Category Archives: Writing

words at play

Posted on April 24, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

MIT Press Bookstore bookseller Barry Duncan stumbled onto the book “An Almanac of Words at Play” four decades ago and it changed his life. Duncan discovered that words could go backwards. The realization set him on a course he would … Continue reading →

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All night I dreamt of bonfires

Posted on April 23, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Sharks in the Rivers Ada Limón We’ll say unbelievable things to each other in the early morning— our blue coming up from our roots, our water rising in our extraordinary limbs. All night I dreamt of bonfires and burn piles … Continue reading →

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Good Books

Posted on April 19, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Good books are friendly things to own. If you are busy they will wait. They will not call you on the phone Or wake you if the hour is late. They stand together row by row, Upon the low shelf … Continue reading →

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Otherwise it looks pretty good

Posted on April 18, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

If you read yesterday’s post on a list of the 50 best sci-fi books, you may have noted that it included The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I have been a life-long fan of Adams’ brilliant books and have … Continue reading →

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Are these the 50 best scifi books of all time ?

Posted on April 17, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I read quite a lot of science fiction. My reading habits were informed early in childhood by my love of writers such as Ray Bradbury and Isaac Asimov. These days I find myself leaning towards post-apocalyptic sci-fi and space operas. … Continue reading →

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The Forest Knows Where You Are

Posted on April 13, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Lost Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here, And you must treat it as a powerful stranger, Must ask permission to know it and be known. The forest breathes. … Continue reading →

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the songs of April were in my ears

Posted on April 10, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Youth and Age Kahlil Gibran In my youth the heart of dawn was in my heart, and the songs of April were in my ears. But my soul was sad unto death, and I knew not why. Even unto this … Continue reading →

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99 Stories of God

Posted on April 9, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

“Buried in Colorado All Alone” by Joy Williams from 99 Stories of God The girl from the pharmacy who delivered Darvon to Philip K. Dick, the science fiction writer, wore a golden fish necklace. “What does that mean?” asked Dick. She … Continue reading →

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The Rights of the Reader

Posted on April 8, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I recently stumbled upon this English translation of the 1992 French bestseller, Comme Un Roman, with illustrations by Quentin Blake. It’s a book about reading and the power of books by a celebrated author and former teacher, and much of it … Continue reading →

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The first duty of the novelist is to entertain.

Posted on April 5, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

“The first duty of the novelist is to entertain. It is a moral duty. People who read your books are sick, sad, traveling, in the hospital waiting room while someone is dying. Books are written by the alone for the … Continue reading →

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