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 six friends and I joined the Writing Center’s Sarah, from UHCL, where I taught for 34 years for Part Two of a Poetry Workshop. This one was on writing free verse poetry. Sarah gave a lovely talk, often interrupted by questions and comments by the participants, which led to lively discussions–so lively that we never did get around to writing any poetry. Soooo, we decided to meet again next Sunday for a “Poetry Share” using the excellent prompts Sarah had prepared to try our skill at writing free verse. Stay tuned for a report on the next “episode.” LOL
RAE 2/20/24
Modern, simple, minimal typographic design of a saying “Happy Wednesday” in tones of grey color. Cool, urban, trendy and playful graphic vector art with handwritten typography.
My blogging friend at The Starry Night Elf blog posted this thought, and it really spoke to me. We think of strong women as being bold, when a gentle mind and a kind heart is the true measure of a brave spirit. We recently held a Women’s Tea at Rae’s Reads (my bookstore) where I reviewed 65 Days of Gutsy Women, an inspiring book which I used as a “secular” devotion for 365 days the year I received it. Two of the women at the tea ordered the book and have launched their own 365 days of reading about Gutsy Women.
I highly recommend this book! Read about some Gutsy Women who accomplished their goals n a quiet, kind, gentle way.
The word “Sunday” written in white 3D letters on a colorful background concept and theme.
THE NONFICTION IN NOVEMBER CHALLENGE WAS SHORT BY ONE BOOK ON DECEMBER 31ST, 2023. So,I extended the challenge to January 15th, 2024 and had started the last book…
I didn’t even make it by the 15th, but finished it today, the 26th, at least before the 31st of January. LOL
This book was the last book of the last challenge of 2023, now, FINALLY, on to the challenges of 2024.
I hope to read 24 fiction books n 2024 and 12 nonfiction books in 2024.
I want to finish listening to the Harry Potter Series.
I intend to inaugurate a special challenge I wrote several years ago and never started for the summer.
I want to participate In First Line Fridays frequently.
Above all, in conjunction with my word for 2024, “JOY,” I want to experience what Katherine Center’s Newsletter describes as “The JOY of reading.”
TODAY S WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24TH, and haven’t done one of these in for- ever. Here goes:
WHAT HAVE FINISHED:
A recent Tuesday Night Book Club selection, this was one of the most loved books I have read so far this year.
Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel, published in 2022, presents “a widow’s unlikely connection with” an octopus. Set in the Sewell Bay Aquarium, the widow, Tova, the night cleaning lady, meets Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus whom is best described as a curmudgeon. The two meet Cameron when Tova breaks her foot, and Cameron is hired as her temporary replacement.
I learned a great deal about octopuses, and also that “…sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible . The book is described by critics as “witty” and “compulsively readable,” which is definitely true. Creatures is full of surprises, twists and turns, miscommunications, and false assumptions.
WHAT AM CURRENTLY READING:
A wonderful picture book for adults, specifically for women–women who love books and reading.
WHAT I HOPE TO READ/FINISH NEXT:
Yes, have begun the book, but I hope to finish it and review it soon.
WHAT ARE YOU READING THIS WEDNESDAY? WHAT have you finished ? WHAT are you currently reading? WHAT do you hope to read/finish next?
HAPPY READING!
Modern, simple, minimal typographic design of a saying “Happy Wednesday” in tones of grey color. Cool, urban, trendy and playful graphic vector art with handwritten typography.
J.L. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire–listened to this book in the series on audiobook. Also listened to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
A wonderful book I shall keep and reread.
Checked out from the library
Since my word for the year is JOY, I am using the book as a devotional. Joy Breaks came to me in a box of books donated to Rae’s Reads.
This book is as beautiful as it is fascinating.
My favorite so far
FINALLY, I am back in the reading groove, and being laid up in bed (literally) after foot surgery back on the 18th, I hope to attack my TBR shelves.
Tonight for Thursday Night Girl’s Night at Rae’s Reads, my bookstore and my home, we had a meeting of the “Silent Reading Book Club.” Seven were in attendance , just the right number to fill the Conversation Area of the front
room.
We were asked to come at five-ish, and all who were coming were n place by 5:15. We all got our drinks. Our choices were Vietnamese coffee, American coffee, Decaf or hot tea from the Republic of Tea, a mixture of Earl Grey and Elderberry tea. It was delicious, and didn’t even need sweetener or sugar.
We read silently for fifty minutes, then broke for three kids of Cookies, cheese and crackers and refills on drinks. I finished Book Girl by Sarah Clarkson, an author I’ve read before.
Here are some of the highlights of this wonderful book:
“What’s So Good about Being a Book Girl ?
That is the question at the heart of the book, and my answer comes from being raised as a book girl myself and as I tell the story of my own reading life, the one I yearn to give my daughter as she opens her story in the world. Gifts of learning and wonder, of hope renewed, of the capacity to ponder, of the will to act–those are just a few of the gifts to be explored in the chapters to come as we consider the particular goodness of being a book girl.”
“…you will find a unique kind of fellowship on the pages of Book Girl … There’s a fellowship of the book girls waiting for your presence, and every page here is my way of passing along the gift of reading that I received by pure grace. I can’t wait to set it in your hands. Are you a book girl who struggles to find the time to read? Goodness, my friend, we all understand that dilemma in the busy world. Were you once a book girl but seem to have lost your reading stride somewhere along the way? I hope you will remember afresh the joy and wisdom that wait to form you in the books that follow… (reading lists are given)…or do you need some courage to keep fighting the small battles of the everyday? Then pull up a chair, brew a cup of tea, and Join the fellowship here as we read our way back to beauty and courage, to laughter and strength, to life in its fullest grace.”
Isn’t this just about the loveliest writing you’ve ever read?
powerfulwomenreaders 