Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Used Books and Stuff

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I wish that I had this sign years ago when I was selling used books and collectibles at a flea market. While I’m not hawking any secondhand books here, I do have some stuff to share as usual. Overall European rail operators do … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Public Transport | Tagged , | 2 Comments

A Never Ending Read

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Did you know that there’s a book no one will ever be able to finish reading in their lifetime, and it only has 10 pages? In 1960, the French writer Raymond Queneau introduced what is probably the world’s longest book. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Restaurants, Writing | Tagged , | 2 Comments

God Bless Us, Everyone

Posted on December 17, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

On this date in 1843, Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol. Dickens wrote the novel after his first commercial failure. His previous novel, Martin Chuzzlewit had flopped, and he was suddenly strapped for cash. Martin Chuzzlewit had been satirical and pessimistic, and Dickens … Continue reading →

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A Wonderland for Christmas

Posted on December 16, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Just in time for Christmas, the NYRB Kids imprint has published a new edition of Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland illustrated by the Finnish author and artist Tove Jansson. Jansson is most famous for her Moomin books, which remain … Continue reading →

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Traveling Feline

Posted on December 15, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

The new online geo-game  Travel Cat  lets you pilot a plane as a cat. Flying a feline-piloted plane past the Eiffel Tower in Paris or around the Statue of Liberty in New York is as cute as it sounds. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, apps, Maps, Tech | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The dumbest souvenir of the year

Posted on December 14, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

My favorite place to chill out in Italy is the little town of Varenna on Lake Como. The only souvenirs that I have of my time there are a few photos and some very fond memories. But apparently the region … Continue reading →

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Bookstores are making a comeback in the U.S.

Posted on December 13, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

After more than a decade of bad news stories about the imminent demise of the American bookstore it seems that things are looking up for a change.  

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, USA | Tagged , | 3 Comments

I hang on the edge of this universe

Posted on December 12, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I hang on the edge of this universe singing off-key talking too loud embracing myself to cushion the fall I shall tumble into deep space never in this form or with this feeling to return to earth It is not … Continue reading →

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Traveling Light

Posted on December 11, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

In my planning for an upcoming trip to Japan, I stumbled upon a very clever service aimed at visitors. Any Wear, Anywhere is an inspired clothing rental plan that allows tourists to literally travel light. The negative environmental effects of flying were … Continue reading →

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Good News For Flyers

Posted on December 10, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Under consumer protection rules that the U.S. Transportation Department announced earlier this year, airlines may owe travelers money back when services that passengers paid for go awry. Some of those rules went into effect October. Here’s what air travelers in … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Public Transport, Tourism, USA | Tagged , | 2 Comments