Category Archives: Books

Wise Men Fished Here

Posted on February 27, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

In 2005, the legendary Gotham Book Mart in New York City closed its bricks and mortar store. By 2007, the iconic Manhattan bookseller was out of business for good.  Fortunately, the University of Pennsylvania was gifted much of the contents … Continue reading →

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The Brits are so over Jane Austen too

Posted on February 26, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I was somewhat surprised to recently read that a letter writing campaign and a steady barrage of public criticism ended plans for a statue of formerly beloved author Jane Austen. It seems that Winchester Cathedral commissioned sculptor Martin Jennings to … Continue reading →

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Blue Mondays

Posted on February 25, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Death Croons the Blues. James Ronald. New York: Phoenix Press. (1940). First edition. Original dust jacket. Mystery in which a blues singer is murdered and the murder is solved by a crime reporter.  

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Faroe Islands Closed For Maintenance

Posted on February 24, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

During the past year, it’s been impossible to read a travel magazine or blog without being told that the Faroe Islands is the next in place to visit for travelers who want to get off of the tourist trail. Of course, this … Continue reading →

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But What Happens To The Books

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

When I read about the death of fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld the other day, my first thought was “what happens to his books?”. To be honest, I don’t know much about the German tycoon other than the reports from a … Continue reading →

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Bookseller to love today

Posted on February 20, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Michele Gentile is the owner and manager of a bookstore/café in the small southern Italian town of Polla near Salerno. For many years, Gentile has been quietly using a community-minded system called libri sospeso or suspended books in his Ex Libris Bookshop. … Continue reading →

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To My Book

Posted on February 17, 2019 by Brian D. Butler
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What’s so funny about peace and understanding

Posted on February 16, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

The 1964 World’s Fair was a two-year event centered on peace, understanding, and apparently, pop-up books. Released in 1963, Peter and Wendy See the New York World’s Fair shows two children, Peter and Wendy, – no relation to Peter Pan or Wendy … Continue reading →

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Center for Fiction

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Awhile ago I shared a story about the imminent big move for New York City’s historic Center for Fiction from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Well, it has finally happened and the new site’s grand opening is on Tuesday February 19th. The … Continue reading →

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Everyone Loves A Trickster

Posted on February 13, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I recently spotted a fantastic new edition of Neil Gaiman’s madcap fantasy novel Anansi Boys issued by the folks at the Folio Society press. This exciting version is packed with dynamic illustrations by the American artist Francis Vallejo (see video below) and … Continue reading →

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