And the Guinness Record Goes To...

Last week, Guinness World Records (GWR) announced a world record for the most portrayed literary human character in film and TV.  Who is this mysterious literary character?

Hint #1: He once said, “I never guess.  It is a shocking habit – destructive to the logical faculty.”

Hint #2: He is famous for saying, “Eliminate all factors, and the one which remains must be the truth.”

Hint #3: He lives on Baker Street...in London...with Watson...

You got it!  (I think.)  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes received the GWR honor last Saturday at a World Record London event being held in the run-up to  London’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.   I love the Sherlock Holmes mysteries and highly recommend every story before, and including, The Final Problem. 

Sherlock made his literary debut in 1887 and has been featured in four novels and 56 short stories.   He has been portrayed in TV and film 254 times!  Actors depicting the pipe-smoking detective include Charlton Heston, Peter O’Toole, Roger Moore, John Cleese, and everyone’s favorite, Robert Downey Jr.  (Am I right?)  

GWR stated, "Sherlock Holmes is a literary institution. This Guinness World Records title reflects his enduring appeal and demonstrates that his detective talents are as compelling today as they were 125 years ago."

I don’t think that I could narrow down my favorite Holmes short story, but my favorite novel would have to be The Sign of Four.  The stories are engaging and it’s always fun to try and solve the cases before Holmes announces the solution.  If you’re still building your Summer Reading List, consider adding a story or two to your compilation, you won’t be disappointed!

So who was the most portrayed literary character of all time?  Hint: Read the first sentence of this post carefully.

(I’ll give you a minute to think about it...)

With a total of 272 TV and film portrayals, the illustrious Dracula is the most often character depicted on screen.

I love vampire fiction – Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Elizabeth Kostova’s The Historian, and Joss Whedon’s awesome series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, rank among my favorites.  What are some of your favorite vampire tales?  (Caution: Please do not post anything related to, or having to do with, Twilight, or any book within that series...I will weep.)

Happy reading and writing!

Summer Reading and the Perfect Pairing

With summer on the horizon, Amazon has unleashed their 2012 Summer Reading List.  I really like their format and the way they’ve divided the books into categories like Beach Reading, Summer Blockbusters, and Hard-Boiled Detectives.  If you’re not sure what you’d like to read, you could always browse the Editor’s Picks for something that may catch your eye (and those books are on sale right now!).

Winter reading and summer reading is so different.  On one hand, winter reading lends images of snuggling under a blanket, maybe near a fire, with a cup of hot tea or steaming chocolate topped with whipped cream, and a gentle storm brewing outside.  Alternatively, summer reading dreams up pictures of swinging on a hammock, basking in the shade of big beautiful trees, and a glowing glass of lemonade in hand.  However, how often (really) do you sit in a big chair with a good book, blanket, and cup of perfectly made hot chocolate or read while swaying in a hammock?  Most of my reading is done late at night when everyone in the house is sleeping or the quick moments between walking to my car from my office (I actually can get a lot in from the tenth floor down to the parking lot).

If I were to think up the most perfect of reading settings, it would have to be pairing a great mystery with the gentle rocking of a hammock.  I have a hammock and those rare moments that I have the opportunity to enjoy it are like sweet paradise!  So, perfect setting: great book (a given), hammock, fresh squeezed lemonade, quiet, and a gentle breeze...and if we’re dreaming up this perfect setting, I’ll take my hammock out of my backyard and put it on a deserted island with white sand and aqua-colored waves (why not?). 

I know some people who love to sit with a good wine and read the latest Bestseller.  In this month's Wine Enthusiast Magazine, they actually have a list of books paired with the perfect wine.  Others love reading in any cozy nook with, well, their Nook (or Kindle/iPad). 

What’s your perfect reading setting?  Do you prefer winter reading over summer reading?  What genre do you plan on reading this summer?  Let me know if you plan on reading, or have read, any of the novels on Amazon’s list, and don’t forget to tell me what you thought of said book(s)!

Don’t forget to follow me by clicking Join this site on the right hand side of the screen.  It only takes a minute and I’d sure appreciate it! Happy reading and writing!

Best Moms in Fiction

Coming out of the Mother’s Day weekend, I thought it would be nice to make note of some of the most awesome of fictional moms out there.   Let me know who you would put on your list of the best fictitious moms! 

But first, just so we’re on the same page, I’d like to turn your attention to a section of the first sentence in today's post: “...Mother’s Day weekend...”  For those who were not certain, the official name for the “holiday” is singular.  Over the weekend I saw “Happy Mothers Day” and “Happy Mothers’ Day” ... sometimes capitalized, other times not.  So there you have it: Mother’s Day. 

As promised, my list of the best moms in fiction, don’t forget to leave your choices in the comments! 

1.       Mrs. Weasley (Harry Potter) – Mrs. Weasley not only demonstrated the utmost devotion and love for her sons and daughter, but she took Harry in and treated him no different.  She was a stay at home mum who used her magic to cook and clean; and when it came to it, she used that same magic to protect and avenge.  There is no doubt she is one tough cookie and one of the best mums in fiction!

2.       Mrs. March (Little Women) – Marmee, as she was lovingly referred to by her four daughters, was a strong woman.  She wanted her girls to live outside of the boundaries that society placed on them as women; all while retaining their lady-like manner (of course). 

3.       Martha Kent (Superman) – If you were driving down a dirt road at night, saw a meteor smash into the earth cradling a baby alien within its rocky embrace, would you have dusted off said baby and raised him as your own? 

4.       Mrs. Bennet (Pride and Prejudice) – Though not all of her daughters appreciated her efforts, Mrs. Bennet was a mother who only wanted the best for her girls.  She was intent on finding them the best of suitors.  Unfortunately, she was of the school of thought that without a proper suitor, her daughters wouldn’t amount to much, thus effectively scaring away both suitors and her daughters.  But she had good intentions!

5.       Lily Potter (Harry Potter) – Quite possibly the best fictional mom of all time, Lily Potter gave her life and used her unconditional love to protect her son.  What more can be said?

I was surprised to find how hard it was to actually come up with good moms in fiction!  I’d love to hear your input!  As always, happy reading and happy writing!