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.”

THIS AND THAT TAG

I read a friend’s replies to the This and That tag he answered and wanted to answer the questions as well, so here goes. James J Cudney of This Is My Truth Now blog gave some excellent answers you may want to check out on his blog, and now, if YOU want to answer them, please do so in the comments section.  Do not worry about how much space it takes! My answers appear next to each question. Let’s compare answers!

Do you like the read in bed or on the couch? I like to read in either place and also in my rocker/glider in the living room IF I can steal that place from Lena, my cat.

Do you prefer a male main character or a female one?  I like both if the book is well written. I also like books that give several different characters’ “takes” on the same incident.  There is a Japanese term for that–anyone know what it is?

Trilogies or quartets? I like series books, and I’m not picky about how many are in the series. I LOVE stand-alones as well.

Do you prefer 1st person point-of-view or 3rd person point-of-view? Either

As you read would you rather eat sweet snacks or salty ones? Definitely salty. I stock up on snack crackers, popcorn, pretzels, etc. when getting ready for Dewey’s.

Do you prefer libraries or bookstores? I love spending time in both and have recently promised myself I will “treat myself” to time spent in a bookstore. Unfortunately, there are none in our town! (inexcusable in a town, population 24,000).

Do you like books that make you laugh or ones that make you cry? Either!

Do you go for the black covers or the white covers.  Definitely the black ones. Dark covers attract me immediately and are more likely to come home with me than white covers. I couldn’t tell you why.

Character-driven or plot-driven?  Definitely character-driven.

Give these questions a whirl and we’ll see how alike or different we are!

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12 responses to “THIS AND THAT TAG”

  1. James J. Cudney IV Avatar
    James J. Cudney IV

    Thank you so much for the wonderful nod and intro to me. You really are an amazing and kind woman. I love reading more about your reading life. I also want to sit in a classroom and just watch you teach one day! I hope today was a day filled with love and happiness. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      I wish you had been at my guest lecture on the 28th at UH Main Campus (I teach at UH Clear Lake, and my “grandson” (former student)Dr. Andrew Joseph Pegoda teaches at Main Campus. Each semester, he teaches my class once and I teach his classes once–it’s kind of a tradition.) We had a wonderful lesson on writing the Argument/Research paper, and I did my usual “song-and-dance” about What makes an Argument and Argument, complete with a “Taaa Daah,” and a shuffle-off-to-Buffalo. The students laughed their heads off and prayed I wouldn’t fall and break a hip! LOL

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      1. James J. Cudney IV Avatar
        James J. Cudney IV

        I can see Lena sitting there with you, but I’m sure she takes first place! I would have loved to be there… but I’m also glad there was no breaking of the hip! 🙂 I can’t remember exactly where you are, but I may be driving thru Texas this July to visit family. It’s not definite, but I wonder how close you may be. They live not to far outside of Waco.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. James J. Cudney IV Avatar
        James J. Cudney IV

        ‘too’ not ‘to’ Hit send too quickly. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      We are three hours south-east of Waco. You must go to “The Silos” run by Chip and Johanna Gains. Doing that is on my bucket list. If it is during the summer, we might meet there. Hmmmmmmm

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    3. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      p.s. I “give points” for self-correction! Seriously! It makes my students proofread one last time before turning in a paper. I allow them to scratch out a word or a phrase and use black ink to self-correct.

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  2. Dr. Andrew Joseph Pegoda Avatar
    Dr. Andrew Joseph Pegoda

    Don’t let Lena hear you call her a cat! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      Point made. She has been hogging the rocker all day! Poor me…

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Dr. Andrew Joseph Pegoda Avatar
        Dr. Andrew Joseph Pegoda

        Dr. T has my chair, too!

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Rae Longest Avatar
    Rae Longest

    Darned cats!

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  4. sjhigbee Avatar
    sjhigbee

    Okay – here my answers – I mostly read in bed as I work mostly from home so I have RULES about reading during the day when I should be writing… though there are exceptional books that have me breaking said rules.
    I like both male and female characters so long as they are powerfully written with plenty of internal dialogue and are sympathetic. I’m not a huge fan of unpleasant protagonists.
    I don’t mind how long a series is so long as it is gripping and can keep offering new plots and fresh insights on familiar, much-loved characters. And I also have a real soft spot for outstanding standalones, too.
    I really enjoy well-writeen first person pov, but if a story is well told then third person viewpoint works for me, too. And one of my favourite reads is told in second person viewpoint…
    I try not to eat snacks while reading, or I’d be the size of a house – but I prefer a nice packet of Pringles or crisps if actually PUSHED into snacking while reading:)
    I love my library, but as I read science fiction and fantasy, these days most of my reads are on my Kindle. I’m a HUGE fan of ebooks and the revolution that means I can get books I want, when I want. After years of scratching around for the next enjoyable read, it’s marvellous…
    Oh books that make me laugh. Every time. I’ve cried far too much in my life so want to go there again unless I absolutely have to.
    Light, bright covers invariably attract me – unless there’s a spacescape. I’m drawn like a magnet to any kind of spacescape…
    Character-driven, every time. But there’d also better be a good story, too. With a strong ending. Or there will be rude words uttered.

    There are my answers, Rae. I hope you’re having a lovely Easter, my friend:)

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      What a wonderful reply–thanks for participating–I now feel I know you better than before. Thanks for sharing!

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