Category Archives: USA

The Libraries Are Appreciated

Posted on March 16, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

The Libraries Are Appreciated, Jacob Lawrence From the Harlem series, No. 28 The Harlem Branch Library of the New York Public Library at 9 West 124th Street  

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in America when the sun goes down

Posted on March 15, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Last Friday would have been Jack Kerouac’s 99th birthday. One of the online commemorations linked to this extraordinary clip from a 1959 television appearance on the Steve Allen Show. Kerouac reads from On the Road while Allen plays some bluesy jazz … Continue reading →

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NYC’s Tiniest Tourist Attraction

Posted on March 12, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

At the corner of Christopher Street and Seventh Avenue South in the West Village, in front of the iconic Village Cigars store, lies this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it mosaic embedded in the sidewalk. The  triangle’s enigmatic message: “Property of the Hess Estate Which Has … Continue reading →

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Worldwide Live

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

When I have felt especially claustrophobic during the Pandemic lockdown, I have checked out some of the amazing live camera feeds from around the globe. Recently, I found the wonderful Rolling Cam World on Youtube and I think that I’m … Continue reading →

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world without end

Posted on March 10, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Map Linda Hogan This is the world so vast and lonely without end, with mountains named for men who brought hunger from other lands, and fear of the thick, dark forest of trees that held each other up, knowing fire … Continue reading →

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Goin’ Mobile beep, beep

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

If you land on TBTP on a regular basis, you know how I feel about bookmobiles, traveling libraries, and itinerant bookstores. So, you won’t be surprised by these two stories about mobile booksellers from opposite sides of the globe. I … Continue reading →

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The feeling of communion in the libraries

Posted on February 27, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Most English speakers are familiar with the American author E.B. White from his contributions to the iconic writing guide The Elements of Style or through his classic children’s books such as Charlotte’s Web. During World War II, he received a request … Continue reading →

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stealing the sun

Posted on February 26, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

A few years ago I had the opportunity to do some traveling in British Columbia and Alaska. While I was there I became intrigued by the art, culture, and mythologies of the indigenous peoples of the region, including the Tlingt … Continue reading →

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If you see a train this evening…

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

If you see a train this evening, Far away against the sky, Lie down in your wooden blanket, Sleep, and let the train go by. Trains have called us, every midnight, From a thousand miles away, Trains that pass through … Continue reading →

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A Specter is Haunting Texas

Posted on February 22, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

The constant news stories this past week about the pitiful state of the State of Texas reminded me of the little known post-apocalyptic science fiction satire by the way under appreciated author Fritz Leiber. In the very dark, but humorous … Continue reading →

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