The Victorian Era is Not Dead...

...it's alive in a coffin in the dungeon!!!

On this day, 26 May, 1897, Bram Stoker's "Dracula" was published.

The celebrated book is of cultural importance; critics have inevitably classed Dracula as a genre novel but it falls into so many of their categories – vampire literature, horror fiction, gothic novel, invasion literature, crime, mystery, the supernatural – that categorisation is problematic. 

It is much more than that – a fine novel, dealing with Victorian sexuality, British culture, and more, and, moreover, it is a significant addition to the novel genre in its own right.

And...there are some fun memes for your enjoyment too!

🦇🦇🦇

If you have not read the actual Dracula novel, I highly recommend it; it's surprisingly fresh for a book written during what is thought of as a very repressed time in our history.

For those who want to have some fun with it, please consider Laurie R. King's "Castle Shade", when Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell assist the Queen of Romania to solve dark doings at Bran Castle.

HB ACD!🎂

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born on 22 May, 1859.

The creator of Victorian-era consulting detective Sherlock Holmes character would leave a lasting legacy.

First appearing in print in 1887's "A Study in Scarlet", Holmes's popularity became widespread with the first series of short stories in The Strand Magazine, beginning with "A Scandal in Bohemia" in 1891; additional tales appeared from then until 1927, eventually totalling four novels and 56 short stories.

Why artists like to recreate Holmes and Dr. Watson as cats is unknown, but I surely like them.💗

Note:

Haven't read the Canon of Sherlock Holmes stories in decades; many of them are surprisingly NOT politically correct for modern times.

I prefer to read the character in the hands of these authors;

Laurie R. King:

 Russell & Holmes series, book #18 due out in 2024

Anthony Horowitz: 

The House of Silk, The Three Monarchs, Moriarity

Vicki Delany: 

Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries

🔬📚🔎

#NationalAuthor’sDay

 November 1 is National Authors Day!

I primarily listen to audiobooks downloaded to my phone, and with speed set at 1.3x (I also am a speed-reader, something I was taught while a youngster in school), I listen while doing many other things all day long.

Some of my favorite authors, in no particular order, with links:

Laurie R. King

Robert Galbraith

C. S. Harris

Elly Griffiths

Diana Gabaldon

Nick Louth

Jim Butcher

Anthony Horowitz

Deanna Raybourn

Kelley Armstrong

Sabrina Flynn

My current 'want to read' list has 569 books, which does NOT include all the books in an author's series; just the first.

I am a member of several book groups on Facebook, and a question I ask people is, "What are you reading?"

I use Goodreads to keep track of everything, and have access to a handful of libraries AND a Audible account to feed my reading habit.

I am a reading addict; there, I've typed it!

Authors are amazing people; they create new worlds, characters, and emotions in their heads, then are able to publish these stories for the public's enjoyment.  

The above images were found on social media, and included purely for the enjoyment of our readers.

So, what are you reading?

Tell us in the comments!

National Library Card Sign-Up Month

September is National Library Sign-Up Month!

The modern library is not only books, but free wi-fi, games, classes, book groups, sewing clubs, jigsaw puzzles, quiet study, lectures, and so much more.

Visit your local library soon, and get your library card.

It's uses are endless.

And, you'll save yourself TONS of money by checking out books, audiobooks, ebooks, games, sewing machines, gardening tools, wifi hotspots, etc., instead of BUYING everything!

P.S. Laurie R. King and Neil Gaiman are two of my very favorite authors.

New Apparel

Most of you know that I am a HUGE resale shopper.

It's a form of recycling, no?

However, once in a while, I'll purchase something

BRAND 

SPANKING

NEW!

Cat and UFO Sweatshirt

Skinny Pete's Gourmet Catnip

I have a t-shirt like this also; I've mentioned this company before.
Probably because I visit their booth at every summer event that I can!

"He said nothing, very sarcastically"

Laurie R. King, Author

Have mentioned this author's Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes adventure series before.
This particular line is quintessential Russell, describing the quintessential Holmes!

