Monthly Archives: December 2021

Winter With The Gulf Stream

Posted on December 21, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Winter with the Gulf Stream                                                                        … Continue reading →

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New York On Ice

Posted on December 20, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

One of the most popular diversions in New York City during the winter holiday season is ice skating in the world famous Central Park. The skating pond in Central Park first opened to the public on December 19, 1858 and … Continue reading →

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The Rise and Fall of the World’s First Social Network

Posted on December 19, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Up until quite recently, I was a habitual buyer of postcards during my travels. Mind you, I rarely ever sent the postcards to anyone, but rather keep them as reminders of the places that I had visited. When I was young, postcards … Continue reading →

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The Library Evolution

Posted on December 18, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Libraries have always played an important role in my life. One of my happiest memories from childhood is the day that I received my very own library card. For the last two decades, I’ve had the good fortune to live … Continue reading →

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The Floating Admiral and the Detection Club

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

First published in 1931, The Floating Admiral was a collaborative mystery novel with individual chapters written by the members of the Detection Club, including Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, G. K. Chesterton, Ronald Knox, Freeman Wills Crofts, Clemence Dane, and husband-and-wife … Continue reading →

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Deadly Reads

Posted on December 16, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Some publisher could make a killing by reviving these hidden poison cabinets in the shape of books that were popular in the 17th century.  

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Like a stock photo you can sleep in

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

The pitch-perfect SNL commercial (below) featuring Kate McKinnon & Billie Eilish advertises the ubiquitous, bland, budget hotel that can be found all across North America. I’ve stayed in way too many over the years. Our rooms provide every comfort required … Continue reading →

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The forest knows where you are

Posted on December 14, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

 

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Anywhere, Anytime

Posted on December 13, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

This is a comic series about all those weird things we readers do. Script by The Wild Detectives Illustrations by  Laura Pacheco

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“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen”

Posted on December 12, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I was recently surprised and intrigued to read that the estate of George Orwell has approved a feminist retelling of Nineteen Eighty-Four, which reimagines the story from the perspective of Winston Smith’s lover Julia. In the iconic dystopian novel, Smith … Continue reading →

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