Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Magic Lantern

Posted on September 22, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

These days Prague is another victim of European over-tourism, but 30 years ago it still was a place of history and mystery. I recently saw the marvelous 1993 documentary below that has had me waxing nostalgic for the Prague that … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books, Europe, Film, History, Libraries, Museums, Theater, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Crying on airplanes

Posted on September 21, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Hanif Abdurraqib’s contribution to Sad Happens, an anthology exploring sadness & tears, edited by Brandon Stosuy

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Autumn is a second spring…

Posted on September 20, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.– ALBERT CAMUS   Whether one calls it Autumn or Fall, the Autumn Equinox is nearly here. Americans can’t agree on much, but most love the seasonal changing of the … Continue reading →

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Lit Box

Posted on September 19, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

To celebrate 25 years of publishing and its 74th issue, the San Francisco-based magazine McSweeney’s is offering a lunchbox packed with literary treats. Instead of a PB&J sandwich and an apple, the retro-inspired box includes sets of author cards, pencils … Continue reading →

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Railway Parable

Posted on September 18, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Erich Kästner, Das Eisenbahngleichnis, 1931  

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When Ray Bradbury channeled Herman Melvile

Posted on September 18, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I was today years old when I learned that the iconic American Sci-Fi writer Ray Bradbury was also a Hollywood screenwriter. The Los Angeles Review of Books recently published a fascinating story on the fraught collaboration between Bradbury and the … Continue reading →

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World Without Meaning

Posted on September 17, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

via https://existentialcomics.com/comic/435  

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Appetite For Solitude

Posted on September 16, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

    Martin Amis, 14 Rules for writers (2009)  

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No Monopoly On Fun

Posted on September 15, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

The old fashioned board game has been making a comeback in North America, especially with Gen Z. Many attribute the renewed interest in this decidedly nondigital pastime to the Covid Pandemic. Along with the iconic games such as Monopoly and … Continue reading →

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‘Many try to take us down, but we fight back.’

Posted on September 14, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

A big tip of the hat to TBTP loyal follower Will G. from the UK for reminding me about the project called Anna’s Archive. This literary anarchist site keeps popping back up even when entire nations try to drive a metaphorical stake … Continue reading →

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