A Holiday Book in Review: Sherlock Holmes the American Years

Sherlock Holmes the American Years Edited by: Michael Kurland
Fiction: mystery, short stories, classics, 344 pages
Book Count: 74

This is a collection of short stories about Sherlock Holmes taking a trip to America as a young man. In some of the stories he is like the Holmes we are all use to, in some he is still learning how to see all the little things that help him solve mysteries. All are written in about the same time frame. In the stories he visits places all around America and into Mexico. He also meets with some famous people like Mark Twain and Edwin Booth (after his brother ruined the Booth name).

Holidays in November:

1 All Saints Day
Day of the Innocents
2 All Souls Day
Day of the Dead
9 World Freedom Day
11 Veterans Day
Armistice Day
12 Birth of Bahá'u'lláh
13 World Kindness Day
14 World Diabetes Day
15 America Recycles Day
start of Winter Lent
16 International Day for Tolerance
19 World Toilet Day
20 Universal Children's Day
21 World Television Day
World Hello Day
National Adoption Day
25 Thanksgiving
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
26 Black Friday
Day of the Covenant
28 Ascension of `Abdu'l-Bahá
29 Cyber Monday

Happy Halloween!

Halloween History

"Trick or Treat"

Monster Mash- Vincent Price

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

see more Historic LOL

A Holiday Book in Review: The Time Pirate

The Time Pirate: A Nick McIver Time Adventure
Fiction, YA, Sci-Fi, Adventure 454 pages
Book Count: 73

This is book two in a series the review of book one is here. In this one the main storyline takes place in early days of England being in WWII. The rest takes place in the 1880's and 1780's. Unlike the first book the majority of the story was things that happened to Nick, so it breaks up differently making it feel more like two books put in one book. Also, there are more issues with the fact that they are time traveling, but don't take advantage of their time traveling abilities. Besides these minor issues the book was a fun story. This book has more Nazis and pirates, but also airplanes and traitors (and not who you would think.)

Christmas Carolling on Halloween

This would also be a great Halloween costume.

Happy Birthday Weird Al !

Happy Mole Day!!!!!

Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter (1966)

Jesse James and Frankenstein's granddaughter in the Southwest, sure that doesn't have WTF written all over it!

The Time Warp (2005)

Sims style

How Awful About Allan (1970)

Never, Never let a blind man drive!

All of the Dead (2000)

Lego Horror Film!

The Corpse Vanishes (1942)

You must have a bride to make someone look young, unless you are in a pinch, then any woman will do?

Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973)

Also called Count Dracula and His Vampire Bride


Warning: this movie was R for some nudity as well as cheesy horror.

Also dig the music in the intro, or the official 1970's movie opening music. Sure they made some variations on it but you hear it and you think "Haven't I heard this before?"

A Holiday Book in Review: Nick of Time

Nick of Time By: Ted Bell
Fiction: YA, sci-fi, adventure 434 pages
Book Count: 72

Pirates, Nazis and of course time travel. This book has all of the action and adventure that a pre-teen to young teen could want in a book. The main story takes place on a small island between England and France owned by England in the days leading up to WWII. But the main character, Nick along with a couple of adult friends (Lord Hawke and Gunner) travel back in time to the days of the Napoleonic wars, pirates and Nick's hero, Lord Nelson to help his ancestor (who has the same name). Meanwhile, his little sister and her nanny (English Commander Hobbes)have to deal with an insane German U-boat captain, the SS, and a top secret new German sub. And also there is the kidnapping of Lord Hawke's children, Nick's dog and Lord Nelson's niece.

Dementia 13

City of the Dead/Horror Hotel (1960)

City of the Dead was the movie's original name in England and it was changed to Horror Hotel for Americans. Also, much like the last movie this is not at all predictable. (Or for that matter most of these films.) Makes you wonder if people were surprised by what happened when they first were out. Not that knowing what will happen doesn't make it fun to watch.

Carnival of Souls (1962)

Imangine what would have happened if she started playing rock and/or roll in the church.

