Category Archives: Books

Peter Pan was a meanie

Posted on December 30, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

A much darker side to the beloved character Peter Pan has been revealed with the publication this month of J. M. Barrie’s original manuscript, Peter Pan and Wendy. I never much liked the book growing up, but fans will be … Continue reading →

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Chanukah Lights

Posted on December 26, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

In the holiday spirit, here’s the pop-up book Chanukah Lights, published by Candlewick Press in 2011, with a text by Michael J. Rosen, illustration and paper engineering by Robert Sabuda, and additional design work by Simon Arizpe and Shelby Arnold, explores the eight day Jewish “festival of … Continue reading →

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A Little Mistletoe

Posted on December 25, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Mistletoe : legends, myth & folklore written & illustrated by Maryline Poole Adams This little small press book explores many traditional aspects of Midwinter holiday festivals, including the mysteries of mistletoe. It looks at various stories, legends and traditions from … Continue reading →

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Ho.Ho.Ho.

Posted on December 24, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Beijing-based graphics studio 39 degrees north created this animated version of author Neil Gaiman’s dark Christmas poem Nicholas Was. I never was that into the holiday any way. Ho.Ho.Ho.

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Seattle Little Free Library

Posted on December 23, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Little Free Cookbook Library This unique take on the Little Free Library project is outside the PCC Natural Market, West Seattle  

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Baffling Ending

Posted on December 22, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

 

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George RR Martin’s Beastly Books

Posted on December 19, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

On November 30th, the legendary author George R.R. Martin officially launched his own bricks and mortar bookshop in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Beastly Books—named for Beauty and the Beast—is located nextdoor to the cinema that Martin purchased and rehabilitated in 2013. … Continue reading →

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The 17th Century Kindle

Posted on December 16, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

In 1617. William Hakewill commissioned a traveling library to give as a gift to a friend. The Jacobean miniature mobile library consisted of fifty gold-tooled vellum-bound miniature books contained in a wooden case that resembled a large folio. Inside there were … Continue reading →

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Charles Dickens and the Marketing of Christmas

Posted on December 13, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Charles Dickens and his iconic story A Christmas Carol have become synonymous with Christmas celebrations, however a special holiday exhibition at  the Charles Dickens Museum in London demonstrates that his connection to the holiday season is not all candy canes … Continue reading →

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Mark Twain Travel Writer

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

When we think about the great 19th century American writer Mark Twain, his lauded Mississippi River novels usually come to mind. However, it was the 1869 travel book The Innocents Abroad, or The New Pilgrim’s Progress  which first brought him prominence. … Continue reading →

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