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.”

  • SATURDAY MORNINGS FOR KIDS…

    TODAY’S RECOMMENDATION IS AIMED AT MIDDLE SCHOOLERS

    …ON SUNDAY MORNING

    Late! Again! Please bear with me, for I have a wonderful author who writes for middle schoolers, and adults whose sense of humor has remained at middle school levels, including yours truly.

    I RECEIVED A WONDERFUL GIFT IN THE MAIL!

    This gift from a former student, Virginia, arrived in the mail a while ago. I could hardly wait to read the books and recommend them in Saturday Mornings for Children.
    6 NEW KID’S BOOKS!
    My favorite of the set!

    Virginia Jones, a former online student whom I came to love as a friend as well as be impressed by as a student, sent me a set of books by a beloved children’s author in Britain, equivalent in popularity to of The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series here in the U.S. Stationed in England, she calls me often to check on me and tells me about her latest academic adventures. She is an amazing individual and a good friend. She follows my blog, and when she told me about this British author, I thought I should feature Williams on my Saturday Mornings for Kids post. Never did I dream she would provide me with the means of doing so.

    My sense of humor has never progressed beyond middle school, and for that I am not embarrassed, but grateful. This series made me laugh out loud at the “proper British tones” in which it is written and nearly choke at the outrageously funny illustrations. Here’s one from my favorite book in the box, Awful Auntie.

    Awful Auntie herself, in all her “glory”

    When I googled the author of this hilarious set of books, I discovered I already “knew” him from watching “Britain’s Got Talent” on TV. There, he is a judge for unusual acts trying to hit the big time in Great Britain. My estimation of this “celebrity” has now climbed sky-high after reading his books. Out of five stars, I would have to give this series a 6.

    Thanks, Evin

  • DEWEY

    It’s the story of a cat.

    It’s the story of a town–a small town.

    It’s the story of a librarian who loves books and cats.

    AND, IT’S TRUE!

    I began this book knowing it was going to have a “sad” ending, but I was surprised and inspired by the ending as well.

    Vicky Myron, with assistance from Bret Witter, subtitled her book: “A Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World.” Indeed, “touched the world” is no exaggeration. The cover describes it as a” universal tale of love, hope, and friendship.”

    Abandoned in the local book drop, a three-week old kitten worked his way into the hearts and lives of Library Director Vicki Myron and an entire town. As the story unfolds, the reader follows Dewey (named after the Dewey Decimal System) from a straggly, half-frozen, pitiful castoff to an international celebrity. One of the best parts of the book is the visit of Japanese filmmakers, who make a documentary about Dewey, endearing him to people worldwide. Not only is the story and its anecdotes of those who met Dewey inspirational, but it is also engaging. Dewey instinctively seemed to know the needs of each library patron who met him, providing comfort and love to all. Filled with humor and charm, this true story was a darned good read!

  • SOON TO BE A NETFLIX SERIES

    A YA novel that has it all

    Angela Boulley has a series-worthy hit that resonates in her YA thriller, The Fire Keeper’s Daughter. Eighteen-year-old-high school senior, half French, half Ojibwe, Daunis Fontaine, finds herself in the middle of a murder, and is recruited as an undercover operative for the FBI. An award-winning novel, this 2021 publication was also a recent pick for Reese Witherspoon’s YA Book Club.

    The characters were handled beautifully, speaking and acting like realistic eighteen to twenty-year-olds.. This includes the language they use, their sexual feelings and activities and their feelings of hopelessnessg that life on the reservation (or in its nearby town) bring. Daunis dreams of the new start that going to college next year will provide. Levi, her all-star hockey player older brother; Jamie, the twenty-two-year-old love interest; and her best friend, whose boyfriend killed her in front of Daunis, are all drawn excellently. Memorable characterization is the main thing I look for in a novel, so I was very impressed with this author.

    As advertised on the cover, this YA offering is “rare and mesmerizing.” It celebrates the Native American experience as Daunis builds relationships with her relatives, coaches, and other adults involved. She learns that some of the investigators she assists are more concerned with their case than in protecting the victims. A second murder heightens the suspense and confirms Daunis’s fears. The ending is action-packed and leaves the reader holding their breath as they follow the central characters into perilous situations.

    I recommend it for older teens and young adults.

  • This meme asks the blogger to choose a passage from a current read that will “tease” other readers into reading the book. What? no blog? Then leave your Tuesday Teaser in the comments below.

    Today’s teaser comes from a book I have almost finished. The passage is on page 352. Tess (Miller the love-interest’s autistic daughter) has just forced the babysitter to break off Miller and Emma’s first date , asking Miller to come home; Tess has created a disaster (again!) When the couple arrive at Miller’s house the scene is described by Emma (protagonist):

    “[Tess] was currently sliding around like a cheerful otter, completely soaked in corn oil…Miller paid [the babysitter] who was more than ready to leave and stink-eyeing Tess…” The sitter had been trying to make brownies

    “…even without the spilled corn oil, the kitchen was a disaster…batter and beaters were dripping outside the sink…Flour and sugar had spilled on the counter, and every ingredient was unwrapped and spilled, including a stick of butter that looked like Tess had taken a bite out of. But the real mess was, of course, the floor. An entire half gallon of corn oil. According to [the babysitter] Tess had poured it on the cat to make him ‘pretty.’ There were smears of corn oil on the walls, on the floor.” When Miller handed paper towels to Tess, she said,

    ” ‘Thank you, Daddy.’ She smeared them in the puddles of oil and put them on her head. Miller sighed.”

