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.”

  • “CELEBRATION OF COLOR” Book 2

    The “Celebration of Color” Challenge is one I gave myself in order to clear off my TBR shelves, read books recommended by other bloggers, and generally have some fun. To review the colors and the guidelines, type “Celebration of Color into the search box. There you also will find the review of my “Blue” book,The Dalia Lama’s Cat.

    Today’s book is red,

    This 1990 novel, first in a series “The Cazalet Chronicles” has been sitting on my TBR shelves since it showed up as a donation in my Little Free Library. It deals , much in the “Upstairs Downstairs” fashion with the Cazalet family, opening with the awakening of a young servant, whose activities we follow, along with those of the family members. There are so many members of the family that the family tree at the front of the book is invaluable, and as I began reading, I kept a finger tucked in to it, so I could frequently figure out who belonged to whom.

    In the critics praise blurbs near the front, one wrote the novel was “…in the tradition of Austin.” Another described the novel as describing an “old-fashioned world of understatement and stiff upper lip.” Still another compared its social historian qualities to that of Galsworthy’s The Forsythe Saga.

    My favorite part of reading novels is appreciating the authors’ characterization skills, and my did Howard have an enormous number of characters to practice them on. Without exception her characters were totally believable and reflected the society in England between the Wars. Especially well drawn were the children. Existing between the summer of 1937 and the brink of WWII in 1938, the narrative ends on a cliffhanger, to be picked up in the next book. It is a satisfying ending, exhibiting a temporary reprieve, a temporary peace before the horror of war begins both within the world and within the lives of this very interesting, well-drawn family.

  • THURSDAY THOUGHTS

    I am writing this before bedtime, and the following thoughts are from a quote from my Quote Notebook and a devotional I read earlier this week.

    “When you go to bed at night, have before you three things–love, hope, and forgiveness. And you will awaken in the morning with a song in your heart.” (Victor Hugo)

    “When the day is ended, it is ended. No matter what has happened, let it go. Give thanks for the good you have received, for the bad you have survived, and for the progress you have made. Forgive where forgiveness is called for, and bless those who have blessed your life. Take no regret, but wisdom alone, into tomorrow; and then go to sleep with a light heart, looking forward to a new day of hope, joy, and fulfillment.”

  • F I WERE YOU, An Audiobook by Lynn Austin

    This is a new audiobook by Lynn Austin, read by Sarah Zimmerman. It is labeled a “Christian Romance,” but it does not preach or chide; it just teaches by exampled. One critic calls it “a novel of sisterhood and self-discovery.”

    Set in WWII and in 1950, just after, the novel compares the stories of Audrey Clarkson, “born to the manor,” and her servant, Eve Dawson. Opening at the impressive Wellingford Hall, the novel has an “Upstairs/Downstairs” quality about it as it traces the lives and activities of the two women. Then comes the war.

    Although they have lost track of each other, the two women make contact once again in 1950 under the strangest of circumstances. I don’t want to give the plot away, but it involves an act on the part of one which normally would be unforgivable to the other.

    This is a splendid “read” and makes for easy listening.

  • Welcoming Activities That Work

    Welcoming Activities That Work

    Teachers…
    some tips!

  • Projecting

    Projecting

    From my blogging friend and poet, Jean Payne

    Jen Payne's avatar

    Projecting

    It’s OK, I reassure her.

    You’re alright.

    Seemingly all day

    I talk out loud

    Where are you?

    Are you OK?

    Yesterday, she startled

    when I walked into the room

    both of us unaware of the other

    It’s OK I reassure her

    and You’re alright

    but I wonder sometimes

    at this grand projection,

    is she in possible peril

    or am I?

    ©2020, Jen Payne, with assistance from Lola.

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  • SORRY I’M LATE, I DIDN’T WANT TO COME: by Jessica Pan: A Review

    This 2019 story of an introvert’s year-long attempt to try to act like an extrovert led her far out of her comfort zone, and provides the reader with a “rollicking, hilarious”read. It not only should be read by all introverts, but by extroverts to get an an understanding of their fellow travelers on this planet. “What would happen if a shy, introvert lived as a gregarious extrovert for one year?” This is exactly what Pan attempts to discover.

    I chose this book because I want to read more non-fiction.

    Pan soon finds out there are extrovert mentors “out there” who are willing to help if only asked. With their advice and help, she tries to be a “little bit braver.”

    One third of the population are introverts. If you watch festivals and concerts on line rather than go to them and participate, dread your own birthday and pray for no surprise party, don’t feel brave enough to travel alone, dread New Year’s Eve…this book is for you!

