RAE’S READS

recent posts

about

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

I can’t believe it’s Sunday again! And January is almost gone as well.  My how time does fly.

What I finished this past week: The Jealous Kind by James Lee Burke (reviewed in post preceding this one) and Textbook by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, described as “not exactly a memoir”(will be reviewed this week)

Continuing to read:  Freeks by Amanda Hocking

Peeked into and read a chapter or two: Just One Damned Thing After Another, the first book in the “Chronicles of St. Mary’s” series by Jodi Taylor, The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahri, and Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, all of which I want to finish, for sure.

What I watched: One episode of “Bull,” Two new season episodes of “This is Us” and a couple of “To Tell the Truths”.

School is well underway and clicking right along. The Reading Improvement class for kids will be at it’s midway point this coming Wednesday, and I will have to decide whether to offer it again in March and April or to wait and offer it this summer, which I’m sure will happen.  Decisions, decisions, decisions.

PWR (Powerful Women Readers, our on-line book group) meets here  a week from today, and we will discuss the three assigned books (Members are asked to read one of the three.), Fannie Flagg’s The Whole Town’s Talking, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, or local writer, Leon Hale’s Paper Hero.  I have read two of the three and am hoping someone will bring a copy of Fannie Flagg to loan Sunday. There will be a door prize from a local boutique. Contact Rae if you can help with the refreshments.

And, as Porky Pig always said, “That’s All Folks!”

Posted in

6 responses to “SUNDAY (EVENING) POST”

  1. sjhigbee Avatar
    sjhigbee

    I’m still absolutely agog at your ability to read a variety of books cheek by jowl! But then I think I’m the ultimate monotasker… I’m delighted that you think the Jodi Taylor offering will suit – I thought it’s sheer quirkiness would appeal, but it’s always something of a risk to jump up and down and implore ‘Read this!’ so someone you like and respect in the hope they, too, will ‘get it’. Glad the teaching is going smoothly – there does come a time in the term when the momentum gathers and so long as you’ve done the prep and lesson planning, it does roll forward, doesn’t it?

    Hope your PWR (love the name!) meeting goes well and that you have a great week:).x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      Thanks for stopping by. I read aloud the beginning of Just One Damned Thing After the Other to my Better Half, and he wants to read it too. “Quirkiness” is the exact word to describe the novel so far. I’m so glad I read about it in your post! Have a great week.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. sjhigbee Avatar
        sjhigbee

        Isn’t that funny? That’s exactly what happened to us – except it was Himself who read the opening to me…:)

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Herminia Avatar
    Herminia

    Can I ask for your thoughts on Brave New World?

    Like

    Reply
    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      Since I read it all the way back in the 70’s, I am a bit vague on it. I plan to skim it again before Sunday because the focus for our discussion will be on how many things in it (especially about the oppressive government in the book) have come true today. It ought to be a lively discussion. Thanks for your interest; it has given me the idea to sum up the “takes” on the books in the next day’s Monday Morning Musings. Thanks for the good idea!

      Like

      Reply
      1. Herminia Avatar
        Herminia

        Oh I see. I’m interested because my friend read the book for school, and I was wondering whether I should check it out. Hmm I’m sure there’s plenty to talk about. Sounds good. No problem!

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to sjhigbee Cancel reply