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.”

  • SUNDAY (EVENING) POST

    The last time I did one of these was April 15th. I could blame it on the end of the semester; I could blame it on having back and foot trouble and having to schedule doctor’s visits and “down times,” but I guess I’d better “‘fess up” and tell the truth–I have been incredibly lazy. Not only have I not reported on books read, but I have not kept track of them at all, not even in my reading log. I am sure I have turned in to the library some books I have borrowed and read, and I KNOW I have purchased and read books and passed them along or put them in my LFL (Little Free Library).  This is the best I can do for now.

    Books I have read:

    Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson which I borrowed from the library This one I found at the public library and finished in two days

    I finished Kiss Her Goodbye for the “K” in my “Alphabet Challenge.”

    Just Thinking, a collection of poems by blogger and author Colin Chappell

    Remains of the Day, the April selection for our Third Tuesday Book Club

    Tell Me More, a collection of essays

    I have set aside (again) Book VII (the end of the series) of Stephen King’s “Dark Tower”

     

    Books I have started and am continuing to read:

    The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Neffenegger  This book was published in 2003; why am I just reading it now? Described to me as a “tear jerker” by the librarian who recommended it, it is a wonderful read I literally can’t put down.

    My Better Half and I have begun reading aloud a three book series, book one being The Fifth Season written by N.K. Jemisin.

    My current non-fiction read is Rick Warren’s What on Earth Am I Here for? The situation is one is supposed to read one chapter a day and think about it all day.  There are also “talks” that go along with each chapter. I checked this one out of my church library, but it is way overdue, so I probably should buy a copy before continuing.

    The Last Apprentice,a YA book I picked for the letter “L,” rescuing it after it was run over in the street near my house, then giving it one last read before tossing it (It was too dilapidated and tattered to put it in my LFL.)

    For the letter “M,” I have begun The Man Without a Shadow by Joyce Carol Oates, one which I will definitely want to review (if I can!).

    A blogger friend, James J. Cudney of “This is my Truth Now” blog’s second novel (first was Watching Glass Shatter), Father Figure is a recent purchase and one I’m enjoying a great deal.

    Finally, I have picked up a book I started many months ago and forgot I had, The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman. I’m only “in” a few chapters, but I do know it’s one I want to read and will enjoy finishing.

    So, grades are posted. A celebratory lunch took place for the end of the semester, and OBVIOUSLY plans for the coming week are to catch up on my reading and finish what I’ve begun!

    HAPPY READING

     

     

  • REMAINS OF THE DAY by Kazuo Ishiguro: A Review

    Rae Longest's avatarblogging807

    This unusual book was the April selection for our Third Tuesday Book Club in Alvin (Texas). It was published back in 1989 and made into an award winning movie starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. Like many of the other members, I had seen the film but never read the book.

    At first I was a bit disappointed, for the writing was extremely detailed and tedious. Then I realized the author was doing this on purpose because the main character, the perfect English butler, lived a life that was precise, detailed, and tedious. His relationship with his American gentleman and employer, Mr. Farraday, and his relationship (or lack thereof) with the former Housekeeper, Miss Kenton is often told in flashbacks. The novel opens with the butler taking a “road trip” in a marvelous antique car, loaned to him by his employer. The purpose of this trip was to contact Miss…

    View original post 207 more words

  • When You Hit Rock Bottom…

    When You Hit Rock Bottom…

    Chris The Story Reading Ape's avatarChris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

    image

    Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life – J.K. Rowling

    View original post

  • TEASER TUESDAY

    Thanks to blogger friend S.J. Higbee (of “Brainfluff,” a great blog) for continuing the meme originated by “The Purple Booker” called Tuesday Teaser.  The point is to pick at random two or three sentences of what you are currently reading and post them in order to tease others to read the same book. Include title and author, and no spoilers, please.

    Here is today’s Tuesday Teaser:

    From Joyce Carol Oates’ novel, The Man Without a Shadow

    “‘Eli (Margot speaking), what a beautiful necktie! You are always so well dressed.’ Each day he is brought to the Institute for testing, Elihu Hoopes dresses with the care of one who anticipates good news. Over a period of more than three decades this will be! And Margot Sharpe has been a witness through these three years.”

