RAE’S READS

recent posts

about

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.”

THE CITY WE BECAME by N.K. Jemisin

This book, which I ordered from an independent bookstore, complete with a bookplate signed by the author and virtual attendance at an interview/event held by the bookstore was one of my favorite reads of 2022. Published in 2020 by my favorite science fiction writer, N. K. Jemisin, this sci fi novel takes place in New York City. Many of you who have followed my blog know about my fascination with NYC, so you can imagine how fast I ordered this book after reading about it coming out. It was everything I had hoped for and more.

The opening chapters alone are enough excitement and thrilling action for any sci fiction novel!

The City We Became is Jemisin’s first book in The Great Cities Trilogy. Neil Gaiman declares it to be “Glorious,” and, indeed it is.

“Every city has a soul. Some are ancient as myths; others are as new as children. New York? She’s got six–and all six will be called to arms in the greatest battle the city has ever fought.” The story opens with an exciting, terrifying scene where a young man, later identified as Manhattan, encounters monsters and catastrophic activity in “The Battle of FDR Drive” in chapter one. Each of New York’s boroughs makes up a team of individuals who must fight creatures from an alternate universe who seek to destroy NYC and eventually the Earth.

Set in contemporary NYC, this “modern masterpiece of culture, identity, magic, and myth,”has just whetted my appetite for the second book in the series, presumably set in Paris; then I think it’s on to London for the final book in the series. I can hardly wait!

WRITE FASTER, N.K. JEMISIN !

Posted in

4 responses to “THE CITY WE BECAME by N.K. Jemisin”

  1. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar
    Deb Nance at Readerbuzz

    What a completely novel idea for a story. I’m happy you liked this one so much. I wonder if you will enjoy the other cities as much as you did NYC…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      How could I not enjoy Paris and London???

      Like

      Reply
  2. Mae Sander Avatar
    Mae Sander

    Jemisin’s earlier book didn’t appeal to me, but I’m generally not a fan of that type of science fiction, so I guess I don’t share your taste in this instance.

    best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      To each her own, right? Thanks for stopping by and especially for commenting.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment