By Empress Eve
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Monday, November 23rd, 2015 at 1:15 pm
As we always say, nothing brings joy like giving and receiving a good book, and this year, there’s plenty of selections to choose from for fans of properties like Star Wars, Game Of Thrones, Star Trek, and Doctor Who, and authors like Clive Barker, Joe Hill, George R.R. Martin, and Stephen King.
Check out here below our Holiday Geek Gift Guide 2015 for Books and eBooks for our favorite holiday gift picks for this year for the reader in your life.
Also, note, as of this posting, Amazon has a sale of 30% off on one book purchased in your order “” use promo code HOLIDAY30 at checkout (restrictions apply).
This is a great time of year to get someone a Kindle e-reader or a Kindle Fire tablet because prices are lower. The standard 6-inch Kindle starts at only $49, and the Kindle Fire devices also start at $49! On each product page, there’s a “compare” chart to help you decide which device is best for your recipient. Also, you can easily gift someone a Kindle ebook – see details about that down below.
Recommendations by Empress Eve
Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History Hardcover | Kindle
Written by Michael Klastorin with Randal Atamaniuk
Foreword by Michael J. Fox | Preface by Christopher Lloyd
Introduction by Bob Gale | Afterword by Robert Zemeckis
Harper Design | HarperCollins Publishers
I had the chance to check out several illustrated film art books this year, and I really enjoyed most of them, but Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. This coffee table-sized full-cover hardcover is packed with details about popular Back To The Future film trilogy, which starred Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly (Fox provides the Foreword). The book contains behind-the-scenes photos, concept art, storyboards, and a host of removable collectible-type items, like a lenticular version of the fading McFly siblings photo from the original film that has Marty’s brother and sister disappear when held at a specific angle, as well as a fold-out poster for JAWS 19, and much more! This one is a dream for BTTF fans in every way possible.
The Big Bad Book of Bill Murray A Monumental Study of the World’s Greatest Actor Paperback | Kindle
By Robert Schnakenberg
Quirk Books
The Big Bad Book of Bill Murray is a very well put-together book that delves into the works of Bill Murray, the actor who’s starred in comedic gems like Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day, Meatballs, Caddyshack, and Stripes, as well as more dramatic roles in Lost in Translation and The Life Aquatic. The full-color oversized paperback book from Quirk Books and writer Robert Schnakenberg is designed in an A-to-Z style, breaking now Murray’s filmography, as well as providing tons of facts in regards to the actor’s nearly 45-year career, including his time on TV’s Saturday Night Live.
Some Very Interesting Cats Perhaps You Weren’t Aware Of Hardcover | Kindle
By Doogie Horner
Workman Publishing
Of all the books reviews I did this year, I think the one for Some Very Interesting Cats Perhaps You Weren’t Aware Of was the most popular. This new full-color illustrated small hardcover book comes from author and artist Doogie Horner, and provides a tiny glimpse at the secret lives of 100 or so very interesting cats. Anyone I show this one to squeals about how cute is, and I’ve already gifted this one to a few people as a little “cheer me up” present. This one would make a great stocking stuffer for cat lovers this holiday season.
Star Wars – Darth Vader Box Set Hardcover
By Jeffrey Brown
Chronicle Books
This box set from Chronicle Books contains the first two Star Wars-themed hardcover books from Jeffery Brown, Darth Vader & Son and Vader’s Little Princess, in an larger-sized format, and includes two art prints, all housed in a slipcase. These illustrated storybooks depict the villainous Darth Vader as a devoted father to his young son Luke Skywalker and his young daughter Princess Leia, respectively, playing with them, reading them bedtime stories, and sometimes even lovingly reprimanding them. It’s a Darth Vader we’ve never seen on screen, and the illustrations are quite humorous and spot-in as far as parenting is concerned. It is useless for any Star Wars fan to resist the adorableness of these books; even someone with just a passing knowledge of the mega-scifi franchise can appreciate this.
Crimson Peak: The Official Movie Novelization Paperback | Kindle | Audible Audiobook
Based on the screenplay by Guillermo del Toro & Matthew Robbins
Written by Nancy Holder
Titan Books
Audiobook narration by Imogen Church | Audible Studios
If you’re intrigued at the prospect of spending nine and a half hours the world of Guillermo del Toro’s gothic romance, Crimson Peak, you’re in luck. The audiobook edition of Nancy Holder‘s novelization, read by Imogen Church, is a spectacularly haunting trip from the eastern shore of Lake Erie to the crimson-soaked snows of Allerdale Hall. For those who’d rather read it themselves, there’s the paperback edition of the movie novelization, and for those who loved the design and story of the film, there’s Crimson Peak: The Art Of Darkness, a gorgeous and detailed hardcover art book from Insight Editions written by Mark Salisbury with a Foreword by Guillermo del Toro.
The Vampire Combat Field Guide A Coloring and Activity Book For Fighting the Bloodthirsty Undead Paperback
Written by Roger Ma, illustrations by Kurt Miller
Berkley Group | Penguin Random House
For all those aspiring vampire slayers in your life, The Vampire Combat Field Guide would be appropriate. This coloring and activity book for adults, which author Roger Ma created to accompany his popular novel, The Vampire Combat Manual: A Guide to Fighting the Bloodthirsty Undead, gives tips on how to battle vampires, from the fight training and weapon, to the strategies and techniques. Kurt Miller’s amp up the fun, and the coloring can be very therapeutic. Pair this coloring book with some crayons to make a nice stocking stuffer; you can also wrap the coloring book, crayons, and the novel up together to make a bigger gift. If you want to take it a step further, bundle up everything with this fun accessory Mr. Pointy Plush (a plush stake from the Buffy universe).
Sherlock Chronicles Hardcover | Kindle
By Steve Tribe
Dey Street Books | HarperCollins Publishers
Here’s another new full-color oversized hardcover book, this time it revolves around the popular British television series Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the famous literary detective Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as his sidekick Dr. John Watson. Sherlock Chronicles contains a lot of behind-the-scenes details and interview material with the showrunners, cast, and crew, along with episodes photos and clues to the mysteries presented in the show. There’s color photographs, concept art, storyboards, and more. For a TV show as cryptic as Sherlock, this companion book is a must-have for fans.
Star Trek: Costumes Five Decades of Fashion from the Final Frontier Hardcover
by Paula M. Block, Terry J. Erdmann, Introduction by Robert Blackman
Insight Editions
Spanning the nearly 50 years of Star Trek‘s existence, Star Trek: Costumes takes an extensive look at the costumes of the major scifi franchise, which spans films, movies, and more, and is a fully licensed product put together from information provided by original costume designer William Ware Theiss, as well as costume designers Robert Fletcher, Robert Blackman, and Michael Kaplan. This over-sized full-color hardcover book from Insight Editions, and authors Paula M. Block & Terry J. Erdmann, contains plenty of details behind the choices of wardrobe, as well as publicity and behind-the-scenes photos. A big, beautiful coffee table book that Star Trek fans will fawn over, and is something even the lay person would enjoy thumbing through.
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Warped An Engaging Guide to the Never-Aired 8th Season Paperback | Kindle
By Mike McMahan, Illustrations by Jason Ho
Star Trek Pocket Books | Gallery Books | Simon and Schuster
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Warped is another selection for Star Trek fans, especially those of Star Trek: The Next Generation. It’s small size makes it a great stocking stuffer, as does its humor — it’s a “guide” to the mythical (i.e., fabricated) eighth season of the television series that starts Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard. Trek fans will dig writer Mike McMahan‘s humorous, brief summaries of the supposed lost episodes, and Jason Ho‘s accompanying illustrations kick this little paperback that could up a notch.
Locke & Key Audible Audiobook By Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez
Cast: Haley Joel Osment, Tatiana Maslany, Kate Mulgrew
Audible Studios
Locke & Key is a comic book series written by Joe Hill with art by Gabriel Rodriguez that was released throughout the years by IDW Publishing. It’s a wonderfully done, captivating mystery, that was recently adapted into an audiobook by Audible Studios. This audio edition is over 13 hours, and features of cast over 50 different performers, including the two aforementioned creators, as well as Hill’s famous dad, master horror novelist Stephen King, along with actors Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Kate Mulgrew (Star Trek: Voyager), and Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense).
