Category Archives: Writing

Arthur Conan Doyle Mystery

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Lost or unknown manuscripts seem to be turning up at a surprising pace these days. In September, the publication of a long lost book by James M. Cain (The Postman Always Rings Twice, Double Indemnity, etc.) was announced by publisher … Continue reading →

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Charles Dickens at 200

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Charles Dickens fans should not miss the Morgan Library and Museum’s exciting bicentennial celebration of the author’s birth. With North America’s greatest permanent collection of Dickens manuscripts, books, letters and documents, the Morgan Library in midtown Manhattan is the perfect … Continue reading →

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Mappamundi

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

The glorious Fra Mauro Mappamundi was created between 1458 and 1459 by the Venetian monk/cartographer/sailor/explorer/adventurer Fra Mauro. The map was commissioned by Portugal’s King Alfonso V and produced at the Camaldolese Monastery of Saint Michael on the Venetian lagoon island … Continue reading →

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Ecriture Infinie

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Beginning in 2006 at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, artists Bili Bidjocka and Simon Njami have been traveling the globe inviting creative types to hand write personal messages onto eight huge books. The extraordinary project, titled Ecriture Infinie, focuses … Continue reading →

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BBW : Celebrate the Freedom to Read

Posted on September 24, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Banned Book Week, which runs from today through October 1st this year, celebrates the freedom to read what we choose and the essential protections offered by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It highlights the many benefits of free … Continue reading →

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Oxford Inklings

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Recently, while doing some research on an early edition of one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s lesser known books I ran across a brief article about the author’s life in Oxford and his social network there. The venerable university city of Oxford … Continue reading →

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BookLamp…what is it?

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Have you ever wished that  you could find new books the same way Pandora helps you find new music? Using a series of algorithms, BookLamp analyzes your favorite books for five style elements and then delivers you customized recommendations with … Continue reading →

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I Hate the “I Hate Reading” Facebook Page

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Last week some mindless troll took the time to create a Facebook page titled “I Hate Reading” and more than 437,000 other morons “Liked” the page. If that’s not sad enough, the “I Hate Books” page has over 271,000 “Likes”, … Continue reading →

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Franz Kafka’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” ?

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Mash-up Franz Kafka’s groundbreaking novella The Metamorphosis with Frank Capra’s syrupy classic film It’s a Wonderful Life and you get this marvelously absurd short film. Directed by Peter Capaldi and starring Richard E. Grant, the film won tons of awards … Continue reading →

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Support Indie Bookstores

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Most indie bookstores in the US are struggling to keep their doors open. Subterranean Books in St. Louis, MO is no exception. To support this terrific bookshop, Noir@theBar , an exceptional venue for author readings and book events, has put together the … Continue reading →

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