What Kind of Vampire are You Quiz:

1. How did you become a vampire?

A. An animal jumped over your corpse, crossed your funeral procession or you were evil in your life.
B. You were repeating attacked by a vampire
C. You drank vampire blood
D. You were born one
E. A vampire bit you once, killing and turning you



2. What do you look like?

A. A bloated corpse
B. A shiny supermodel
C. Mostly like you did before, maybe a little pale
D. Sometimes a bat or wolf



3. What were you before becoming a vampire?

A. A minor noble
B. A teenager
C. An average middle class person
D. A peasant, most likely dying of consumption



4. What do you drink?

A. The blood of evil people, animals, blood bank blood; whatever you can find without killing the innocent.
B. Coffee
C. Only animal blood and the occasional bit of human food to look normal
D. The blood of your family
E. The blood of fair maidens


5. How do you spend your nights?

A. Stare at people when they sleep
B. Same thing you do every night. . . Try and take over the world
C. Visiting living family members, occasional impregnation your former wife
D. Eat, party, work, shop. . . basically the same types of things you did when alive



6. What does sunlight do to you?

A. I don’t know I’m never out in the day
B. Reduces your powers
C. Spontaneous combustion
D. Worst sunburn ever
E. Nothing
F. It makes you blindingly shiny



7. Does garlic affect you?

A. Yes
B. No



8. What most makes a vampire different then humans?

A. They are dead, evil soulless beings
B. They are undead
C. They crave human blood and have fangs
D. They have different DNA



Points for each answer to follow results to make it harder to see in advance.

Results:

39 or more: You are an Eastern European folklore vampire. You might have just been some poor unlucky person that now is forced to attack your loved ones each night, or you could have been an evil witch that enjoys your new powers. Either way one day the mob of angry villagers will arrive when you are asleep in your grave to dig you up, stake you, cut you to pieces, burn you and maybe feed your ashes to the sick.

38-28 You are a classic lit. or movie vampire. You’re rich, noble, powerful and ready to end life as we know it. Good thing that the heroes always kill you in the end.

27-8 You are a modern lit. or movie vampire. You might be rich, sexy and famous, or you could be flipping burgers on the night shift to pay for all the dry cleaning bills to get the blood out of your clothes. Either case be glad, you don’t have to hide in the shadows forever, as long as you don’t act like a soulless ghoul you’ll find friends both alive and undead. Also vampire rights are just around the corner, if your world doesn’t have them already.

7 and under: You are not a vampire. I’m not sure what you are, but look into mutants, fairies, and rare medical/mental conditions. If you still believe that you are a vampire, please study vampire history and rework your world accordingly. Also some basic biology, animal behavior, etc.


1. A) 6 B) 5 C) 3 D) 1 E)0
2. A) 6 B) 0 C) 4 D)5
3. A) 5 B) 1 C) 3 D) 5
4. A) 3 B) 2 C) 1 D)6 E)4
5. A) 1 B)4 C) 6 D) 3
6. A) 6 B)5 C)3 D)2 E)4 F)0
7. A)2 B)1
8. A) 5 B) 3 C)2 D) 1

Phantom Ship (1936)

The most unlikly answer to what happened to the Mary Celeste; however, it does have Bela Lugosi in it.

A Holiday Book in Review: The Government Manual for New Wizards

The Government Manual for New Wizards By: Matthew David Brozik and Jacob Sager Weinstein
Fiction: sci-fi/ fantasy, paranormal, humor 157 pages
Book Count: 71

This book is a guide to new wizards. It includes both classic and new wizard things in it. It also has a lot of great funny lines in it. Many of them are puns, but not all. It also has information about other magical beings like fairies and faeries. And notes from an evil dark lord, who is not named Melvin.

The Screaming Skull (1958)

75% of the films budget was spent on the car with the awsome doors.

The House On Haunted Hill (1959)

Night Of The Living Dead (1968)

Apparently one goof up in making a film, meant it didn't get copyrighted in the 60's.