    Talk about a disastrous first date! Well, it gets worse, and ends up with Tess cutting herself, attacking Emma with a hand-held mixer whose beaters get entangled in her long hair, and a trip to the emergency room for stitches for Tess and a shaved haircut for Emma because the beaters are pulling her hair out by the roots, and the pain is unbearable. This book has it all: romance, women’s friendships, family secrets, conflict between generations, and more.

    This book is turning out to be a DARNED GOOD READ!

    Thank you, Evin.

  • #GrannySays – #Humor #Inspiration #Wisdom

    Marcia Meara's avatarThe Write Stuff

    We just have to remember to LOOK for it!

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  • Night Swear

    Night Swear

    Annette Rochelle Aben's avatarAnnette Rochelle Aben

    Toss and turn, pillow punch

    The goal, to fall asleep

    Warm and cozy and deep

    Eyes wide open

    Sheep, uncooperative

    Useless trying warm milk

    Switch to flannel from silk

    Teddy bear mocks

    ©2022 Annette Rochelle Aben

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  • SUPER BOWL ALTERNATIVE

    My Better Half, My Brother and I opted out of the Super Bowl frenzy and did the Readathon instead.
    It is not that late, but I am FINISHED in more ways than one!

    After a celebratory supper of hotdogs, corn on the cob, and baked beans accompanied by flour tortillas (store bought), we called the event to a close. Those tailgaters had nothing on us in the “eats” department.

    ZILCH, NADA, NOT A SINGLE BOOK! I hopped around so much in several books (see previous post) and took breaks to grade papers, cook, deliver a cake to a friend, etc. that I failed to finish a single book. Booooo.

    I lack fewer than 25 pages.

    NEVER TOUCHED IT! Booooo.

    COMPLETED THE FIRST 65 PAGES

    I put a big dent in this one, and I am loving it!

    I read a great deal in the YA, award winning novel, The Firestarter’s Daughter as well, and I am impressed with it also.

    The goal was to get as much read on books I’d already started, and although I failed to finish a single book, I spent a good day reading and relaxing.

    Enjoy your evening and have a restful sleep.

    Thanks, Evin, for the sign off.

  • GAME DAY READATHON

    BIG GAME READATHON

    My Better Half and I had already seen as much of the Super Bowl we wanted to from sneak peeks and all the hype and interviews leading up to the Big Game by yesterday. We decided instead to hold our own little Readathon. When I read Deb’s Sunday Salon post on her blog, Readerbuzz, there was Jenn, who had beat me to the punch! So, this morning I got up at seven, and began reading even before getting out of bed.

    First things first–I read my two devotional books’ offerings for the day, Daily Wisdom for Women, and Hoda Kotb’s I Really Needed This Today. Both passages were short and a good way to start the day. Then I read a chapter from Jeremiah and finished the last two chapters of the book of Acts from the NIV version of the Bible.

    IT’S UNDERWAY!

    I AM DETERMINED to finish this fine, exciting, sci fi book soon!

    I read on Dewey before going to bed last night, and Dewey is becoming sick and old. I almost dread the inevitable sad ending of this sweet book. It is so much more engaging than I had expected, making me wonder why it languished on my TBR shelf for so long.

    I found it! It has been missing for a week; I thought I’d left it at the doctor’s office, but this morning as I searched for my slipper, I found it under the bed! Hooray!

    The Firestarter’s Daughter, an award winner mentioned on Deb Nance’s Readerbuzz which I checked out from the library.

    The Sunday Edition of The Houston Chronicle–READING IT FROM COVER TO COVER IS MY TRADITIONAL SUNDAY TREAT!

    That is certainly enough to get me off to a good start. I read a chapter or two from one, then switch to another, interspersed with chores and daily activities; I know this seems like a scattered way to read, but it works for me.

    THANKS FOR FOLLOWING MY BIG GAME READATHON ADVENTURES

    RAE

  • A LOVELY PICTURE BOOK THAT TEACHES A LESSON

    THANKS, CARLA FOR THE LOAN OF YOUR MEME.

    This Caldecott Honoree is a lesson in being proud of one’s heritage even if others don’t understand.

    Dedicated to her parents, this book’s author tells a story of her childhood.

    Written by Andrea Wang and illustrated beautifully by Jason Chin, the book tells the story of a drive that enabled the girl’s parents to stop by the side of the road and pick free watercress. Seeing a busload of her school friends go by, the girl is embarrassed by her parents and their family’s scavenging. As mom prepares the watercress, the girl imagines her friends making fun of her and her frugal parents . Her mom reminds her of how as a child in China, she had nothing to eat during a time of great famine, and tells her daughter she would have been glad to have the watercress. Ashamed, the girl tries the watercress and finds it delicious. The whole family is aware of memories, and as they eat the watercress, they make new memories of their own.

    The lovely illustrations, including the expressions on the characters’ faces, carry the story along, letting the reader know at all times what the girl and her family are feeling. It is an inspiring book, one which carries a message and teaches a thoughtful lesson.

    READ WITH YOUR KIDS TODAY!

    Rae

  • Back in the 1920s | Back in the Day Stellar Reading Challenge

    A Challenge

    The Starry Night Elf's avatarStarry Night Elf

    © Starry Night Elf

    Gnomies, it’s time travel back to the 1920s! For the Back in the Day Stellar Reading Challenge (SRC), select a book that was published between January 01, 1920 and December 31, 1929. As long as the book has at least 100 pages, it can be a work of fiction or nonfiction.

    Also, check out the Starry Night Elf SRC Group on Goodreads by clicking here and consider joining our conversation!

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