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.”

TA DAH! OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BOOK MONTH LET’S CELEBRATE “EVERYTHING BOOKISH.”

According to Bookbuzz’s literary calendar, tomorrow brings the first day of National Book Month. I am already making plans.

Although I did not join the Classics Club as my friend, Deb Nance, at Readerbuzz did, I do intend to join the group just for the month of October and read The Essential Rumi, their October selection. I have heard of this philosopher and read many quotes attributed to him, and would like to know more. My Third Tuesday Book Club at the Alvin Library will be joining clubs and libraries along the Gulf Coast in reading Susan Orlean’s The Library Book, chosen as this year’s Gulf Coast Read. This is something I’ve already read, so I am looking forward to readings, discussions, and activities centered around this fine book.

I hope to attend the Texas Book Festival in Austin, Texas, on October 26th. We would have to make it a day trip, and the travel time is five hours or a bit more, but I’ve heard from fellow bloggers, the trip is worth it. If you’re going or have been before, fill me in; I’m a first-timer.

My Better Half and I have plans for Halloween evening, giving out books and candy as the neighborhood kids Trick or Treat.  We did this one year before, and it was a huge, fun-for-us, success. I have been saving back and purchasing on each trip to Half-Price Books books related to Halloween: Goosebumps, Scooby-Doo, The Bernstein Bears, and many stand-alone children’s Halloween books to distribute. I have toys and spooky items from The Dollar Tree to use as best costume prizes and will have a drawing for a Halloween Gift Basket or some larger “prize.” It ought to be a fun night if the weather will cooperate. As we did at our Little Free Library Grand Re-Opening in July, we’ll serve lemonade and homemade cookies.

Sometime during the month of October, on a Harvest theme, I’d like to host a “hen party” coffee for women friends, just to socialize, chat, and catch up.

To me, that sounds like a full month but a very pleasant one. What are your plans for October? Traveling anyone? Book Conferences or fairs? Halloween parties or events?

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3 responses to “TA DAH! OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BOOK MONTH LET’S CELEBRATE “EVERYTHING BOOKISH.””

  1. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar
    Deb Nance at Readerbuzz

    I hope to go to the book festival on Friday afternoon. It actually starts Saturday. I’ll only get to attend on Saturday, but it should be fun.

    I’m a slow driver, but it never takes me more than 3 1/2 hours to get there.

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    1. Rae Reads Avatar
      Rae Reads

      Do you want to ride with us and let hubby stay home?

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    2. Rae Reads Avatar
      Rae Reads

      Do you want to go with us?

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