Category Archives: Writing

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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Our Kind of Cover Art

Posted on August 5, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

I know, some of you are shaking your heads and saying “enough with the cover art”, but too bad, cause here’s some more. This year John Le Carré’s U.S. publisher Penguin has reissued most of his novels with stunning new … Continue reading →

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France Supports Its Bookshops

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

In an unprecedented effort to support booksellers in France, an ambitious advertising campaign has been launched this week. A consortium of labor groups that represent booksellers, publishers and bookstores is financing the effort to encourage French readers to visit bricks and … Continue reading →

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Awful Library Books

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Hat-tip to our friends at Any Amount of Books, London for this suggestion: Michigan librarians Mary and Holly have been compiling their hilarious, and sometimes scary, blog of Awful Library Books for almost four years. I know that booklovers and … Continue reading →

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Reading Life: 1st Impressions

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Last Sunday, the New York Times Sunday Book Review inaugurated a new column on writing entitled “Reading Life“, which will be penned by none other Geoff Dyer. If you haven’t had a chance to read the first column, it’s a … Continue reading →

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A True Peake Experience

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Brian D. Butler

Mervyn Peake (1911–1968) was a prolific and astonishingly original writer and artist, who touched at one time or another on almost every literary form. To celebrate the centenary of Peake’s birth, the British Library’s exhibition The Worlds of Mervyn Peake … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Libraries, Museums, Writing | 1 Comment