The Eye Book by Ian Grierson - Booked by the Cover

Welcome to the Book by the Cover Blog(cast), a spin on a podcast I'm currently able to record again! Please look forward to new podcasts this month-find the older ones on YouTube.

Today's book is: They Eye Book by Ian Grierson.

[ First of all, I am in the coolest library I have visited so far. Inside there are neon signs labeling different sections and towards the back is a video game seating area. I'm also sitting on a soft swivel chair-yay!  Every library is cool just for being a library, but if you are looking for a gateway library, the Cockeysville's branch in Baltimore County, Maryland is worth considering. ]

If you read the above aside, you might have guessed where I am writing this post right now: Baltimore, MD. I am in Baltimore county-not the city (for today anyway). There are already multiple itineraries focused within Baltimore city, so I will do my best to have today's itinerary focus on Baltimore county if I can. 

And speaking of I, an eye is the main focus of the cover of this book. The eye is blue. It might be the bluest and biggest eye of any book I have ever seen. This book is a cyclops... All of a sudden, I am spooked by the book and will continue the rest of the description from memory. Please forgive me if I miss any major details. 

Just kidding. 

The eye doesn't bother me. It's those noggin-ed pairs of eyes all around me in real life that really scare-well, bother-me. Just so you know, the eye on this book is within its lids and the lids are open.

Yikes.

Along with the big blue eye in the center, the rest of the cover is simple yet bold. The eye is enclosed in a rich shade of red. That same shade of red is found as the color of the title at the top of the cover; the text has a white stroke around each letter and is in front of a gradient of three different shades of green: from a deep forest green to the left to a lemony lime green on the far right. Under the eye is a caption in white text: eyes and eye problems explained and the name of the author beneath it in navy blue and significantly larger text. 

Within the pupil of the eye, is a glare and reflection. I will not attempt to describe what is in the reflection because I am not sure what is there other than reflected eyelashes at the top and what seems to be a blank bright white screen. The indistinguishability of whatever is there adds some mystery and intrigue. I do think it encourages a heavier desire to take a chance at seeing what's inside of the book.

[ Hey! Comment down below with what you think is reflected in that eye. ]

Alright, so with that let's get to the itinerary already. 

I'm considering making this a Christmas-themed itinerary to pick up on the red and green. What else is red and green? We already talked about watermelons. 

[ Guys. People. Ladies. I kid you not. I just looked up and there's a book titled Christmas Witch on the shelf in front of me. (Going to pick it up.) Upon closer look, it's titled: The Return of the Christmas Witch. This book was written by Aubrey Plaza, y'all. And, apparently, it's a sequel. Now I have to read it.

BRB. 

Weird. ]

Let's see what we can find in B-more county. The book was pretty good. I'd suggest giving it a read if you are interested in Christmas with a mix of whitchiness in the most respectful sense. 

The whole itinerary can focus on sightseeing. First: lights in Baltimore county.

Padonia Winter Wonderland is a great match to start with. From what I can see, this started in recent years but has occurred every year since the first. Past advertisements show it lasts for 3 days and nights across 30 acres of land. There is a long list of attractions including tubing. The tubes are blue and kind of look like the blue iris from the cover of the book. 

Next, we'll look for another visual attraction. 

The author's last name, Grierson, has "son" in it. So, naturally, the next activity must be the nativity play or something like it. 

After filtering for options strictly in Baltimore county, there was no luck for Christmas shows and markets. Though I'm sure there are options, I'm not able to find anything for 2025. It is early. Even for what's available in Baltimore City, details aren't available yet. I'm mostly going off of what are advertised as annual events rather than upcoming 2025 events. 

The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company's Christmas Carol production for 2025 is posted online. The best part about this is that it's set in 19th century Baltimore. The description of the play being "hauntingly beautiful" matches well with the cyclops scare as well.  The ad itself is red and has director, Séamus' name. That really makes me want to see más. 

In addition to the show and the winter wonder land, there's the marketplace-also properly in Charm City.

The Christmas Village at the Inner Harbor will be in its 12th season this year for 2025. It hints at the blue eye in that it's out next to the lovely blue water and the huge ferris wheel that glimmers and shines just like the eye on the cover. Similar to the lashes are the sprigs of differently bold colored lights that flash as the wheel itself spins. At high heights, the ride might also be a little scary. Possibly from fear, you'll rotate with just one eye open.

And with that, that's the end of this Christmas in August, Baltimore county/city-focused itinerary inspired by The Eye Book.

Start with a visit to the Winter Wonder Land in the county; consider making it a multi-day adventure. Relax your legs with the Shakespearean visual treat in the city, A Christmas Carol. Wrap up the sights with a city stroll around the Inner Harbor's German Christmas Market for a little last-minute gift shopping. I believe the entire itinerary is a sight to sí.

Comment: What do you think is reflected in that eye?

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