Category Archives: Books

Come for the pandas, stay for the bookstores

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Most travelers to China visit the Sichuan Province capital city of Chengdu for the Wolong Giant Panda Reserve, but bibliophiles will want to make time for the amazing Fangsuo Bookstore. With a dramatic entrance way and cavernous interiors, the bookshop … Continue reading →

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Libraries of the Mind

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Shanghai-based artist Jie Ma’s imagined libraries are surreal, literary dreamscapes that intrigue and challenge the viewer. The extraordinary digital images offer fantastic sci-fiesque libraries of the mind.

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A Travel Guide With Heart

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

The popular French travel guide publisher Le Guide du Routard has created a wonderful new 90 page graphic guidebook for migrants and refugees in Europe. Titled Hello, and illustrated by French artist Pascal Gauffre, the handbook allows communication by simply … Continue reading →

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Word on the Street

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Brian D. Butler
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Heavenly Bookshop

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Many years ago, while visiting the ancient walled town of Óbidos on the central coast of Portugal I was intrigued by a padlocked church in the heart of the old Roman town. Being the nosy tourist that I am, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, History, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Unconventional Bookselling

Posted on September 5, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Morioka Shoten & Co. in Tokyo’s Ginza district opened this Spring with a singular approach to bookselling. The tiny, gallery-like shop carries just one title each week. The founder of this enigmatic bookshop model, Yoshiyuki Morioka, has taken curation to … Continue reading →

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Lire Les Signes

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

When we visit Paris, most of us are captivated by the grand monuments, amazing architecture and fantastic museums. But some of us can’t walk a block without stopping to gawk at the beautiful signage. It’s not necessary to be a … Continue reading →

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Literary gifs

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Santiago, Chile-based art director Javier Jensen has a whale of a time creating understated book cover gifs. Look closely.

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An Airport For Booklovers

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Bibliophiles may want to consider a stop-over at Tallinn International Airport just to visit the wonderful free library for flyers. Opened two years ago, the library runs entirely on the honor system. There’s no membership requirement, no library card, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, Libraries, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

City Reading

Posted on August 30, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Since 2009, StadtLesen—or City Reading—has been bringing book-focused experiences each summer to select cities around Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and northern Italy. This year the project created a very neat reading lounge on historic Mozartplatz in the heart of Salzburg’s Altstadt. Residents … Continue reading →

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