A Book in Review: Eat More Dirt

Eat More Dirt Diverting and Instructive Tips for Growing and Tending an Organic Garden by: Ellen Sandbeck
non-fiction gardening 179 pages
Book Count: 70

This book has a collection of tips on organic gardening. Some of them directly relate to gardening, some are use full for gardening, but could work for other things. For example, there are stretches to do before and after gardening so you don't hurt yourself. It also has writings on the philosophy of gardening.

White Zombie (1932)

With Voodoo type zombies

A Holiday Book in Review: Top Secret Recipes Sodas, Smoothies, Spirits, & Shakes

Top Secret Recipes Sodas, Smoothies, Spirits, & Shakes Creating Cool Kitchen Clones of America's Favorite Brand-Name Drinks By: Todd Wilbur
Non-fiction, cooking 231 pages
Book Count: 69

This book gives you recipes to make many drinks at home. Most of them only require things that most grocery/liquor would have. (Coke has some hard to find ingredients.) Many of the recipes seem almost too easy; however, it isn't something that you would think up on your own (i.e. many liqueurs can be made with a favoring extract mixed with a little sugar water and vodka) Wither you like soft drinks or alcholic mixed drinks it is worth it to read this book if only to give you ideas of how to recreate your favorite drinks at home.

Columbus Facts

As most people agree that Columbus never discovered the Americas for one or more of the following reasons:
- People were already there
- He thought he was in Asia
- There is proof that the Vikings got to America earlier
- There are stories of other people from around the world finding a distant land that matches the Americas in general location/discribtion
- He was a jerk who’s actions were even considered horrible in his day, so he doesn’t deserve it


We thought we would give you some info on things that he actually did.


- He was born in 1451
- He died on May 20th 1506
- There are no paintings of him made during his life around today.
- He like many people at that time thought the world was rounded. Unlike most he thought it incorrectly was smaller than most; however, he was correct in that it was not a perfect sphere. (He compared it to a breast)
- He tried to get many kingdoms to finance his trip before getting the Spanish royalty to do so. (The queen did not sell her jewels for this as she already sold them to pay for fighting the Moors.)
- In 1492 he sailed the ocean blue (also 1493, 1494, 1498, 1500, & 1502)
- His efforts to enslave the people living in the lands that he landed on were in direct opposition to what he was commissioned to do as the King and Queen of Spain considered them as their subjects (as they considered the land theirs).
- He had reactive arthritis which might have caused a heart attack that killed him
- He was buried in Valladolid, then Seville, the Dominican Republic, Havana, Cuba, (or his brother or son) and finally back to Seville. (or he always was in Spain and someone else or only part of him did all the moving)
- He has many things named after him; however, Columbus wasn’t his name but a variation of it.

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada

Atom Age Vampire (1960)

Oh No! I have visible scars, I'm hideous, lets smoke!

A Holiday Book in Review: 100 Vegetables and Where They Came From

100 Vegetables and Where They Came From By: William Woys Weaver
Non-fiction: gardening, history, food 289 pages
Book Count: 68

First, yes I know that this book has nothing to do with any October holidays (unless you are Canadian), but as Thanksgiving is one of the holidays of the Super Holiday Special, and most people do not read as much as me I thought I would put some books on the list early.
About the book, this is much like the title suggests a book on 100 different variates of vegetables and their history. It also includes ways to cook them, other uses for them and a list in the back of where you can get them in case you want to grow your own. A number of the websites on that list have changed, but most of them are still running and at the stated address and if you are interested in growing these types of veggies the links that do work are worth looking at the book alone. It deals mainly with heirloom and rare vegetables. There are a number of tomatoes, peppers, greens, peas,and beans in the book. The author has grown all of these plants and a couple of them are ones that he himself had created. Each veggie has a drawing of it; however, it is only a black and white line drawing which I find odd as many of the veggies have unusual coloring and for a couple color/non-color drawings of them in older books made the difference in finding them in modern times. Overall if you like growing classic foods this is a good book for you.

Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde (1920)

Frankenstein (1910)

Note: not suitable for school book reports.



Magic monster!

Nosferatu (1922)

Here's why vampires hate sunlight.

