Category Archives: USA

Excursions into humor + despair

Posted on May 24, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

The Detroit-based publisher Rotland Press advertises itself as “a fine publisher of excursions into humor + despair.” It is also the perfect vehicle for a literary and arts journal to help us cope with the overwhelming nature of the Covid-19 … Continue reading →

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How to find that book without the title

Posted on May 23, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

If you are like me there are times that you are searching for a specific book but don’t remember or don’t know the title. The video below and this  article from the website Make Use Of has some great ideas … Continue reading →

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What Do Lou Reed and Agatha Christie Have in Common

Posted on May 20, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

What Lou Reed and Agatha Christie have in common is the American-born, but British-raised illustrator Tom Adams. When Reed was searching for an artist to design his self-titled album for the UK market in 1972, he chose Adams. Ironically, although … Continue reading →

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The Great American Book Giveaway

Posted on May 19, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Gold Beach Books is the second largest bookstore in Oregon and like most folks in the bookselling biz these days they have been closed due to the pandemic. But the four sisters who own the store came up with a … Continue reading →

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Bookstock 2020

Posted on May 15, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Bookstock 2020, is an online books and music festival spearheaded by Eddy Nix, musician and owner of Driftless Books and Music in Viroqua, Wis.. The special event will run this  weekend, May 15-17, with the goal of celebrating musicians and … Continue reading →

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Virtually Macabre in Philly

Posted on May 14, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Like many folks self-isolating these days, I have been spending way too much time on virtual video tours. I have taken train rides through the Swiss Alps, long car journeys around New Zealand, hikes in Icelands, and much more. Some … Continue reading →

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Cover the Walls with Hope

Posted on May 12, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Recently a new multi-artist street art project called Fill the Walls with Hope has popped-up on walls and boarded up windows across Philadelphia. Organized by Mark Strandquist and created with submissions from local Philadelphia and national artists, the project incorporates … Continue reading →

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The Not-Quite-Quiet Library

Posted on May 10, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

My family and friends who are on lockdown in New York City have noted just how preternaturally quiet it has been lately. Not day in the country quiet, but actual birds singing, wind in the trees, individual voices, and cars … Continue reading →

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but then you read

Posted on May 8, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

 

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The Last Word Spoken

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Testimony: 1968 Rita Dove Who comforts you now that the wheel has broken? No more princes for the poor. Loss whittling you thin. Grief is the constant now, hope the last word spoken.In a dance of two elegies, which circles … Continue reading →

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