I usual ask people who buy my books and such where they found my shop. Since I started selling my Jane Austen coasters, several buyers have reported they were using them for their annual Jane Austen birthday party. Her birthday is today, Dec 16th (and the doodle on today’s UK version of Google commemorates Austen — that’s the picture to the left. I guess here in America we’re not literary enough?) I have several friends who have gone to England in mid-January to celebrate the birthday of Scottish poety Robert Burns and the Baker Street Irregulars celebrate Sherlock Holmes (fictitious) birthday every January as well. I think I’ll give a toast to Ms. Austen at supper tonight — do you have a favorite author or character that you celebrate?