Stranger Things: One Way Or Another
Stranger Things: A Nancy Wheeler Mystery
Hardcover | Kindle Edition | Audiobook
By Caitlin Schneiderhan
Publisher: Random House Worlds
Release Date: December 2, 2025

Recent high school grad Nancy Wheeler dons her investigative journalist cap and teams up with pal Robin Buckley to solve a new mystery in Hawkins while continuing the hunt for the malevolent entity Vecna in the new novel, Stranger Things: One Way Or Another.

The new year brought an end to popular Netflix series Stranger Things, after a successful 10-year run. Viewers remain divided as to whether the series finale provided a satisfactory conclusion, but one thing is certain: fans aren’t ready to let go of their favorite Stranger Things characters. That’s where the franchise’s expanding book series proves invaluable, offering more tales from Hawkins, Indiana, and filling in the gaps of the events that occurred between the show’s five seasons.

This Valentine’s Day will see the release of “Wuthering Heights” in theaters, starring Margot Robbie (Barbie) and Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein). This is one I’m looking forward to this year and I love that events like this spark people to read and celebrate books.

A few related books will be published soon in conjunction with the film’s release. Below are details about each one along with images, as well as more info on other collaborations (movie promos, merch, clothing, perfumes, and more!).

Twelve Months
A Novel Of The Dresden Files (Book 18: Dresden Files)
Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
By Jim Butcher
Publisher: Ace Books
Release Date: January 20, 2026

I feel like it has been a lifetime since I last wrote a review of a Jim Butcher book. Point of fact, it has been about five years since his last Dresden Files book was published. And looking back through my reviews here, it has been over a decade since I had one posted here. Allow me to give us a tour back into the world of Harry Dresden and his quest to do the right thing. This amazing journey is brought to you by the awesome folks at Ace Books. Without further ado, here is my take on Twelve Months: A Novel Of The Dresden Files.

J.R.R. Tolkien: The Father of Modern Fantasy
Pocket Portraits series
Hardcover | Kindle Edition | Audiobook
By Don Marshall; illustrated by Kim Arrington
Publisher: Adams Media
Release Date: November 25, 2025

While grading exam papers one day in 1930, J.R.R. Tolkien jotted down what would became one of the most famous literary opening lines of all time: “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” Inspired by Norse mythology and fairy stories, the then-professor spun a tale from that single line that became his first published work, 1937’s The Hobbit, which introduced the masses to his fantasy world of Middle-earth.

In J.R.R. Tolkien: The Father of Modern Fantasy, one of three Pocket Portraits mini-biographies released this year by Adams Media, author Don Marshall explores what motivated the most influential fantasy writer of modern times to craft an entire universe, complete with its own geography, creatures, histories, and invented new languages, such as Elvish.

Well met and happy holidays, dear readers! It is time again for my annual dive into what Dungeons & Dragons items are new and necessary for this gift-giving season. Alright, maybe not necessary, but close to it, right? I, personally, could not go a year without giving a new gaming guide or set of dice to a friend or family member and it quite literally boggles my mind that everyone is not afflicted with this same addiction. But, as I get older, I see that many people just do not enjoy life the way some of us do, so their loss, I suppose.

Below this paragraph of rambling sentences is a not-even-close-to-complete list of new gaming-related merchandise that I found interesting or wondrous. We have gotten new releases for game guides, new adventures, and new accessories that will meet the needs of many. I hope you find something that appeals to you in here, as I did. I own most of these, but only recently saw a couple of the ones in the quick picks, so I am waiting to see if I receive them as gifts prior to buying anything else. My wife and I have a deal where we cannot buy from certain categories after Halloween, to allow the other to pick some awesome gifts out without fear of duplicates. But enough of my musings, here are my choices for this year’s D&D or RPG products I would recommend.