Science Fiction Saturday: Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein

Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein at Amazon is one of my favorite science fiction novels. Here is the summary:

"Robert Heinlein's Hugo Award-winning all-time masterpiece, the brilliant novel that grew from a cult favorite to a bestseller to a science fiction classic."

"Raised by Martians on Mars, Valentine Michael Smith is a human who has never seen another member of his species. Sent to Earth, he is a stranger who must learn what it is to be a man. But his own beliefs and his powers far exceed the limits of humankind, and as he teaches them about grokking and water-sharing, he also inspires a transformation that will alter Earth’s inhabitants forever."

Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein at Amazon

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Fantasy Friday: The Citadel of Forgotten Myths by Michael Moorcock

I have several Elric books but now I need The Citadel of Forgotten Myths by Michael Moorcock at Amazon. Here is the summary:

Elric along with his companion Moonglum return, in this prequel set within the early days of Elric’s wanderings, in order to investigate the history of Melniboné and its dragons, known as the Phroon, in this exciting new addition to the Elric Saga from World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Michael Moorcock.

Elric is the estranged emperor of the Melnibonéan empire, struggling with his nature while desperately striving to move forward with his dying empire alongside the constant thirst of his soul-sucking sword, Stormbringer. Elric is on the hunt for the great Citadel of Forgotten Myths while traveling through the remnants of his empire with his tragic best friend Moonglum, as Elric seeks the answers to the nature of the phroon of The Young Kingdoms. Taking place between the first and second book in the Elric Saga, The Citadel of Forgotten Myths is perfect for longtime fans and those new to this epic fantasy series.

The Citadel of Forgotten Myths by Michael Moorcock

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Monster Monday: Irish Monster in Your Pocket Book

I thought about having a Countdown to St. Patrick's Day for this year but decided against it. However, I will make a few posts that celebrates the Irish. I found this cool Irish Monster in Your Pocket book at Amazon. The tiny little book is about Irish dragons, werewolves, vampires, banshees, headless horsemen and other beatstly beings.

Front cover of Irish Monster in Your Pocket book at Amazon

Back cover of Irish Monster in Your Pocket book at Amazon

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Fantasy Friday: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Hardcover Book

No, I haven't watched the fantasy tv series yet on HBO or HBO Max even though I know that it's based on the book by George R. R. Martin. I heard that it has more humor in it than Game of Thrones did. You can get the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Hardcover Book at Amazon.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Hardcover Book at Amazon

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Countdown to Christmas 2025 Day 16: Grinch Meal Box and Socks

I broke down and got the Grinch Meal from McDonald's last week to celebrate How the Grinch Stole Christmas book and animated tv special. I got the green socks with the Grinch while my sister got the blue ones with Max. I thought the pickle shaker fries were pretty good, but my sister didn't use the seasoning since she's not a big pickle fan. She won't even let me hide a pickle on the Christmas tree.

Grinch Meal Box Side 1

Grinch Meal Box Side 2

Grinch Meal Box Side 3

Grinch Meal Box Side 4

Grinch Meal Sock Bag

The green Grinch socks both has "The Grinch was here - Grinch" printed on the bottom. There are small headshots of Cindy Lou and Max the dog along with a big headshot of the Grinch. There is also a red Christmas ornament with the famous McDonald's Golden Arches logo. I don't plan on wearing them and there is nothing that says what size they are.

Grinch Meal Grinch Socks Side 1

Grinch Meal Grinch Socks Side 2

Sorry, that I didn't get any pictures of the Big Mac, French fries and pickle seasoning but I couldn't wait and had to eat them.

Countdown to Halloween 2025 Day 26: Battle Ground by Jim Butcher

I'm cheating a little with this Countdown to Halloween post for Battle Ground by Jim Butcher is more fantasy than horror, but it has vampires in it. I picked the book up last month for three dollars at the local Dollar General. It's the seventeenth book in the Dresden Files series. While this will be my first Dresden book, I did watch the 2007 tv series on the Sci Fi Channel, which is now Syfy. Harry Dresden is a wizard and private investigator for those that don't know.

