Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

What Makes NYC So Special

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

In their marvelous short video called “3 Words for NYC”, award-winning, Paris-based filmmakers Achille Coquerel and Thomas Kaufmann asked random New Yorkers to describe what they love about New York City in just three words. Not an easy challenge. I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Frommer is back

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Budget travel guidebook godfather Arthur Frommer has announced that he has reacquired his iconic brand from Google and that he plans to resume publishing the famed guidebook series. Last year, Google bought the Frommer brand from publisher Wiley for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, ebooks, Europe, Tourism, Travel Writing, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Paris in Winter

Posted on April 6, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Andrew Julian photographed and edited this lovely little film The Quiet City: Winter in Paris. It demonstrates just how different the experience of a city can be based on season. My trips to Paris have always been in the early … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Music, Photography, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Books: What a great way to travel

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

In honor of International Children’s Book Day and the anniversary of author Hans Christian Andersen‘s birth, the British travel site Cheapflights™ put together this marvelous infographic. Books: the next best thing to actually being there.

Posted in Books, Europe, Tourism, Travel Writing, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Nowhere Fast

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

London-based Standard Designs creates very clever literary and artistic posters, prints and gifts . And with all of the recent media hoopla and hype regarding Morrissey‘s career-threatening medical problems, Standard Designs’ re-imagining of  Smiths’ titles as well-worn, classic paperback books is … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Music | Tagged , | 1 Comment

San Francisco: Cat’s Eye View

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Following the five-week disappearance and mysterious reappearance of their cat Tibia, San Francisco-based artists Wendy MacNaughton and Caroline Paul decided to embark on a comprehensive probe. Utilizing everything from  cutting-edge 21st century technology to old-fashioned gumshoe skills, the duo explored San … Continue reading →

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Our Kind of Pub

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

London’s bibliophiles now have their very own literary wateringhole on a quiet Marylebone street between the Baker Street and Marylebone Stations. The Swan & Edgar —named for a former Piccadilly Circus department store—is a book lover’s dream pub. The cozy … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Not An April Fool Joke

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Mailbooks For Good is a wonderful new project from Australia that deserves worldwide replication. Utilizing specially designed book jackets, book buyers can share their books by simply turning the covers inside out and mailing the pre-paid, pre-addressed packages to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Looking at a gift horse

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

One of the perks of running this little travel/book/art blog is that I receive lots of free books. Some are advance reader copies, some are uncorrected proofs and others are just pre-release copies. I’ve been sent novels, memoirs, reference books, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Asia, Books, Canada, Europe, Middle East, South America, Tourism, Travel Writing, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

How do you say moose in Suomi

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

There are lots of reasons to envy the lucky citizens of Finland—gorgeous landscapes, crystal clear air and water, the midnight sun all summer-long—and now there’s one more. Finland’s new, updated passports double as an amusing animated flip-book. This Youtube video … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Europe | Tagged , | Leave a comment