Hi Everyone. So, you may have noticed a lot is happening right now that not only has far reaching consequences for America, but also the world. When I first started By Hook Or By Book in 2014, my idea was that it would be primarily a place to discuss books, with occasional funny posts, and (hopefully) inspirational ones. While I addressed current events, they were few and far between. And then Donald J. Trump came along. For the past week or so, I’ve been in a conundrum. You see, I want this blog to continue to be an entertaining book-related one for the most part, but to be honest, I cannot stay silent while a deranged demagogue sits in office and uses the power that comes with being the President of the United States to trample on people’s rights and freedoms. Whether it’s building a wall, banning people of a certain religion from entering our country, stoking the flames of prejudice and bigotry, setting women’s rights back 44 years, or the insane denial of climate change, I feel a light needs to be shined on what is happening. I realize that not everyone agrees with me and I respect that. I truly do. But as you may have guessed, I feel pretty passionately about what is happening and I simply can’t sit this one out silently, hoping we all survive until the next election in four years. Because of my health I find it impossible to attend protests or rallies. But, I have a voice and this little blog whose subtitle reads: Book Reviews, News, and Other Stuff. So, I’m hoping y’all don’t mind some more frequent posts concerning the News and Other Stuff. I welcome any comments whether you agree or disagree, as long as we can keep it civil. And I hope I don’t lose any of you due to my decision because that would just break my heart. If you decide to keep following, thank you. I really love you guys!
To finish this post off on a positive note, I’m going to leave you with this:
Eddy Winko said:
I may not be American but I’m with you all the way. Any voice, no matter how small, has got to count for something.
I did like some of the suggestions that a fellow blogger made https://dispersertracks.com/2017/01/22/on-protesting-and-other-things/
I can’t say that I agree with everything he says but he has some great suggestions near the bottom of his post.
Viva la resistance!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you Eddy! I’ll definitely check out that post. Viva la resistance!💁🏻
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Felicia Denise said:
Much respect to you!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you Felicia!💁🏻
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🐞 UĞUR BÖCEĞİ 🐞 said:
Günaydın = Good Morning
Turkish =English
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Gunaydin to you!💁🏻
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🐞 UĞUR BÖCEĞİ 🐞 said:
Good evenig iyi akşamlar 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Oops! Didn’t account for the time difference! Aksamlar!💁🏻
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🐞 UĞUR BÖCEĞİ 🐞 said:
It may be. Mind not happy days 🐞
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😕
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Claire | Art and Soul said:
Please keep the news coming!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you Claire! I’ll try to provide a good balance.💁🏻
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Lisa A. said:
I feel the same way as you, except I call him the orange Cheeto. I’m enjoying your political posts. I’m thinking of adding more political posts myself. Keep up the good work, Kim!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you Lisa! And the “Orange Cheeto” is great!😁
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Lisa A. said:
😂😂
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beetleypete said:
I will always be around, whether it is Books, Trump, Dogs, Pets, or anything else you want to tell us about. You are a genuine community blogger, Kim. That has real value.
Best wishes, Pete. 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you Pete. That means so much!💁🏻
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The Telltale Mind said:
I like reading whatever you post Kim – keep it up!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you Geoff!😊
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ksbeth said:
i am with you 100%
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Beth!💁🏻
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BrokenTune said:
Go for it! Make your voice heard! This is not a time to be silent.
Hugs.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much!💁🏻
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Blog Andrew said:
I pleased you emphasised you’ll always be a reviewer of novels and books 🙂 that’s what people love you for.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Aww! Thank you Andrew! As long as I’m blogging, that will never change. Although Infeel as though I need to use this blog to voice some of my views I feel strongly about, books are and always will be my first love!💁🏻
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Blog Andrew said:
🙂 I don’t mind at all, this guy has awful repercussions for the UK as well.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Andrew!💁🏻
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realthog said:
Speak out! I’ll keep reading. I’ve been having similar thoughts myself lately. After all, all that’s needed for Evil to triumph is for good people to say nothing.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you John. That’s exactly how I feel!💁🏻
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thesarahdoughty said:
I completely agree with you. Mostly I must stay quiet for a number of reasons (PTSD, anxiety, fear of backlash, and a relative’s position that could force him to lose his job, even by association if I spoke up outside of these little comments), but know that I support you 100%.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you Sarah. I appreciate that so much. It means a lot coming from you. I anxiously dithered back and forth about posting this for the last couple of days, until I finally just did it. I’ve only received two somewhat nasty comments on previous posts, which is what finally made up my mind.
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thesarahdoughty said:
You can’t please everyone. And these days opinions are very opposite and often passionate. You do what you can do. 💖
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
🤗
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Diana said:
Thumbs up Kim.I enjoy all your posts.I think its really awesome that you found a way to express your thoughts even if you can’t physically join the protests.Your contribution make a difference .
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you Diana! You just made me tear up a bit.
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Purpleanais said:
Write about what you need to write about, whoever disapproves can unfollow, it doesn’t matter. I love that you feel passionately enough about this you’re willing to write about it – so many people are apathetic and that’s a real tragedy. Hugs
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much! *Hugs Back* I normally get very anxious at the thought of people getting angry at me, but this is something that I just can’t in good conscience keep quiet about.
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Purpleanais said:
I understand, I’m the same. I know a lot of people follow my blog for the poetry but I can’t stop myself from writing about other things too if I feel compelled to do so. If people are not interested, they can move on or they can unfollow – their choice. I won’t compromise my integrity for the sake of followers.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Well said!💁🏻
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sudershana said:
Indeed. Enjoyed your post and especially the ending quote that believing in the possibility of happy ending is a very powerful thing.
Great read!😃
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you!😊
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alishadanger said:
I really enjoy all of your posts. Keep them coming.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much Alisha!💁🏻
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vinnieh said:
I say go for it sister. You have a right to your opinions and passions.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you Vinnie. I have to say, that everyone’s support means so much to me.💁🏻🤗
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vinnieh said:
You’ll have my support to the end of my days!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you my friend!🤗
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TheWarner said:
Much love and respect to you. It’s hard to remain quiet when there’s so much unrest in the world right now.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you for your support Toya! It means a lot.💁🏻
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TheWarner said:
Absolutely. I can’t have anything other than respect for those who stand up for what they believe in, especially when they stand AGAINST hatred and division.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
🤗
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Tiana said:
Your refusal to remain silent is such an inspiration to me. Whatever you write and whatever you choose to say matters, and I hope for you to continue doing as you feel is right.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much Tiana!🤗
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The Shameful Narcissist said:
Now is definitely not the time to be silent. I’ve been relatively quiet on my blog (unless you pick up my subtle lines about it), but I’ve been very vocal on other social media. What’s happening in our country is an outrage, and I’m appalled and infuriated it’s being allowed to go on for this long.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’m not on any other social media platforms so my blog is it for me. And you’re right Adrienne. What’s happening is an outrage and sadly I fear it’s just the beginning.😕
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The Shameful Narcissist said:
I feel like our country has been taken hostage, and there’s nothing we can do about it 😦
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
*Sigh*
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JJAzar said:
Addressing the fact that you will be addressing controversy more often is a classy move. Extending the olive branch is a classy move. This is yet another reason why I enjoy your blog: you keep it classy.
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vinnieh said:
Classy is Kim’s middle name I believe.
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JJAzar said:
It must be 😀
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vinnieh said:
Gotta keep things classy, otherwise there’s no point.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
You guys are being way too nice!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
And now I’m blushing.
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vinnieh said:
It’s the truth, you have a classy air.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😌
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vinnieh said:
You have class to burn.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
As do you Vinnie!🤗
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vinnieh said:
Well thank you for that.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Oh my gosh. Thank you JJ! Now I’ve really teared up. I honestly didn’t expect the response I’ve gotten. Thank you so much!🤗
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Megan @ bookslayerReads said:
I will forever follow you, my love! 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Aww Megan! Sending you hugs!🤗
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Megan @ bookslayerReads said:
I really needed a hug, so thank you 😊❤❤❤
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Well, in that case, here’s some more!🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
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Megan @ bookslayerReads said:
Awww ❤️🤗🤗
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mrericness said:
I look forward to reading your updates! I’ve thought of doing something similar, though I haven’t quite figured out what that would like yet.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much! Hmm. Beer combined with posts about Trump.🤔I see great potential here!😏
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Lady Fancifull said:
As what we read and how we read it also links to who we are, there is surely no conflict in taking the who we are out wider. The blog, as created by an individual for expressing their opinion, not for the purposes of selling something, has the freedom to allow debate to happen. As you say, you are welcoming discussion and have kindly asked us to stay civil. Which kind of made me wryly smile, because civility seems to be missing in the inflammatory, hate and prejudice fuelled thinking of that person who has worryingly been elected to the highest office.
For sure we need everyone. speaking against these policies, And the one positive is that so many are visibly doing so.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you for your thoughtful and supportive comment. It’s much appreciated!💁🏻
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Lashaan and Trang (Bookidote) said:
Nice GIF from Once Upon a Time. I definitely appreciate these posts where you let yourself be heard by your followers! 🙂 People who don’t agree with your point of view can simply not read these particular posts anyways!
– Lashaan
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you Lashaan. I’m always afraid of offending someone, but this is something I feel as though I can’t be silent about. Everyone’s been so encouraging and supportive. One of the many reasons why I love the WordPress community!😊
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Zoë said:
Lady, it’s your blog, you put out what you want! My husband is currently visiting his bestie in the States, and they are trying to convince us to move there (we are looking to move from here to Edinburgh, but they want us there). My biggest issue is the unstable political climate there. We are already dealing with crazy politics all the time, and I am not really prepared to swop to more cuckoo catchoo politics, if that makes sense? So speak away, it is always interesting to hear what the people of the country are saying and feeling, not JUST what the hysterical headlines are proclaiming.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Zoe! I’m not sure what to say about moving here right now. I love my country. I really do. But as you said, the climate is so unstable right now and it’s likely to get worse.😕
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Zoë said:
Yeah, it worries me, it really does. So I suppose we will wait and see. It sucks to be in a country where things are so meh. I truly hope something changes for you guys.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Zoe!
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theburghalhidage said:
I dont think you are shining any light. It seems more to me that you are simply pulling a blanket over your head and chant the mantra set by a pack of lemmings. Perhaps its better that you stick to book reviews.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
We’ll just have to agree to disagree. But, as this is my blog and I’ve gotten overwhelming support for my posts whether they’re book reviews or political in nature, I’ll keep doing what I’m doing. As you obviously don’t agree with my views, you have the freedom to not read my posts.
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realthog said:
What an incredibly polite person you are.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you John! I have to admit I was a little miffed this morning when I read this.😒
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