Category Archives: Books

Bukowski Turns 90

Posted on August 14, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

  Poet, novelist, postman and celebrated drunk, Charles Bukowsi would be turning 90 on August 16th, except he died in 1994. Still, the Poet laureate of Skid Row will be fêted from coast to coast. The birthday events celebrating the … Continue reading →

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

Do You Need Better Book Titles?

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Do you ever think that a book could be improved by a more descriptive, or honest, title? In that case, Dan Wilbur’s terrific new website , Better Book Titles, is for you.  “This blog is for people who do not … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Writing | Leave a comment

Never Let Me Go…not a review

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

I felt some ambivalence this week when I read that director Mark Romanek’s film adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s deeply affecting novel, Never Let me Go, is set to open this October on the festival circuit. My concern is not about … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Film | 1 Comment

Building Art…Book by Book

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Post by Massimo Pollini. Prague-based, Slovakian artist Matei Kren has created a number of enormous book sculptures at museums and galleries throughout Europe. In 2006, he installed the acclaimed work “ Book Cell Project ”  at the Centro de Arte … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Zero History is Here (almost)

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

In his new book trailer, novelist William Gibson reads a passage from his upcoming novel, Zero History. The book arrives on September 7th, finishing the cycle of novels that includes Pattern Recognition and Spook Country. Instead of reenactments, the trailer mixes imagery … Continue reading →

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

The Suspense Is Over

Posted on August 6, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

  The NPR audience nominated some 600 novels to the “Killer Thrillers” poll and cast more than 17,000 ballots. The final roster of winners is a diverse one to say the least, ranging in style and period from Dracula to … Continue reading →

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

Travel Lit Bestseller List

Posted on August 5, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

  The Indie Travel Literature Bestseller List For the eight-week period ending July 27, 2010, and based on sales at independent bookstores nationwide. 1. A Walk in the Woods Bill Bryson, Broadway, $15.99, 9780767902526 2. Every Day in Tuscany Frances … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Tourism, Travel Writing, USA | Leave a comment

Your Summer Reading List…Top Ten

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

A totally unscientific reader poll has produced the following Top Ten Summer Reading List : The Magicians — Lev Grossman The Girl Who Played With Fire — Stieg Larsson Her Fearful Symetry — Audrey Niffennegger The Strain — Guillermo del … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Writing | 1 Comment

Dublin Has The Write Stuff

Posted on July 31, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

This week Dublin has become only the fourth city to be designated an “UNESCO City of Literature”. Joining Edinburgh, Melbourne and Iowa City, Dublin now shares the coveted distinction and honor. Mary Hanafin, Ireland’s Minister of Tourism, said that the … Continue reading →

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

What’s on Your Summer Reading List ?

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Summer vacation time is here again, and this year, as very other year the chattering classes and book reviewers have told us what they expect you to pack for the beaches and the mountains. This year on the fiction front, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, USA, Writing | Leave a comment