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.

The Network

Posted on February 11, 2021 by smellincoffee

The Network: The Battle for the Airwaves and the Birth of the Communications Age© 2015 Scottt Woolley280 pages Few things fascinate me as much as cities in the United States and Europe, circa 1880 – 1930: they were being remade … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Bird Way

Posted on February 9, 2021 by smellincoffee

The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think© 2020 Jennifer Ackerman368 pages When reading an introduction to a book on anthropology, one can’t help but be impressed by the variety of human cultures: … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Top Ten PC Games I Love

Posted on February 9, 2021 by smellincoffee

Today’s top ten is a “love” freebie, so I’m going to leave the reservation entirely and do…favorite PC games.  PC gaming  is my most timesinky hobby beyond reading,  its chief competitor and hindrance. Sim-me in his ‘apartment’.   20 years later … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 9 Comments

The Miracle of New Orleans

Posted on February 5, 2021 by smellincoffee

Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans 2017 Brian Kilmeade256 pages I know precious little about the war of 1812, saved that it involved the United States invading Canada, D.C. being burned, and….something about New Orleans? That ….something is … Continue reading →

Posted in history | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Selections from Beyond Tenebrae

Posted on February 4, 2021 by smellincoffee

For Marx, man is at heart economic. For Darwin, man is biological. For Freud, man is psychological. Each of these things is true. But man—a complexity and mystery even to himself—is all of these things and so much more. True … Continue reading →

Posted in General, quotations, Religion and Philosophy | 2 Comments

2021: January Review

Posted on February 3, 2021 by smellincoffee

Last year I began posting monthly ‘face the verdict’-type posts to keep track of my TBR. I’m going to try making that a more general month-in-review post that also takes care of un-reviewed works, and keeps track of my challenge … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Wisdom Wednesday: On Living and Working Amid Madness

Posted on February 3, 2021 by smellincoffee

“When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: the people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous and surly. They are like this because they can’t tell good from evil. But I have seen the … Continue reading →

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Then and now

Posted on February 2, 2021 by smellincoffee

“Know where this is?” someone asked, and showed me their phone. I had to stare in fasciantion. I knew that “AMERICAN” sign, all right. I’d driven by it enough times on my way to high school on those long morning … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged | 4 Comments

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

Posted on February 2, 2021 by smellincoffee

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe© 1987 Fannie Flagg416 pages “You know, a heart can be broken, but it keeps on beating, just the same.” Evelyn Couch is too young to feel this old. Despairing and lonely, she … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , | 8 Comments

The first and probably last time I ever share a rap video: “Fake Woke”

Posted on February 1, 2021 by smellincoffee

[Verse 1]I think it’s crazy I’m the one who they labeled as controversialAnd Cardi B is the role model for 12-year-old girlsThere’s rappers pushing Xanax at the top of the BillboardBut if I mention race in a song, I’m scared … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , | 19 Comments