Here be Magic: New Year 2019

"I don’t read.”

I’m always amazed when someone tells me this with a little pride in their voice, as if reading is an unsavory vice.

Or when someone says, “I don’t have time to read.” As if reading is a waste of time when there are more pressing things to attend to in life.

Reading= Happiness

If you’re here, most likely you’d agree that there are many positive things that come from reading, most importantly, happiness. For isn’t that the root of most New Year’s resolutions? Finding happiness?

Whether it’s through losing weight, getting more money, more time, of other goals that aren’t always easily achieved, if at all. While reading can bring peace, happiness, and more with no cost other than a little bit of your time.

For the Reading Nay-sayers

The next time someone says that they don’t read, or they have no time for it, perhaps the best response would be to say, that’s a shame. Then proceed to mention the benefits that come along with the happiness at escaping from the worries of the world. Thing like:

Mental Stimulation and memory improvement- To hold off cognitive decline by engaging our minds
Stress Reduction and Tranquility– We all look forward to escaping for a vacation, or a getaway, but sometimes it’s a long wait. Reading allows us to escape for a magical reprieve, anytime, anywhere.
Gaining Knowledge – Through exposure to new words, different cultures, and perspectives that may help you think more analytically
Expanding Vocabulary– Which can help you become more articulate and maybe even increase your self-confidence
Free Entertainment – We all like to be entertained. Reading is one way to enjoy this luxury for no more than the cost of a book, or free if you belong to a library

…Just to name a few.

Must Love Books

Some might even say that all these benefits may mean that reading makes you a happier person. It’s certainly one of the easiest resolutions to keep, and one of the most enjoyable.

Perhaps instead of making resolutions that you feel obligated to make, that you might dread just a little, or the same one you make year after year. Perhaps to resolve to make more time for reading, and have a happier new year.

Happy New Year!

Does Reading Make You Happier?

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook& Twitter

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All the latest

from the authors at

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10 New Year Superstitions

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In Case You Missed It:

Monday, December 24 -
"HERE BE NEWS" - All the latest from the authors at Here Be Magic.

Thursday, December 27 -
"I HOPE TO GO 3 FOR 3 IN 2019, AND I NEED YOUR SUGGESTIONS!" - Author Linda Mooney is laying out her battle plan for the new year. Also, hear a sample of her audiobook, "Miracle Beyond Measure".

Friday, December 28 -
"LETTING GO, STARTING NEW" - Author Jenny Schwartz discusses how the end of the year is "a time to shake things out of our lives, to free ourselves, and to prepare to embrace the good and the bad that's coming at us."

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10 NEW YEAR SUPERSTITIONS:

The principle of “What you see is what you get” is practiced all over the world in connection with the advent of New Year. Just for the fun of it, we've gathered a few examples:

1. An age-old ritual is to clean the house by midnight on Dec. 31st to make way for the New Year. Some legends claim that negative energy, along with the disappointments and misfortune of the old year, will be swept away with the dirt and dust.

2. If all your pockets and purses and wallets have coins and dollars in them by midnight, it's said that you’ll have plenty of money in the new year. Some people place coins on windowsills and the tops of doors too.

3. If you wear new clothes on New Year’s Day, more new clothes will come your way. (Wouldn't that be fun?)

4. No crying, fighting, arguing, name-calling or general negativity on New Year’s Day or you’ll have strife and tears all year long.

5. Don’t let valuable things leave your house on New Year’s Day or luck and fortune will go with them. The general belief refers to things like money and jewelry, but some people believe that nothing – not even garbage! – should leave the house on New Year’s Day. Take the empties to the recycling bin some other time!

6. Make sure the cupboards and pantries are full on New Year’s Day, in order to ensure abundance the rest of the year.

7. In many cultures, what you do for the first hour of the New Year signifies what you’ll do the most of for the next twelve months. (Yikes – does this mean sleeping is a bad idea?)

8. Some believe that all debts should be settled before the New Year. Don’t pay back loans or lend money on New Year’s Day however, or you’ll be paying out all year long.

9. Be particularly careful with the dishes! If anything breaks on New Year’s Day, bad luck is said to follow.

10. Working too hard on New Year’s Day will ensure a year of grueling labor. But if you do a small token task – something related to your employment – successfully, it’ll set the tone for achievement in the coming year. (Some of us will be writing!)

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All of us at Here Be Magic wish you

a happy and healthy New Year,

full of warmth and wonder.