More Lists! Sherlockian Pastiches and Teas

The end of year means LISTS, LISTS, LISTS!


Sherlockian Pastiches

FYI, an update about reading Sherlock Holmes pastiches...

More than two years ago, I asked for recommendations of Sherlock Holmes pastiches and received great replies. (Thank you!) I waited until I'd finished going through all of Arthur Conan Doyle's canonical Holmesian writings in order, but now I've embarked on my pastiche reading. I'm still only "baby steps" into the project, but I thought I'd list the novels I've read thus far, ranked in order from my most favorite to my least favorite. My reviews are general, and though they may contain a few spoilers about the premise of a given work, they don't give away any twist endings or key surprises.

There are new entries on my list since the last time I posted an update.

( Here's my ranked list of Sherlock Holmes pastiches read thus far with my reviews. )

Sherlock-Related Teas

I'm continuing to drink my way through the Sherlock Holmes-themed tea blends at Adagio Teas. (You can search for blends by name or by creator here.) My niece and nephew created a monster when they gave me the new teapot for Christmas! In case you're interested, here are my updated amateur "reviews" of the blends I've tried thus far, ranked in order of my enjoyment.

( Updated Reviews of Sherlockian Tea Blends )

Ring Out The Old, Ring In The New!

Thanks to all of you for your friendship throughout this past year. Best wishes to you for a very merry New Year's Eve and a fantastic 2013!

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more,
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

- Alfred Lord Tennyson, "Ring Out, Wild Bells"