Author Archives: smellincoffee

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About smellincoffee

Citizen, librarian, reader with a boundless wonder for the world and a curiosity about all the beings inside it.

Hope Rides Again

Posted on May 16, 2026 by smellincoffee

A few years ago I read a silly story about Joe Biden and Barack Obama trying to solve the mystery of an AMTRAK conductor being murdered while their Secret Service handlers and wives went “REALLY?”. This is its sequel. President … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Decision Points

Posted on May 14, 2026 by smellincoffee

I have a ….complicated relationship with George W. Bush. He was the president when I was in high school, and most importantly during 9/11: his “I can hear you!” response still makes me want to find a table, stand on … Continue reading →

Posted in General, history, Politics and Civic Interest | Tagged , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Classics Club Spin #44

Posted on May 14, 2026 by smellincoffee

It’s time for another Classics Club spin, in which we’re given until May 17th to produce a list of 20 titles remaining on our Classics Club list, and then on that date a random number tells us which book on … Continue reading →

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WWW Wednesday

Posted on May 13, 2026 by smellincoffee

Today’s prompt from Long and Short Reviews is, what’s something we’d like to know more about? ….well, everything. You know when we’re children, we pester adults with question after question — what’s that? What’s that? Why does it do this? … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 10 Comments

Top Ten Bookish Quotes in re: the Whole Flower Thingummy

Posted on May 11, 2026 by smellincoffee

(Yes, I’ve been enjoying PG Wodehouse. How could you tell?) Teaser Tuesday “The one thing that saved me was that I always thought facts mattered. And once you think that facts matter, then of course that’s a very different ball … Continue reading →

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Ope! ..it’s the Midwest Survival Guide

Posted on May 8, 2026 by smellincoffee

A few years ago I stumbled into the Midwestcentric comedy stylings of Charlie Berens, and he’s become a close favorite: I rewatch his and YouBetcha’s collabs constantly. The Midwest Survival Guide is a solo effort of his, one I ignored … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Killing Kennedy

Posted on May 7, 2026 by smellincoffee

A black convertible slows around a turn in Dallas, showing off a handsome couple in the backseat. Shots are fired, and suddenly a woman in pink is climbing across the trunk of the convertible as it now speeds away. These … Continue reading →

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WWW Wednesday & Long and Short Reviews

Posted on May 6, 2026 by smellincoffee

Today’s prompt is “What could you give a speech about without notice”, which makes me laugh because going off on spontaneous history lectures is a specialty of mine. History is my passion, and it’s partially connected to my profession: I … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Politics and Civic Interest | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

Being Nixon

Posted on May 5, 2026 by smellincoffee

Last year I nearly did a deep dive into all things Nixon: exactly a year later,  he beckoned me to follow him, and this time I did.  What is it about Nixon?  One book I’ve read recently, and I can’t … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Politics and Civic Interest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Teaser Tuesday

Posted on May 5, 2026 by smellincoffee

Teaser Tuesday Shortly after one-thirty, he was informed by his military aide, Brigadier General Robert Schulz, that President Kennedy had been shot. There was still something about General Eisenhower, now seventy-three, that made people turn to him for reassurance. A … Continue reading →

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