Category Archives: USA

The Invention of Fantasy

Posted on October 10, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

The Man Who Invented Fantasy All those wizards, ogres, and barely-clad elf queens in the bookstore? You have Lester del Rey to thank. by Dan Sinykin Lester del Rey wore 1950s-style horn-rimmed glasses, an unruly billy-goat beard, and his silver … Continue reading →

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thinking about burning the bookstore down

Posted on October 8, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

In the Bookstore By: Julia Vinograd I went down to the bookstore this evening and found myself in the poetry section. But for every thin book of poems there was a thick biography of the poet and an even thicker … Continue reading →

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NYC Runs on Coffee

Posted on October 6, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

It’s no secret that I am obsessed with coffee. I love drinking it, I love roasting coffee beans, and I love learning about all things coffee. So, I was delighted to discover that the amazing New York Coffee Festival is … Continue reading →

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An Audacious Throwback

Posted on October 5, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I only gave up my print subscription to the New York Times last year replacing it with the newspaper’s excellent digital version. But I still miss that satisfying feel of a big, foldable broadside edition. Now the new County Highway, which … Continue reading →

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Freedom to Read

Posted on October 1, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I was recently asked by a TBTP follower from Europe if the issue of book banning in the United States was being overhyped in the press. Sadly, if anything the scourge of book bans, and even book burnings, is not … Continue reading →

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Let Freedom Read

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

The American Library Association has announced the theme for Banned Books Week 2023: “Let Freedom Read!” Banned Books Week will take place October 1 – 7, 2023. “As we’ve seen throughout National Library Week, as long as there are libraries, … Continue reading →

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“I’ve been everywhere, man”

Posted on September 26, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I was recently killing time in an airport waiting for a flight and spent a fun time trading travel recommendations with another flyer. We had both seen lots of fabulous places, but neither one of us could compete with the … Continue reading →

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Florida ! Love it or hate it

Posted on September 19, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Florida is one of those places that you never really know unless you’ve lived there. Having spent the better part of my twenties in the Sunshine State, and having resided in both South and North Florida, I feel that my … Continue reading →

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Starting with Common Sense

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Books That Shaped America is a new 10-part series – a joint original feature production from C-SPAN and the Library of Congress – will trace America’s history by examining masterpieces in literature that have had, and still have today, a major … Continue reading →

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year

Posted on September 16, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

It is that time of year again when the leaves in the northern hemisphere change colors. As it does each Autumn, SmokyMountains.com has published their best guess as to when the leaves will be changing in various parts of the … Continue reading →

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