Author Archives: smellincoffee

Unknown's avatar

About smellincoffee

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

Another Truman Tease + STAR TREK DAY

Posted on September 7, 2026 by smellincoffee

Teaser Tuesday I am over halfway through Truman by David McCullough, and a chapter or so from finishing Heroes by Stephen Fry, his collection of stories about Heracles, Perseus, Oedipus, and other guys whose names end with -s. Also, Atalanta! … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

The Unexpected President

Posted on September 2, 2026 by smellincoffee

This president reading project has been interesting so far, making me more fully aware of how complex some of the personalities to inhabit the White House have been. Chester A. Arthur, a man I formerly knew only for his muttonchops, … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Politics and Civic Interest, Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

WWW+W Wednesday

Posted on September 1, 2026 by smellincoffee

WHAT have you finished reading recently? The Unexpected President. WHAT are you reading now? Truman, David McCullough; Heroes, read by Stephen Fry. Beginning the audio version of Jayber Crow by Hovel Audio; I bought it years ago for a $1 … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged | 2 Comments

Teaser Truman

Posted on September 1, 2026 by smellincoffee

Truman was so poor after he retired as President they literally created the presidential pension for him. I fear this week may be a quiet one; while I am close to finishing off President Arthur, my chosen book for Harry … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Top Ten Quotes from Brother Berry

Posted on August 31, 2026 by smellincoffee

Last night, shortly before going to bed, I saw the sad news that Wendell Berry had died. Brother Berry means a great deal to me, and has for the last fifteen years. I considered him our greatest living American, closely … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged | 3 Comments

August 2026 in Review

Posted on August 30, 2026 by smellincoffee

I don’t think I can finish The Unexpected President tonight, and even if I finish it tomorrow I’d be unlikely to post a review until September….so here’s a rare Sunday post! August was a dreadful month, weather-wise, with life-draining and … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , | 11 Comments

WWW Wednesday

Posted on August 26, 2026 by smellincoffee

WHAT have you finished reading recently? Greek Ways: How the Greeks Created Western Civilization, Bruce Thornton, and James Garfield, Ira Rutkow. WHAT are you reading now? Just began The Unexpected President, a history of Chester Arthur. Still pecking at The … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , | Leave a comment

James “Death by Lightning” Garfield

Posted on August 25, 2026 by smellincoffee

Back in March, I announced that I was beginning a trio of unknowns — Hayes, Garfield, and Arthur. Then the 1960s took over, but I’m back at it. Who is James Garfield? A teacher, an officer, a forceful Republican — … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Politics and Civic Interest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Ten Bookish Spaces

Posted on August 25, 2026 by smellincoffee

Today’s TTT is ‘bookish places’, which will be a hard one, but let’s see what I manage. But first, the Tuesday Tease! “A little polis living orderly in a high place is stronger than block-headed Nineveh,” the Assyrian capital destroyed … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Stalking the Atomic City

Posted on August 22, 2026 by smellincoffee

“This is Chernobyl, too”, someone posted on reddit, captioning a large radar-like installation. “Huh,” says I. A radar station? In the Zone? I’d never heard of such a thing. When I looked at its satellite footage, I noticed something nearby … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments