Category Archives: USA

Ebooks Explosion

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Graphic designer Boris Benko has created this info-packed infographic that helps us visualize trends in book sales and reading in the United States. According to his stats, 29% of all American adults own at least one type of digital reading … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Propaganda or Art

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Once again the United States has embarked on another seemingly endless Presidential Campaign. As electoral advertizing moves in to topgear we can expect to see all manner of campaign commercials, print art and propaganda. At least we can all enjoy … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, History, USA | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Trainiacs Alert

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

The 5th annual National Train Day on May 12th marks the 143rd anniversary of the completion of America’s first transcontinental railroad. On May 10, 1869, at Promontory Summit, Utah, the famed “golden spike” was driven into the final railroad tie … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Free Comic Book Day

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Tomorrow marks the tenth anniversary of Free Comic Book Day, an annual event that delivers precisely what it promises. Retailers across the U.S. will be offering specially printed copies of comic books, along with discounts on back-issues and other items; … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Herman Melville Meets Zeppelin

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

I am embarassed to admit that I just found out the other day that Herman Melville‘s iconic novel Moby Dick was out of print for decades. In fact, if a copy had not discovered in a secondhand bookshop, the seminal work may have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Film, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Occupy Libraries

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

In December, 2011 The Detroit Public Library Commission voted to close four branches of the city library. Some library-loving Detroit 4th graders decided to take matters into their own hands and fight back. The 4th grade class at Detroit’s Marcus … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Libraries, USA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Books Nights and Day

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

April 23rd is a big day (and night) for book lovers and bibliophiles around the world. Since 1995 the day has been designated by UNESCO as World Book and Copyright Day in honor of the birth and death of Shakespeare … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Libraries, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Visit Newark (really)

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

The Harlem Book Fair is coming to Newark, New Jersey for the first time and celebrating two days of literary-filled events next week. Newark Mayor Cory Booker and city leaders kicked off the “2012 as Year of Newark Literacy” campaign … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Libraries, USA | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Classes Are For Asses

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Here it is already halfway through National Poetry Month and nary a post about poetry ( or Charles Bukowski ). Well, here’s an amusing missive from Bukowski to his friend and fellow poet Willam Packard written at the very end … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, USA | Leave a comment

Stressing at the Strand

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

The Strand Bookstore at 12th and Broadway in NYC is one of the few remaining oldschool bookshops in the city selling secondhand, new, out-of-print and collectible books. The Strand, established in 1927, has managed to weather the devastation that has … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment