards?  If we want to do it before, we'll have to start this week.  That may not give enough time for people to get it out of the library, etc.  On the other hand, it might be a bit of an inconvenience to have to read it during Christmas break (many of us probably visit family). 

Please let me know (soon) what you would like to do! 

~Sylvia

PS I also want to say welcome to our newest members, Altariel and Tinuviel! 

Posted in Announcements and Updates

**Today's discussion on chapters 5-6 in The Magician's Nephew can be found HERE**

Sweetpotato came up with the great idea of having a banner for all of the SAYR members to put on their sidebars.  Well, I asked Eric Novak (BlogBoy) about it, and he made the perfect one! 

Isn't it great?  Here is the code if you want to link the blog from your website (the only spaces should be between a href and IMG src):

< a href = " http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/TheSAYR"><
IMG src = " http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/
uploads/t/TheSAYR/37090.jpg " >

A new book idea:

What do you all think of reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens after we are done with The Magician's Nephew?  I had been thinking about what Christmas book we could read, and that seemed like a really good one.  Most likely, we would start it around the 12th and finish sometime before Christmas.  Are you up to it? 

Thanks again to Eric for making the banner, and to all of you for making this society so fun! ;-)

Regards,
Sylvia

Post Script: Please welcome Godzgirl, our newest member! 

Posted in Announcements and Updates

Hello again, everyone --

Believe it or not, there is ANOTHER person taking over the SAYR for now. ;-)  I'm totustuus, or Sylvia.  I've been blogging here for a little more than a year.  Cassy is super busy with all kinds of stuff (including Honors English), so she doesn't have time to keep up with the blog.  I offered to help out in leading the book discussions, &c.  I'm looking forward to doing this with you guys!  It should be really fun. :-)

So, let's get down to business.  We've decided to read The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis.  I don't know exactly when we'll start, but I am hoping to begin within the next couple weeks.  There are only 15 fairly short chapters, so it should be an easy read.  How does 2 chapters a day sound to you guys?  Is that too little?  Too much?  It would only take us 8 days to finish.  Would you rather read it over a longer period of time so that we can have more discussions?  Let me know what you think!

I will put up a poll with some of the suggestions that members have brought up for future reading.  That'll give you a chance to vote for the book(s) that you'd like to go through with the group.  If you have any other ideas for books, please make sure to leave them in a comment!

I'll be going around to contact all of the existing members.  If you will be participating in the reading, leave a comment or send a PM letting me know!  I will add your name to the list.

Regards,
Sylvia

PS  For all of you who are new -- here is the application for becoming a member of the SAYR.  Please send it in a private message, thanks. :-)

Name:
Age:
Your reading interests:

Posted in Announcements and Updates

Hello Everyone! This is Cassidy  , head of the SAYR!

As most of you already know, Lydia resigned as head of the society due other obligations she had to attend to. However, she will still keep her membership on this site and help me out. 

I will not be on here very much, but I will make sure that all of your questions or comments are answered in a prompt manner.

Alright, then. Let's talk about the "real stuff."

How would you all like to read Let's Roll! by Lisa Beamer? I wrote a book review on it, so go check my blog out and tell me what you think about it and whether you would like to read it or not. That way, we can start on a clean slate.

Also, please don't be afraid to give me feedback! I'm new to this and I am certainly not used to being head of a society, so help me out! Besides, shouldn't we be a team that works together?

Yours Truly,

Cassidy

Head of SAYR 

Posted in Announcements and Updates

Hello all! Thank you for your patience for this post. I am really sorry for posting this so late! I did not expect there to be such a struggle with time.

Instead of posting more information about The Magician's Nephew as planned, I will introduce our new . . . um . . . leader, (?) Cassidy! I am sure you all will have a great time with her. She'll assign good books and a book review at the end. She won't be able to post often (not weekly), but stay tuned!

Once again, thank you for you patience; and I hope you have a great time with Cassidy!

Lydia

Posted in Announcements and Updates

Our first book study will be on The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis. Please make sure you have the book available by Monday, September 24, when I will post more information and we will officially begin. It is a fantastic book, and although a fairly easy read, is enjoyable for all ages.

Lydia
Society Manager

Note: If this is your first time to this blog and you wish to join, please refer to the post below. If possible, send me the membership application before September 24.

Posted in Announcements and Updates

Hey All,

This is the beginning of SAYR, a society, shall we say, for avid young readers. Society members will be expected to read certain books in a scheduled amount of time, then discuss the book with other members. Our book studies will most likely be of books such as The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Chronicles of Narnia, Holes, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, The Golden Goblet, and The Pilgrim's Progress. Although that list is in no particular order, we will advance in difficulty as we go .

If you are an avid reader 11+ years old,  wishing to be challenged and would like to join, please fill out the questions below and send them to me via HSB private message system:

1. Your first name
2. Your age
3. Your book interests (for example, adventure, sci-fi, biographies, etc.)

In order for the society to work smoothly please make sure your mom is aware you are signed up for this. As soon as I have 10 people signed up, I will post information concerning our first book study.

Lydia
Society Manager