Category Archives: USA

Sometimes going backwards is good

Posted on April 13, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority recently  revealed a revamped map of the city’s subway system that takes its cues from a 1970s throwback that was cheered by design connoisseurs and reviled by many traditionalists. It is the first major overhaul of … Continue reading →

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Beyond Gravity’s Rainbow

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Last week, Penguin Random House announced a new novel from Thomas Pynchon. The novel, his first in a decade, is called Shadow Ticket and is set to publish on 7 Oct. 2025. PRH’s copy:   Milwaukee 1932, the Great Depression going … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, USA, Writing | Tagged , | 2 Comments

“Trimalchio in West Egg.”

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

It seems a bit incredible that F. Scott Fitzgerald originally titled the great American novel “Trimalchio in West Egg.”But in the end he called it “The Great Gatsby” and it remains one of the 20th century’s most read and beloved … Continue reading →

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A NYC Culinary Mystery

Posted on April 8, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

I recently discovered a tasty mystery in New York City’s East Village neighborhood. When you enter Surprise Scoop  it’s quickly obvious that this ice cream shop isn’t like the others. There are no employees in sight and no ice cream … Continue reading →

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Live from around the globe

Posted on April 6, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

TVgarden is an amazing website that allows you to tune in to live television broadcasts from around the world. There have been similar sites, but this one really works. However, be prepared to loose an afternoon or evening to fascinating … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, South America, Tech, USA | Tagged | 1 Comment

on tyranny

Posted on April 3, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

I know that I’ve posted about Timothy Snyder’s Twenty Lessons on Tyranny a number of times, but we are staring at the abyss in the United States and Democracy is on the verge of ruination. In this 10-minute video, John Lithgow reads … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Freedom of Speech, History, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Mapping Monday

Posted on March 24, 2025 by Brian D. Butler
Posted in Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, Maps, Middle East, USA | Tagged | 3 Comments

An Amusing Anecdote

Posted on March 23, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

 

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Book store humor

Posted on March 22, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

A very nice, well-appointed lady spends about an hour browsing the stock, including the locked cases. After building a rather formidable stack of unrelated books worth over $3,500 (including some very scarce Mark Twain first editions), I couldn’t resist asking: … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, USA | Tagged , | 2 Comments

How to act around books

Posted on March 20, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

 

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