Category Archives: Europe

I can’t believe that NYC is #17

To paraphrase Tolstoy’s famous opening line: All happy cities are alike; each unhappy city is unhappy in its own way. Maybe that’s too clunky a way to introduce the 2025 Happy City Index, but I’m seriously jetlagged so it will … Continue reading →

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It’s going as planned

Passenger train networks: United States vs Europe.

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In my dreams the world would come alive

In my dreams the world would come alive, becoming so captivatingly majestic, free and ethereal, that afterwards it would be oppressive to breathe the dust of this painted life. But then I have long since grown accustomed to the thought … Continue reading →

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Watching the Detectives

“Detective Novel” by Robert Walser translated by Tom Whalen HE PRETENDED to possess technical expertise. Anyway, the title seemed quite brilliant. I resolved to learn more and started reading him, but he left much to be desired. Both he and … Continue reading →

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Travel Cats

I love cats and I love train stations, so the silly, but fun website BahnhofsKatzen is just my cup of coffee. This site is a well-maintained resource documenting stray cats at train stations around the world, but primarily in mainland … Continue reading →

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But I am a blasted tree

During my youthful days discontent never visited my mind; and if I was ever overcome by ennui, the sight of what is beautiful in nature, or the study of what is excellent and sublime in the productions of man, could … Continue reading →

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“We are all living in Orwell’s world now”

“We are all living in Orwell’s world now” – The New York Times, 29 March The Orwell Festival is returning to Bloomsbury, London, this month with an interesting line-up of events exploring some of the urgent themes and questions arising from … Continue reading →

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The Boat

“The Boat” by Robert Walser translated by Tom Whalen I think I’ve written this scene before, but I’ll write it once again. In a boat, midway upon the lake, sit a man and woman. High above in the dark sky … Continue reading →

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Little Free Penguins

The UK’s largest book publisher has announced plans to install dozens of mini-libraries across the country as part of its 90th birthday celebrations. The project from Penguin Books will see 90 ‘Little Book Stops’ installed across the UK, with online … Continue reading →

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More Indie Bookstore Celebrations

Canadian independent booksellers are celebrating Independent Bookstore Day, a tradition that began in 2018 with the first Canadian Independent Bookstore Day that has aligned with the U.S. version since then. CIBD developed from Authors for Indies Day, which began in … Continue reading →

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