Home Alone: The Classic Illustrated Storybook Hardcover | Kindle
By Kim Smith (Illustrator)
Quirk Books
Here’s something perfect for the holiday season — an illustrated storybook based on the 1990 Christmas comedy Home Alone that’s fun to read, even if you’re not family with the film. Adorable illustrations by Kim Smith tell the story of young Kevin McCallister, who’s family inadvertently leaves him behind at home when they leave for an overseas Christmas vacation. But that’s only the beginning! Turns out, there’s a pair of bad guys trying to rob the house, and it’s up to Kevin — and Kevin alone — to thwart their plan.
Quick Picks
The Fifth House of the Heart Paperback | Kindle
By Ben Tripp
The Last Exodus: The Earthborn Trilogy Book 1 Paperback | Kindle
By Paul Tassi
Doctor Who: Impossible Worlds Hardcover | Kindle
by Stephen Nicholas and Mike Tucker
Doctor Who: The Time Lord Letters Hardcover | Kindle
By Justin Richards
A Crucible Of Souls: Sorcery Ascendant Sequence Book 1 Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook
By Mitchell Hogan
Star Trek: TOS: Child Of Two Worlds Paperback | Kindle
By Greg Cox
Recommendations by Waerloga69
A Game of Thrones Leather-Cloth Boxed Set Paperback
By George R.R. Martin
Bantam | Box Lea Edition
In the tradition of all great books, there are now commercially available leather-bound versions of the first five books in George R.R. Martin‘s The Song Of Ice And Fire series (and they’re even affordable)! This collector’s set is sure to put a smile on the face of that special fantasy-reading friend or family member. Over 5,200 pages of what is arguably the most popular fantasy series still being penned will most definitely keep them busy for a few days this holiday season! Includes: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A Dance with Dragons.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Hardcover
By George R.R. Martin
Bantam Publishing
First off, let me be clear, these are NOT new stories. Now, that having been said, they are possibly new to you. This hardcover collects three independent novellas that are all technically prequels and hold a plethora of information and history of how life was when the Targaryens ruled from the Iron Throne. George R.R. Martin’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms makes a great gift for the completest Game Of Thrones fan in your life. It also comes loaded with more than 160 new illustrations.
An all-new series from the author of The Dresden Files, you ask? Why, yes! And it’s a steampunk fantasy series to boot! Blending a classic steampunk concept with just enough fantasy to make it soar high above the rest, this novel sets sail into uncharted waters for Jim Butcher‘s longtime fans. Strong on story and characters, The Aeronaut’s Windlass quickly brings to life a brand new world. But it’s one that might just be on the brink of destruction!
Book five in the Brandon Sanderson‘s Mistborn series, Shadows Of Self explores the pains of a growing society. This book continues to follow the newer characters (Wax and Wayne) as the Mistborn universe continues to expand and deepen. In every civilization, a little chaos must fall. Magic, tech, and religion make for very strange (and dangerous) bedfellows in this newest story from a master storyteller.
Quick Picks
Star Wars: Battlefront: Twilight Company Hardcover | Kindle
By Alexander Freed
Legacy (Fantasy Box Set Vol. 2): 10 Complete Novels & Novellas from your Favorite Fantasy Authors Kindle
Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children Boxed Set Hardcover | Kindle
By Ransom Riggs
Quirk Books
Ransom Riggs gifted us with a peculiar world back in 2011, a world where Jacob Portman, on the heels of tragedy, found the home where the title home, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, held his future friends. Hollow City and Library of Souls continued the story of these unlikely heroes, intent on saving the futures of peculiar children everywhere. Now gift the ones you care about with a lovely little boxed set of all three hardcovers, that also includes never-before-seen photographs, not in the original books.
Star Wars: The Force Inside Hardcover
Put Me In The Story
Make your little Jedi happy by putting him right in the thick of the action! Put Me In The Story has two personalized books. First, Star Wars: The Force Inside, where both sides of the force test you to see where your true nature lies. The second, Star Wars Rebels: Battle Plans From Darth Vader, you choose your side as you read up on Ezra, Kanan, and the gang! Either way, you have a decision to make. Put Me In The Story also has personalization story options for The Avengers, Sesame Street, Lemony Snicket, Doc McStuffins, Peanuts, Spongebob, and more!
Don’t miss out on giving your little Padawan the adventure of their lives!
