Monthly Archives: October 2019

American Voyageur

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Few American writers have achieved the cultural impact of Herman Melville, author of the eternal classic Moby-Dick, yet he died unrecognized by his contemporaries for his genius. To commemorate the 200th anniversary of Melville’s birth, Philadelphia’s Rosenbach Museum and Library has … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, History, Libraries, Museums, Tourism, Uncategorized, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Shakespeare and Company Paris

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

If you love books, and if you have ever been to Paris, it’s likely that you have also visited the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookshop. The legendary Paris bookseller recently shared a video exploring  artist Karine Diot’s book sculpture The Shakespeare … Continue reading →

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Ghost Ship

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

For the month of October, a Ghost Ship can be found on the Delaware River at Race Street Pier  on the Philadelphia waterfront. The Ghost Ship is a project created by artists Biangle Studio, curator Ryan Strand Greenberg, and the Delaware River … Continue reading →

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Times Square Horror Show

Posted on October 8, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Thanks entirely to a successful crowdfunding campaign, artist Mitch O’Connell raised enough money to put his horrific They Live billboard in New York City’s Times Square. What could be scarier than a conman, grifter, monster in power? If the money keeps coming … Continue reading →

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Autumn Leaves

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

The falling leaves drift by my window The falling leaves of red and gold I see your lips the summer kisses The sunburned hands I used to hold Since you went away the days grow long And soon I’ll hear … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged | 1 Comment

If on a winter’s night a traveler

Posted on October 6, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I have been an evangelist for the novels of the Italian author Italo Calvino since my university days. Sadly, he is underappreciated and seldom read here in North America. Over the years, I have had many copies of his better … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Book Nerd Travel Nightmare

Posted on October 5, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

h/t to cartoonist Laura Pacheco

Posted in Animation, Books, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Gross Domestic Product

Posted on October 4, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

The anonymous street artist and provocateur Banksy has opened a new online store, called Gross Domestic Product. The launch was heralded  by an art  installation-come-shop in the London Borough of Croydon, which stocks Banksy-related merchandise. However, the IRL store can’t … Continue reading →

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Golden Age for Audio Books

Posted on October 3, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

While I am a voracious reader, I am not a regular user of audio books. Other than long road trips, I rarely listen to recorded books. But it appears that I am a member of a shrinking population of hold … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, ebooks, Tech | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Soon to be available in paperback

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

16th century “assassin’s cabinet” disguised as a book

Posted in Books, Europe, History | Tagged , | 2 Comments