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.

Marce Catlett and the Force of Story

Marce Catlett  The Force of a Story takes a life we’ve visited with previously and then visits with it for a while, learning how the story of Andy Catlett was really a continuation of a story in which his grandfather … Continue reading

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Top Ten Movie Favorites for 2025

Today’s TTT is our ten most recent acquisitions, but I’m going to be wicked and do my top ten favorite films watched for this year, instead. But first, the Teaseday Tues! [Tyler] was an Old Republican who pledged fealty to … Continue reading

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End Year Short Rounds: Frankenstein, Merlin, and Stephen Douglas

Although I ostensibly took a break from the blog on Christmas eve to focus on real life and all that, part of my brain is resolutely blog-oriented and insisted I keep reading so that I did not fail the Science … Continue reading

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Harry Potter and the Quest to Get Expelled: Full Cast Audio!

Recently I took a chance on the full-cast audio version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone that’s just come out. I say “took a chance” because the preview on Audible does not communicate the nature of the book especially … Continue reading

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Science Survey, 2025!

Yes, despite entering the month with three items pending, and despite my history obsession and the sloth that comes with the holidays, I knocked out Chemistry/Physics, Biology, and Local Astronomy this past week. Hurrah for the Christmas holidays! ….reviews will … Continue reading

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And this is why we do not discuss politics at Christmas lunch

(Yes, yes, I know I’m taking a break, but I read this today and it was too funny and too appropriate to leave alone.) “On December 25, 1847, one day after Cass wrote to Nicholson, [Jefferson] Davis confronted colleague Henry … Continue reading

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WWW Wednesday

WHAT have you finished reading recently? Bosom Friends, a book examining the alliance between James Buchanan and William Rufus King, and Zachary Taylor, a biography of President Zachary Taylor. Also, Millard Fillmore by the aptly named Finkleman. I will not … Continue reading

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Old Rough and Ready Taylor

When I think of Zachary Taylor, I can see a craggy face right out of a western– and for some reason, I think of cherries. (My adult brain has somehow managed to remember some 25+ years after reading a book … Continue reading

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Top Ten Titles Most Recently Added to my Goodreads TBR

Today’s treble T is books we hope Santy Clause leaves, or bookish wishes in general.  The compulsory gift-giving is my least favorite part of Christmas, at least when small children aren’t involved – especially when absurd scenarios like adults taking … Continue reading

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Bosom Friends

James Buchanan remains the United States’  only bachelor president –  he was technically joined in this feat by Cleveland for one term, but by the time 22 had returned as 24, he had found his better half.  Buchanan, though,  despite … Continue reading

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