Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

All animals are equal…

I recently ran across the wonderful 50th anniversary edition of the first U.S. publication of George Orwell’s Animal House. Issued in 1995, Animal House: A Fairy Story features 100 mindblowing illustrations by the inimitable Ralph Steadman. Along with the addition of the brilliant illustrations, … Continue reading

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For Readers

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Alternative Literary Mapping

Map loving bibliophiles at In The Book designed this clever alternative London Tube map, replacing actual station names with titles from novels set nearby. Covering just zones one and two, the map features book titles from authors including Zadie Smith, Arthur Conan … Continue reading

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Some Books

Some books leave us free and some books make us free. –Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Cringeworthy but on the nose

If you stop by this humble blog on a regular basis, you are probably aware that I love good faux book cover art. I recently ran across this selection and thought that I’d share some. While they’re all amusing, they … Continue reading

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A view of nature in ascending regions

These illustrations are from Levi Walter Yaggy’s Geograpahical Portfolio – Comprising Physical, Political, Geological, and Astronomical Geography. Published by Western Publishing House of Chicago in 1887, the book features large educational geographical charts. Using chromolithography, Yaggy created stunning colors and contrasts in his … Continue reading

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Banksy pranks Venice

So it seems that that lovable street art scamp known as Banksy has brought his personal commentary on overtourism, commercialism, and the art world to Venice on the heels of the pretentious Biennale.

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Copenhagen : Books and Coffee

Although I have my quibbles with the baffling commitment to light roasts by Scandinavian 3rd wave coffeeshops and roasters, I do appreciate that there are coffee drinking opportunities everywhere—even in libraries. One of the coolest place to enjoy a good … Continue reading

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A Little Fjord Music

Part of Iceland’s problem with overtourism is that too few tourists take the time to visit the beautiful East of the country. I always try to see the “real” Iceland by driving to some of the little waterfront towns like … Continue reading

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It’s Always Winter Somewhere

 HBO’s Game of Thrones reached its dramatic conclusion yesterday, but the Folio Society is encouraging fans to go back to the original source by releasing collector editions of George R.R. Martin’s original Song of Ice and Fire novels, beginning with A Game of … Continue reading

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