Fun Facts on Dracula (the novel)

• It’s the only novel by Bram Stoker that ever had any great successes.
• The Dead Un-Dead and The Un-Dead were possible titles for the book.
• Dracula’s name was originally Count Wampyr.
• Do to copyright issues Dracula has always been in the public domain in America.
• Nosferatu was an unauthorized film adaptation that Stoker’s widow tryed to stop the release of.

Movies

This year at WNBNI we will add links/videos of classic (i.e. copyright expired/public domain) movies to the holiday mix, enjoy.

More Royal Vampires

After yesterdays, none vampire post I thought I would post a link to the princess who was real and in the origional version of Dracula.



It's a full length show so watch when you have an hour.

Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed: Serial Killer, Vampire?

Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed, also known as the Blood Countess was possibly the most prolific of all female murders. Although she was never convicted of any crime, mostly due to her royal status, her collaborators were convicted of torturing and killing 80 girls and young woman and some thought they killed over 600, 650 being the number of murders most connected with her. There were reports at that time of up to 200 bodies found in her castle at the time the authorities stopped her. She is best known for bathing in the blood of her victims in order to stay young. This is how she gets connected with vampires and is often called a better example of a real, historic vampire then Dracula because of this. However, this legend came out centuries after her life, making them unlikely to be true. But, even given that, with hundreds of gruesome deaths on her hands, the title Blood Countess is more then appropriate.

A Book in Review: Feasting on Asphalt the River Run

Feasting on Asphalt the River Run By: Alton Brown
Non-fiction: food, travel, TV 197 pages
Book Count: 67

This book goes with the TV mini-series of the same name. This book uses the same format of going over what happened in chronological order from the bottom of Louisiana to where the Mississippi river starts in Minnesota. It includes 40 recipes. Some were given by the cooks they meet along the way and some are based off the food they ate.

Undead Manatees Who Write Books when Mating

(Made you look!)

Fun Facts about Manatees

• The name manatee comes from the Tainno word for breast.
• One of the manatee’s closest living relations are the elephants.
• Manatees can live up to 60 years.
• Manatees travel north as far as to Massachusetts in the summer.
• Manatees become sexually mature in about 5 years.
• Manatees form breeding herds where they breed indiscriminately.
• Manatee fossils have been found that are 60 million years old.

Ghostbusters' Halloween Song

Why, O why, did a show about ghost not have more Halloween shows?

A Holiday Book in Review: Wicked

Wicked The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West By: Gregory Maguire
Fiction: 409 pages
Book Count: 66

First, like all stories based off of a children's classic that I have read, this is not a book for children. This is a book, as you probley know, is about Oz (as in the world created by L. Frank Baum). It is the life story of the Wicked Witch of the West. It changes many things about the politics/government/way of life in Oz. Some of the changes in the story could be seen as consistent with the different view point. But some do not reconcile well with each other. One thing that it does go back to the original story with is that the magical shoes are silver and not ruby red. (As you may know they changed it for the 1940's movie as they thought that red shoes would look better on the film, as it was in Technicolor.) Even without a great knowledge, or especially without one, of the Oz books this book would be a great read. It weaves a complex story of how lives interconnect in ways one would never expect. It makes the witch a sympathetic character, without removing or sugar coating over the things that she did. It explains how the witches of the east and west could be sisters. And it has readers group questions at the end.

Holidays in October

1. Feast of St. Thérèse de Lisieux
International Day of Older Persons
2. International Day of Non-Violence
Gandhi’s Birthday
4. Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
World Animal Day
5. World Teachers' Day
9. Leif Erikson Day
10. World Mental Health Day
11. Columbus Day
National Coming Out Day
12. Freethought Day
14. World Standards Day
15. Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
White Cane Safety Day
16. World Food Day
Boss's Day
17. International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
20. Birth of the Báb
21. International Day of the Nacho
22. International Stuttering Awareness Day
23. Mole Day
24. United Nations Day
27. Navy Day
30. Devil's Night/Mischief Night
31. Halloween
Samhain (northern hemisphere)
Beltane (southern hemisphere)

Super Holiday Special Editions!

Its that time again. Time for the super holiday specials!!!! YAHHHHHHH!!!!!


(that is all, continue on)

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