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.”

  • BLOGMAS 2021, Days 11, 12, and 13

    Ok, so my goal was to post every day, all 31 days of December, and I fell down on the job. The 11th day of Blogmas, Saturday, I started my Readathon…

    I became so carried away reading that I forgot to write!

    …a bit early and didn’t get around to posting anything. Sunday, I pretty much baked all day, “It’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas”. Then, in the evening when I was ready to post, I had computer problems, and I had to consult my grandson, asking him to take over the screen and “fix it.” Thank you, Andrew. It’s so good to have a techie person to fall back on. For the second day in a row, I skipped posting Blogmas. (Sorry, girls,(my young blogging friends) to let you down.

    Today, I went to book club in Houston and shopping on the way back home.

    This was the first time we had met in person since 2020, and we discussed Ethan Frome.
    We all agreed it was a depressing, bleak, grim book, but none of us was sorry we read it. It was reviewed recently, here on PWR.

    So, I will end with a lovely Christmas image borrowed from my friend, D.’s blog.

    MERRY BLOGMAS EVERYONE! It is good to be back on track!

    RAE

  • Sunday funnies

  • SATURDAY MORNINGS FOR KIDS

    THANKS, CARLA FOR THE COOL MEME!

    SATURDAY mornings on PWR are reserved for kids’ book recommendations, but today’s post is geared to recommend a kids’ publisher and a publisher’s representative in particular.

    For the past two years, I have purchased kids books from

    This company publishes some of the finest kids books around.

    I first heard of Usborne Books and More shortly after my second great-grand niece was born. Her grandmother, my niece, gave an Upborne Books and More party (much like a Tupperware party, which she sells) at her home to showcase kids’ books, games, etc. Her rep at the time was Lauren Pongallo, a very personable woman who allowed me to order on my niece’s party after the fact. After that first order, I received a notice alerting me to sales events that I might be interested in for both great-grand nieces and my Little Free Library needs. I asked her to continue sending me such information, and over the two year span, I have received texts about upcoming parties and events and sales. If you would like to get connected with a great company and a fine lady, who has now become a friend, here’s where you can contact Lauren: M.me/Lauren.Oliver.311, or better yet, text her 571-305-5237.

    I promise you will. be a satisfied customer like me.

    Thanks, Evin

  • CLASSICS CLUB AND BOOK CLUB SELECTION, ETHAN FROME

    I am reading a classic every two months for the Classic Club. I have been drawing titles out of a jar, but changed the pace a bit for Dec/Jan.

    My Page Turners book club just happened to select a classic for its December meeting. Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton’s 1911 novel was chosen. Instead of drawing a title from a jar, I decided to read Ethan Frome for both purposes, killing the proverbial two birds with one stone. I was told it was selected because it was a “good winter read,” but didn’t expect the plot to be as grim as the Massachusetts weather.

    The novel is set in Starkfield, Massachusetts, a town as stark as its name. It opens in a stark and bleak winter landscape where the narrator, Harmon Gow, a retired stagecoach driver, first catches sight of Ethan Frome. At the opening, Frome is 52 years old, but looks much older thanks to a sledding accident 24 years ago when Ethan was 28, in his prime. Frome lives in a world of isolation and silence, two major themes of the novel.

    Ethan’s life with his crochety wife and her cousin is revealed as his story unfolds. At the time of the accident, Ethan reaches out to make a final grab at happiness, but the tragedy which strikes prevents any hope of that.

    The surprise ending is indeed a surprise and is withheld until the few final lines. I suppose the ending is inevitable, but certainly not predictable. I listened to this on an audiobook, and the voice of the reader was almost a monotone, much like the skyline/horizon of Starkfield.

  • BLOGMAS 2021, Day 10

    Christmas IS a time of great JOY!

  • BLOGMAS 2021, Day 9

    Some important Blogmas updates. Thanks Lynn S for sharing.

    BLOGMAS will appear at PWR all 31 days of December. Thanks to D. for the meme I borrowed.

    RAE

  • RAE’S BLOGMAS READATHON

    According to the Harris County Library system, which includes the Freeman Branch I visit often in the Clear Lake area of Houston, Texas, “It is a debated topic in the book world whether September of December is actually Read a New Book month.” Their website points out that September is the beginning of the school year, complete with new textbooks, but December is approaching the New Year and the weather is conducive to a Readathon. I have decided to don my fuzzy cat socks, pull up my favorite quilt, sip a mug of cappuccino, and begin a week long Readathon, putting as much reading time as possible behind me. It will begin Sunday, December 12th at 8:00 a.m. and will end Saturday, December 18th at midnight.

    I will probably turn into a Night Owl that week because daytime hours will be filled with Holiday baking, gift wrapping, and running Christmas-related errands. LOL

    Some books I hope to begin or continue reading on are…

    …a “new” book–one purchased recently/a debut novel/a new author to me/one newly borrowed from the library/a Christmas gift book

    …a book from my TBR pile added recently

    …a new genre for me–probably paranormal romance, one I’ve never attempted

    This ought to be fun! Anyone want to join me?

    New to me, anyway…
    Thanks Evin

  • BLOGMAS 2021, Day 8

    I received a wonderful Christmas gift today–a good report from the doctor! Thank You, Lord.

    Don’t forget that He has given us the best gift of all–Salvation.

    Such a lot to be thankful for this season. It seems like the gratitude I felt at Thanksgiving has just kept growing, and the blessings, big ones like good health, and small ones like having English tea with two neighborhood third grade girls, just keep pouring in. I am very grateful!

    Merry Christmas,

    RAE

  • BLOGMAS 2021, Day 7

    Thanks to Deb Nance of Readerbuzz for forwarding this from Bonnie’s Books.com

  • BLOGMAS 2021, Day 6

    JOY IS THE END ALL AND BE ALL OF WHAT CHRISTIANS FEEL THIS SEASON!

    “For I bring you tidings of great joy. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior…” This is more than just part of Linus’ speech in the Christmas play in A Charlie Brown Christmas. JOY is an extreme emotion, based on pure gratitude, that Christians worldwide feel in their hearts as they think of the gift of salvation that was sent in the form of a tiny baby that Christmas morning. “Joy to the World; the Lord has come. Let Earth receive her king!” What an invitation! Why not let the Joy of Christmas into your heart and receive Him as your King?