Monthly Archives: September 2024

Mapping the Bans

Posted on September 30, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

The onslaught of reactionary right wing book bans does not seem to be abating in the U.S.. This attack on freedom of expression is just one component of the political/cultural war raging in America. The American Library Association (ALA) reports that … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Freedom of Speech, Libraries, Maps, USA | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Below down under

Posted on September 29, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I’ve been pondering a trip to Antarctica ever since I sat by a beach near the bottom of New Zealand’s South Island and saw a sign that pointed south reading “South Pole 4897 km”. Now, 4897 km is no short … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Photography, Tourism | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

“Amargura Para Tres Sonámbulos”

Posted on September 28, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

“Bitterness for Three Sleepwalkers” is a 1949 short story by the Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez. Published when he was just twenty-two years old, it is one of his earliest stories. “Bitterness for Three Sleepwalkers” by Gabriel García Márquez translated … Continue reading →

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It’s really all about mutual aid

Posted on September 27, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

It may seem to be a big leap from U.S. Presidential politics to a book published in 1902 by a Russian scientist and anarchist, but this week watching the electioneering I have been thinking about Peter Kropokin’s seminal work Mutual … Continue reading →

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Puffling

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Regular visitors to TBTP will be aware that I am enamored with all things Iceland. Of course that includes the unofficial symbol of the country the puffin. In coastal cities in Iceland, including on the Vestmannaeyjar islands, it’s common to … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

I met a traveller from an antique land

Posted on September 25, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Ozymandias, 2017 by Alasdair Gray (1934-2019)  

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Banned Book Wagon

Posted on September 24, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

For the second year in a row, the Banned Wagon–powered by Penguin Random House and in partnership with Unite Against Book Bans (UUAB), Little Free Library, and First Book–is visiting bookstores and libraries during Banned Books Week–and beyond–in areas in the South and Midwest where … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Freedom of Speech, USA | Tagged | 2 Comments

Making of an Icon

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Kafka: Making of an Icon is an exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of Franz Kafka’s death and celebrating not only Kafka’s achievements and creativity, but also his continuing inspiration for new literary, theatrical and artistic creations around the world. After … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, History, Libraries, Museums, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Magic Lantern

Posted on September 22, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

These days Prague is another victim of European over-tourism, but 30 years ago it still was a place of history and mystery. I recently saw the marvelous 1993 documentary below that has had me waxing nostalgic for the Prague that … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books, Europe, Film, History, Libraries, Museums, Theater, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Crying on airplanes

Posted on September 21, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Hanif Abdurraqib’s contribution to Sad Happens, an anthology exploring sadness & tears, edited by Brandon Stosuy

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