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.”

NOVEMBER WRAP UP

Today is December first, which leads me to reflect on the books I read during the month of November. I was amazed when counting back that I had read eleven books: a book about books, an inspirational book, a memoir, a mystery, a non-fiction book, a Newberry Award winning kid’s novel, three novels, and two YA novels. This floored me, for also during the month of November, I graded 23 research/argument (7-10 pages each) papers; my students finished and presented their Literacy Projects; I caught a four-day virus, which I promptly shared with My Better Half; my brother from Virginia came for a visit; I turned another year older, and we celebrated Thanksgiving.  Whew!

Here is a quick list of titles and authors I read:

Academic Curveball by James J. Cudney (to be reviewed here soon) Kindle

And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hasseini (reviewed on this blog recently) audio book

Books For Living by Will Schwalbe (reviewed on this blog recently) borrowed from an e-library

Compulsion ( a YA novel) Kindle

For One More Day by Mitch Albom (to be reviewed here soon)

In The Shadow of the Statues by Mitch Landrieu ( to be reviewed here soon) Book club selection for November

Jesus by Max Lucado borrowed from church library

The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (reviewed on “Saturday Mornings for Kids” on this blog)

Never Stop Walking by Christina Rickardsson (reviewed recently)

Nightbird by Alice Hoffman, which resumes my Alphabet Challenge

Raising Lazarus (to be reviewed here soon)

With the Christmas Holidays fast approaching, I may not do as much reading, but there are still so many books on my TBR shelves, and my “little brother” gave me a Barnes and Nobel gift card for my birthday!

 

 

 

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3 responses to “NOVEMBER WRAP UP”

  1. Jee Wan Avatar
    Jee Wan

    Wow congrats on such a great month! Khaled Hosseini is a great writer! For One More Day is such a good book too!

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  2. Herminia Avatar
    Herminia

    What a month you had. Well done!

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  3. sjhigbee Avatar
    sjhigbee

    Anyway you look at it, that’s been an awesome month in which you’ve achieved a lot. I have also read Academic Curveball and am going to be reviewing it during December:)). Have a great week, Rae and enjoy December! It seems to me that you’ve earnt something of a rest…

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