Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

There be monsters

Posted on October 22, 2018

Just in time for Halloween, the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library in Toronto has opened De Monstris, an exhibition exploring the long cultural tradition of frightening monsters that inflamed imaginations and triggered irrational fears throughout history. De Monstris examines scary illustrations and writings from … Continue reading →

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

Word on the street: Brooklyn

Posted on October 21, 2018

h/t AJ Lavilla  

Posted in Art, USA | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Prepare for All Hallow’s Read

Posted on October 20, 2018

Eight years ago, author Neil Gaiman suggested a new holiday tradition to celebrate Halloween and All Hallow’s Read was born. The concept is simple: The week leading up to Halloween, or on October 31st, give someone a scary book. You can also … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Writer’s Hierarchy of Needs

Posted on October 19, 2018

 

Posted in Art, Books, Writing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Bookshop at the end of the world

Posted on October 18, 2018

h/t to Ruth Gardner for this post Situated on an old cattle ranch down a dusty dirt road just north of Benson, Arizona, the Singing Wind Bookshop may be the loneliest bookstore in America. Founded and still run by 88 … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Bookstore Tourism: London

Posted on October 17, 2018

When I first discovered London’s iconic Stanfords in 1986, Britain’s largest travel bookstore was already 133 years old. Located in a beautiful turn-of-the-century building on Long Acre in the heart of Covent Garden since 1901, the shop has one of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Maps, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Cheesy Literature

Posted on October 16, 2018

I’ve discovered some awfully cheesy literature over the years, but Ben Denzer’s 20 Slices is the most original work. Composed of twenty slices of individually wrapped actual American cheese* pieces and bound in bright yellow covers, the “book” was published in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Don’t let the bastards cheer you up

Posted on October 15, 2018

I never tire of London-based artist Harland Miller’s brilliant send-ups of iconic Penguin book covers. His faux vintage covers are always on point.

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

The Only Map You Need

Posted on October 14, 2018

h/t Jools Stone  

Posted in Europe, Maps, Tourism | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Book Purge Pain

Posted on October 13, 2018

Every four or five years I attempt a thinning out of my personal library through a merciless book purge. Last year I managed to ruthlessly select about 300 titles and donate the lot to my local library for the annual … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Libraries, Writing | Tagged , , | 5 Comments