Author Archives: smellincoffee

About smellincoffee

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

Appetizers from “The Best Cook in the World”

Posted on January 3, 2020

The following are quotations from The Best Cook in the World, which drew me in immediately with its humor and evocations of family dinners year past.  The book is a tribute to the author’s  mother,  consisting of some of her … Continue reading →

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The Best Cook in the World

Posted on January 3, 2020

The Best Cook in the World: Tales from my Momma’s Table © 2018 Rick Bragg 512 pages “Good stuff always has a story,” she said.  One of my New Years resolutions is to cook more, and that has unexpectedly introduced … Continue reading →

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A Warning

Posted on January 2, 2020

A Warning © 2019 A Senior Trump Administration Official 272 pages In 2018, a disturbing op-ed ran in The New York Times declaring the existence of a secret band of White House staffers who were ‘working diligently’ to frustrate part … Continue reading →

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Forward to 2020

Posted on January 1, 2020

Although I’ve never been much for New Year’s, save for enjoying a day off, I do appreciate the occasion it offers to look back on progress,  and to plan for the future.  As I’ve done the latter, already,  time for … Continue reading →

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2019 Year in Review

Posted on December 31, 2019

Well,  dear readers,  it’s that time of year again — for appraising one year’s progress and getting ready for another year’s goals.  I’ve had a fantastic year in my personal life  — paying off my student loans,  making huge strides … Continue reading →

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Top Ten Favorite Books, 2019

Posted on December 30, 2019

 Code Girls: The American Codebreakers who Helped Win WW2, Liza Mundy. Fun and informative, Code Girls follows the rapid growth of intelligence and crytography during WW2.   Absolutely fascinating! The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe, Steven Novella et. al. The best … Continue reading →

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(Most Of) What I Read in 2019

Posted on December 30, 2019

(“Most” because I forgot to keep track, so this just has the stuff I remembered to put on Goodreads. ) Politics and Civic Interest The Long Game: How Obama Defied Washington and Redefined America’s Place in the World, Derek Chollet … Continue reading →

Posted in What I Read in... | Tagged | 6 Comments