Categories
- Africa
- Air Travel
- Animation
- apps
- Architecture
- Art
- Asia
- Books
- Bookstore Tourism
- Canada
- Car rentals
- Cartography
- Comics
- ebooks
- Europe
- Film
- Freedom of Speech
- History
- Hotels
- Libraries
- Maps
- Middle East
- movies
- Museums
- Music
- Photography
- Public Transport
- Restaurants
- South America
- Tech
- Theater
- Tourism
- Travel Writing
- Uncategorized
- USA
- Writing
Share this Blog
Translate
-
Author Archives: Brian D. Butler
Franz Kafka once called his writing a form of prayer.
“Not His Best” by Joy Williams from 99 Stories of God Franz Kafka once called his writing a form of prayer. He also reprimanded the long-suffering Felice Bauer in a letter: “I did not say that writing ought to make everything … Continue reading
Sometimes going backwards is good
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority recently revealed a revamped map of the city’s subway system that takes its cues from a 1970s throwback that was cheered by design connoisseurs and reviled by many traditionalists. It is the first major overhaul of … Continue reading
Eggciting Travel News
Tomorrow marks the opening of the Osaka World Expo, which will run until October 13,2025. The world’s fair, which is being held at Yumeshima Island outside of Osaka, is projected to welcome 28.2 million visitors. One of Japan’s signature pavilions, … Continue reading
Beyond Gravity’s Rainbow
Last week, Penguin Random House announced a new novel from Thomas Pynchon. The novel, his first in a decade, is called Shadow Ticket and is set to publish on 7 Oct. 2025. PRH’s copy: Milwaukee 1932, the Great Depression going … Continue reading
“Trimalchio in West Egg.”
It seems a bit incredible that F. Scott Fitzgerald originally titled the great American novel “Trimalchio in West Egg.”But in the end he called it “The Great Gatsby” and it remains one of the 20th century’s most read and beloved … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Film, History, USA, Writing
Tagged F. Scott Fitzgerald, Fiction, The Great Gatsby
Leave a comment
What could be better than a hotel/library
I’ve visited Amsterdam more often than any other city outside of North America and I only just discovered the Hotel Library. Situated in a beautiful 18th century canal house in the heart of the city on Prins Hendrikkade, the hotel … Continue reading
A NYC Culinary Mystery
I recently discovered a tasty mystery in New York City’s East Village neighborhood. When you enter Surprise Scoop it’s quickly obvious that this ice cream shop isn’t like the others. There are no employees in sight and no ice cream … Continue reading
Posted in Restaurants, Tourism, USA
Tagged East Village Manhattan, Ice Cream, New York
Leave a comment
“A Grief Observed”
No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning. I keep on swallowing. At other times … Continue reading
Live from around the globe
TVgarden is an amazing website that allows you to tune in to live television broadcasts from around the world. There have been similar sites, but this one really works. However, be prepared to loose an afternoon or evening to fascinating … Continue reading