Front Cover of Battle Ground by Jim Butcher

Back Cover of Battle Ground by Jim Butcher

Inside Front Flap of Battle Ground by Jim Butcher

Inside Back Flap of Battle Ground by Jim Butcher

Countdown to Halloween 2025 Day 17: Mirror, Mirror by Edgar J. Hyde

Mirror, Mirror is the tenth and final stand alone book in the Creepers series. The Molina family finds an antique mirror for their new home when seven-year-old Sophie finds an old wind-up music box with a dancing ballerina that she must have. Her parents are quick to cave in while her older sisters, Maya and Dani, could care less. The store owner tells them that the mirror and music box both came from the same estate. Later at home, Sophie plays the music box and soon sees a young ghost named Sara in the mirror. She tells her sisters, who don't believe her until they also see the ghost. Their mother's sister, Camila, comes for a visit and brings them a puppy, which Sophie names Sweetie. She has to watch the three girls while their parents attend a fundraiser. Sweetie goes missing and ends up with Sara in the mirror. It's up to Maya and Dani to uncover the ghost's past and set things right. This is more of a sad book than a scary one for me. I found myself wanting to see what happens next. Overall, I give this an A+ and highly recommend it if you enjoy sad ghost stories. Includes the first two chapters of Doctor Death.

Front Cover of Mirror, Mirror by Edgar J. Hyde

Back Cover of Mirror, Mirror by Edgar J. Hyde

Countdown to Halloween 2025 Day 16: Doctor Death by Edgar J. Hyde

Doctor Death is the ninth book in the Creepers series. Jacob Jung is a teen with a mild case of acne that his mother insists on taking him to a new doctor. Dr. Blair is so handsome that all the women are lining up to see him. Jacob is given a homemade acne cure but he wakes up the next day with a very bad breakout all over his face. He learns that his three close friends have all suffered severe ailments after getting cures from Dr. Blair. Jacob breaks into the doctor's office to find out his secret. The four teens get their revenge on Dr. Blair, whom Jacob nicknames Doctor Death. This one is short at 97 pages and is more gross than scary. I also wonder why the doctor is seeing patients on a Saturday night and why his office has a kitchen instead of a lounge. Overall, I give it a B+ mostly for the cover and the ending. Includes first two chapters of Mirror, Mirror.

Front Cover of Doctor Death by Edgar J. Hyde

Back Cover of Doctor Death by Edgar J. Hyde

Countdown to Halloween 2025 Day 14: Cold Kisser

The eighth book in the Creepers series is Cold Kisser. Tommy McDonald is a teen focused on becoming a journalist that meets the new girl at school named Sally Anne Dickens. His best friend, George, moves quickly on her and confesses later to kissing her. He says that her lips were so cold that he felt like he froze. Tommy and Sally Anne finally get together but she has a big secret. She is a winter witch and was Tommy's true love when he was an Egyptian prince in a past life. She has been trying to help him in previous past lives since then. Another great page turner and quick read at 122 pages. Overall, I give this book an A+ and highly recommend it.

Front Cover of Cold Kisser by Edgar J. Hyde

Back Cover of Cold Kisser by Edgar J. Hyde

Countdown to Halloween 2025 Day 13: The Scarecrow by Edgar J. Hyde

The seventh stand alone book in the Creepers series is The Scarecrow by Edgar J. Hyde. The Davies family recently moved to a new bigger farm. The family consists of father John, mother Karen, sixteen year old daughter Emma, fourteen year old Sarah and thirteen year old David. Strange things starts happening when David finds a shocked stranger in the barn without a tongue. He then finds the town drunk without a tongue. The very same man that had warned him of danger earlier. David starts to suspect the scarecrow and finds a strange four-line poem on the forehead of the scarecrow's wooden head. This book has plenty of scares and is a page turner. Definitely one of the best books in the series and highly recommended. Overall, I give it an A+.

