Monthly Archives: August 2018

Real Presidents Read Books

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

In glaring polarity to the illiterate moron now squatting in the White House, a real President actually reads books instead of binge watching faux news on television. This weekend, President Obama posted a summary on social media of his summer … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, USA, Writing | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Become Someone Else

Posted on August 20, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

“Become Someone Else” is a clever ad campaign for the Mint Vinetu which is a popular independent secondhand bookshop and cafe in the heart of Old Town Vilnius, Lithuania. The cozy shop also sells vinyl and provides a venue for local musicians … Continue reading →

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Pierre; or, The Ambiguities

Posted on August 19, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

To be perfectly honest, I have always been ambivalent about Herman Melville. When I read Moby-Dick in high school, I found it to be an uneven slog. However, his iconic short story Bartleby the Scrivener provided me with a role model for life. The … Continue reading →

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The Book Thing (revisited)

Posted on August 18, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

The Book Thing in northeast Baltimore has been called a library without a return policy and a bookstore without a cash register. This amazing community institution has been giving away books for more than 18 years. Staffed by volunteers and stocked … Continue reading →

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Word on the Street: Do it for Others

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

I have been an active community volunteer for many years on projects aimed at food insufficiency, substance abuse, mental health, and senior services. So I am always excited to see clever ways to spread the word on the joys of … Continue reading →

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The American Library Project

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Cleveland’s main public library branch is hosting an extraordinary exhibition created by renowned British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare. The American Library consists of 6,000 books bound in colorful batik fabric displayed on back-to-back bookshelves. Many of the volumes are gold-stamped with the names … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Libraries, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Bookshelf Sleuthing

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Brian D. Butler
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Bookstore Tourism : London

Posted on August 14, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to visit each of the 17 wonderful bookstores in this charming short video from Abebooks. The little tour manages to cover antiquarian, secondhand, and indie community bookshops in every corner of London. Enjoy. … Continue reading →

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Go For The Books, Stay For The Beer

Posted on August 13, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Büchermeile Düsseldorf  is a mile-long book market of stalls along the banks of the river Rhine in Düsseldorf Altestadt. It happens on three weekends in the summer, the last one of this year will be September 22-23 (weather permitting of course).The … Continue reading →

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Banksy Takes A Seaside Holiday

Posted on August 12, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

The slippery street artist(s) known as Banksy recently dropped a new work in the old English seaside town of Clevedon. As an “old” person I resent the implication, but it does make a point.

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