Monthly Archives: February 2019

Libros Para el Viaje (Books for the Journey)

Posted on February 28, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Libros Para el Viaje is the brainchild of Denise Chávez owner of Casa Camino Real Bookstore in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Since the summer of 2018, she has been collecting books and distributing them to refugees at the southern U.S. border … Continue reading →

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Wise Men Fished Here

Posted on February 27, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

In 2005, the legendary Gotham Book Mart in New York City closed its bricks and mortar store. By 2007, the iconic Manhattan bookseller was out of business for good.  Fortunately, the University of Pennsylvania was gifted much of the contents … Continue reading →

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The Brits are so over Jane Austen too

Posted on February 26, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I was somewhat surprised to recently read that a letter writing campaign and a steady barrage of public criticism ended plans for a statue of formerly beloved author Jane Austen. It seems that Winchester Cathedral commissioned sculptor Martin Jennings to … Continue reading →

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Blue Mondays

Posted on February 25, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Death Croons the Blues. James Ronald. New York: Phoenix Press. (1940). First edition. Original dust jacket. Mystery in which a blues singer is murdered and the murder is solved by a crime reporter.  

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Faroe Islands Closed For Maintenance

Posted on February 24, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

During the past year, it’s been impossible to read a travel magazine or blog without being told that the Faroe Islands is the next in place to visit for travelers who want to get off of the tourist trail. Of course, this … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, ebooks, Europe, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Take A Stand

Posted on February 23, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Today is the birthday anniversary of African American sociologist, historian, writer, educator, poet, scholar, and civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois. Born February 23, 1868, Du Bois was the first black man to earn a doctorate degree from Harvard University … Continue reading →

Posted in Freedom of Speech, History, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

But What Happens To The Books

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

When I read about the death of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld the other day, my first thought was “what happens to his books?”. To be honest, I don’t know much about the German tycoon other than the reports from a … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Libraries | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Travel Thursday

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

 

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Bookseller to love today

Posted on February 20, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Michele Gentile is the owner and manager of a bookstore/café in the small southern Italian town of Polla near Salerno. For many years, Gentile has been quietly using a community-minded system called libri sospeso or suspended books in his Ex Libris Bookshop. … Continue reading →

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Fancy a Pint ?

Posted on February 19, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Way back in the 20th century I spent considerable time visiting London. While I was there I occasionally popped into the random pub to quench my thirst with a pint or two of real ale. As a foreigner, it was … Continue reading →

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