    I thoroughly enjoyed the humor and wit in this book and at the same time, gained empathy for those who are not as outgoing as I am.

  • OF LITERATURE AND LATTES, an audiobook: A Review

    This audiobook, read/listened to as part of my “20 in 20” challenge where I read twenty books recommended by fellow bloggers, was called to my attention by Carla at Carla Loves to Read. It is described as “an ode to small towns and second chances.” It is a Winsome (the name of the small town in Illinois where the novel is set)read and was fun to listen to.

    Alyssa Harrison had left Winsome three years ago when her parents broke up due to her mother, Janet’s infidelity. Alyssa is out of a job and under FBI investigation because of shady dealings within her company, which may be based on an algorithm she created. Not only does she return home under a cloud and broke, but she has no place to stay except with her mother, whom she despises. On her first day back she discovers her favorite coffee shop, “Morning Brew” has been bought by Jeremy Mitchell who has changed the name, the decor, and the coffee to something much more modern. Not only do all the changes clash with the old-fashioned town, but Jeremy seems to aggravate and alienate the regular customers. Of course there is a love story “brewing” here. (pun intended)

    The author, Katherine Reay’s 2020 novel includes a bookstore, a coffee shop, a divorced man raising his daughter–what more could a reader ask for? As one learns from Alyssa and Jeremy, there is “grace [in] letting go and joy [found in] unexpected change.” I highly recommend this book.

  • TUESDAY THOUGHTS PART II: A Review

    Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner is the perfect beach read, set on a private beach at Cape Cod.

    Read Part I to see why I chose to read this book.

    Daphne Berg, the heroine, is a plus sized “Influencer” on Instagram with many followers. (I was oblivious to the concept of influencers and Instagram followers until reading this book. I learned about the many perks involved and the huge amount of work and lack of privacy the position entails.) Her childhood friend, Drue Cavenaugh, of THE Cavenaughs, a fabulously rich and influential family approaches her after a long period of estrangement. A cruel act Drue causes Daphne to experience distanced the girls from each other, but ultimately caused Daphne to become an influencer in the first place. Drue wants Daphne to be her Maid of Honor because she “has no friends.” Out of pity and memories from their childhood, Daphne accepts thinking she can at least get a weekend at the Cape at a luxurious beach house out of the deal.

    At the mansion on the beach, Daphne is excited about the number of “cute, single guys” in attendance. She is mortified for Drue when a family feud erupts into an embarrassing, humiliating argument at the rehearsal dinner, and she resolves to forgive Drue and be a comforting friend to unfortunate Drue as well as perform her Maid-of-Honor-duties.

    What happens next is totally unpredictable and provides the mystery of the novel. From that point on, there are massive twists and turns in the plot, which lead to an exciting, adventurous climax. And, yes, Daphne figures it out with the help of a “cute, single” guy. The novel coverso the bases: female friendships, on- line life vs. reality, the influencer industry, and romance. It has it all.

    After I had finished three fourths of the book, I couldn’t go to bed on time, but stayed up until the wee hours to find out the ending. I haven’t read previous or other books by this author, but I guarantee I will read her again!

  • TUESDAY THOUGHTS Part I

    In the August 2020 issue of Real Simple magazine, I read an article by author Jennifer Wiener. Here is an excerpt from that article:

    “When I wrote my first book, I was lucky, in terms of both what I had and what I didn’t. I has a good job and enough money in the bank to rent a cottage by the sea for a week. I didn’t have children, a husband, or anyone to feed and clothe and send out into the world. So, off I went. ‘I am going to finish my novel,’ I told my mother, who draped her hand across her forehead, threw her head back , and said, ‘Oh yes, your novel!’ in a tone that indicated her profound disbelief that such a thing did, or ever would, exist. I piled my dog and my Mac into my Honda, and drove to the Cape…”

    Just her writing style alone intrigued me, and I decided to try her latest novel, Big Summer. Fortunately, my local library had it, and the colorful cover let me know it was set at a beach or beaches.

    Part II will be a review of this delightful novel, perfect for a beach read or as a novel to think about long after you’ve finished it.

  • MONDAY, August 31st, NATIONAL TRAIL MIX DAY

    Rae Longest's avatarblogging807

    I know, but there really is such a day, and today is it! In honor of the occasion, I made a big bag of trail mix for munching while reading or watching TV

    Not only is my Trail Mix tasty, but it’s healthy as well. All I bought that I didn’t already have on hand was the banana chips.

    Munch…munch…munch

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