Category Archives: Europe

There be monsters

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Just in time for Halloween, the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library in Toronto has opened De Monstris, an exhibition exploring the long cultural tradition of frightening monsters that inflamed imaginations and triggered irrational fears throughout history. De Monstris examines scary illustrations and writings from … Continue reading →

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Bookstore Tourism: London

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

When I first discovered London’s iconic Stanfords in 1986, Britain’s largest travel bookstore was already 133 years old. Located in a beautiful turn-of-the-century building on Long Acre in the heart of Covent Garden since 1901, the shop has one of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Maps, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Don’t let the bastards cheer you up

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

I never tire of London-based artist Harland Miller’s brilliant send-ups of iconic Penguin book covers. His faux vintage covers are always on point.

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The Only Map You Need

Posted on October 14, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

h/t Jools Stone  

Posted in Europe, Maps, Tourism | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Book Purge Pain

Posted on October 13, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Every four or five years I attempt a thinning out of my personal library through a merciless book purge. Last year I managed to ruthlessly select about 300 titles and donate the lot to my local library for the annual … Continue reading →

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Piles of French Novels

Posted on October 7, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Vincent Van Gogh Piles of French Novels 1887  

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The best museum in the world ?

Posted on September 27, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

You may disagree, but TripAdvisor just named the Musée d’Orsay in Paris the “Best Museum in the World” for 2018. Housed in a stunning turn-of-the-century former railway terminal, this riverside gem hosts an eye-popping collection of European art works dating … Continue reading →

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It’s Raturday

Posted on September 22, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

For equal time Raturday, we have Robert Browning’s 1888 version of The Pied Piper of Hamelin illustrated by Kate Greenaway. The text of the volume published by Frederick Warne and Co. was based on a 17th century English take on the 13th … Continue reading →

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Every Book Lovers Dream

Posted on September 19, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

When Paul Morris was forced by ill health to retire from his beloved Bookmarks Bookshop in beautiful Cardigan, Wales, rather than sell the business he decided to raffle it off. To qualify for the prize, customers only needed to make a minimum … Continue reading →

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European Heritage Journeys

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

In conjunction with European Heritage Days 2018, UNESCO has launched a new web platform solely dedicated to sustainable travel to European heritage sites. World Heritage Journeys is co-funded by the European Union and promotes sustainable travel to some of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, History, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments