Tag Archives: Harry Potter

Scotland’s Year of Stories

Posted on July 24, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

The tourism organization VisitScotland has announced that 2022 is a “Year of Stories,” and has launched a project called Braw Beginnings (braw meaning fine, good, or pleasing) which translates the first lines of iconic books inspired by or written in Scotland into … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Tourism, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Censorship Is A Dead End

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. Typically held during the last … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Freedom of Speech, Libraries, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Kitsch is King Even In NYC

Posted on June 17, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Diehard Harry Potter fans will undoubtedly love the new Wizarding World-themed coffee shop just opened in Manhattan’s East Village neighborhood. Cleverly named Steamy Hallows, the kitschy  cafe boasts a whole range of over the top decor, including floating candles to … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Film, Restaurants, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Isn’t all of Britain fictional

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

Fake Britain is a marvelous map to more than 400 fictional locations in England, Scotland and Wales featuring made-up towns, villages, castles, islands, and more. Created by Matt Brown and Rhys B. Davis, the map draws from films, television and books. … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, Film, Maps, movies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

And the winner is…

Posted on October 25, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Harper Lee’s classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird was chosen by voters as America’s #1 best-loved novel in  “The Great American Read.” The viewers’ voting results were revealed Tuesday night on PBS during the final episode of the eight-part television series and nationwide campaign, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Libraries, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Imagining Britain

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Austin, Texas-based artist and illustrator Chet Phillips has re-imagined vintage British travel posters in a marvelous series of fantasy and horror themed postcards and posters. The set includes a dragon, Doctor Who, a troll, Harry Potter, a giant, and Cthulu. … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Reading Is Magic

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

This sweet stop-motion video created by unPop Studio captures the magic of reading in a delightful tribute to J K Rowling.

Posted in Animation, Art, Books, Tech, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Harry Potter Underground

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Diehard fans of the Wizarding World now have an actual London Underground map detailing the landmarks from JK Rowling’s books with fictional Tube stations—except for King’s Cross and Paddington of course.

Posted in Animation, Art, Books, Europe, Film, Maps, Public Transport, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Give A Book This Christmas

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Brian D. Butler

Bloomsbury Publishing—whose authors include Neil Gaiman, J.K. Rowling and Khaled Hosseini—produced this little video to remind folks of the power of reading and the importance of great writing in our lives.

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Just In Time for Christmas Shopping

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Brian D. Butler

Harry Potter fans have flocked to London’s King Cross Station for years in search of the secret Platform 9 3/4 . Now they can part with a few pounds at the new Harry Potter Shop appropriately situated between Platforms 9 … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Europe, movies, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment