Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Ex-Libris

Posted on March 14, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

As a book seller and collector, I have always been ambivalent when it comes to bookplates. The artistry and clever design cannot be denied, however the glued in place bookplates permanently damage and deface the book.  

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How Bookstores Will Re-Open

Posted on March 13, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

 

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NYC’s Tiniest Tourist Attraction

Posted on March 12, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

At the corner of Christopher Street and Seventh Avenue South in the West Village, in front of the iconic Village Cigars store, lies this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it mosaic embedded in the sidewalk. The  triangle’s enigmatic message: “Property of the Hess Estate Which Has … Continue reading →

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Worldwide Live

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

When I have felt especially claustrophobic during the Pandemic lockdown, I have checked out some of the amazing live camera feeds from around the globe. Recently, I found the wonderful Rolling Cam World on Youtube and I think that I’m … Continue reading →

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world without end

Posted on March 10, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Map Linda Hogan This is the world so vast and lonely without end, with mountains named for men who brought hunger from other lands, and fear of the thick, dark forest of trees that held each other up, knowing fire … Continue reading →

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All Aboard

Posted on March 9, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I love a good story about a creative way to bring books to people. Thanks to the town of Norrtälje  all residents in Stockholm’s far-flung archipelago of islands have access to free reading materials by way of the Bokboten library. … Continue reading →

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Banksy and Bob

Posted on March 8, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

By now, you have likely seen photos of Banksy ‘s latest work painted on the wall of a historic British prison. The elusive street artist officially owned the piece by posting some footage of Bob Ross narration from The Joy … Continue reading →

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I Love Big Books

Posted on March 7, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I wish we had an amazing institution like the fantastic Karabuk University’s library, in Karabuk, Turkey. Designed to look like a row of giant books on a shelf; it’s obvious from a distance what the building has to offer. Renowned … Continue reading →

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Kafka on the Shore (and t-shirts)

Posted on March 6, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

When I think of the celebrated Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami  fashion does not come to mind. However, it seems that the author is much more interested in style than his novels such as 1Q84 and Norwegian Wood suggest. Murakami recently collaborated with … Continue reading →

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all winter long

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

THE END OF THE LIBRARY Weldon Kees When the coal Gave out, we began Burning the books, one by one; First the set Of Bulwer-Lytton And then the Walter Scott. They gave a lot of warmth. Toward the end, in … Continue reading →

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