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By Hook Or By Book

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By Hook Or By Book

Monthly Archives: December 2018

Happy New Year!

31 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by By Hook Or By Book: Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff in Uncategorized

≈ 64 Comments

Tags

Auld Lang Syne, Inspirational quotes, New Year 2019, Robert Burns, T.S. Eliot, Three Tenors

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Hi everyone. I know I still haven’t made a full return to blogging yet (I’m still working on some new health issues) but I wanted to make sure I wished you all a Happy New Year. Stay safe tonight and enjoy the festivities!

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For last year’s words belong to last year’s language

And next year’s words await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning.

~ T.S. Eliot ~

 

 

 

 

Whimsical Wednesday

26 Wednesday Dec 2018

Posted by By Hook Or By Book: Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff in Uncategorized

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

Francesca Lia Block, Mermaids, Whimsical Wednesday

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~ Dolphin Moon Mermaid, by Sue Halstenberg ~

Maybe I would become a mermaid…I would live in the swirling blue-green currents, doing exotic underwater dances for the fish, kissed by sea anemones, caressed by seaweed shawls. I would have a dolphin friend. He would have merry eyes and thick flesh of a god. My fingernails would be tiny shells and my skin would be like jade with light shining through it. I would never have to come back up.

~ Francesca Lia Block ~

Yes Virginia There Is A Santa Claus

24 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by By Hook Or By Book: Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff in Uncategorized

≈ 27 Comments

Tags

Francis Pharcellus Church, Inspirational Messages, Virginia O'Hanlon, Yes Virginia There Is A Santa Claus

Yes-Virginia

This is an older post of mine from 2015. I thought it was worth sharing again, especially since a certain doubting Trump, *cough, cough* I mean Thomas, has possibly just shattered a 7-year-old’s belief in Santa.

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In 1897, having doubts over the existence of Santa Claus, eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon was encouraged by her father to write a letter to the Chicago Sun telling her that “If you see it in the Sun, it’s so.”  One of the paper’s editors, Francis Pharcellus Church, chose not only to answer the question, but to also address the more philosophical issues it brought up. It is now almost 120 years later, but this message is still relevant to this day.

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, compared to the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know they abound and give your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. .

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s not proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Than God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

Merry Christmas!

24 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by By Hook Or By Book: Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff in Uncategorized

≈ 59 Comments

Tags

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas greetings card from world in different languages

I’d like to wish everyone who celebrates, a Joyous and Peaceful Christmas. And to help that Christmas Spirit stay bright, here are a few festive videos that I hope will warm your heart and bring a smile to your face.

Lyrical Lines

22 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by By Hook Or By Book: Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff in Uncategorized

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

Eartha Kitt, Lyrical Lines, Miley Cyrus, Santa Baby, The Tonight Show

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I’m sure many of you have heard about the controversy over the classic “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” Nope, I’m not going to wade into THAT hornets’ nest. However, Thursday on the Tonight Show, Miley Cyrus, alongside Jimmy Fallon and Mark Ronson, gave a modern feminist update to the 1953 Eartha Kitt song, “Santa Baby”, (which has always gotten on my nerves), and it’s actually kind of awesome!

Happy Winter Solstice!

21 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by By Hook Or By Book: Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff in Uncategorized

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

Edith Sitwell, Google Doodle, Winter Solstice

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With everything going on in Washington regarding the looming government shutdown, the resignation of General Mattis, and Mr. Trump becoming increasingly unhinged (check out his Green Acres tweet from yesterday), I was going to write a post about the train wreck unfolding, but I realized that I just didn’t have it in me. (Plus I started hyperventilating!) So, I’m going to wish all of you a Happy Winter Solstice instead and share this lovely quote:

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.

~ Edith Sitwell ~

Whimsical Wednesday

19 Wednesday Dec 2018

Posted by By Hook Or By Book: Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff in Uncategorized

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Theodor Geisel, Thurl Ravenscroft, Whimsical Wednesday, You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch

R.I.P. Penny Marshall ~ 1943 – 2018

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by By Hook Or By Book: Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff in Uncategorized

≈ 23 Comments

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R.I.P. Penny Marshall

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If you’re not having a good time, find something else that gives you some joy in life.

 

All I Want For Christmas ~ Thank You SNL!

13 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by By Hook Or By Book: Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff in Uncategorized

≈ 10 Comments

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All I Want For Christmas, Robert Mueller, Saturday Night Live

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With news trickling out oh-so-slowly from Robert Mueller’s investigation, I know many of us are more than ready for answers. While I have complete trust and faith in the investigation, that hasn’t made these last two years any less frustrating. After watching Saturday Night Live a couple of weeks ago, I thought the brilliant ladies of SNL summed up perfectly how so many of us are feeling. I apologize for the quality of the video which I got from Rumble. It seems as though SNL itself can’t officially post it due to copyright infringement. It’s still a great watch though, so click on the link and I hope it gives you a chuckle. Now excuse while I go get a refill for my anxiety medication!

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https://rumble.com/v6t407-full-snl-christmas-mueller-song-performance-html

 

Whimsical Wednesday

12 Wednesday Dec 2018

Posted by By Hook Or By Book: Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff in Uncategorized

≈ 22 Comments

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Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, E.T.A. Hoffman, Jennifer Thomas, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, Whimsical Wednesday

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  • fromcavewalls.wordpress.com/
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  • Amani's Reviews
  • @onceuponawishlist
  • A Home Library - Book Reviews & Book News
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  • A Naga of the Nusantara
  • Award Winning Books
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  • The Traveling Bookworm
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Read Betwixt Words

Books, Reviews, Recommendations and occasionally Poetry

The Psy of Life

Understanding the psychology that drives our politics

Bookshelves & Teacups

Because paradise is a library

idahobluebird50 Plants, Animals, Cats, Dogs, Mysteries and Chat

Memories of a Senior citizen

fromcavewalls.wordpress.com/

The Journey Home

Tracy the Bookworm

a bookworm detailing all her bookish thoughts

BOOKSTAGGER

Connecting Author to Readers and Readers to Author

theconfessionsofarandomblogger.wordpress.com/

the confessions of a random blogger

Hit or Miss Books

Reviews for children's and adult books.

Amani's Reviews

Here’s where I’ll gush about my favorite books , shows, and other projects!

@onceuponawishlist

all things bookish!!

A Home Library - Book Reviews & Book News

Gauri the Dreamer

My slice-of-life as child and as parent. Of reading, writing, gardening, and giving back to nature.

A Naga of the Nusantara

Fantasy and sci-fi reviews by a Malaysian book wyrm

Award Winning Books

As decided by me, your favorite raccoon host

Reader Jones

a book blog

The Traveling Bookworm

novels around the world

.com

I Heart Fictional People

Falling in Love One Book at a Time…

The Write Stuff

"Writers Helping Writers" with Marcia Meara & Friends

Jane Lurie Photography

Jane's Lens

Mythaxis Review

culture and technology

The Book Bites

Literary Liza

Cosy up and read with me!

abigailsbooks.wordpress.com/

"Books wash away from the soul the dust of everyday life."

Page by Page

Book Reviews with Bianca

The Masked Bibliophile

Books, Novels, Reviews, Poetry

Dreams And Escapes

Moments cherished, memories kept, dreams fulfilled and little things that make everyday a blessing.

sugarandscream.wordpress.com/

Lines by Leon

Leon Stevens : Author, Artist, Composer

Lovabull Books

My journey as a dog mom and book worm...

Schizanthus Nerd

Living the dream one page at a time

katherinesmits Word Siren

Reviewing enchanting reads and discussing all things bookish

Bonkers For The Books

Book reviews and more by Michael David

Bite! Eat! Repeat!

52 Cookbooks. 52 Recipes. A Tasty 2022!

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

READER - WRITER - CURATED RESOURCES - & MORE

Stuart France

Writer

Tallis Steelyard

The jumbled musings of Tallis Steelyard

Jim Webster

Books and Stuff

The Rantings of a Book Addict

Books Teacup and Reviews

Eclectic Mix Book Blog

Gulf South Free Press

Opinion Is The Medium Between Knowledge And Igonrance

Bantering Books

Book Reviews

Barb Taub

Writing & Coffee. Especially coffee.

The Introverted Reader 📚

Forever lost in literature

Odd Bits About Books

Between Pages

Documenting the inspiration I find, Between Pages

The Suspected Bibliophile

rambling book reviews and queer SFF writing

Beach Walk Reflections: Thoughts from thinking while walking

The Silent Eye

A Modern Mystery School

Read Betwixt Words

Books, Reviews, Recommendations and occasionally Poetry

The Psy of Life

Understanding the psychology that drives our politics

Bookshelves & Teacups

Because paradise is a library

idahobluebird50 Plants, Animals, Cats, Dogs, Mysteries and Chat

Memories of a Senior citizen

fromcavewalls.wordpress.com/

The Journey Home

Tracy the Bookworm

a bookworm detailing all her bookish thoughts

BOOKSTAGGER

Connecting Author to Readers and Readers to Author

theconfessionsofarandomblogger.wordpress.com/

the confessions of a random blogger

Hit or Miss Books

Reviews for children's and adult books.

Amani's Reviews

Here’s where I’ll gush about my favorite books , shows, and other projects!

@onceuponawishlist

all things bookish!!

A Home Library - Book Reviews & Book News

Gauri the Dreamer

My slice-of-life as child and as parent. Of reading, writing, gardening, and giving back to nature.

A Naga of the Nusantara

Fantasy and sci-fi reviews by a Malaysian book wyrm

Award Winning Books

As decided by me, your favorite raccoon host

Reader Jones

a book blog

The Traveling Bookworm

novels around the world

.com

I Heart Fictional People

Falling in Love One Book at a Time…

The Write Stuff

"Writers Helping Writers" with Marcia Meara & Friends

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