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 Awakening of Miss Prim

Posted on January 2, 2021 by smellincoffee

The Awakening of Miss Prim© 2014 Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera315 pages The Awakening of Miss Prim is a funny little novel, and not the sort of thing that would ordinarily be on my radar: a cozy romance, set in a ridiculously … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Science Survey 2020

Posted on January 1, 2021 by smellincoffee

 Three years ago I created the ‘science survey’ challenge to make myself read more widely in science,  and I’m pleased to report that not only did I complete the survey halfway into the year, but I was able to go … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged | 7 Comments

What I Read in 2020

Posted on January 1, 2021 by smellincoffee

I wasn’t able to finish Mama’s Last Hug before 2020 ended. I blame Arthur Morgan. Oh, well! 2021 will have a head start. –January–1. A Warning, Anonymous2. How Jesus Became God, Bart Ehrman3. The Best Cook in the World, Rick … Continue reading →

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The Classics Club Strikes Back

Posted on January 1, 2021 by smellincoffee

From 2015 to 2019, I participated in the Classics Club, leaving one book to read in 2020 from my list of 50 — and  having finished, it’s time to start again.   I decided to focus on stories closer to home, … Continue reading →

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Top Ten Favorite Reads, 2020!

Posted on December 29, 2020 by smellincoffee

This week we’re looking back at the year and thinking about our favorite reads. These are presented in the order in which I read them. Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owns. An absolutely unforgettable mix of character drama and nature … Continue reading →

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Titanic 2020’s last hours: all kinds of yakking, including 2021 plans

Posted on December 28, 2020 by smellincoffee

Here we are in that sweet, weird spot between Christmas holidays and New Year’s Eve. The end is near for 2020, not that the Cursed Year will stop giving. I’m sure corona will follow us into 2021, though — knock … Continue reading →

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Merry Christmas, Frohe Weihnachten, Feliz Navidad, and Joyeux Noel!

Posted on December 25, 2020 by smellincoffee

Whoever and whereever you are, a very Merry Christmas to you and yours. May the day be filled with good food, good times with people you love, and all the joy in the world.

Posted in General | 8 Comments

O, holy night —

Posted on December 24, 2020 by smellincoffee

I dare you to watch this and not weep.

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The Screwtape Letters

Posted on December 23, 2020 by smellincoffee

In the 1940s, as war waged in Europe, another war raged in England:  a struggle for one man’s soul. Advised by his uncle Screwtape, a young demon faced with a new convert to Christianity must work overtime to stifle his … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion and Philosophy, Reviews | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

1913: A Year of Gossip

Posted on December 21, 2020 by smellincoffee

I reviewed this title on goodreads, I described it as “People magazine for prewar Germany & Austria, with Louis Armstrong and a stray Frenchman thrown in for good measure.” There’s no traditional narrative, more a long series of vignettes that … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments