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The author of Skulls in the Stars is a professor of physics, specializing in optical science, at UNC Charlotte. The blog covers topics in physics and optics, the history of science, classic pulp fantasy and horror fiction, and the surprising intersections between these areas. -
Tag Archives: books
Halloween Treats 2025: Haunted Houses!
Every year since I’ve started this blog, I’ve published a few classic open access stories of horror for the Halloween season! In recent years, I’ve started to make a theme for each year. This year, the theme is “haunted houses,” … Continue reading
Lucky Day, by Chuck Tingle
Book 27 for my 2025 goal of 30 books for the year! As is now default for me, my link to the book is through my bookshop dot org affiliate account. Chuck Tingle honestly has yet to disappoint in even the slightest. His latest … Continue reading
Between Two Rivers, by Moudhy Al-Rashid
Book 26 for my 2025 goal of 30 books for the year! As is now default for me, my link to the book is through my bookshop dot org affiliate account. I have long had a huge fascination with the ancient Near East, fostered … Continue reading
Posted in History, History of science
Tagged book review, books, History, mesopotamia
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The Dead Come to Stay, by Brandy Schillace
Book 24 for my 2025 goal of 30 books for the year! As is now default for me, my link to the book is through my bookshop dot org affiliate account. I’ve been online friends with Brandy Schillace for a number of years … Continue reading
Conan the Barbarian: Twisting Loyalties, by Jim Zub
Book 23 for my 2025 goal of 30 books for the year! As is now default for me, my link to the book is through my bookshop dot org affiliate account. I haven’t read many comics in recent years, even though I was … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy fiction, Robert E. Howard
Tagged books, comic-books, comics, fantasy
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The Tripods: The Pool of Fire, by John Christopher
Book 22 for my 2025 goal of 30 books for the year! As is now default for me, my link to the book is through my bookshop dot org affiliate account. In each of the modern printings of John Christopher’s The Tripods books, … Continue reading
Posted in Science fiction
Tagged book review, book-reviews, books, Fiction, science fiction
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The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The White Worm, by Sam Siciliano
Book 21 for my 2025 goal of 30 books for the year! As is now default for me, my link to the book is through my bookshop dot org affiliate account. Some books look intriguing to me when I first get them, but … Continue reading
Posted in Mystery/thriller
Tagged book review, books, Fiction, mystery, sherlock-holmes
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A retrospective on my first published scientific paper
I’ve had a pretty long career in physics, optics in particular, at this point: I have published over 150 peer-reviewed papers and have written 5 books. Looking back to the start of my journey in science, I don’t think I … Continue reading
The Tripods: The City of Gold and Lead, by John Christopher
Book 19 for my 2025 goal of 30 books for the year! As is now default for me, my link to the book is through my bookshop dot org affiliate account. Last month, I read the first book in John Christopher’s classic young … Continue reading
Posted in Science fiction
Tagged book review, book-reviews, books, Fiction, science fiction
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An Echo of Children, by Ramsey Campbell
Book 18 for my 2025 goal of 30 books for the year! As is now default for me, my link to the book is through my bookshop dot org affiliate account. Ramsey Campbell still knows how to catch me off guard. The first … Continue reading
Skulls in the Stars 