So many links in this one

I am currently reading Passion by Jude Morgan (?).
It is about the lives of four women, but more importantly the men in their lives.
The men are up to now Lord Byron and Shelly. Keats is also to be included, although around 250 pages in, he has not yet made an appearance. Wordsworth has also been mentioned several times.
Other famous people who get a mention, "Mad" King George and his wife, Queen Caroline, Napoleon and Wellington.
It's not the easiest book to read, but it is a good read.

What is so special about Tristam Shandy?

Two books I have just read have both mentioned Tristam Shandy, and something about there being two totally black pages in it. I have looked at various websites, but can find no reference to the black pages. Can anyone shed any light as to whether this is true, or not?

One of our Thursday's is missing, by Jasper Fforde is one the books that mentions Tristam Shandy, but then again, the Thursday Next series is full of literary links, and one of the reasons I love Jasper Fforde's novels so much

Culpepper's herbal

The current book I am reading has references to "The Mandrake's Herbal"...after reading the notes the author says that they have been written in the style of the Culpepper's herbal..which included some references that were to objects other than herbs as well.
As the book is a pre-publication copy I will not name it, as yet.
All I will say is the novel is enthralling and I keep finding I am picking it up when I should be doing other things.

Sorry

I have neglected this blog! I will try to remedy this during this year.
If I find "links" I will mention and follow if necessary!
After all, after reading a Craig Russell book, I found, listened to excerpts, and subsequently bought Rautavaara...Cantus Articus. This then lead to me explore what else Rautavaara had composed, and I have bought another CD, and am interested in other's.
Most people follow recommendations that friends make...if a book you are thoroughly enjoying mentions something, it is worth exploring the link.

Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey

Oscar and Lucinda mentions several authors of the time period it is set in.
Namely;
Wilkie Collins,
Charles Dickens, Barchester Towers is named
George Elliot
and Charles Darwin.
There might have been others mentioned, but I missed them.
Carey's use of mentioning mid-Victorian popular helps to give the novel a genuine feel.

Introduction

You know, how you read a book, and it gives the name of another book/piece of music/piece of art/place, and you just want to know about the place?
Well, this is where we can all explore these links!
Some links lead to discoveries, some we already are aware of!!!!
Tiz nice to explore them all.
If you would like to join in with your own "Literary Links" please contact me.