Category Archives: Books

Down and Out in Paris and London

Posted on October 24, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Regular visitors to this humble blog are aware of my deep appreciation for George Orwell’s writing. I was chuffed to discover a new Orwell project set to launch this week. The Orwell Daily is a newletter which will offer tranches … Continue reading →

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Ghost Stories of an Antiquary

Posted on October 22, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Each year the Halloween season seems to engender new found interest in both popular and lesser known spooky stories. Those of us raised on classic ghost tales likely are familiar with the work of M.R. James, but younger generations may … Continue reading →

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A story is a form of telepathy

Posted on October 19, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

 

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Tudor Books

Posted on October 18, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Recently, my favorite museum in North America the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City opened an impressive new exhibition, The Tudors: Art and Majesty in Renaissance England. Spanning King Henry VII’s seizure of the throne in 1485 to … Continue reading →

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The Right to Read

Posted on October 17, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

In response to the ongoing rightwing hysteria of school students free access to books Federal legislation was introduced last week that would expand access to school libraries and codify student First Amendment Rights. The Right to Read Act (S. 5064 and H.R. … Continue reading →

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Room to Swing

Posted on October 16, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

It’s always good news when the U.S. Library of Congress announces the release of a reissued classic. The Library of Congress Crime Classics series features some of the finest American crime writing from the 1860s to the 1960s. Drawn from the Library’s … Continue reading →

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Last Orders

Posted on October 15, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

 

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What then do we want words for?

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

“By the Numbers” by Hob Broun [1] THEY WORKED AT THE enclosed mall in King of Prussia. They wore plastic nametags, the corporate logo above a deep groove accommodating a Dymo label. Jenelle for the record store, Courtney for the … Continue reading →

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It’s That Shirley Jackson Time of the Year

Posted on October 11, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Like most U.S. students of my generation I was introduced to the work of Shirley Jackson through her story “The Lottery.” A small town in Vermont is the setting for “The Lottery,” and the town square where the locals gather … Continue reading →

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Mushroom Season

Posted on October 10, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

MUSHROOMS by Sylvia Plath Overnight, very Whitely, discreetly, Very quietly Our toes, our noses Take hold on the loam, Acquire the air. Nobody sees us, Stops us, betrays us; The small grains make room. Soft fists insist on Heaving the … Continue reading →

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