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Bicycle Diaries
Bicycle Diaries | David Byrne
15 posts | 8 read | 8 to read
A renowned musician and visual artist presents an idiosyncratic behind-the-handlebars view of the worlds citiesSince the early 1980s, David Byrne has been riding a bike as his principal means of transportation in New York City. Two decades ago, he discovered folding bikes and started taking them on tour. Byrnes choice was made out of convenience rather than political motivation, but the more cities he saw from his bicycle, the more he became hooked on this mode of transport and the sense of liberation it provided. Convinced that urban biking opens ones eyes to the inner workings and rhythms of a citys geography and population, Byrne began keeping a journal of his observations and insights. An account of what he sees and whom he meets as he pedals through metropoles from Berlin to Buenos Aires, Istanbul to San Francisco, Manila to New York, Bicycle Diaries also records Byrnes thoughts on world music, urban planning, fashion, architecture, cultural dislocation, and much more, all conveyed with a highly personal mixture of humor, curiosity, and humility. Part travelogue, part journal, part photo album, Bicycle Diaries is an eye-opening celebration of seeing the world from the seat of a bike.
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rabbitprincess
Bicycle Diaries | David Byrne
Pickpick

This was first published in 2008 and I would love an updated edition. Still, always interesting to enter David Byrne‘s head.
#ShutdownRound3 book 6

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Creadnorthey
Bicycle Diaries | David Byrne
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Pickpick

Great read but you have to get to it quick; the thinking is great but there are bits that will date it!

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Creadnorthey
Bicycle Diaries | David Byrne

“...the interpenetration of everything, so no one or no building is truly isolated and “safe” anymore. Safety is in getting along.” P. 260-261

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Creadnorthey
Bicycle Diaries | David Byrne
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I know my lit-influence is not shooting off the charts... I‘m taking the “enjoy every mile-stone” approach. And here I have hit another.

Byrne doesn‘t talk about 7-elevens (yet) in this book, but it does a great job at discussing big-picture topics in whimsical local ways...

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Aimeesue
Bicycle Diaries | David Byrne
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Thrift store book haul, HC edition.
The Pit Bull book is for #Stella obviously. 😄

DGRachel Books for Stella! 💖💖 4y
Lcsmcat Nine Horses ❤️❤️❤️ 4y
Literary_Siren I loved The Graveyard Book! 4y
See All 8 Comments
TiredLibrarian Love Billy Collins! 4y
Tanisha_A 😍👏 4y
Aimeesue @Literary_Siren I love it too! This is the graphic novel. Well, Part 1. Not entirely sure about the GN approach yet. 4y
Aimeesue @Lcsmcat @TiredLibrarian I like Collins, too. I don't read much poetry, but I do like his work enough to take the time to read it. One of the few. 😋 4y
Aimeesue @DGRachel Stella has decided that she IS interested in the pictures, but feels we should skip the bit on "Training for your APBT." ? 4y
36 likes8 comments
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singregardless
Bicycle Diaries | David Byrne
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"I have become aware that there's a pyramid of control and influence that exists between text, image, and sound. I note that today we give text a preferential position. A label under an image "defines" that image even if it contradicts what we can see. I wonder if before text became ubiquitous was image the most influential medium? Sound?" #byrne #girlfriendisbetter

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2BR02B
Bicycle Diaries | David Byrne
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One of my favorite road trip songs is "Road to Nowhere" by Talking Heads. Its rolling tempo and gospel choir backing vocals give it anthemic qualities that will pump you up for the road ahead (even if the destination is nowhere.)

The obvious book pairing is Bicycle Diaries, a quirky travel memoir by Talking Heads frontman and bicycle evangelist David Byrne.

#RoadTripGiveaway @LibrarianRyan

ElleSkel I love that song! 6y
2BR02B @Elle_Skeldon me too! It's one of my go-to karaoke jams. 6y
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TieDyeDude David Byrne is playing a music festival near Philly this summer. I'm enjoying his new solo work 6y
Kimzey Excellent pairing! 6y
LibrarianRyan Nice. I don't remember hearing this song before. I enjoyed it. 6y
51 likes1 stack add6 comments
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2BR02B
Bicycle Diaries | David Byrne
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Excited about this recent addition to my local library. In fair weather, it will be ridden around the community to deliver library books, allow people to sign up for a library card on the go, and provide information about library programs. Does your library have a #bookbike?

GypsyKat That‘s so cool! 6y
CoffeeNBooks Wow! That's so awesome! 📚 6y
Ruri_kaichou That is such a cute idea! 6y
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Tanisha_A This is brilliant! 6y
Tamra How fun!! 6y
rather_be_reading tht is amazing! 6y
80 likes7 comments
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jenmoody23
Bicycle Diaries | David Byrne
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1. My son with his new bike a few days ago. 🚲
2. Not right now
3. Bike mentioned above 🚲
4. Taco salads tonight 🌮 🥗
5. Strawberry! 🍓
@MinDea #HumpDayPost

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Carolyn11215
Bicycle Diaries | David Byrne
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Love David Byrne‘s quirky voice and music. Had no idea he is such a bicycle enthusiast. #emojimadness @Tiffy_Reads @JoeStalksBeck

13 likes1 stack add
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Chelsibno
Bicycle Diaries | David Byrne
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When the weather is nice, I love going out on bicycle rides. Pictured here is me & @MJSanty on a rented tandem bike during a lovely May Day. #nonreadingpursuits #uncannyoctober

MJSanty That was such a good day. 7y
43 likes1 comment
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knp4597
Bicycle Diaries | David Byrne

Cities, it occurred to me, are physical manifestations of our deepest beliefs and our often unconscious thoughts, not so much as individuals, but as the social animals we are.

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knp4597
Bicycle Diaries | David Byrne
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Made a trip to the library!!! 📚 #allthebooks #tbr

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GoneFishing
Bicycle Diaries | David Byrne

Living "in" a story, being part of a narrative, is much more satisfying than living without one. I don't always know what narrative it is, because I'm living my life and not always reflecting on it, but as I edit these pages I am aware that I have an urge to see my sometimes random wandering as having a plot, a purpose guided by some underlying story.

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Dragon
Bicycle Diaries | David Byrne
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I'm not a sports enthusiast so I had to do some digging. Finally I remembered this book , a gift from my brother. #booksandsports

TheSpinecrackersBookClub Brother to the rescue 😉 8y
Dragon Thanks @TheSpinecrackersBookClub that's so true 8y
33 likes2 comments