Category Archives: Europe

Copenhagen : Books and Coffee

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Although I have my quibbles with the baffling commitment to light roasts by Scandinavian 3rd wave coffeeshops and roasters, I do appreciate that there are coffee drinking opportunities everywhere—even in libraries. One of the coolest place to enjoy a good … Continue reading →

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A Little Fjord Music

Posted on May 21, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Part of Iceland’s problem with overtourism is that too few tourists take the time to visit the beautiful East of the country. I always try to see the “real” Iceland by driving to some of the little waterfront towns like … Continue reading →

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Hope For All Of Us

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

The Bookseller has reported that Silence Under a Stone, by the 81-year-old Irish writer Norma MacMaster, has been shortlisted for the Society of Authors’ Awards. What is noteworthy is that it is also Norma’s debut novel. The book, which the Independent … Continue reading →

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Don’t be that tourist

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

In many cities in Europe it’s become an asinine tourist tradition for couples to purchase overpriced padlocks, scratch their initials in them, and then attach them to bridges. Not only does this annoying habit visually blight historic architecture,but many of … Continue reading →

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Global Dickens

Posted on May 15, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I’m hoping that I will be able to catch the just opened exhibition called Global Dickens: For Every Nation Upon Earth this Fall at London’s excellent Dickens Museum. The show runs from this week through November 3, 2019. Here’s what … Continue reading →

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Ancient and Modern Meet in the Cyclades

Posted on May 10, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

A remarkable exhibition of contemporary sculpture by British artist Antony Gormley is on display from now through October 2019 at the extraordinary archaeological site of the Greek island of Delos. The non-profit organization NEON  is presenting the collection of anthropomorphic … Continue reading →

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Happy 300th to Robinson Crusoe

Posted on May 6, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Daniel Defoe’s Adventures of Robinson Crusoe was first published on April 25, 1719, and before the end of the year had run through four editions. An abridged children’s version was published in 1784 in Boston, printed and sold by N. … Continue reading →

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Don’t Tip Toe Through The Tulips

Posted on May 4, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I have been lucky enough to have been in the Netherlands many times during the spring flower season. It’s quite a sight to see millions of tulips and other flowers in bloom. Sadly,the well-loved fields in the Netherlands have been … Continue reading →

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Weekday Links to Love

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

I was recently asked: “Why do you call softcover books paperbacks ?” So, I had to get an answer and here it is. Not to burst your bubble, but here are 5 reasons you shouldn’t work in a bookstore. Although I stopped visiting … Continue reading →

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Blue Mondays

Posted on April 29, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

 

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