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.”

TOP TEN TUESDAY

This meme is sponsored by That Artsy Reader Girl where she gives a prompt for making a top ten list on different subjects. Today’s theme is “Top Ten Authors I’ve Read the Most Books by. Here is my list:

5 or 6 books

  1. Anna Quindlen
  2. Erik Larson
  3. Stephen King

4 books

  1. Alice Hoffman
  2. Bill Bryson
  3. John Green

3 books

  1. Susan Vreeland
  2. Sue Monk Kidd
  3. Max Lucado
  4. Benjamin Saenz

All of these writers have given me hours of reading enjoyment.

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10 responses to “TOP TEN TUESDAY”

  1. carhicks Avatar
    carhicks

    Lots of authors on this list that I have not read yet. Susan Vreeland is on my TBR based on your wonderful reviews, but haven’t actually read one yet. I will have to check out some of the other ones.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      It pleases me so much that you are making reading plans based on my reviews. I do the same with your reviews. I don’t always tell you when I’m going to read a book you mentioned, but so far, I’ve enjoyed all of them.

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      Reply
      1. carhicks Avatar
        carhicks

        One of the reasons I love blogging is that I have branched out and read so many books and authors that I otherwise would never have even considered. I love your recommendations Rae, some I add, others sound good, but sometimes are not in my wheelhouse, but I always enjoy your reviews and comments.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Rae Longest Avatar
        Rae Longest

        Same here.

        Like

  2. Jee Wan Avatar
    Jee Wan

    So nice to learn more about you! Didn’t know you like Stephen King! What are your favs by him? Have you read his latest, ‘If It Bleeds’? And have you read ‘The Institute’?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      My favorite Stephen King is Dr. Sleep. It is a sequel to the Shining. My two favorite series of his, which Ive read, are the Stand and The Dark Tower–either could be called his “Life’s Work Masterpiece.” I haven’t read either of the two you mentioned. Are they good?

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      1. Jee Wan Avatar
        Jee Wan

        I haven’t read If It Bleeds, only The Institute. Here’s my review: https://hookedonbookz.com/2019/12/01/jee-reviews-a-pageturner-the-institute-by-stephen-king-theinstitute-scribnerbooks-thriller-supernatural/

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      Ah yes, I see I visited your The Institute review and said I would look into it. I failed to do so, but after re-reading the review, I have added this title to my TBR (whenever I can get to it LOL)

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  3. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar
    Deb Nance at Readerbuzz

    I find several things about this list interesting. Several of your authors write nonfiction. A couple of your fiction writers are wildly different from each other. And you have not read ten or twenty books from a single writer.

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      I only listed books I had liked. I used my log book to see how many by which authors I’ve read because I don’t do Goodreads or review books I either just gave up on or did not enjoy. I do not review books I don’t enjoy.

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