RAE’S READS

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This year (2025) finds me with 53 years of teaching “under my belt.” I have taught all levels from pre-K “(library lady” or “book lady”–volunteer) to juniors, seniors, and graduate students enrolled in my Advanced Writing class at the university where I have just completed 34 years. My first paying teaching job was junior high, and I spent 13 years with ages 12-13, the “difficult years.” I had some of the “funnest” experiences with this age group. When I was no longer the “young, fun teacher,” I taught in an elementary school setting before sixth graders went on to junior high, teaching language arts blocs, an assignment that was a “dream-fit” for me. After completing graduate school in my 40s, I went on to community college, then university teaching. This past fall I accepted a part-time teaching job at Apogee Gulf Coast Schools in its first year at the Alvin campus. After my Better Half died n 2022, I achieved a lifelong dream: opening a bookstore of my own, Rae’s Reads. A year later, I sold the house we had lived in for 47 years and moved into the bookstore. My goal is to circulate and repurpose books. Just as teaching is “in my blood,” so is a passion for reading, writing, libraries, and everything bookish. This blog will be open to anyone who loves books, promotes literacy and wants to “come out and play.”

SUNDAY (EVENING) POST

Happy New Year!  No resolutions, no regrets, no promises to keep, just a recap of the week’s reading and viewing:

What I finished this past week: Commonwealth by Ann Patchett, reviewed in the post immediately preceding this one and Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin–two books tied for second place on my “Best Books Published in 2016 That I Read” List.  First place went to Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.  Look for a review of Swans soon.

Currently Reading: Coming of Age in Mississippi, The Jealous Heart, The Bone People, all novels; and.The Sunday Edition of the Houston Chronicle.

Just Started: Max the Mighty, a YA novel that promises to be a quick but interesting read.

Watched:    Film: The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) a DVD, Christmas present from my brother.

TV: The “Scorpion” Thanksgiving episode (suspenseful as usual); “Poldark” season finale on PBS; “Masterpiece Classic” on PBS, three episodes of this season’s “Indian Summer;” “Gray’s Anatomy” season finale (finished up, was interrupted the previous week), what a cliffhanger!

Accomplished:  All Christmas decorations taken down and packed away for another year and caught up on my correspondence.

I am looking forward to 2017 as a good year optimistic that things, if they change, will change for the better. I hope that you readers will continue to stop by or consider following this blog in the coming year.

 

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2 responses to “SUNDAY (EVENING) POST”

  1. sjhigbee Avatar
    sjhigbee

    And a very happy 2017 to you, Rae:). I’m looking forward to the new year with more hope and excitement than I’d have thought possible only just over a week ago – how quickly things can change. Your reading list, as ever, sounds fascinating – how are you getting on with Max the Mighty? I did see it on the NetGalley dashboard but gave it a miss. I enjoyed the BFG book, but haven’t yet caught up with the film – I hope you enjoy it.

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      I’m not far enough in Max the Mighty, and a little concerned about the “kidnapping” aspect, but am hoping everything will turn out all right. BFG (I didn’t read the book.) was a bit disappointing as a film. I guess the raves were due to all the special effects etc. It was hyped to be better than it was, in my opinion.

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