A people-eating muddy car. A man who dies and keeps resetting to the same life. A killer obituary writer. Just another day in the mind of the “king” of horror fiction – Sai Stephen King. The Bazaar of Bad Dreams is the author’s newest short story anthology that creeps into your soul and drags you into the dark. This master of the 1,000-plus-page tome can write short and bloody sweet as well, and does not skip on the twisty endings. Any horror lover will want this added to their collection. It’s to die for! (You can read our full review here.)
Any Clive Barker fan would love to find a copy of The Scarlet Gospels is his/her stocking, for the exciting final chapter in the Pinhead story. Everyone’s favorite Cenobite is reunited with his nemesis, Harry D’Amour, whom he needs to say “yes” to destroy the world and unlock all of the secrets of Hell. Barker and Pinhead give you all the gore, and all the pain you expect and more. This master of horror will, well… horrify you. (Read the Geeks of Doom review for The Scarlet Gospels here.)
Horrorstör: A Novel Paperback | Kindle
By Grady Hendrix
Quirk Books
One of the most unique books ever, Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix combines funny with fright, neatly wrapped inside a sinister IKEA-ish catalog. Five employees, mystified by the weird conditions of the store every morning, vow to stay overnight to solve the case. They wish they hadn’t. Complete with furniture assembly instructions, as well as items that are not quite the norm, this book is compelling in story as well as aesthetics. You’ll be poring over every inch of it. To get you started, here is the first line:
It was dawn and the zombies were stumbling through the parking lot, streaming toward the massive beige box at the far end. Later they’d be resurrected by megadoses of Starbucks, but for now they were the barely living dead.
Now don’t you want to read the rest of the lines?
(FYI — FOX has also nabbed Horrorstör as a possible pilot for the network. Good job, FOX!)
Warren the 13th and The All-Seeing Eye: A Novel Hardcover | Kindle
By Tania Del Rio (Author), Will Staehle (Illustrator)
Quirk Books
If you are looking for a gift for the middle schooler who has everything (or even a great buy for yourself), look no further than Warren the 13th and The All-Seeing Eye by comic book artist and writer Tania Del Rio and designer Willian Staehle. Gorgeously illustrated, this is the story of Warren the 13th, an orphan who works as a bellhop in his family’s hotel. His evil aunt and lazy uncle are running it into the ground, and it’s up to Warren to find the treasure, the All-Seeing Eye, and save the hotel he loves. You’ll fall in love with oddball Warren and with this quirky little book, aptly published by Quirk Books.
The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy: A Handbook for Girl Geeks is the perfect gift for the fangirl in your life, who considers herself the “Doctor, not a companion.” This lovely little empowering and celebratory book is for every woman who has ever let her inner (and outer) geek flag fly. The guide dispenses awesome advice (like combatting Internet trolls), and has interviews from many ultimate geek women, like Jane Espenson, writer for such TV faves as Battlestar Galactica, Once Upon A Time, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer. This guide is for every girl who has ever been subjected to the ‘Star Wars’ test. We know Han shot first.
Quick Picks
Agents Of The Internet Apocalypse: A Novel Hardcover | Kindle
By Wayne Gladstone
Kid Athletes: True Tales Of Childhood From Sports Legends Hardcover | Kindle Edition
Written by David Stabler, Illustrated by Doogie Horner
Dinosaur Hunter: The Ultimate Guide To The Biggest Game Paperback | Kindle Edition
Written & Illustrated by Steve White
Movie Title Typos Making Movies Better by Subtracting One Letter Hardcover | Kindle Edition
Written and illustrated by Austin Light
Giving Kindle Books as Gifts
— You can gift Kindle books and set your gift to be delivered whenever you want to anyone with an email address. On the Product Page (on the top right side), click the button that reads “Give as a Gift.” From there you enter the recipient’s email address and note the date you’d like your gift to be delivered via email, and also include a personalized message. There’s also the option to have the gift emailed right to you that you can forward the gift email to the recipient yourself or print it out and personally deliver it to the recipient.
— You don’t actually need a Kindle device to read these ebooks. Books can be read on a Kindle or one of Amazon’s free reading apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows PC, Mac, Blackberry, and Windows Phone 7.
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Remember, if all else fails, there’s also the Amazon.com Gift Card, you can have emailed to the recipient (arrives immediately) or you can print out the gift card at home and give it to the intended that way. If you order in enough time, you can get the physical gift card sent to you.
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Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press
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