Monthly Archives: July 2024

Alien Picnic

Posted on July 11, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I recently ran across a reference to the fantastic Russian Sci-Fi classic Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky that included a link to a free online version of the novel. You can read or download the book here. The Strugatsky brothers … Continue reading →

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That Girl

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Like many art lovers, I am a sucker for Vermeer’s wonderful paintings. And, of course, I am fascinated by the mysterious “Girl with the Pearl Earring.” Whenever I am in the Netherlands, I make time to visit the underappreciated Mauritshuis … Continue reading →

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Welcome to the city of love

Posted on July 9, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

The BBC has released a new promotional video to gin-up some excitement for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Titled ‘Welcome to the City of Love,’ the short weaves a heartwarming narrative that blends Parisian romance with the passion … Continue reading →

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Yes, you can judge these books by their covers

Posted on July 8, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Penguin Books has revealed the winners of its 2024  Cover Design Award, where participants were tasked with reimagining three Penguin titles:  City of Stolen Magic by Nazneen Ahmed Pathak, Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Atomic Habits by James Clear. Cadi … Continue reading →

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How we live now

Posted on July 7, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

 

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You Are Here

Posted on July 6, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Poetry in Parks is an initiative to install poetry on picnic tables in seven national parks. As public works of art, the picnic tables will each feature a historic American poem selected by the 24th U.S. National Poet Laureate, Ada Limón. … Continue reading →

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“Ricordare è rivivere” (“to remember is to relive”)

Posted on July 5, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Sigmund Freud returned again and again to the problem of memory as he formulated his theories of psychoanalysis during the 1890s. “What is essentially new about my theory,” Freud wrote in this letter to fellow physician and confidante Wilhelm Fliess, … Continue reading →

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Souvenir for writers

Posted on July 4, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Over the years I have been both the giver and recipient of some quite silly travel souvenirs, so it’s heartening to find that even the ancient Romans weren’t above bringing home the occasional humorous gift. The Museum of London Archaeology … Continue reading →

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Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old

Posted on July 3, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Franz Kafka, born on this day in 1883. “You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself … Continue reading →

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Making sensitivity readers redundant

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

 

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