Category Archives: USA

Commodified fantasy takes no risks

Posted on February 22, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

  “All times are changing times, but ours is one of massive, rapid moral and mental transformation. Archetypes turn into millstones, large simplicities get complicated, chaos becomes elegant, and what everybody knows is true turns out to be what some … Continue reading →

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How to act around books (according to the NYPL)

Posted on February 21, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

How to act around books.  

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The Magazine That Never Dies

Posted on February 19, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

This week marks the centennial of the founding of Weird Tales magazine. On February 18, 1923, the first issue of Weird Tales appeared on American newsstands. Subtitled “The Unique Magazine,” it was the first English language magazine dedicated to science fiction, horror, supernatural, … Continue reading →

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So You Wanna Be A Writer

Posted on February 17, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

-The narrator of the powerful video below is Tom Bedlam -The music  is Alice In Winter – Hold This Place. if it doesn’t come bursting out of you in spite of everything, don’t do it. unless it comes unasked out … Continue reading →

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The Unimaginable Future

Posted on February 13, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

“Alicia Eggert sculpts neon, steel, and time to make art that inspires reflection and wonder at the finite nature of human life within a seemingly infinite universe. In September 02022, Alicia brought “This Present Moment,” a sculpture adapting the words … Continue reading →

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Just Another Sundry Sunday

Posted on February 12, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Old internet hands may recollect the early days of the web when it all seemed so clever and exciting. One of those interesting 1990s projects has just been relaunched and is worth a look on a lazy Sunday afternoon. The … Continue reading →

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Going Underground in NYC

Posted on February 9, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Both sides of my family emigrated to New York City shortly before the city’s subway system was inaugurated in 1904. So, I literally rode New York’s underground trains before I was born. Like most residents of the world’s greatest city … Continue reading →

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Amor librorum nos unit

Posted on February 7, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I was non plussed to stumble upon this fantastic poster this week. The title, “Amor librorum nos unit,” which translates as “the love of books unites us,” is the longtime motto of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers. The color … Continue reading →

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Spoiler Alert

Posted on February 5, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

These days it’s nearly impossible to avoid spoilers for films, television shows, or books. Fortunately, some folks have the good graces to warn us with a “spoiler alert.” But have you ever wondered where the term “spoilers” came from ? … Continue reading →

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Books and Music

Posted on February 4, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I continue to be amazed by the creativity of book artists. Two wizards of the genre, Peter and Donna Thomas, recently completed a pair of wonderful accordion books with fascinating musical connections. The first is an accordion-style artist’s book, commissioned … Continue reading →

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