JASNA SC is heating up the same with a new program of activities to keep you engaged between trips to the pool and the BBQ buffet. Activities are based on a survey of our members, and all JASNA SC and JASNA members are welcome to join for all or part of the Jane Austen Summer of Fun. We also welcome all Jane Austen fans to have some fun with us this summer!
In addition to reading Jane Austen and Jane-adjacent books, we will have a summer of activities, games, and community. Suggestions for interesting diversions welcome! Email Nikki for info or to make a suggestion.
If you are traveling or otherwise unable to participate in a particular activity, flex your summer schedule and join us when you can!
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Games and Activities
What’s a summer of fun without the fun? We’ll sprinkle the summer with games and activities to keep things light and full of laughter. We’ll have prizes and plenty of time for chatting during our game nights. Watch this space for:
Jane Austen Jeopardy | Trivia Among the Travails of Jane’s Heroines | Jane’s Mr. Right | Jane Austen Bingo
There will also be additional suggested activities to keep you in the Jane frame of mind.
Cooking Jane’s Cuisine | Handiwork of the Regency Era | Scavenger Hunt at Home
Want a Jane Austen Summer of Fun 2023 t-shirt? We’ll get to that!
Summer Plan
Our survey revealed two distinct groups: one group wanted to dive deep into a single Austen novel, while the other group preferred to mix it up with some Austen-adjacent reading. So we’re offering both! Stick with Northanger Abbey throughout June-August, or try four different views.
For all books, Amazon.com links are provided, but where possible we encourage you to get your books from local and independent booksellers, like JaneAustenBooks.net.
Summer Reading Track 1: Northanger Abbey Deep Dive
Many of our members said they’d like a deep dive into one of Austen’s novels. We’ve chosen Northanger Abbey because it is whimsical and romantic, perfect for a summer of relaxing and rewarding reading. We will use the following edition:
The Annotated Northanger Abbey – October 1, 2013 paperback, annotated by David M. Shapard
Summer Reading Track 2: Four Titles for Summer
Among the Janeites: A Journey Through the World of Jane Austen Fandom by Deborah Yaffe
The Pursuit of Mary Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Novel by Pamela Mingle
Pudge and Prejudice by A.K. Pittman
The Austen Girls by Lucy Worsley
Calendar of Events
Tuesday, June 20, 6:30-8 pm ET — SPECIAL GUEST: Deborah Yaffe, author of Among the Janeites, will be with us to discuss the book and answer your questions! Join us for a lighthearted evening with Debora Yaffe. All are invited!
Monday, June 13, 6:30-8:00 pm ET — Jane Austen Jeoparady! All are invited to test their Austen knowledge.
Wednesday, July 26, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Jane Austen Best Excerpts — read a short passage and tell us why you love it!
Saturday, August 26, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Jane Austen in pop culture.
Wednesday, August 30, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Summer reading review: did you like your track? What was most enjoyable? What would you change for next summer?
Additional activities to be added throughout the summer!
NORTHANGER ABBEY READING
Tuesday, June 6, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 1, Northanger Abbey, meets to talk about pre-reading or previous-reading. By this meeting, please have read through the “Advertisement by the Authoress,” p 2.
Tuesday, June 13, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 1, Northanger Abbey, meets. By this point, you should have read up through Volume 1, Chapter 5, p 77.
Tuesday, June 20, 6:30-8 pm ET — SPECIAL GUEST: Deborah Yaffe, author of Among the Janeites, will be with us to discuss the book and answer your questions! Join us for a lighthearted evening with Debora Yaffe. All are invited! Show up with questions or send them ahead of time to Nikki.
Note change in day: Wednesday, June 21, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 1, Northanger Abbey, meets. By this point, you should have read up through Volume 1, Chapter 10, p 169.
Tuesday, June 27, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 1, Northanger Abbey, meets. By this point, you should have read up through Volume 1, Chapter 15, p 261 (end of Volume 1).
July 1-9: Vacation week.
Tuesday, July 11, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 1, Northanger Abbey, meets. Discussion of Volume 1 of book. By this point, you should have read up through Volume 1, Chapter 15, p 261 (end of Volume 1).
Tuesday, July 18, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 1, Northanger Abbey, meets. By this point, you should have read up through Volume 2, Chapter 5, p 331.
Tuesday, July 25, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Jane Austen Trivia Night! All are invited to test their quiz knowledge.
Tuesday, August 1, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 1, Northanger Abbey, meets. By this point, you should have read up through Volume 2, Chapter 10, p 421.
Tuesday, August 8, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 1, Northanger Abbey. By this point, you should have read up through Volume 2, Chapter 16, p 509.
Tuesday, August 8, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 1, Northanger Abbey. Discussion of Volume 2 of book. By this point, you should have read up through Volume 2, Chapter 16, p 509.
Tuesday, August 15, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 1, Northanger Abbey. Discussion of book in its entirety. Discussion questions distributed by August 10.
Tuesday, August 22, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 1, Northanger Abbey. Discussion of book and pop culture questions. All are invited.
Tuesday, August 29, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 1, Northanger Abbey. Open conversation.
VARIETY READING
Thursday, June 8, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 2 meets to kick off reading Among the Janeites. By this point, you should have read the Introduction up to page xxvi.
Thursday, Juen 15, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 2 meets to discuss Among the Janeites. By the point, you should have read through Chapter 5, page 115.
Tuesday, June 20, 6:30-8 pm ET — SPECIAL GUEST: Deborah Yaffe, author of Among the Janeites, will be with us to discuss the book and answer your questions! Join us for a lighthearted evening with Debora Yaffe. All are invited! Show up with questions or send them ahead of time to Nikki.
Thursday, June 22, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 2 meets to discuss Among the Janeites. By this point you should have read through the end of the book, page 243.
Thursday, June 29, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 2 meets to discuss The Pursuit of Mary Bennet. By this point you should have read through Chapter 8, page 77.
July 1-9: Vacation week.
Thursday, July 13, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 2 meets to discuss The Pursuit of Mary Bennet. By this point you should have read through the end of the book and read through the end, page 302.
Thursday, July 20, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 2 meets to discuss Pudge and Prejudice. By this point you should have read through Chapter 9, page 109.
Thursday, July 27, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 2 meets to discuss Pudge and Prejudice. By this point you should have ready through Chapter 19, page 239.
Thursday, August 3, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 2 meets to discuss Pudge and Prejudice. By this point you should have read through the end of the book, page 339.
Thursday, August 10, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 2 meets to discuss The Austen Girls. By this point you should have read through Chapter 11, page 87.
Thursday, August 17, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 2 meets to discuss The Austen Girls. By this point you should have read through Chapter 25, page 193.
Thursday, August 24, 6:30-7:30 pm ET — Track 2 meets to discuss The Austen Girls. By this point you should have read through the end of the book, page 286.