Dee Reads

A week ago I reviewed The Faculty Lounge , a book I found meaningful in many ways. This past Monday evening we, my brother and I, had the opportunity to hear the author, Jennifer Mathieu , speak at a library event as part of the Gulf Coast Reads .  For about an hour and a half (just the right amount of time) we were folded into the story with several side notes that helped to flesh out events and make it even more real.  Ms. Mathieu who is a 21 year veteran teacher in the Houston area based this, her first adult novel, on her own experiences teaching in the local area. So many of the back stories and insights were so vivid they made you laugh, cringe, and even get upset at times.  It was a fun-filled evening I would happily repeat.  If you get the chance to attend an author event, don't pass it up!     Just a quick note - the annual Texas Book Festival is just around the corner.  It, too, is certain to be a good time.  What more could you ask fo...

  Like many of my book-loving friends, I belong to a book club at my local library, the Atascocita Branch of the Harris County Public Library north of Houston .  I have been a very happy member of this group, Lit Chat , for about three years and stuck with them through changing leaders, members, and formats.  At the beginning of 2025 we decided to inject a broader base into our reading by not reading the same book each month.  Instead, we read whatever strikes our fancy, bring it and our thoughts to the next meeting for discussion.  I think this method has opened doors to a wider world of reading and discussion.  In fact, it seems to have sparked a larger attendance at our meetings.  The only time we read the same book is during the Month of October for Gulf Coast Reads , a shared reading event promoted by the public libraries in the Gulf Coast area.  This year the book is The Faculty Lounge by Jennifer Mathieu .   I don't say this ab...