Project Read began a book discussion group for learners in January. Without a doubt, it has been a smashing success! For our initial meeting, five learners and four tutors attended and received Pay It Forward, a novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde. We discussed Club guidelines, and attendees voted on a name for the new group: The Wednesday Night Readers. Everyone was excited about receiving the book. Learners were especially excited to receive the book and the book on tape. The group looked forward to the February meeting, at which time Pay It Forward would be discussed.
     At the second meeting of the Wednesday Night Readers, attendance grew from nine to twenty (ten learner/tutor pairs)! The book discussion was lively. Learners and tutors alike shared their thoughts and views on the different characters and the situations they found themselves in. Before leaving, all were asked to be book critics and give their thoughts on Pay It Forward. Below are some of their comments:

• Two thumbs up! I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It was thought provoking and will stay with me for a long time. I’m excited to loan it to friends and family to read as I know they will enjoy it, too.”
  
• “This was a very inspirational book. I had kind of a rough week, and reading this book put things in perspective.”
  
• “Cut the love stuff! Also the jumping around….”
  
• “I really liked the book. I would recommend it to my friends and family. The characters are realistic and the story is inspirational and suspenseful.”
  
• “I definitely enjoyed Pay It Forward. And I would encourage others to read it. It helped me to try and be a little less cynical about human nature–sometimes all people need is an excuse to do something good!”
  
• “I didn’t like [that] the boy died…I liked the book.” “I thought it was like a dream….”
  
• “I think it was a good book and I would pass it along to my family and friends. I think everybody should read it.”