Category Archives: Books

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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?

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Game of Manuscripts

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

The medievalists at the J.Paul Getty Museum put together the video below to celebrate the new season of Game of Thrones. That’s some superfans.

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The Girl On The Train

Posted on April 25, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

Read it quick before the film is released.

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Would Harry Beck Approve ?

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

Literary map geeks rejoice—TfL has released a Shakespeare-themed Underground map just in time to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the bard’s passing tomorrow. The Tube lines have been cleverly renamed for Shakespearean characters, locations, plays, and themes. The map will … Continue reading →

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America’s Libraries

Posted on April 16, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

The American Library Association has released its annual Top Ten List of Frequently Challenged Books, which is included in the ALA’s yearly State of America’s Libraries Report. You can read the report in its entirety here. The Top Ten Most … Continue reading →

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Prague’s Other Library

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

Founded in 1722, the glorious Baroque Klementinum Library is often overlooked by bibliophiles visiting Prague. Every one heads for the magnificent Strahov Monastery Library—sometimes even walking right by the Klementinum on the way. Once you view the video below, you … Continue reading →

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