(I wonder how long a title can be in Blogger's parameters...)

In going through the backlog of old links, a collection of Verne-related links was found. I am somewhat tempted to turn this weblog into a purely Wells and Verne-related endeavor. At any rate:

• The Smithsonian observes the centennial of Verne's death, and explores his influence on today's literary world.
• if anyone should say Verne is no longer relevant to modern society, then the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which is very interested in his Leyden Jar, would like to have a word with him or her.
• Verne's Voyages Extraordinaires featured over four thousand illustrations! The mind boggles!

Verne and H.G. Wells are often compared, especially in the small (but opinionated) world of steampunk. In a nice summary, Bookslut introduces interested readers to the works of Wells.

The primary reason for not turning the Steampunk Librarian into an all-Verne/Wells/Victoriana extravaganza is that, despite and in spite of the modern world, the aesthetic can be found everywhere these days, not just in literature. From the optical toys of the past, to schematics of planes which never flew, to the Atomium of Belgium's 1958 Expo ("the most astonishing building in the world," as it's billed, is slated to reopen in January 2006), to a gorgeously disturbing modern contraption called The Most Beautiful Machine, steampunk is all around us.