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Category Archives: Europe
There is no love of life without despair of life.
Albert Camus died on this day in 1960. Many have wondered over the last 65 years at an odd bit of trivia about that day when he was killed in a car accident. Why did he have an unused train … Continue reading
Posted in Africa, Books, Europe, History, Restaurants, Writing
Tagged Albert Camus, France, KGB, Nobel Prize in Literature, Russia
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Annus horribilis
It has been a horrible year for the world, for the U.S., and for me personally. But I would rather see 2024 out with something uplifting. I can’t think of anything more sublime and beautiful than this extraordinary video of … Continue reading
Bookstore Tourism, Season Art, End of the Year Mischief
The Poetry Pharmacy is a new London bookshop, on Oxford Street, offering tonics for all sorts of emotional ailments. Calm, comfort, inspiration: whatever you’re searching for, there’s a book of poetry, philosophy or psychology to help you find it. “…because … Continue reading
Posted in Air Travel, Art, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Museums, Tourism
Tagged Berlin, Wings of Desire
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Holly
Holly by Seamus Heaney. It rained when it should have snowed. When we went to gather hollythe ditches were swimming, we were wet to the knees, our hands were all jags and water ran up our sleeves. There should have … Continue reading
Solstice Solace
Here in North America we have such boring Winter Solstice traditions. However, in the Baltics many traditions survive from the ancient pagan celebrations of the winter solstice – the longest night of the year. Over the centuries these old pagan … Continue reading
Used Books and Stuff
I wish that I had this sign years ago when I was selling used books and collectibles at a flea market. While I’m not hawking any secondhand books here, I do have some stuff to share as usual. Overall European rail operators do … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Asia, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Public Transport
Tagged Japan, Lawson's
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A Never Ending Read
Did you know that there’s a book no one will ever be able to finish reading in their lifetime, and it only has 10 pages? In 1960, the French writer Raymond Queneau introduced what is probably the world’s longest book. … Continue reading
God Bless Us, Everyone
On this date in 1843, Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol. Dickens wrote the novel after his first commercial failure. His previous novel, Martin Chuzzlewit had flopped, and he was suddenly strapped for cash. Martin Chuzzlewit had been satirical and pessimistic, and Dickens … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Europe, History, Libraries, Restaurants, Writing
Tagged A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
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A Wonderland for Christmas
Just in time for Christmas, the NYRB Kids imprint has published a new edition of Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland illustrated by the Finnish author and artist Tove Jansson. Jansson is most famous for her Moomin books, which remain … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Restaurants, Writing
Tagged Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll, Tove Jansson
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The dumbest souvenir of the year
My favorite place to chill out in Italy is the little town of Varenna on Lake Como. The only souvenirs that I have of my time there are a few photos and some very fond memories. But apparently the region … Continue reading
