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.

Nonfiction November, Question 4: Recent TBR Additions

Posted on November 27, 2023 by smellincoffee

This month some bloggers have been participating in Nonfiction November, a series of queries hosted by “Based on a True Story“. The last question asks for nonfiction titles that have recently found themselves on our to-be-read pile. I think it’s … Continue reading →

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With Good Intentions? The Myth of Progress

Posted on November 25, 2023 by smellincoffee

Wait, wait, wait. Before I comment on this book, I want to say first that patience is a virtue, and so is persistence. I stumbled on Bill Kauffman nine years ago, possibly via Front Porch Republic, and was immediately taken … Continue reading →

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Make it ho, ho, ho!

Posted on November 24, 2023 by smellincoffee

When I saw that Audible had a version of “A Christmas Carol” performed by Patrick Stewart, there wasn’t a chance in the world I would not listen to it. I made myself wait until after Thanksgiving, though, because I’m a … Continue reading →

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Give thanks

Posted on November 23, 2023 by smellincoffee

Giving thanks is very meet and right, and just so to do, so — here’s one of my very favorite hymns in honor of the day.

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Wednesday blogging prompt: bookish memes

Posted on November 22, 2023 by smellincoffee

Today’s prompt is memes that remind us of books, but when I opened Ye Olde Warehouse of Saved Memes, I found that I mostly save political, cultural, and Star Trek memes, so I’m just going to go with “memes that … Continue reading →

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A Week with Jack

Posted on November 22, 2023 by smellincoffee

For the last few years I’ve had the Best of Intentions of doing a CS Lewis-themed week, set between November 22nd and November 29th, the anniversaries of his death and birth, respectively. That didn’t happen, but this year — it … Continue reading →

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Racism, medieval feasting, and housing

Posted on November 21, 2023 by smellincoffee

Between work and school projects my list of read-but-unreviewed titles is growing, so…alas, it’s short rounds time. First up, The Color of Law, on how housing segregation was purposely pursued, not merely tolerated, by the federal government — primarily through … Continue reading →

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Tuesday Thanking and Teasing

Posted on November 21, 2023 by smellincoffee

Today’s TTT is reasons we’re thankful for books, so I’m just going to go with books I’m thankful for for random reasons. But first, a tease. And yes, there are books reviews coming. Maybe in short round form, but they’re … Continue reading →

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Nonfiction November, Part II

Posted on November 20, 2023 by smellincoffee

I forgot about Nonfiction November’s weekly prompts, so here’s another twofer! Week 3 (11/13-11/17) Book Pairings: This week, pair up a nonfiction book with a fiction title. Maybe it’s a historical novel and the real history in a nonfiction version, … Continue reading →

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The city with more bikes than cars

Posted on November 19, 2023 by smellincoffee

I’ve heard of Freiberg before, but one of my favorite channels recently just did a video on it. Enjoy (if you can while intensely coveting, like myself). I’m planning for a bunch of city-related reading in 2024!

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