Category Archives: Uncategorized

Be not inhospitable to strangers

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

For book lovers around the world, Shakespeare and Company in the heart of Paris is emblematic of the ideal independent bookshop. Even bibliophiles who have never been to Paris feel as though they know Shakespeare and Company. After all, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Restaurants, Tourism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

When to let go

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Anyone who has been to my home knows that I have a little book hoarding issue, but I’m working on it. This amusing infographic, created by San Francisco-based illustrator and designer Jon Adams, should resonate with kindred spirits.  

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Beautiful Barcelona

Posted on March 28, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

If you have ever visited Barcelona, you likely returned home raving about the city’s stunning architecture. Now along with Barcelona’s grand townhouses, mansions, museums, churches, and historical sites hundreds of late 19th and early 20th century small retail buildings are getting … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, Museums, Restaurants, Tourism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Still Life With Books

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

I recently ran across a blog that was “offering’ a download of this painting (see above) to be used as a screen saver. It looked very familiar and after a little research I realized that it was by the 19th … Continue reading →

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Save London’s Only Floating Bookshop

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

A few months back we posted story about London’s only floating bookshop Word on the Water. The terrific secondhand shop, moored on the Regent’s Canal in west London, is facing an existential threat from the Canal & River Trust which is planning to … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Tourism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Starry Night

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

Bike riding at night can be exciting and liberating, but often just dangerous. Now thanks to Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde nocturnal trips can be magical. He has created a beautiful new illuminated bicycle trail in the town of Nuenen near … Continue reading →

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Now we see through a glass darkly

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

London-based photographer Nick Turpin transforms images of boring London bus rides into poignant and compelling portraits. The uncanny synthesis of foggy windows, interior lighting and otherworldly, but natural color turns Turpin’s photos from documentary to moving works of art. The painterly … Continue reading →

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William S. Burroughs: What a cut-up

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

I just saw that Penguin Modern Classics will be reissuing William S. Burroughs’ mind-bending cut-up trilogy with some appropriately sinister cover art by Julian House. You may not recognize his name, but House is responsible for some awesome album cover … Continue reading →

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Which Banned Book Are You

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

Banned Books Week runs through September 27th. To help us celebrate the freedom to read, Columbus State Library has created a neat quiz to help discover “Which Banned Book Are You ?”. It appears that I’m Henry Miller’s Tropic of … Continue reading →

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Literary Coffee

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Gianluca Biscalchin is an accomplished food and cookbook illustrator, and you may have seen his wonderful series of author illustrations called “Scrittori”. Now he has created this marvelous graphic (see below) called “Literary Coffee”. Enjoy:

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