Author Archives: smellincoffee

Unknown's avatar

About smellincoffee

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

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 →

Posted in General | Tagged | 2 Comments

Teaser Truman

Posted on September 1, 2026 by smellincoffee

Truman was so poor after he retired as President they literally created the presidential pension for him. I fear this week may be a quiet one; while I am close to finishing off President Arthur, my chosen book for Harry … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Top Ten Quotes from Brother Berry

Posted on August 31, 2026 by smellincoffee

Last night, shortly before going to bed, I saw the sad news that Wendell Berry had died. Brother Berry means a great deal to me, and has for the last fifteen years. I considered him our greatest living American, closely … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged | 3 Comments

August 2026 in Review

Posted on August 30, 2026 by smellincoffee

I don’t think I can finish The Unexpected President tonight, and even if I finish it tomorrow I’d be unlikely to post a review until September….so here’s a rare Sunday post! August was a dreadful month, weather-wise, with life-draining and … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , | 11 Comments

WWW Wednesday

Posted on August 26, 2026 by smellincoffee

WHAT have you finished reading recently? Greek Ways: How the Greeks Created Western Civilization, Bruce Thornton, and James Garfield, Ira Rutkow. WHAT are you reading now? Just began The Unexpected President, a history of Chester Arthur. Still pecking at The … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , | Leave a comment

James “Death by Lightning” Garfield

Posted on August 25, 2026 by smellincoffee

Back in March, I announced that I was beginning a trio of unknowns — Hayes, Garfield, and Arthur. Then the 1960s took over, but I’m back at it. Who is James Garfield? A teacher, an officer, a forceful Republican — … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Politics and Civic Interest, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Ten Bookish Spaces

Posted on August 25, 2026 by smellincoffee

Today’s TTT is ‘bookish places’, which will be a hard one, but let’s see what I manage. But first, the Tuesday Tease! “A little polis living orderly in a high place is stronger than block-headed Nineveh,” the Assyrian capital destroyed … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Stalking the Atomic City

Posted on August 22, 2026 by smellincoffee

“This is Chernobyl, too”, someone posted on reddit, captioning a large radar-like installation. “Huh,” says I. A radar station? In the Zone? I’d never heard of such a thing. When I looked at its satellite footage, I noticed something nearby … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Dark Mirror

Posted on August 21, 2026 by smellincoffee

The memory of thirty years ago is hazy, but I can look back through it and see one moment of clarity: my best friend Gil and I walking around during lunch period (we always skipped lunch in favor of roaming … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Reviews | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

I Am Spock

Posted on August 20, 2026 by smellincoffee

I cannot tell you how many times I read through this book in high school, but it’s the foundation of everything I know about Star Trek’s original production, from the practical effects to the behind the scenes drama.  I Am … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, science fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments