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.”

SUNDAY REVIEW

Yesterday I finished Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor.

This 2006 publication was donated to my bookstore by a frequent customer, and I read it before putting it on the shelf. The author presents reflections on 20 years in the priesthood of the Episcopal church. Here are a couple of excerpts that demonstrate the lovely writing and profound thoughts Taylor demonstrates.

“Like every believer I know, my search for real life has led me through three seasons of faith…finding life, losing life, and finding life again.” Her descriptions of how she entered the priesthood, her years serving her parishes, and her decision to leave the priesthood, only to find a stronger, more authentic faith are amazing reading. It guides anyone seeking his/her faith to the “real thing.”

“…my losses have been chiefly in the area of faith, and specifically, in the area of being certain who God is, what God wants of me, and what it means to be a Christian in a world where religion often seems to do more harm than good”–something all of us are seeking answers to.

Serving in “a small historical parish in north Georgia,” Taylor finds that “…finding my life might involve losing it–or that loss, in the end might be cause for praise.

This book is full of wonderful writing, beautiful descriptions, and lovely use of figurative language. It is an inspiring book and a darned good read.

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3 responses to “SUNDAY REVIEW”

  1. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar
    Deb Nance at Readerbuzz

    Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith is a book I greatly enjoyed reading. The author is honest and vulnerable and I’ve found that to be rare in spiritual books. It’s hard to admit when things are not working and to take a different path.

    Lory at Entering the Enchanted Castle sponsored a Spiritual Memoir Challenge this year. I hope she sponsors it again next year. I’d like to read more spiritual memoirs next year. The link to her challenge is https://enterenchanted.com/spiritual-memoir-challenge/ if you’d like to take a look.

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    1. Rae Longest Avatar
      Rae Longest

      Thanks.

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  2. Mia is mine Avatar
    Mia is mine

    Thank you so much for reviewing such an interesting book!

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