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 Eagle and the Wolves

Posted on April 5, 2017 by smellincoffee

The Eagle and the Wolves© 2003 Simon Scarrow452 pages The Roman Empire’s campaign in Britain may about to become a victim of its own success. While a great victory last summer established a stronghold in the heart of the island, … Continue reading →

Posted in historical fiction, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Podcast of the Week: the British History Podcast

Posted on April 5, 2017 by smellincoffee

History is human. History is drama. History is our story, and it belongs to all of us. Since I’m celebrating English literature and history this month, I’d like to share the British History Podcast with readers who may be interested. … Continue reading →

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Perelandra

Posted on April 4, 2017 by smellincoffee

Perelandra © 1943 C.S. Lewis 322 pages In Out of the Silent Planet, Dr. Erwin Ransom was kidnapped by two malevolent technologists who thought to offer him as a sacrifice to the ruler of Mars, a planet they were interested … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science fiction | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Tolkien’s Sanctifying Myth

Posted on April 3, 2017 by smellincoffee

Tolkien’s Sanctifying Myth:  Understanding Middle-Earth © 2002 Brad Birzer 255 pages How better to kick off Read of England than by visiting the world of Tolkien, who has enraptured readers for decade after decade now?  Tolkien is not merely an … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion and Philosophy, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Read of England 2017

Posted on April 1, 2017 by smellincoffee

  Dear readers, it is at long last April, and you know what means! READ OF ENGLAND 2017 is officially on, a month dedicated wholly to England — English history, literature, culture, and personalities.  Why April?  April 23rd is both the … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 7 Comments

La Florida

Posted on March 29, 2017 by smellincoffee

La Florida: Five Hundred Years of Hispanic Presence©  2016 Viviana Díaz Balsera & Rachel A. May312 pages Florida, like many places in the United States, bears the name given to it by another culture.  The Spanish, setting first foot on … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Politics and Civic Interest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Other War of 1812

Posted on March 24, 2017 by smellincoffee

The Other War of 1812: The Patriot War © 2007 James Cusick 398 pages If the War of 1812 rings any bells for most Americans, they may associate it with the creation of the Star-Spangled Banner, the national anthem whose … Continue reading →

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

The Benedict Option

Posted on March 23, 2017 by smellincoffee

The Benedict Option © 2017 Rod Dreher 269 pages Christendom has fallen; long live Christendom.   In The Benedict Option, Rob Dreher argues that the Christian church in the United States is at a crisis point and must now think … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Unvanquished

Posted on March 22, 2017 by smellincoffee

The Unvanquished© 1938 William Faulkner254 pages Years ago in a ninth-grade literature class,  I chose to read a book by William Faulkner for a class project on the basis that he was a southern writer. My teacher cautioned me against … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Big Sleep

Posted on March 20, 2017 by smellincoffee

The Big Sleep© 1939 Raymond Chandler277 pages A dying old man who lives in a greenhouse, sustained only by its heat and the fear of his children shaming the family,  has summoned Philip Marlowe for a job. The family is … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , | 4 Comments