Category Archives: Books

Fun With Books

Posted on March 12, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

It may not be an original idea, but the booksellers at Librairie Mollat in Bordeaux, France are having a lot of fun playing with book cover art. You can follow along on the bookstore’s Instagram page.

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Photography | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Don’t Mention The War

Posted on March 11, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Situated on the shores of the Laacher See near Andernach in Germany, Abbey Maria Laach is a handsome 800 year-old center of devotion and learning with a gorgeous 18th century library and a dark history. During the years leading up … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, Europe, History, Libraries, Tourism | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Book Lover’s Guide To Coffee

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

If you love coffee as much as I do, you may want to download a free copy of The Book Lover’s Guide to Coffee. The e-book from Penguin Random House features stories on the cultural significance of the heavenly beverage, tips on … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Restaurants, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Manufacturing Consent

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Published in 1988, Manufacturing Consent is a frighteningly relevant book in this time of media collusion in the take over of democractic governments and institutions by kleptocrats and neo-fascists. The book challenges the idea that the mainstream media acts as a check … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Books, Freedom of Speech, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Small World, Little Planet

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Petite Planète is a series of iconic travel guides by the French publishing house Edition du Seuil published between 1954 and 1964.Early on, filmmaker/novelist/graphic artist/World War II resistance fighter Chris Marker was recruited as the editor for the experimental series. He was also … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Photography, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

American Gods

Posted on March 5, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I’ve long been an evangelist for Neil Gaiman’s outstanding 2001 novel American Gods and I’m looking forward to the TV adaptation this year. If you haven’t gotten around to reading the book, get on the stick; it’s great fun and surprisingly relevant … Continue reading →

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

Faux Indies

Posted on March 3, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Apparently the bookselling behemoth Waterstones has tried to pull a fast one on the British book buying public. Without notice the retailer opened three small branches under bogus names—The Rye Bookshop in East Sussex, Southwold Books in Suffolk, and Harpenden … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Libros Schmibros: Great Name, Great Concept

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Libros Schmibros is a community-based, not-for-profit bookstore/lending library located in the Boyle Heights section of Los Angeles. Run mainly by its dedicated founder and a team of volunteers, the project champions the pleasure of reading and its power to change lives. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Libraries, USA | Tagged , | Leave a comment

the best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Eighty years ago this month, John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men was first published. Based on Steinbeck’s own experiences as a bindlestiff – an impoverished migratory worker – in California during the 1920s, Of Mice and Men tells the story of George Milton and … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Freedom of Speech, History, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Brussels Book Days

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Throughout the month of March, Belgium’s capital will be celebrating Brussels Book Days. The collaborative venture of the Foire du Livre de Bruxelles (Brussels Book Fair) and Passa Porta International Center for Literature celebrates the city’s passion for books and reading with … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Tourism, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment