Monthly Archives: November 2017

Art of the Cover

Posted on November 10, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

As a book collector and a book seller, I have often purchased a book just because the dust jacket art caught my eye. In this terrific new book, The Illustrated Dust Jacket 1920-1970, author Martin Salisbury explores the transition from plain paper … Continue reading →

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At The Bookstore

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

“ I like to loiter around the city looking for interesting things,” the artist Jenny Kroik says. Her painting for this week’s New Yorker cover depicts a serious browser at the Strand Bookstore, the cherished bookshop in lower Manhattan. “I have … Continue reading →

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America 2017

Posted on November 8, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Sometimes a work of street art perfectly sums up the pathetic state of life in these United States. This week, BK Foxx nailed our national shame with this mural in New York City.

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Have a literary coffee

Posted on November 7, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I love this wonderful illustration by Italian artist and designer Gianluca Biscalchin.

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What The Font

Posted on November 6, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Monotype’s MyFonts font service has created a neat new app for both iOS and Android smartphones which use AI tech to allow users to identify random fonts. The app, which is called WhatTheFont, matches typefaces to an enormous database. There’s also a … Continue reading →

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It Takes A Train To Cry

Posted on November 5, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Deutsche Bahn (DB), the German rail operator, recently decided to name twenty-five new high-speed trains after historic figures. They crowdsourced suggestions and received more than 19,000 proposals. A jury then selected the final names, including one that has some folks scratching their heads: Anne … Continue reading →

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Wherein I Eat My Words

Posted on November 4, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I recently posted a story about an amazing, futuristic-looking library that opened in Tianjin, China. In doing so, I also bemoaned the sorry state of library support in the United States and the lack of commitment to public libraries in … Continue reading →

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Death Takes A Holiday

Posted on November 3, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Everyone needs a break from their job now and then, even the grim reaper. This darkly humorous Instagram campaign titled “The Swim Reaper” was created by the government of New Zealand to raise awareness about watersport and beach safety. You … Continue reading →

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The Norway of the year

Posted on November 2, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Every year when November rolls around I am reminded of the quote above from the great American 19th century poet Emily Dickinson. I probably first read the line during high school when I was going through that adolescent poetry phase. … Continue reading →

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Did you remember to get your visa

Posted on November 1, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Some of us spend more time traveling through fictional lands than we may care to admit. What if those imaginary countries actually issued their own passports and travel documents? Well, thanks to NeoMam Studios and Budget Direct we can have … Continue reading →

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