Rockton t-shirt

Kelley Armstrong, Author

Rockton is a hidden community in Yukon, B.C., Canada.
Sheriff Eric Dalton and Detective Casey Butler maintain order in an enclave of folks who are hiding from persecution.
But just what kind of boogie man is each one hiding from...and is the danger from outside of the camp, or from those inside?

Disclaimer: I purchased or was gifted from Skinny Pete's Gourmet Catnip, Laurie R. King, Author, and Kelley Armstrong, Author for my own use and amusement, and mention the websites as a courtesy to my readers.  I only post about items that I believe others will enjoy, and for no financial gain for myself.

Holmes, Watson & Russell

 Last week, Catscue Blog introduced three foster kittens:

Meet The New Crew

Their names are Holmes, Watson, and Russell.

For those of us who are fans of the Laurie R. King's Mary Russell series, these three names mean an awful lot!

In my glee with Catscue's using the names of some of my favorite literary characters, I linked the post to The Beekeeper's Apprentices Facebook page, where fans of Laurie R. King and Mary Russell congregate.

And the author herself left Catscue a comment!

Woo Hoo, what fun, and I am so thankful for Catscue's tireless efforts to help cats.

Am thankful for the friends that I've found via both blogging AND through Facebook, and for world-renowned authors who make a person's day by engaging with fans.

Image from Catscue's FB page
Click on the image to visit!

Image from The Beekeeper's Apprentices FB page
Click on the image to visit!

Let's Hop!

Click on the badge above to visit Brian's Home Blog!

Castle Shade

I read.

My family encouraged reading when I was young, and the habit stuck with me.

Belonging to several book club-like groups on Facebook, plus using the Goodreads website, I indulge my reading desires to the fullest.

In addition, our local library has apps for audiobooks and ebooks, so there is never a time when I don't have something to read or listen to.

Hardcover, 360 pages

Published June 8th 2021 by Bantam

Original Title Castle Shade

ISBN 0525620869 (ISBN13: 9780525620860)

Years ago, I discovered a series written by Laurie R. King, who was gifted the diaries of Mary Russell, the apprentice of the legendary Sherlock Holmes after his retirement from London as consulting detective.

As a young woman, Mary accidentally meets Holmes as she walks the Sussex Downs, head in a book, and almost stumbles over him as he sits watching bees.

The books follow them through mystery after murder after diabolical international intrigue.

 Am so very thankful for the newest book, "Castle Shade", was released Tuesday.

The duo is in Transylvania, as Queen Marie of Romania asked for help in an apparent threat to her daughter, Princess Ileana.

Cats wander in and out of every story, no matter if they take place in London, Japan, Portugal, Monte Carlo, Jerusalem, Cornwall, or Transylvania.

The writing is wonderful, the deep research knowledgeable, and one is quickly drawn into the lives of Holmes and Russell from 100 years ago.

 Am also thankful, that I can read a book, or listen to an audiobook on my phone, with Sweetie laying on my chest, or The PO'M sitting in my lap.

While I am thankful for my employment, sometimes I just want to read, and be a human cat bed. 😹

Let's Hop!

Click on the badge above to visit Brian's Home Blog!

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

22 May 1859 – 7 July 1930
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Legendary creator of the Sherlock Holmes character

I've been a fan of Sherlock Holmes since a child.

However, in today's world, the Victorian-era stories are sometimes ponderous, archaic, and often racist, even if ripping good mysteries.

What one enjoys, is the brilliance and antics of the great consulting detective.

These days, I enjoy the pastiche stories of The Mary Russell series, written by Laurie R. King.

If you think Holmes was brilliant, wait to you are introduced to Mary!

I collect items that are a mix of that great detective, and cats!

Found on the interwebs

Image of Artemis and Apollo, from "The Maine Coone Life"

Image from a shirt of mine

Pusheen dressed as Sherlock Holmes!

So, here is a Lunapic artification,
Click on the image to enjoy a jigsaw puzzle.

Let's Hop!

Click here to visit Athena Cat Goddess Blog!