Friday, 23 January 2026

Book Reviews with Amber ~ The Cat Book Connoisseur at The Mewton-Clawson Library ~ #346 featuring **Pox You: A Croft and Tabby Short** by Brad Magnarella **PLUS** Friendly Fill-Ins

A digitally illustrated promotional graphic for The Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ features Amber, a white and orange cat wearing a light blue scarf, seated in front of bookshelves filled with colourful books. Decorative elements like holly leaves, a mouse, a quill, and a thimble add festive charm to the top of the image. The bottom text reads "Book Reviews with Amber," indicating Amber is the host of the library’s book review segment. The overall design is cozy, whimsical, and holiday-themed. At www.bionicbasil.com

From the shelves of the Mewton-Clawson Library, a curated review destination for cat-centric fiction at BionicBasil.com

Pale Blue Dots Banner ©BionicBasil®

✨ This Week’s Intro ~ Temporal Fireworks & Mouse‑Sized Mayhem ✨

Hello, gorgeous library guests 

and 

Welcome to the Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ 

Thank mew for joining me in the stacks today. I’m delighted to report that while the major timeline wobbles have settled, we now appear to have… well… micro‑time pockets. Tiny little bursts of temporal nonsense that pop like fireworks between the shelves.

For example:

Down the B aisle, it was 10.30am.

Then pop... suddenly it was 1pm, and apparently lunchtime.

Melvyn nearly cried because he thought he’d lost two and a half hours of shelving.

And the library mice?

Oh, my dahlings… the mice are not coping.

Oswald, our Chief Mouse, has filed three formal complaints.

Snitch keeps reappearing in the wrong decade.

Tootles insists she’s lived Thursday twice.

Ardvaar claims he saw himself eating a cracker he hadn’t eaten yet.

Nibbles is refusing to leave the stationery cupboard.

Flora fainted dramatically (twice).

Chedds is demanding hazard pay.

And Lumie… poor Lumie… keeps blinking in and out like a faulty fairy light.

Naturally, Melvyn is on the brink.

📚 A Conversation in the Library This Morning

Me: “Melvyn, sweetie, why are the mice wearing tiny helmets made from metal bottle caps? Chedds says Lilt on it, that's a drink from years ago.”

Melvyn: “Because they keep getting sucked into time pockets, Amber. Oswald said they needed PPE. And they're now even wearing High-Vis vests.”

Me: “PPE? They’re mice, dahling.”

Melvyn: “Exactly. They’re small. They’re aerodynamic. They’re basically temporal snacks.”

Me: “That’s not a thing.”

Melvyn: “Amber, Snitch just reappeared holding a newspaper from 1998.”

Me: “Well, that’s retro. How fun! And it explains the Lilt cap.”

Melvyn: “Amber, he wasn’t born in 1998.”

Me: “Details. Everything is fine. Purrfectly normal. Libraries evolve.”

Melvyn: “Amber, the mice are staging a union meeting.”

Me: “Oh, furbulous. Tell them to keep it down. I’m meditating.”

Melvyn: “Meditating or napping.”

Me: “Yes.”

Melvyn: "Now, if mew will excuse me, I must go check whether Lumie has re‑solidified."

Me: "Of course, pop off now while I get deep into..."

Melvyn: “Meditating or napping.”

Me: “Exactly.”

So, my dahlings, if mew notice the time jumping forward, backwards, or sideways while mew browse the shelves, please don’t panic. It’s just the new temporal ambience.

Everything is absolutely, completely, unquestionably fine.

Probably.

One final thing... if mew find yourself briefly existing in two places at once, please return the duplicate copy of any book mew borrowed. We’re still sorting out the overdue system for parallel selves.

