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.”
From somewhere in your current read, copy a line or a few that would tease someone into reading the same book.

A big thank you to the Purple Booker for creating this fun meme. Here is my Tuesday Teaser for March 1, 2022:

This is how chapter 34 begins, “Bitsi didn’t bother with bonjour. She barged into my bedroom, she Announced, ‘Boris was playing cards!’

‘Cards?’

‘And then he was shot!”

‘Shot?’ My hand flew to my heart. ‘Is he alive?’ “

These are characters in The Paris Library, a novel about the German occupation of Paris during WWII. The two women talking are Odile, one of the protagonists, and Bits, her sister-in-law. Both work at the Paris Library, which has managed to stay open during the occupation, much to the frustration of some German “higher-ups.” How these valiant women kept the library functioning and tended to its patrons, some outcast jews and others informants to the Germans is a novel of immense excitement and action.

A novel I hope to finish by tomorrow

This has been a busy Tuesday which included a lesson with my little five-year-old student, a long trip to Houston to the pain management doctor, a stuffed barbecue baked potato from “Flying’ D’s” for a late lunch, and planning my lesson for my Advanced Writing class tomorrow. One of the students, Zachary, arranged to make spinach dip and encouraged classmates to bring chips, so I guess while we review comma usage, we’ll munch away. I am looking forward to getting Zachary’s recipe. I am grateful for students like him.

Sketch by blogging friends Tetiana Aleksina of Ukraine and Tony Single of Australia posted on their blog. They are directly involved and “speak” from the heart. Pray for the Ukraine people.
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3 responses to “”

  1. Marg Avatar
    Marg

    I have heard so many things about The Paris Library!

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar
    Deb Nance at Readerbuzz

    I have not read The Paris Library. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      Do you want my copy?

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