    Eli is the test subject, Margot is the psychiatrist studying him. Eli has no memory, cannot remember for more than 70 seconds due to a traumatic brain disease. However, he seems to remember things (especially from times long past), or it seems to Margot, at least that this is true. Is Margot becoming attached to Eli? She is definitely attracted to him, and she believes he is attracted to her, even though each session, she has to introduce herself to him all over again. What will or will not develop is anyone’s guess.

  • Hee

    elfkat's avatarAdventures and Musings of an Arch Druidess

    View original post

  • Caturday funnies

  • Fowl play

  • DYING FOR SPACE: A REVIEW

    As soon as I finished the first book in the “Sunblind Series,” Running Out Of Space, by S.H. Higbee (of Brainfluff blog), I ordered the sequel, Dying for Space. I was so enamored of the main character, “Lizzie”, now matured through loss, revelation and responsibility into “Liz”, illegitimate  daughter of the overbearing General Norman that I couldn’t wait for more of her adventures and misadventures .

    Dealing with lingering loss, duplicity, and betrayal, Liz gains a following and popularity that her love/hate-relationship father covets. Many twists and turns fascinate the reader who reads way beyond bedtime. As in the first book, lots of action and crisis moments occur. The book is a fast-paced, attention-keeping read that can be summed up as a “darned good read.” I believe the series is intended to be a trilogy, and am eagerly awaiting the third book centered on a character I have grown to admire and want to read more about.

     

  • TELL ME MORE, AN ESSAY COLLECTION by Kelly Corrigan

    This 2018 collection of essays called to me from the display shelf at the public library because it was in large print and the cover design was appealing. The book’s subtitle is “Stories About the 12 Hardest Things I’m Learning to Say.”  Huffington Post called the author “the poet laureate of the ordinary”, and says she deals with “the essential phrases that turn the wheel of life.”

    Corrigan includes essays dealing with the loss (death) of a best friend and of her father and how both deaths affected all of their families. It is her meditation on life, love, and loss. Another reviewer said, “This book is about things we say to people we love [including ourselves] that make things better.” Much of the book flows in narrative form while the author thinks about events and happenings that occur. She “speaks” aloud to herself and to the reader. Oftentimes the essays brought me to tears. My favorite in this category was “Onward,” a letter written to Liz (the deceased best friend) letting her know how Liz’s husband and daughters are doing a year after her death.  It is moving and hopeful.

    Although the book was “sad” in tone, it was also uplifting and downright inspiring. Altogether, I am glad I chose to read this book.

  • READING OUTSIDE ONE’S USUAL GENRE’

    Inspired by National Poetry Month, I have been reading more poetry than I have in many years. These few quotes about poetry are worth sharing:

    “Poetry is what Milton saw when he went blind.”  Don Marquis, creator of Archie and Mehitibel

    “Poetry comes fine, spun from a mind at peace.”  Ovid

    “Poetry is the record of the best and happiest of the happiest and best of minds.”  Shelley, poet

    “I would define, in brief, the poetry of words as the Rhythmical Creation of Beauty.”  Poe

    Several books of poetry I have been reading from lately are:

    Maya Angelou’s Give Me A Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Diiie   Angelou has been my writing mentor/hero since the 70’s when I first became aware of her. I had the privilege of attending a reading of some of her poems around the 80’s and she was such a commanding personage and had such “stage presence she kept a huge ballroom of attendees in the palm of her hand, as her powerful voice and stature made every individual there that night feel as if she were speaking just to them.

    Poetic Rituals by blogging friend Ritu at “But I Smile Anyway”  Her posts, especially her “Spidey Sundays” thoughts on quotes are inspiring and help me get through the week.

    Colin Chappell’s Just Thinking, written to help with medical expenses of his daughter, another blogging friend from “A Dog’s Life” who also has written Ray’s (his dog’s) story (from both Colin and Ray’s point of view) in his book Who Said I Was Up for Adoption?

    A recent purchase from Jennifer Payne, another fellow blogger, Evidence of Flossing    I can hardly wait to start this photo/poetry project because it is a unique look at “What We Leave Behind.” Several of her poems have been featured on her blog, and I have been captivated by them. Now I own them myself in this collection.

    Reading more poetry and purchasing a new poetry book plus reading one that has been on my TBR shelf for years have been two of my goals for celebrating National Poetry Month. Let’s hear what you plan to do to celebrate…write a poem? read more poetry? purchase a book of poems? THERE’S STILL TIME.