In a galaxy far, far away…

Posted on January 8, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

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Last year, I shared a post on Penguin’s reissue of a series of hardcover science fiction titles with stunning cover designs by Spanish artist Alex Trochut. Now the publisher has released a limited edition box set called “Galaxy”. The book series was curated by the inimitable Neil Gaiman, who also contributed an introduction to each volume.

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The box set includes Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein; Dune by Frank Herbert; The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin; Neuromancer by William Gibson; A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clark; and The Once and Future King by T.H. White. Looks like a great gift for some sci-fi bibliophile.

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Resistance Is (not) Futile

Posted on January 7, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

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Since November, a website has been compiling anti-Trump cartoons and comics. Now the New Yorker’s art editor Françoise Mouly and her daughter, writer Nadja Spiegelman have edited the contributions for the protest comic named Resist!, which is being printed in a run of 55,000 copies, to be distributed for free in Washington D.C. on January 20th, Trump’s presidential inauguration day, and at the Women’s March the next day.

by Julie Wilson

by Julie Wilson

The website dedicated to the publication has been inviting submissions since November, and has received over 1,000 pieces of work. According to the website, the aim was to make the print version an all-women issue, though would remain open-minded and consider all submissions. It has been periodically publishing some of the submitted works on the site. Resist! will be published as a special issue of the tabloid newspaper Smoke Signal.

by Ellis Rosen

by Ellis Rosen

by Rebecca McCorkindale

by Rebecca McCorkindale

Resist! is also available to order online here for $10 and will be sold at comic book stores in the U.S..

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Miss Lasko-Gross

by Kate Glesheen

by Kate Glesheen

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Mini Metros

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Washington, D.C.-based graphic designer Peter Dovak has created a beautifully simplified series of transit maps for 220 metro and light rail systems from around the world. They might not help you get where you need to go, but they sure look great. You can see more of Dovak’s design work, and even purchase prints, posters, pins, and mugs, on his website.

 

 

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It’s Old Book Week

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

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image © Bonnie M. Butler

Although for years now pundits have been predicting that digital books would eliminate printed books any day now, the real thing still has an enduring allure. Some of us are fortunate enough to surround ourselves with printed volumes and even get to spend quality time with hand crafted books. Though most books today are mass produced by machine, some dedicated printers continue to make books by hand. You don’t need to be a bibliophile to enjoy the short video below documenting the historic process.

Posted in Books, Film, History | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Real Sharing Economy

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

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Notfairbnb is a brilliant initiative of Belgium’s Solidarité Grand Froid and TBNA Bruxelles, which are non-profit groups whose aim is to help homeless people live better lives while on the street. They provide material assistance, as well as psychological and social supports. The project, which hopefully won’t be scuttled by the real Airbnb, allows people to place faux reservations for a place in a doorway, a cardboard box, or an old mattress. Your financial contribution goes directly to homeless services. Take a look at the website (while it’s still up) and consider helping out.

Those of us who get to visit Europe for fun or work can easily forget the enormous problems that so many residents face. While we gadabout sightseeing or rushing to meetings, it’s all to simple to overlook the vulnerable people all around us.

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Not A Lost Art (yet)

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

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Those of us who buy, sell and collect antiquarian books obviously value them for their literary content, but most of us are also enamored by the physical books. I’m especially thrilled to discover intact old bindings and volumes which incorporate marbled paper. I recently stumbled on the video below from the Gloucester Guild of Craftsmen in England, which profiles master bookbinder and paper marbler Chris Rowlatt. You don’t have to be a complete book geek to enjoy the short film.

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Inquiring Minds Want To Know

Posted on January 2, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

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Happy New Year

Posted on January 1, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

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A wise person once told me to begin a project how I wanted it to end. In that spirit, I would like to start this new year by expressing my gratitude to all of the regular followers of Travel Between The Pages. Thank you for your feedback, messages, emails, suggestions, guest posts, and comments. The absolute best part of this little project has been the opportunity to connect with amazing people around the world. Here’s hoping that 2017 will be a wonderful year for us all.

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Annus Horribilis

Posted on December 31, 2016 by Brian D. Butler
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Underground Museum

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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If you know anyone who lives or works in New York City, they’ve probably had something to say about the soon-to-be-opened , but long delayed, new Second Avenue subway line. What they probably haven’t mentioned is the exceptional artwork that adorns the walls and ceilings of the subway stops. You really can’t blame them, since they’ve been waiting nearly a century for this line to be finished.

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When it opens at noon on January 1, 2017, the Second Avenue subway will be an underground museum featuring custom designed mosaic murals and portraits. Some of the artwork is based on photographs of actual subway riders. But there are also impressive portraits of famous New Yorkers, such as Chuck Closes’s Lou Reed, Kara Walker, Philip Glass, and himself, as well as large murals by Sarah Sze and Jean Shin.

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So, after a 97 year wait the first phase of the Second Avenue subway seems to be a reality, at least between 63rd St. and 96th St.. It may not be a big deal for tourists, but for folks on the Upper East Side it’s more than a cool underground art show. If you’re in the city, start your visit to the virtual underground museum at the 63rd and Lexington Ave station and take the Q train uptown.

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photos © MTA Arts and Design

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