Front Cover of The Scarecrow by Edgar J. Hyde

Back Cover of The Scarecrow by Edgar J. Hyde

Countdown to Halloween 2025 Day 12: The Gravedigger by Edgar J. Hyde

The sixth stand alone book in the Creepers series is The Gravedigger by Edgar J. Hyde. The Price family includes father Andrew, son Jamie and daughter Paula. Their ghostly friends include Count Vania, who faints at the sight of blood, and Wolfie, a werewolf that's afraid of his own reflection. Their other ghostly friends include Mummy, who trips over his own bandages, and Lex Killon, a headless ghost that was on the Titanic that spits out saltwater when he tries to talk. The Price family and the ghosts recently moved to a house in the center of a graveyard. Ebenezer Krim is the graveyard gardener that planned on buying the house. He pays a visit and accuses Paula of knocking over twenty-three gravestones the night before. She lets it slip that it was actually Mummy that did it. Krim teams up with a sinister ghost named the Gravedigger, who was a former employee of the graveyard. I thought the friendly four ghosts was going make this a silly book. Instead, it was actually good with a nice mix of humor and scares. My only complaint was that it was too short at 104 pages. Overall, I give it an A-.

Front Cover of The Gravedigger by Edgar J. Hyde

Back Cover of The Gravedigger by Edgar J. Hyde

Countdown to Halloween 2025 Day 11: Ghost Writer by Edgar J. Hyde

Ghost Writer by Edgar J. Hyde is the fifth book in the Creepers series. Charlie, Kate and Neil are teens that move into a haunted house with their parents. Charlie is writing stories for the school paper when he notices additional writing in his notebook. He also starts having a recurring dream about dying in a bricked-up room. Charlie is the first to see the ghost before his younger siblings also see him. The trio starts investigating past deaths and disappearances, which leads to a murderer that is a demonic cult leader. Very scary moments in this one and the best book in the series so far. Overall, I give it an A+ and highly recommend it.

Front Cover of Ghost Writer by Edgar J. Hyde

Back Cover of Ghost Writer by Edgar J. Hyde

Countdown to Halloween 2025 Day 10: The Golden Goblet by Edgar J. Hyde

Mixing humor with ghosts, demons and witches, The Golden Goblet by Edgar J. Hyde is the fourth book in the Creepers series. Shona MacDonnell is a thirteen-year-old girl born in Scotland but lives in Washington, D.C. with her parents. Granny MacDonnell is her grandmother that still lives in Scotland and visits Shona in her dreams. Granny informs her in a dream that she is dying after suffering from a stroke. Shona is introduced to good ghosts and demons before finding out that she is next in line to be the clan's witch. She is told about the Golden Goblet and the Secret Memory contained within it. The family moves to Scotland due to her dad's job and to be closer to Granny. Shona then meets the bad ghosts and demons in a dream. They tell her of their plans for the Golden Goblet and how their descendant is going to use to rule the world. The second half of the book is better than the first. I give it a solid B mostly because Edgar J. Hyde is mentioned in the Epilogue.

Front Cover of The Golden Goblet by Edgar J. Hyde

Back Cover of The Golden Goblet by Edgar J. Hyde

Countdown to Halloween 2025 Day 9: Pen Pals by Edgar J. Hyde

The third book in the Creepers series is Pen Pals by Edgar J. Hyde. Olivia, Natasha, Marcie and Ellis are four teen friends. Strange things starts happening when Olivia gets a note passed to her and Ellis starts distancing herself from the others. A ghost girl from the early 1800s shows herself to Olivia and tries to warn her of danger. There is a nice scene involving the girls attending a Halloween costume party. A short read at 104 pages with some interesting scares. However, the ending felt rushed to me. Overall, I still give this young adult horror book a B+. Includes the first chapter of The Piano.

