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

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve written a Sunday Evening Post, and I thought I had given it up, but several blogging friends write updates of some sort, and they often end with, “What are you reading?” So, I’ve decided to give it another go, and this is my update, my Sunday (Evening) Post.

What I have recently finished:

Today’s Sunday edition of The Houston Chronicle

The Accidental Life by Terry McDonell, recently reviewed on this blog

What on Earth Am I Here for?, an inspirational study by Rick Warren, which I borrowed from my church library, which will be reviewed on this blog soon

The Light Between the Oceans, by M.L. Stedman, also to be reviewed soon

Bitter in the Mouth by Monique Truong, which I read earlier, then reread in a feeble attempt to write a review which would do it justice, but still have not accomplished

What I started this week:

Stephen King’s sequel to The Shining, Doctor Sleep, which describes the life and “adventures” of a grown up Daniel Torrance, the young son in the novel who had the “shining”

Carry Me Like Water by Saenz, which is on my Kindle, and because of that, may be a challenging read for me

Still reading:

The Lightning Thief , a YA novel by Rick Riordan

Book VII of The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King, which I have been reading for years and can’t bear to be “through”

The Fifth Season, first book of the Broken Earth Trilogy, which my Better Half and I are reading aloud together

What I watched this past week:

A Promise, a love story set in Germany during the war

a heart warming, tear jerker of an episode of “Queer Eye” recommended and sent to me by my grandson

several episodes of a Netflix original series, “Strange Empire”

 

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6 responses to “SUNDAY (EVENING) POST”

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

    FYI, The show is called just “Queer Eye.” The original–problematic–version was called “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      I used the problematic version then went back to your message and checked and edited it accordingly. You must have read it immediately after it was posted!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  2. carhicks Avatar
    carhicks

    I did not know that The Shining had a sequel. Some interesting books upcoming for you. Have a great week Rae.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      Dr. Sleep is a recent publication.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. readerbuzz Avatar
    readerbuzz

    I’ve been thinking about reading Book of Salt by Monique Truong in July during the Paris in July event. If you loved Bitter in the Mouth this much, I think I should give Book of Salt a read.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      Let me know what it’s like. I may want to read it too.

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