Now, let’s begin this week’s adventure before Oswald files another complaint and Melvyn starts wearing a bucket as a helmet! MOL

Amber, a regal orange tabby cat, sits on the sunlit steps of the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el‑Bahari. She wears a sunrise‑blush robe of soft rose silk embroidered with lotus petals and golden rays, a broad collar of carnelian, gold, and desert quartz, and a Hatshepsut‑inspired diadem shaped like a stylised rising sun. In one paw, she holds a golden cocktail garnished with mint. Behind her, the temple’s terraced colonnades rise against sheer desert cliffs glowing in warm morning light, at www.bionicbasil.com

🌙 Amber’s Egyptian Adventure #13: The Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el‑Bahari 🐾

Location: The Temple of Hatshepsut, Deir el‑Bahari, a breathtaking terraced monument carved into the sheer cliffs of the Theban mountains, dedicated to Egypt’s legendary female pharaoh

Time: Early morning, when the desert shadows stretch long and cool, and the rising sun paints the cliffs in rose‑gold light

Dahlings, today I ascended into one of Egypt’s most dramatic and awe‑inspiring sanctuaries: the Temple of Hatshepsut, a place so regal, so commanding, so unapologetically iconic that I felt an instant kinship with its namesake.

The moment I padded across the sweeping causeway, the desert breeze whispered through the colonnades, carrying the scent of warm stone and ancient incense. The cliffs towered above me like a natural cathedral, glowing pink and gold in the newborn sun.

“Ahhh,” I purred, “a temple carved into a mountain… clearly built for somepawdy with a flair for dramatic entrances.”

I arrived draped in a sunrise‑blush robe of soft rose silk, embroidered with lotus petals and tiny golden rays. Around my neck shimmered a collar of carnelian, gold, and desert quartz, glowing like the dawn itself. Atop my head rested a Hatshepsut‑inspired diadem, shaped like a stylised rising sun, because if one is visiting a queen, one must dress like royalty.

The air vibrated with ancient power as I climbed the terraces, each level revealing sweeping views of the valley below. The colonnades were lined with statues of Hatshepsut herself, serene and commanding, and I paused before one particularly regal figure.

“Amber,” I whispered, “mew and this queen would have been best furiends.”

To celebrate the moment, I sipped a Desert Dawn Catnip Spritzer, chilled with crushed ice and infused with hibiscus, mint, and a whisper of honey. It tasted like ambition… and excellent lighting.

Then I ventured into the shadowed inner sanctuaries, where the cool air wrapped around me like silk. The walls glowed with scenes of divine birth, sacred journeys, and offerings to Amun. One relief depicted Hatshepsut sailing to Punt, and I traced the ship with a single elegant claw.

“Next time,” I murmured, “I’m bringing my own yacht.”

My Morning Essentials Included:

🌅 A Desert Dawn Catnip Spritzer, crisp, floral, and purrfect for sunrise strutting

📜 A miniature map of Deir el‑Bahari, annotated with my paw‑written notes (“This terrace needs more cushions”)

👑 A rising‑sun diadem, radiant enough to rival the cliffs

🐾 A rose‑silk wrap, ideal for sweeping up monumental staircases

I wandered through the echoing halls, the sunlit terraces, and the shadowed chapels, each space humming with the legacy of a queen who refused to be ordinary. The architecture was so bold, so visionary, that I half expected Hatshepsut herself to appear and ask for a joint portrait.

But naturally, I remained composed.

After all, I am Amber, head librarian of BBHQ, and I, too, appreciate a well‑curated reign.

Deir el‑Bahari may hold the memory of a pharaoh who defied expectations, but today it held me: a cat of legend, glowing in the morning light, sipping floral spritzers, and adding a touch of feline majesty to Egypt’s eternal story.

Mood: Majestic, sun‑kissed, and delightfully commanding (but only because the cliffs insisted on matching my aura)

Quote of the Day: “Some queens carve their legacy into stone, dahling… others simply arrive and improve the view.”

A stylized illustration of two black cats sitting back-to-back, facing opposite directions. Each cat is adorned with gold accents on the ears and eyes, red and gold collars, and gold hoop earrings, evoking the aesthetic of ancient Egyptian art. Their symmetrical pose and regal detailing suggest inspiration from Bastet, the Egyptian goddess of protection and home. The image blends cultural symbolism with elegant feline design.

✨ Next week, prepare your whiskers, we’re going somewhere ancient, painted, and filled with secrets whispered in blue and gold. Think: tombs, treasures, and cocktails served in the shade of eternity.

Bring your best eyeliner, the kind that survives millennia.

Two views of The Mewton-Clawson Library at BBHQ showcase a beautifully organized home library. The top half reveals a long wall of white bookshelves filled with colorful books, magazines, and decorative items. A chair and a cat add a cozy touch to the aisle. The bottom half features another section of the library with shelves lined with older, leather-bound volumes, suggesting a collection of classics or historical texts. The caption in the center reads: "Part of The Mewton-Clawson Library ©BionicBasil®"
A black and white illustration shows two mice interacting with a trio of vertically standing books. One mouse stands atop the middle book, appearing to speak or observe, while the other mouse is on the ground facing the books, as if listening or approaching. The book spines feature decorative horizontal bands, and the overall scene evokes a whimsical, storybook charm with themes of curiosity and learning.
Today, the P.A. is also joining in Friday Fill-ins Blog Hop with the pawesome 15 & Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs.

1. I feel like ______________________________ whenever I think about _______________.
2. January is a good month to _____________________.
3. _________ is nonnegotiable in my life.
4. I could give up _________ as long as _________.

The P.A.'s answers are...

1. I feel like I’m juggling flaming marshmallows whenever I think about my to‑do list.

2. January is a good month to hibernate! Horrid weather, oh, more horrid weather, cold weather, unpleasant weather. Did I mention awful weather? LOL

3. Creative time and cats is are nonnegotiable in my life.

4. I could give up work as long as I won the lottery Jackpot. How hilarious, and OMC, that would mean more time for writing for blog stuff... yeah... it could be even more exciting, and chaotic than it already is! LOL

A black-and-white illustration features a vintage typewriter at the center with a paw print symbol on its paper holder. On either side of the typewriter are neatly stacked piles of four books each. A small mouse figure sits atop the left stack, while a tiny elephant figure perches on the right. The scene blends literary charm with whimsical elements, evoking themes of storytelling, imagination, and creativity.

Let's see what I've got to show mew this time!

A whimsical library scene featuring Amber, head librarian,a large orange and white cat sitting regally on a chair at a desk. The desk is adorned with a lamp, feather quill, scrolls, books, and a “SHHHHH!!!” sign. A small mouse perches atop a nearby stack of books. Behind the cat, bookshelves filled with colourful titles and lush green potted plants create a cozy backdrop. A copy of Pox You by Brad Magnarella is prominently displayed in front of the cat, with a cover showing a man holding a glowing purple orb and a cat on his lap. Above the scene, a sign reads “THIS WEEK’S TOP BOOK PICK! www.bionicbasil.com”
Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

Pox You 

A Croft and Tabby Short

by 

Brad Magnarella

A symmetrical cartoon-style illustration featuring four mice and two pieces of Swiss cheese. The mice are arranged in pairs on either side of the cheese, all facing toward the center. Each cheese wedge is illustrated with classic holes, and the playful layout creates a balanced and whimsical visual.

I did laugh at the title, yep, POX is not a word mew usually associate with furbulous felines, but it fits this book so well! MOL

This week, I purrchased and downloaded this five-book box set from Audible because I wanted to meditate and listen. Of course, I didn't nap. Melvyn just has a skewed view of metaphysical purractices, and deep meditation can sometimes, and I reiterate 'sometimes', look like napping!

Anyhoo, my point is the narration was really fun.

This is a brand new author for me, but I'm sure many of mew have already read his books.

📚 This Week’s Paw‑Approved Top Pick: Pox You

A Croft & Tabby Short by Brad Magnarella

Gather close and fluff your whiskers, because this week’s read is a tiny but tantalising morsel of magical mayhem featuring a wizard with questionable judgement and a cat with absolutely none. Naturally, I felt spiritually connected.

❓ What’s the Vibe?

Imagine New York City… but with more ghosts, more magical mishaps, and one ginger (my favourite colour)) feline who is technically a succubus and emotionally a wrecking ball. It’s fast, it’s snarky, it’s chaotic, and it goes down smoother than primo nip tea.

🐾 What’s the Story?

Professor Croft, ascholar, spell‑caster, and part‑time disaster magnet, once trapped a succubus inside a kitten because he thought it was “merciful.”

Oh, honey. No.

Two years later, that kitten has blossomed into Tabitha:
Gloriously rotund, magnificently rude and morally… fluid.

Who is fully committed to devouring his soul the moment he slips up.

But when hauntings, monsters, and supurrnatural oddities start popping up across the city, Croft realises Tabitha’s unique talents might actually be useful. If she can stop insulting him long enough to help.

⚔️ What I Loved

😼 Tabitha: A queen. A menace. A masterpiece. Her insults are so sharp they could slice through enchanted steel.

🔮 Croft: The long‑suffering wizard who absolutely brought this upon himself. I respect the chaos he lives in.

👻 The Mini‑Mysteries: Short, punchy, and delightfully spooky, purrfect for a quick curl‑up‑and‑read session.

🐾 Their Dynamic: Think “exhausted magical dad” meets “demonic toddler in a cat body.”
I adored the premise.

📖 Final Thoughts

At just 75 pages, this is a delicious little supurrnatural snack, light, funny, and full of claws. Purrfect for when mew want something magical without committing to a full‑length saga of epic proportions.

It’s witty, it’s weird, and it’s wonderfully feline‑centric. A purrfect palate cleanser between bigger reads.

🪄 Summed up in one sentence

🐾 A SNARK‑SOAKED, CLAW‑SHARPENED DELIGHT ~ TOTALLY TOP FLUFF! 🐾

This is also available, at the time of posting, in the Kindle Unlimited catalogue for free; the entire five-book series is there to enjoy! EPIC ~ mew know what I'm doing for the rest of the weekend, and yes, I'll share more soon!! MOL

A Totally Top Paw Read!

Paperback:  75 Pages

Audio: Only available as a complete 5 book boxset at 9 Hours 2 Mins (That I could see - I may be wrong, please do your own research)
A black and white illustration shows two mice interacting with a trio of vertically standing books. One mouse stands atop the middle book, appearing to speak or observe, while the other mouse is on the ground facing the books, as if listening or approaching. The book spines feature decorative horizontal bands, and the overall scene evokes a whimsical, storybook charm with themes of curiosity and learning.
My Rating Scale

A whimsical graphic featuring a triangular arrangement of light blue paw prints on the left side, forming a downward-pointing triangle. On the right side is a playful rating scale for reading material, themed around fluff and animal humor. The five levels are: 1. 	TOTALLY TOP FLUFF — READ IMMEDIATELY 2. 	FURRY GOOD FLUFF — READ AS SOON AS 3. 	ENJOYABLE FLUFF — PUT IT STANDBY 4. 	NOT FLUFFING BAD — EMERGENCY READING 5. 	FLUFF OFF — GO NAP INSTEAD The design is lighthearted and imaginative, perfect for a fun, informal book review setting. At www.bionicbasil.com
Pale Blue Dots Banner ©BionicBasil®

Ratings of:

 Pox You 

Overall Enjoyment

Amber's Book Reviews ©BionicBasil® 5 Paw Rating - Pale Blue

A black-and-white illustration features a vintage typewriter at the center with a paw print symbol on its paper holder. On either side of the typewriter are neatly stacked piles of four books each. A small mouse figure sits atop the left stack, while a tiny elephant figure perches on the right. The scene blends literary charm with whimsical elements, evoking themes of storytelling, imagination, and creativity.
   
Other Fun Blog Hops to Join Today

A colorful collage of six square graphics representing themed blog hops and social media events. Each graphic features unique designs and text: 1. 	"Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop" with a cat and the URL "brianshomeblog.com". 2. 	"The Cat Blogosphere" with the URL "catblogosphere.com". 3. 	"Feline Friday" with a playful cat theme. 4. 	"Nature Friday Blog Hop" featuring nature-inspired elements. 5. 	"Friendly Fill-Ins" with the URLs "15andmeowing.com" and "Four-Legged Furballs". 6. 	"Friendship Friday" with the tagline "Create With Joy". The image celebrates community-driven online events centered around cats, nature, and friendship.