Front Cover of Pen Pals by Edgar J. Hyde

Back Cover of Pen Pals by Edgar J. Hyde

Countdown to Halloween 2025 Day 7: Stage Fright by Edgar J. Hyde

The second stand alone book in the Creepers series is Stage Fright . There are some really scary parts as three teen girls (Jo, Melissa and Jenny) uncover the mysterious secret about the school play in which the trio are playing three evil witches. Luckily for them, they also have some help from the play writer's ghost. Overall, I give this one a A- and highly recommend it.

Front Cover of Stage Fright by Edgar J. Hyde

Back Cover of Stage Fright by Edgar J. Hyde

Countdown to Halloween 2025 Day 6: The Piano by Edgar J. Hyde

I picked up ten books of the Creepers series by Edgar J. Hyde at the local Dollar Tree last month. Each stand alone book was $1.25 and are 125 pages long. The first book of the series is The Piano, which I read last night since it was a quick read. The story is basically about a family of four buying a possessed piano. This was more suspenseful than scary, but I still had fun reading it. Overall, I gave it a B+ for the ending alone.

Front Cover of The Piano by Edgar J. Hyde

Back Cover of The Piano by Edgar J. Hyde

Countdown to Halloween 2025 Day 4: Blood Ties Season Two DVD Set

I found this Blood Ties Season Two DVD set at the local Dollar General back in August for $2.95. They didn't have the first season. I remember watching the early episodes when they originally aired in 2007 on the Lifetime Channel. I remember liking them, but I can't remember why I didn't watch the rest of the series. The vampire crime drama tv series stars Christina Cox as Vicki Nelson, Kyle Schmid as Henry Fitzroy and Dylan Neel as Mike Celluci. There are nine episodes on three discs.

Cover of Blood Ties Season Two DVD Set

I love the folded insert for this set. One side has a large photo of the three main cast members:

Insert Front for Blood Ties Season Two DVD Set

While the back of the insert has a summary of each episode:

Insert Back for Blood Ties Season Two DVD Set

The series is based on the Blood Books aka the Victory Nelson's Blood Investigations series of books by Tanya Huff. I have only read the first book in the series, which was Blood Price (there is seven altogether plus a short story). I gave the book a C- in 1992, which is why I might not have watched the entire series when it originally aired or read any of the other books in the series.

DC Super Friends: Triple Threat Children's Book

The last children's book that I picked up at the local Dollar Tree on Monday was DC Super Friends: Triple Threat. The story was written by Steve Korte with illustrations by Erik Doescher, Mike DeCarlo and David Tanguay. The cover features Batman, Robin, Flash and Cyborg. The Super Friends go up against Joker, Riddler and Penguin before Aquaman shows up at the end. The story and artwork are pretty fun but I'm a little miffed that Aquaman is not also on the cover.

Cover of DC Super Friends: Triple Threat Children's Book

DC Super Friends: Battle Below Children's Book

Streaky the Supercat, Supergirl, Superman and Hal Jordan aka Green Lantern is on the cover of DC Super Friends: Battle Below children's book. I found it on Monday at the local Dollar Tree and had to get it. The story was written by Steve Korte with illustrations by Erik Doescher, Mike DeCarlo and David Tanguay. The four DC Super Friends team up against Sinestro, Artocitus and his cat, Dex-Starr. Yes, that's one Green Lantern, one Yellow Lantern and two Red Lanterns. The story spotlights Streaky and the art is stylish for kids so overall it's a fun children's book.

Cover of DC Super Friends: Battle Below Children's Book

Women Wednesday: I Am Wonder Woman Children's Book

I picked up this I Am Wonder Woman children's book on Monday at the local Dollar Tree. It was written by Erin K. Stein with illustrations by Rick Farley. The story basically retells her origin story. The artwork is pretty good for a children's book. Diana Prince aka Wonder Woman has lunch with Clark Kent aka Superman and Bruce Wayne aka Batman on one page.

Cover of I Am Wonder Woman Children's Book