Monthly Archives: May 2026

Book Machine

Posted on May 11, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

Frequent readers of TBTP know that I have a weird interest in vending machines that defies explanation. And, a book vending machine is my nerdy jam. So, Long Story Books, a new indie bookstore slated to open in late summer … Continue reading →

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Booksellers of New York

Posted on May 10, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

The Booksellers is a fascinating exploration of the world of antiquarian book selling in New York City, it highlights rare finds and the collectors dedicated to preserving history. Dealers discuss the challenges and passions of their trade amidst a changing retail … Continue reading →

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Really Interesting (ok maybe interesting) stuff

Posted on May 9, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

Check the time with NYC Street Clock — telling the time using more than 20,000 Google Street View images found around NYC . I can be an infinite bore when it comes to giving travel advice. Over the years I’ve learned to … Continue reading →

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*Meditations in an Emergency*

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

A poem by Frank O’Hara. It’s the first poem in *Meditations in an Emergency*, 1957: To the Harbormaster I wanted to be sure to reach you; though my ship was on the way it got caught in some moorings. I … Continue reading →

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Emptying Europe

Posted on May 7, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

Where Europe’s Population is Shrinking, is an excellent example of how large-scale spatial data and clear visual design can come together to tell a nuanced geographic story. In this case, the story is one of Europe’s rural depopulation and how … Continue reading →

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Hotel Retro

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

Letterform Archive has published a new large format peel and stick book Hotel Retro: Vintage Luggage Labels from Tokyo to Buenos Aires. A 330-sticker-long journey through this new age of global travel by train and sea designed by San Francisco agency MacFadden & … Continue reading →

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N is for New York

Posted on May 5, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

Those of you who stop by this site on a regular basis are likely aware of my interest in cities, urban transit and city planning. These subjects don’t suggest a topic for a children’s book, but in 1937 New York … Continue reading →

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May the Fourth Be With You

Posted on May 4, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

 

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Indie Bookstore Comedy

Posted on May 3, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

The TV comedy Broadway Books released its pilot episode, “The Tipping Point,” on YouTube last month for Independent Bookstore Day. The creators noted that the debut came “after a successful bookstore tour (with stops including the Brooklyn Book Festival, Baltimore’s Atomic Books, & … Continue reading →

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Bookstore Tourism: Best Indies in the USA

Posted on May 2, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

If you want to start a heated discussion with booklovers ask “what are the best indie bookshops in the U.S.” I have my favorites, but then again I’ve only visited a few hundred. Conde Nast Traveler shared its picks for “the best … Continue reading →

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