Pale Blue Dots Banner ©BionicBasil®

I'm off to read next week's books, as mew know the drill, so many books, so little time! 

Don't forget, if mew are looking for great books with cats, check out the Book Review page, just click the link here or at the top of the page, as that's the place to visit to get your feline fiction fix. 

Until next time...

Keep calm and read more books

Amber 

The Cat Book Connoisseur

Amber's Book Reviews ©BionicBasil® Paw







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Wednesday, 21 January 2026

The BBHQ Midweek News Round-Up **SNOWMAGGEDON HORROR COMING SOON - Allegedly** ~ Parsley's Flat Out, Fudge's Back on The Cat Shelves, and Smooch's in The Craft Room ~ **PLUS** Melvyn's Modelling

Whimsical digital collage titled “Midweek News Round Up with The B Team ©BionicBasil®.” Ten cats with varied fur patterns sit in a row at the bottom, each with distinct expressions. Behind them are illustrated elements including newspapers, trees, and a frosty blue sky adorned with bunting flags, evoking a winter garden theme. A speech bubble in the top right corner says, “WHAT’S THE GOSSIP THIS WEEK?” adding a playful, newsy vibe to the scene.

Pawesome Greetings Furbulous Furiends

Welcome to the BBHQ midweek news round-up! 

Firstly, apologies for missing the last two weeks of blog hops; it's been stupid busy at the P.A.'s work, leaving no time for fun stuff. We've barely got the posts out on time. In fact, I think one was late. So, sorry about that. We're endeavouring to introduce new protocols so the P.A. can do what we employ her for! MOL

The weather. Well, we have had a few days of intermittent sunshine, which has been nice. The temperature is averaging mid to high single digits and just above freezing at night. So quite tolerable for this time of year. Though, and here comes the but, the weather experts are saying that a wall 765-ish miles wide is coming to swathe the UK in a snow horror fest of epic snowmaggedon proportions... sooooooon... sounds utterly dreadful, let's hope they are wrong!

Moving on...

Strange things have been happening in the BBHQ office.

Melvyn's Moving Chair 

Melvyn, a brown, black, and white tabby cat, lounges contentedly on a gray cushioned chair draped with a fluffy cover. His relaxed pose exudes comfort in a cozy indoor space. Behind him, a white radiator adds warmth to the scene, while a pink cat tree with a toy mouse and a blue circular toy nearby hint at feline fun. To the left, a pink fluffy cushion rests atop a wicker basket, completing the snug and pet-friendly setting. at www.bionicbasil.com

This is the new chair the P.A. bought the other week. Melvyn was never interested in the office chair before, but when this one arrived, wow, he took ownership. But here's the thing: if the P.A. goes to the office and Melvyn's in this chair, she'll roll it down towards the cat tree and use the old chair instead. 

Melvyn thinks this is the best game ever! MOL 

MODELLING SECRETS REVEALED

Last week, there were a couple of comments about how the P.A. gets Melvyn to walk up and down the kitchen rug, sorry, 'catwalk' - the wand toy, is not the usual way. 

What happens is this: the P.A. puts the bandana on BBHQ's next top model, and she runs to the other end of the kitchen and whistles him; he'll trot along, etc. Then she runs back the other way, and he usually bounds after her. 

Sometimes, when he's not feeling model-ish, treats are used as bribes... oh yes, the P.A. will sink to that level if required. Melvyn loves it because it means more treats for him! MOL

And that's how it's done.

Right, let's take a look at what else has been happening at BBHQ in the last week.
The Midweek News Round Up Divider A symmetrical botanical illustration featuring lush greenery, white flowering plants, and vibrant red and white blossoms. Small animals like rabbits nestle among the foliage, while a bird perches in the center foreground. The scene is rich in texture and color, set against a soft, natural background, creating a peaceful and enchanting garden atmosphere—ideal as a decorative post divider for nature-themed or whimsical content.

