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.

Drowning in books

Posted on November 3, 2020 by smellincoffee

This is something of a catch-up post. I’ve been slowly reading The Dictator’s Handbook, an impressively cynical analysis of political science, and had hoped to finish it by Election Day so I could post an amusingly-timed review. Between the hurricane … Continue reading →

Posted in General, history, science fiction | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Top Ten Nonbookish Hobbies

Posted on November 3, 2020 by smellincoffee

Today’s TTT should be especially fun, and perhaps more varied than these lists usually go – -we’re talking about Nonbookish Hobbies! PC Gaming. A hobby, a vice, call it what you will; if I’d put as much time into anything … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 10 Comments

Scaling Mount Doom: October 2020

Posted on November 2, 2020 by smellincoffee

So hey, it turns out having COVID is really good for working on one’s literary goals. I realized when trying to reconcile my list with goodread’s that I never reported reading The Demon’s Brood: A History of the Plantagenet Dynasty … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged | 2 Comments

Zeta Aftermath

Posted on November 2, 2020 by smellincoffee

Well, when my coworkers and I bid each other goodnight on Wednesday, we didn’t realize it would be nearly a week before we came back! Although we knew the system was headed our way, we’ve had so many gulf systems … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 4 Comments

Zeta

Posted on October 29, 2020 by smellincoffee

Zeta hit last night. Surreal 3 hrs, I will say. Total power loss in county. Will be days before I’m back online. No damage to my home but many friends and famy were not so lucky. I’ve been cleaning up … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 12 Comments

ST: The Long Mirage

Posted on October 27, 2020 by smellincoffee

Star Trek Deep Space Nine: The Long Mirage© 2017 David R George III300 pages Bajor is a planet in crisis, as a sect which argues that that Prophets are not gods is growing in prominence, commingling with the revelation that … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Napoleon: Life and Legacy

Posted on October 22, 2020 by smellincoffee

Napoleon: Life and Legacy© 2011 Alan Forrest403 pages Napoleon is an unavoidable figure of European history, and enjoys no shortage of admirers even today. For years he dominated a continent, using native talents given abundant opportunities opened by the revolution … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

Wisdom Wednesday: Try

Posted on October 20, 2020 by smellincoffee

Scene: A visionary academic, Hari Seldon, has attracted the attention and wrath of the Emperor, and is fleeing for his life with the assistance of “Chester Hummin”, a journalist. The two men take refuge in a dismal diner and Hummin … Continue reading →

Posted in quotations | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

COVID Reviews #6 Cleaning Up with gangsters, Navajo, politicians, and so many Germans

Posted on October 20, 2020 by smellincoffee

Back in September and early October when I was under quarantine, I didn’t have computer access, so I couldn’t take many notes or write reviews when things were fresh on my mind. I tried to post comments intermittently, but some … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Ten Titles Recommended to me Since 2013

Posted on October 20, 2020 by smellincoffee

Today the TTT is revisiting a subject from 2013, our favorite books which have been reccommended to us. Desert Solitaire, anonymous commentator. Years ago someone suggested I read Ed Abbey’s ” Desert Solitaire”, and that book’s descriptions of the southwest … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 3 Comments