Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Not all those who wander are lost

Posted on March 23, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Each year on March 25th fans of J.R.R. Tolkien celebrate Tolkien Reading Day.  Around the world folks reread the books, discuss them with friends, and participate in Middle Earth related literary events. The Tolkien Society established Tolkien Reading Day in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Film, Libraries, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

New York State of Mind

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Both branches of my family emigrated to New York City from Eastern Europe during the late 19th century. So, it’s natural that I’ve always viewed New York as the center of the known universe. Back in the 19th century, marketers … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Architecture, Art, History, Museums, Photography, Public Transport, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

How big was it

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Growing up in and around New York City I have always been fascinated by the process of urbanization. So the animation (below) by Ollie Bye intrigued me. The examination of the growth of the world’s largest cities from 3000 BCE … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Asia, Europe, Film, History, Maps, Middle East, South America, USA | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Bookstore Tourism : Paris

Posted on March 20, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

The Anti Public Library is a blend of record shop and book store combined with a bar set in Paris’ always hip Le Marais district. Created by artist Henri Levy, founder and creative director of the avant-garde brand Enfants Riches … Continue reading →

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Coffee Stories

Posted on March 19, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Regular visitors to Travel Between The Pages know that I am passionate about both travel and coffee. So, I fell bigtime for the wonderful blog project called Coffee Receipt Stories. Four years ago, Japan-based Odding Wang was sitting in a cafe, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Middle East, Restaurants, South America, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How could they leave it out

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Last week, the Atlantic magazine published a list of great American novels — 136 of them. I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve only read 60 or so novels on the list. However, when I took a closer look at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

One man’s junk is another man’s museum

Posted on March 17, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I’m not much of a collector, other than books, but I have to respect this guy’s commitment to his beachcombing project. The video below is an intimate portrait of retired plumber John Anderson and his 46-year obsession with collecting manmade … Continue reading →

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How can a painting fail

Posted on March 16, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I really enjoyed this is farcical ad for the 2024 AICP Awards about the perils of focus-grouping and corporatizing art, featuring a peeved van Gogh (“How can a painting fail?”) and an even more annoyed Frida Kahlo.  

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In March the earth remembers its own name

Posted on March 15, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Twelve Moons – Mary Oliver 1 In March the earth remembers its own name. Everywhere the plates of snow are cracking. The rivers begin to sing. In the sky the winter stars are sliding away; new stars appear as, later, … Continue reading →

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Random but not ephemeral

Posted on March 14, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

I have had the good fortune to have visited Iceland many times over the years, but I still get flummoxed sometimes by the country’s strict naming system.  The Mystery of the Icelandic Naming Committee. The Amsterdam-based artist Frankey brings a playful twist … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Film, Tourism, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment