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.

Heir to the Empire

Posted on September 7, 2009 by smellincoffee

Heir to the Empire © 1991 Timothy Zahn 404 pages A few weeks ago I decided to read the Thrawn trilogy in full. Set in the Star Wars expanded universe five years after Return of the Jedi, it seemed an … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science fiction | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Demon-Haunted World

Posted on September 6, 2009 by smellincoffee

The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark © 1995 Carl Sagan 457 pages Carl Sagan’s Demon-Haunted World is a classic of the modern skeptical movement. I initially began to phrase that “will be considered”, but quickly changed … Continue reading →

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

A History of God

Posted on September 5, 2009 by smellincoffee

A History of God: the 4000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam © 1993 Karen Armstrong 460 pages I checked this out in early 2006 but quickly lost interest after encountering the Sumerian mythology that Armstrong introduces the book with. … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

This Week at the Library (2/9)

Posted on September 2, 2009 by smellincoffee

Books this Update: Are We Rome?, Collen Murphy Alternative American Religions, Stephen J. Stein Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers, Shane Claiborne Roma, Steven Saylor I began this week with Are We Rome? a political work comparing the United States … Continue reading →

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Roma

Posted on August 30, 2009 by smellincoffee

Roma: The Novel of Ancient Rome © 2007 Steven Saylor 555 pages < When I first saw this book’s full title, I was amused by what seemed to be presumption. The novel of ancient Rome? Really? Its plot summary — … Continue reading →

Posted in historical fiction, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers

Posted on August 29, 2009 by smellincoffee

Becoming the Answer to our Prayers: Prayer for Ordinary Radicals © 2208 Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove 124 pages “As a beautiful flower that is full of hue but lacks fragrance, even so fruitless is the well-spoken word of one … Continue reading →

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Alternative American Religions

Posted on August 28, 2009 by smellincoffee

Alternative American Religions © 2000 Stephen J. Stein 156 pages Maurice: Pastor Richards, as a human being, I have to say I find your philosophy or cult or whatever it is utterly and completely appalling. Richards: Why thank you! I … Continue reading →

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Are We Rome?

Posted on August 27, 2009 by smellincoffee

Are We Rome? The Fall of an Empire and the Fate of America © 2007 Cullen Murphy 262 pages Lead poisons our wine and makes us stupid / Gladiators keep us entertained / More votes cast for idols than for … Continue reading →

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This Week at the Library (26/8)

Posted on August 26, 2009 by smellincoffee

Books this Update: Casebook of the Black Widowers, Isaac Asimov The Audacity of Hope, Barack Obama Who Needs God?, Harold Kushner The Japanese Experience, W.G. Beasley Catalina’s Riddle, Steven Saylor I started the week with an old favorite by returning … Continue reading →

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Catalina’s Riddle

Posted on August 25, 2009 by smellincoffee

Catalina’s Riddle 1993 Steven Saylor 430 pages Returning to Steven Saylor’s Roma sub Rosa series was a treat last week, but I did not expect to be as riveted as I was this week while reading Catalina’s Riddle. Our principle … Continue reading →

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