Category Archives: Books

Underground Reading

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

Riding the New York City subways, you’re going to see lots of folks engrossed in a wide variety of reading material. Comedians Akilah Hughes and Scott Rogowsky elicit plenty of double-takes and much laughter with their twisted fake book covers. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Film, Public Transport, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Shakespeare Lives

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

The British Council commissioned a series of films to celebrate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death. Director David Wilson’s contribution reinterprets Act 1, Scene V of Macbeth. The two-minute film starts with actress Vicky McClure as Lady Macbeth in … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Books, Europe, Film, History, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

So we don’t die of truth

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

“We have our arts so we don’t die of truth” Ray Bradbury        

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

Consider Yourself Forewarned

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Brian D. Butler
Posted in Animation, Books, Writing | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Maya Angelou : Phenomenal Woman

Posted on May 14, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

British singer-songwriter Laura Mvula recently released a fabulous music video of her song “Phenomenal Woman”, which is based on an amazing poem by the late, great Maya Angelou. The original poem can be found in one of my favorite Maya … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Books, Europe, Film, Music, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Back to Middle Earth

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

Last year, I posted on the surprise discovery of a previously unknown annotated map of Middle Earth that J.R.R. Tolkien had created while working on the 1970 reissue edition of The Lord of the Rings (Allen & Unwin). The map … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Libraries, Maps, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Station Culture

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

Rumia, Poland is a small city just outside of Gdansk. When the local government decided to revitalize the old railway station, they decided to incorporate the public library in the project. The combined transit station/cultural center has now won the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, Europe, Libraries, Public Transport | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Covering The Galaxy

Posted on May 1, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

Later this year, Penguin US will be re-issuing six hardcover versions of sci-fi and fantasy classics from its Galaxy Series with eye-catching typographic foil covers by New York City-based Spanish designer Alex Trochut. The iconic novels will each have an introduction … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Happy Indie Bookstore Day

Posted on April 30, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

For countless booklovers, independent bookstores are not just retail outlets, they’re the heart of the community and a personal haven. Today, we’re marking the second annual Independent Bookstore Day across the United States. More than 435 indies, from Alaska to … Continue reading →

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

Behind the Pseudonym

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

The infographic below, created for Jonkers Rare Books, explores the nom de plume of some favorite authors. Who knew that the pop cultural phenom Brynjolf Bjarme was actually Henrik Ibsen?

Posted in Books, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment