Category Archives: Book Reviews

Like it or Not, Life keeps Rolling On

©2017 by Raymond Alexander Kukkee [caption id="attachment_201" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Christmas 2017             photo ©2012 by r.a.kukkee[/caption]    

In Retrospect, Like it or Not, Life keeps rolling on 

  Christmas again.  Concerned? Edgy? Anxious? It matters not.  Surprise! Life keeps rolling on, regardless what our  personal aspirations may be. What our personal posture may be.  Even during celebrations like Christmas.    It may be unsettling to recognize it matters not what we perceive or feel.  (It matters not either, what others think, feel or say, isn't that delightful?) Although such details may seem important. In time, in retrospect, absolutely insignificant.  Be advised,  be surprised. Get ready. Get out the gift wrap and unroll ribbons.  All the way to infinity, life rolls on, you get the idea.    

Life Keeps Rolling On in Spite of...Us

So, Christmas comes along,  like it or not, and life keeps rolling on,  in spite of ...well, mostly  us.   With or without  hallowed big presents, thoughtful opinions, tears,  inventions, fears,   gaffes,  genius, great writing,   work ethic or professional schmoozing. Tied with ribbons, life happens. Without our  tendency to butt in, procrastinate, advise,  or willingness to put out the lights. Acquiesce, agree, or butt out entirely.  The expenditure of effort,  Herculean or  Lilliputian input and output. Lights blinking,  elves singing merrily. Songs without meaning.  You have heard of people living but never having lived?  Perhaps fretful lives, teeter, balanced,  chained equally to an  idealistic, modern win-win, but in reality, a boring, bland existence.  Life is what happens while you're planning decorations, making naughty and nice lists, and all that.

   

Subscribing to Reality

You and you alone  subscribe to reality,  you set the parameters for  joy and success,  twists and turns  with inexplicable luck, happiness,  tolerance of  intolerance,   love, peace or angst.  Whether one simply, merrily defaults to sublime apathy,  twitched to the next level of tongue-biting, beautiful, sparkly gift-wrap or not.   Or without gift wrap. Schmooze peacefully in the silence of winter fog, choosing the same old —same old,  with the razor-sharp urge to willfully disregard inspiration, instinct, values, tradition, feelings.

 

Yes,  since we are each ultimately alone (and dispensable, ready or not, just as  life itself ) we get to choose, although we may naturally waver in cold December winds.  We may wish to shirk our sworn duty to turn on the lights, decorate the halls, get out the ribbons,  step up as members of humanity. No. Unacceptable. Our ideals and schemes are vanity, but...

Our duty is to contribute to society, to life itself, give brightness, lights and happiness to those we love and to others less fortunate. Share. Sing Christmas carols.

** We can do this.   After all, life keeps rolling on all year, not just at Christmas.

                                                                           #

   

NEW BOOK REVIEW! 

A new 5-STAR review for Mordigoo's Christmas Carol: The Bells of Blister.

Note:  A moment ago we said  "We can do this! "

Imagine that,  no sooner said than done, and  like a Christmas miracle,  another 5-star review rolled in, posted  for   "Morgidoo's Christmas Carol: The Bells of Blister "

 

On Amazon!

See the new review and check out Morgidoo's Christmas Carol: The Bells of Blister  on Amazon! Available in Kindle and print editions.

A unique and timeless Christmas classic for all ages that can be read every year...will the beautiful sound of bells ever be heard again?    Join Morgidoo Morgan in his search for the Great Silver Bell ...and the truth of a  timeless legend...

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640"]Cover Artwork for 'Morgidoo's Christmas Carol: The Bells of Blister" Morgidoo's Christmas Carol 3rd edition Cover Artwork by Whitewood Forge Publishing    [/caption]   Photo © by R.A. Kukkee - all rights reserved  Is that Incoming I hear?  

#

           
Posted in Book Reviews, Books, Civilization, Commentary, Life, The Human Mind, Writing Life | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Review: Morgidoo’s Christmas Carol

©2014 by Raymond Alexander Kukkee  

Nadine Sellers reviews  Morgidoo's Christmas Carol  

Guess what? Another review of Morgidoo's Christmas Carol turned up.  Wonderful! Some book  reviews are like  magic. The stuff wishful authors dream of and hope for, —a  review by a critical reader who really gets the story, tunes in to the intent and vision  of the author, and is able to translate that interpretation into beautiful words.  This review by Nadine Sellers easily meets that difficult challenge. You'll see what I mean. [caption id="attachment_2358" align="aligncenter" width="584"]Morgidoo's Christmas Carol   cover Artwork in Print Morgidoo's Christmas Carol          Cover by Rocking Horse Publishing[/caption]

A review of Morgidoo’s Christmas Carol

 by Nadine Sellers

The title itself evokes hints of fun that ring the inner bells of seasonal cheer. “Morgidoo, Morgidoo!” Soon family pets will be named after the book, and traditions will reach new smiles. Boys and bells will shout and ding across the land in unison.

No sooner has the eye reached across the end of the first paragraph that the classic rhythm has begun to sink into the storytelling voice. It combines a visible and palpable feel and should be read aloud. It is a postcard of Christmas past in a landscape of need and continuity which draws the reader behind picturesque descriptions.

One can imagine silent and beatific children listening to someone reading it in a library, a living-room, anywhere warm and inviting. Even a park bench may become a theater of rituals with whetted expectations as adults savor the rich traditions of these timeless words.

Artful holiday scenes illustrate this well crafted original. The book’s cover design is a delicate glossy rendition of the main character in this saga; a great silver bell adorned with a quiet red bow. The background photographed over sheer lacy soft gray hues, a suitable décor to grace any holiday table. Morgidoo remains the central being in this sad and sweet tale, of course!

The town of Twixley, and representatives of communal extensions is beset by all ills and wellness within sounding distance of the bell. The village of Blister and snowscapes of imaginary land prompt emotions and memories as people move along their season’s gains and losses, across centuries. George Blister, a timid old bell ringer, and youthful Morgidoo, offer a steady moral compass as they search for the source of sound and warmth.

When negativity and speed have corroded the foundation of social perception, a return ticket to the slow lane is welcome. Thanks to author R.A. Kukkee, the view is cheerful, the sound is true, and these characters prance about the page with enthusiasm enough to convince the reader that bells, like the Great Silver Bell, herald renewed hope.

*****

Have you read Morgidoo's Christmas Carol? It truly is a family  classic for all ages, a book to be read for the enjoyment of the quest, the search, and just the tiniest bit of magic and imagination...

Is that Incoming I hear?

Posted in Book Reviews, Books, Children's Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment