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.”

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  • FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY

    Today’s thoughts are all about friendships. They came to me from one of my early mentors, Virginia Kernaghan. Words from Virginia Hollis Kernaghan: “Since I have lived in many different places, and taught school for many years, there have been numerous special people in my life, some briefly, some for a lifetime. With the advent…

  • ONE “W” WEDNESDAY

    Usually posters who do WWW Wednesday answer the questions, What have you finished? What are you reading now, and What will you read next. Instead, I’m only going to deal with the first W–What have you finished? (Published 2020) I bought my signed copy online through Brazos Bookstore, an independent bookstore in Houston. Moving’s subtitle…

  • Get thee to a punnery

    Originally posted on bluebird of bitterness: bluebird of bitterness View original post

  • EXCITING UPDATE

    My author friend, Alda P. Dobbs, recently emailed me with pictures from her book release in San Antonio. Here is Alda’s book, which I reviewed this past spring on PWR. You can read my review by going to http://powerfulwomenreaders.wordpress. com and using the search box, typing in Barefoot Dreams.

  • Why a Physical Dictionary is better – Rachel del Valle QUOTES FOR WRITERS

    Why a Physical Dictionary is better – Rachel del Valle QUOTES FOR WRITERS

    Originally posted on BRIDGET WHELAN writer: Wikipedia and Google answer questions with more questions, opening up pages of information you never asked for. But a dictionary builds on common knowledge, using simple words to explain more complex ones. Using one feels like prying open an oyster rather than falling down a rabbit hole. Rachel del Valle…

  • SATURDAY MORNINGS FOR KIDS

    Here are two books I finished this week. Hopkins tells the story from Will’s younger brother’s point of view. When a tragic accident happens to Will, his younger brother is witness to personality changes his parents are unaware of. Whenever family plans are made, it is Trace who always asks, “What About Will?” Another novel…

  • prayfavor

    prayfavor

    Originally posted on Annette Rochelle Aben: Counting blessings does work To lift you from your pain To clear away the rain And help you rise ©2021 Annette Rochelle Aben

  • Today’s (October 8th) Friday First Liner is from a novel in poetry form I am reading for Cybils. It is from Ellen Hopkins’ What About Will. Having written fourteen best-selling YA novels, this novel in poetry form is aimed at middle grade (grades 5-8) readers. Here is the beginning of the first poem: “My Big…

  • OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BOOK MONTH

    National Book Month was established to “focus on the importance of reading, writing, and literature.” October became a time to read. Dewey’s 24 hour Readathon has one of its sessions set in October. Here are some ways to celebrate during October: Start a new book. Begin a book that you have heard of, have read…

  • AFTER LONG LAST, POETRY

    It has been a long time since I read a collection of poems–not a good thing since reading more poetry was one of my 2021 Reading Goals. However, recently I received from a free source a collection of poems, billed as “40 Poems of Learning About Life.” This interesting collection of poems begins in Dunham’s…