Category Archives: Europe

There are always exceptions

Posted on January 31, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

If you have ever traveled in the United Kingdom, or even read a British novel, it’s likely that you have been confused about the correct pronunciation of place names. I’m chagrined to admit that I constantly got location names horribly … Continue reading →

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Streaming Magic

Posted on January 25, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I’ve been to Iceland many times over the years, but I only managed to see the Aurora Borealis during my last visit. I was fortunate to catch the magical lights four nights in a row thanks to the owner of … Continue reading →

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more like dreams spoken aloud

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

The Last Bookshop is a bittersweet short film by Richard Dadd and Dan Fryer, which imagines the story of very last bookstore in the world.

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, ebooks, Europe, Film | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Tableaux Vivants

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Due to Covid curfews, a group of French librarians used their free time to recreate book related paintings in a series of amusing tableaux vivants. très drôle The entire album can be viewed on Calameo .  

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Amsterdam Says No To Overtourism

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Amsterdam has long been one of my favorite cities in the world, but on recent visits I have been put off by the sheer volume of tourists. The notoriously tolerant residents of the city seem to have finally had enough … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Europe, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Trees and books, books and trees

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Yvan Guillo, aka Samplerman, aka Yvang, is a French cartoonist and artist. He started publishing comics in the early nineties and has never stopped. He recently created some children’s comic books at the éditions “Le Moule à Gaufres”. Guillo also … Continue reading →

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Three and the Moon

Posted on January 5, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I recently stumbled upon this amazing title with mind-blowing illustrations by Boris Artzybasheff . The artist was a Russian refugee who arrived penniless in the U.S. after the Russian Revolution. He spent the next four decades creating illustrations for popular … Continue reading →

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Wild in Scotland

Posted on January 4, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Way back around the turn of the century I had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time in Scotland. While I have great affection for Edinburgh and Glasgow, the true treasure of the country is to be found … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

The Good Kind of Flood

Posted on December 22, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

If you follow TBTP on a regular basis you are well aware of my tremendous affection for Iceland and all things Icelandic. One of the most surprising things about the island nation is the love of books and reading. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, History, Tourism, Writing | 1 Comment

Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary

Posted on December 20, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Hermann Hesse : “This day will never come again and anyone who fails to eat and drink and taste and smell it will never have it offered to him again in all eternity. The sun will never shine as it … Continue reading →

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