Category Archives: USA

Somethings may be beyond satire

Posted on July 2, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

This week’s issue of the New Yorker features a post-modernist satirical short story by the award-winning author George Saunders. “Little St.Don” is told in a series of semi-comic vignettes that aim to capture our living nightmare. I’m a big fan of Saunder’s … Continue reading →

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There was only one catch

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

California-based, award-winning photographer David Fokos has an ongoing exhibition at San Diego International Airport called The Book Pages Project. This terrific show is an appreciation of “real” books in their actual physical form—paper pages, fonts, ink, layout—and the powerful contribution books have … Continue reading →

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RIP Donald Hall

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Affirmation Donald Hall, 1928 – 2018 To grow old is to lose everything. Aging, everybody knows it. Even when we are young, we glimpse it sometimes, and nod our heads when a grandfather dies. Then we row for years on the midsummer pond, … Continue reading →

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Bible Stories

Posted on June 21, 2018 by Brian D. Butler
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NYC Way-Back Machine

Posted on June 20, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Many years ago, when I made the transition from book collector to bookseller, a client asked me to locate a copy of “The Picture of New-York, Or The Traveller’s Guide Through The Commercial Metropolis of the United States, By a … Continue reading →

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Philly’s Own High Line

Posted on June 16, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

This week, Philadelphia inaugurated the initial section of the long awaited Rail Park. The first phase of the urban greenspace runs along a formerly derelict Reading Railroad 19th century viaduct. When it is completed, the Rail Park will run for … Continue reading →

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Ride the Pride Train in NYC

Posted on June 13, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

The annual Pride Train underground art campaign has returned to New York City’s subway system just in time for Gay Pride Month. This year’s posters mirror the official MTA signage, but instead of notices about service disruptions the posters offer messages about … Continue reading →

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Anthony Bourdain and the Magic of Print

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Although he was best known for his hit travel and food shows, Anthony Bourdain also made a series of videos with Balvenie Distillery celebrating American crafts and craftspeople. In Episode Five he visited San Francisco’s famed Arion Press to meet … Continue reading →

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Bookstore Tourism: Rocky Mountain High

Posted on June 7, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Sometimes when we find ourselves in a stunning new place, even the most ardent book lover may hesitate to visit the local bookstores. So, I was “lucky” to be in beautiful Telluride, Colorado on stormy, wet and chilly day recently. … Continue reading →

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Get Your Kicks On Route 66

Posted on June 5, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

I recently returned from an amazing road trip out West and of course began researching another driving trip immediately. In my slide down the rabbit hole of the internet, I stumbled upon this great project. America’s iconic highway Route 66 … Continue reading →

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