Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Conquest of Mars

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Here is copy number 55 of the first edition of Edison’s Conquest of Mars by Garrett P. Serviss. There were only 1,500 copies in the first edition, and only 1,450 of those were offered for general distribution. Serviss, an astronomer, wrote Conquest in 1898; … Continue reading →

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How to help indie bookshops survive

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

The new coronavirus presents a real challenge to bookstores. Here are some ways you can help keep your local bookstore open—during the pandemic and after—without leaving home.  1.  Pre-Order Books Online It’s likely that you know a book you want is … Continue reading →

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Unreal City

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

I rarely post music videos, but I’m a fan of M.Ward, Clémence Poésy (ever since her role as Elise Wasserman in “The Tunnel”), and of course Paris. Filmed on the streets of Paris, the Beatrice Pegard-directed video for M. Ward’s … Continue reading →

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but oh the museums

Posted on March 14, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

At the End of the Endless Decade Mark Bibbins For years had anyone needed me to spell the word commiserateI’d have disappointed them. I envy people who are more excitedby etymology than I am, but not the ones who can … Continue reading →

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Free Books (really)

Posted on March 13, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

h/t to Stanislav and Milen for the extensive links FAMOUS AUTHORS Classic Bookshelf: This site has put classic novels online, from Charles Dickens to Charlotte Bronte. The Online Books Page: The University of Pennsylvania hosts this book search and database. … Continue reading →

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Making Reading a Religious Experience

Posted on March 12, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

A former Russian Orthodox church in Shanghai, China, built in 1932 and long abandoned, has been restored and retro-fitted as a library. Due to requirements placed on the architects by the local Historic Buildings Protection office, no major changes could … Continue reading →

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Finding refuge in books

Posted on March 11, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

ECHO (Education.Community.Hope.Opportunity) is an organisation dedicated to fostering community and education initiatives in Greek refugee camps. The ECHO Refugee Library is their flagship project. They hope to transform the sites in which they work from places of stagnancy and waiting, … Continue reading →

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We Are The People

Posted on March 10, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Iggy Pop’s video “We Are the People” is based on a poem written in 1970 by the late, great Lou Reed. Of the poem, Pop told the BBC last year, “My God, this is the country today as I understand … Continue reading →

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Ugliest Place I’ve Ever Seen

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

When designer Amber Share found that there were one-star reviews for all 62 of the U.S. National Parks she decided to illustrate and hand letter travel posters for them “as a way to put a positive, fun spin on such … Continue reading →

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Why Real Books Are Great

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

h/t to Strand Books NYC  

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