First up in the news

Parsley's Flat Out


Parsley, an all-black cat with a sleek coat, lies curled on a woven textured rug with his front legs stretched out in a relaxed pose. A fringed blanket is partially visible beside him, and the background includes a tiled floor and a dark fixture, possibly a fireplace. The indoor lighting casts a cozy glow over the serene scene. at www.bionicbasil.com

Parsley was flat out in the sitting room, the woodburner was lit, and he was loving the heat, well, totally tropical vibes.

The Midweek News Round Up Divider A symmetrical botanical illustration featuring lush greenery, white flowering plants, and vibrant red and white blossoms. Small animals like rabbits nestle among the foliage, while a bird perches in the center foreground. The scene is rich in texture and color, set against a soft, natural background, creating a peaceful and enchanting garden atmosphere—ideal as a decorative post divider for nature-themed or whimsical content.

Next up in the news

Fudge's Back on The Cat Shelves


Fudge, a ginger tabby cat, lounges effortlessly on a curved maroon cat shelf mounted to a rustic brick wall in the BBHQ Catservatory. His body is stretched out in full relaxation, with one front paw draped casually over the edge. The warm tones of the bricks and the elevated perch create a cozy, sunlit retreat that perfectly suits his laid-back charm. at www.bionicbasil.com

Fudge was back in the catservatory on his favourite shelf, he was watching the birds at the feeders.

We know he was thinking, how tasty they looked! MOL

The Midweek News Round Up Divider A symmetrical botanical illustration featuring lush greenery, white flowering plants, and vibrant red and white blossoms. Small animals like rabbits nestle among the foliage, while a bird perches in the center foreground. The scene is rich in texture and color, set against a soft, natural background, creating a peaceful and enchanting garden atmosphere—ideal as a decorative post divider for nature-themed or whimsical content.

In other news...

Smooch's in The Craft Room


Tripawed Smooch, a white cat with black markings and only three legs, sits upright on a black and beige cat tree in the cozy craft room. His tongue peeks out slightly, adding a touch of cheeky charm. Behind him, the room is filled with warm, lived-in details—furniture, a framed picture, and a flower arrangement—creating a homely backdrop for this candid and expressive moment. at www.bionicbasil.com

Smooch went into the craft room the other day, because the P.A. was looking to fix up these two cat scratchers, so he sat on one and started giving expert advice - yep - expert! MOL

The P.A. was truly fascinated as she asked how she was going to make that happen. Smooch replied that it wasn't his department and to have fun, oh, and by the way, is there any catnip out here?

#truestory  MOL 
A symmetrical botanical illustration featuring lush greenery, white flowering plants, and vibrant red and white blossoms. Small animals like rabbits nestle among the foliage, while a bird perches in the center foreground. The scene is rich in texture and color, set against a soft, natural background, creating a peaceful and enchanting garden atmosphere—ideal as a decorative post divider for nature-themed or whimsical content.

Finally this week

Melvyn's Modelling The Top Bandana Pick


 Off to Space was Melvyn's choice on the catwalk next week! 

The BBHQ Midweek News Round-Up ©BionicBasil® Melvyn Modelling The Off To Space Bandana

The catwalk strut was supurr quick this week and miraculously without incident. Even the invisible monster, aka W.D.G., was missing, like totally missing.

Melvyn reckons he might have gone on a vacation, but he's not sure. We'll let mew know if he appears anywhere.

Check out Melvyn's videos on your preferred social media channel:




Which one is your favourite this week?

The Midweek News Round Up Divider ©BionicBasil® Frost Garden Winter 24

That's us done for today. Amber will be back on Friday with another meowvellous book, and if mew missed any other posts, here are the links:

Sunday Selfies ~ Pandora


Amber's Latest Book Review

January's Monthly Meow'o'Scope

And don't forget if mew're new to BBHQ, check out this page: New reader Starter Page.

Wishing mew a furbulous day, and remember to always...
Stay Fluffy Banner ©BionicBasil® Frost Garden Winter 24

Wing Commander Basil & The B Team 


Black paw print to sign off post











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