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.

WWW Wednesday + Fantasy Occupations

Posted on October 7, 2026 by smellincoffee

Today’s prompt from Long and Short Reviews is, “occupations from fiction we’d like to try”. I would like to be a member of the Idle Rich, like Bertie Wooster. I feel very strongly I was meant for a life of … Continue reading →

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Human Errors

Posted on October 6, 2026 by smellincoffee

To err is human,  they say, but  at some point we can’t help it: we were born flawed,  a conviction shared by both biology and the good book. Nathan Lents’ Human Errors looks at the frailties of the human body … Continue reading →

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

Ten Books that Conjure Up Happy Thoughts

Posted on October 5, 2026 by smellincoffee

Today’s TTT is about happiness, but first — the Teaseday Tuese! We are the first people to cave dive inside an iceberg. And we may not live to tell the story. – INTO THE PLANET And now, happy books! (1) … Continue reading →

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To Infinity…..and Beyond!

Posted on October 5, 2026 by smellincoffee

To Infinity and Beyond is a dramatic title for a collection of science facts organized by scale. We open with a chapter on baseballs and rockets in the atmosphere, zoom out to the solar system, where Tyson talks about how … Continue reading →

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

Movies and TV, September 2026

Posted on October 3, 2026 by smellincoffee

Last month I did an experiment in which I listed TV shows I’d watched and lectures/podcasts I’d listened to. I’m continuing in that experiment this month, but it may be….too much. Moviewatch September 2026 SEPTEMBER Coyote vs Acme, 2026.  Wile … Continue reading →

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Fishing with Herbert and Grover

Posted on October 3, 2026 by smellincoffee

So, I ran into Fishing for Fun and to Wash Your Soul, and I kinda had to read it. I’m not much of an angler, but I enjoy reading outdoor works like those of Robert Ruark and was curious as … Continue reading →

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Ghosting the News

Posted on October 2, 2026 by smellincoffee

The first time I ever applied for a job, it was at my local newspaper; I remember seeing the iMacs on the desk and thinking that if I really wanted to work in journalism, I might have to learn macOS. … Continue reading →

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The Outlier

Posted on October 1, 2026 by smellincoffee

When I read the American Presidents treatment of Jimmy Carter,  I knew right away I wanted more. Not because his presidency was hugely impactful, but he struck me as such an odd personality I wanted to ponder him more.  I … Continue reading →

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September 2026 in Review

Posted on September 30, 2026 by smellincoffee

September 2026….a heck of a month, beginning with Wendell Berry’s death, punctuated by a funeral and a strong storm system rolling through my alma mater in Montevallo and threatening but not taking down my Reading Tree, and then dominated by … Continue reading →

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WWW Wednesday

Posted on September 30, 2026 by smellincoffee

WHAT have you finished reading recently? 1932, finally. FDR and Hitler are interesting subjects and more so when compared against one another, but the nitty-gritty of party politics is not my cup of tea. WHAT are you reading now? The … Continue reading →

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