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.

Hail to the WWW Wednesday

Posted on September 16, 2026 by smellincoffee

WHAT have you finished reading recently? Jimmy Carter, Julian Zelizer. WHAT are you reading now? Coolidge, Amity Schlaes. WHAT are you reading next? Benjamin Harrison, Charles W. Calhoun My aim this week is to post a POTUS review….every single day. … Continue reading →

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TRUMAN

Posted on September 15, 2026 by smellincoffee

A new reader to this blog might ask, “SC, after cheerfully dismissing president after president with 200-page biographies from the American Presidents series, why did you decide to read a twelve hundred page treatment of Harry S. Truman?”  There are … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Politics and Civic Interest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Top Ten Authors I’ve Met

Posted on September 14, 2026 by smellincoffee

Today’s prompt is….authors I’ve met! Well, this will be a short list. but first, a Teaser Tuesday! On the morning of the first trip to school, it was icy, which meant a fast ride but a cold one. Coolidge and … Continue reading →

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William Howard “Chief Magistrate” Taft

Posted on September 14, 2026 by smellincoffee

Early on in the American republic, the office of president was referred to as the chief magistrate; William Howard Taft must have taken that on as a challenge, because after serving as President, he later became the Chief Justice of … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Politics and Civic Interest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Destiny of the Republic

Posted on September 12, 2026 by smellincoffee

When put on trial for the assassination of President James Garfield, Charles Guiteau protested that he’d merely shot Garfield: his doctors had killed him. As crazy as Guiteau was — and his membranes were definitely scrambled — he may have … Continue reading →

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WWW Wednesday & Films Near Me

Posted on September 8, 2026 by smellincoffee

Today’s prompt from Long and Short Reviews is “Films Filmed Near You”, and I think people will be surprised by how many there are. But first, WWW Wednesday! WWW Wednesday WHAT have you finished recently? Heroes, Stephen Fry. WHAT are … Continue reading →

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Stephen Fry’s Heroes

Posted on September 8, 2026 by smellincoffee

What do I know of the Greek heroes? Precious little. I recognize the phrase, Labors of Hercules, but could not tell you more than a couple of them – cleaning out stables and helping Atlas with the sky for some … Continue reading →

Posted in Classics and Literary, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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