Tag Archives: Science

“LIBRARIAN – HAPPY EASTER X”

Posted on April 17, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

“LIBRARIAN – HAPPY EASTER X”, just  three words and a signature X was all it took to once again open one of Britain’s most intriguing literary mysteries of the 21st century. In November 2000, a pair of notebooks belonging to … Continue reading →

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One Hundred Seconds to Midnight

Posted on October 11, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

One Hundred Seconds to Midnight is a new collection focusing on the literary and scientific history of climate change dating back to the fifteenth century.  The innovative exhibition will go on display at the London Frieze Masters Art Fair this month … Continue reading →

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Virtually Macabre in Philly

Posted on May 14, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Like many folks self-isolating these days, I have been spending way too much time on virtual video tours. I have taken train rides through the Swiss Alps, long car journeys around New Zealand, hikes in Icelands, and much more. Some … Continue reading →

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Free Books (really)

Posted on March 13, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

h/t to Stanislav and Milen for the extensive links FAMOUS AUTHORS Classic Bookshelf: This site has put classic novels online, from Charles Dickens to Charlotte Bronte. The Online Books Page: The University of Pennsylvania hosts this book search and database. … Continue reading →

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Science Fiction Inspires Science IRL

Posted on September 18, 2019 by Brian D. Butler

News of scientist Giovanni Aldini’s electric reanimation experiments on corpses in 1803 reached author Mary Shelley before the publication of her  iconic science fiction book Frankenstein. It was an instance of science informing fiction. In turn, Shelley’s masterpiece would eventually … Continue reading →

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Reading Rx

Posted on July 10, 2018 by Brian D. Butler

Since I’m laid-up this week due to a very dumb injury, I thought that a reading prescription was in order. This mix of novels and nonfiction should keep me out of trouble for a few days. So, what are you … Continue reading →

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Escape Velocities

Posted on December 11, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

This week Arizona State University’s Center for Science and Imagination published Visions, Ventures, Escape Velocities: A Collection of Space Futures, a free digital book collection of fiction and nonfiction about space exploration. The free book, which was funded by NASA grants, is … Continue reading →

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Look to the Skies

Posted on August 16, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

With the solar eclipse less than a week away, much of North America is looking to the skies.

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That Old Book Smell

Posted on April 16, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

As a life-long book collector and a long-time bookseller, I have always loved that special woody, floral, dusky aroma that only emanates from books with age. But what precisely is “that old book smell”? The journal Heritage Science has published an … Continue reading →

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Exploding Pumpkins

Posted on October 31, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Happy Halloween

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