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.

Living Memory

Posted on September 18, 2023 by smellincoffee

When Starfleet begins analyzing a series of disruptive and potentially dangerous flares in space, Commander Pavel Chekov realizes there’s a pattern: these flares mostly in places visited by the Enterprise on its five-year mission, albiet in reverse order — and … Continue reading →

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The High Country

Posted on September 15, 2023 by smellincoffee

All Chris Pike wanted to do was take a gander at a strange planet from Enterprise’s new shuttle, Eratosthenes. But then the laws of physics went AWOL, and he’s woken up to find himself living in…eh, the Old West? Well, … Continue reading →

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The Jewish Annotated New Testament

Posted on September 14, 2023 by smellincoffee

(Yes, this book is why I’ve been so quiet the last two weeks.) The relationship between Christianity and Judaism has fascinated me ever since I bolted from the Pentecostalism in which I was raised, and began rebuilding my worldview from … Continue reading →

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Wednesday Prompt: Legends and Tales

Posted on September 13, 2023 by smellincoffee

Today’s prompt from Long and Short Reviews is “Favorite Legend or Fairytale”. Without a doubt, mine is Robin Hood. Perhaps because when I was a kid, I watched the Disney version of the story, in which Robin appeared as a … Continue reading →

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Top Ten Favorite Character Relationships

Posted on September 12, 2023 by smellincoffee

Today’s TTT is “Top Ten Favorite Character Relationships”. Similar ground to 2011’s “Best Duos”. First up, though, a tease: “Hemmer, we’re in a place where basic physical laws can’t be trusted, and random things are failing on Enterprise. You’re sure … Continue reading →

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Star Trek Day: May the Spock Be With You

Posted on September 8, 2023 by smellincoffee

Today is Star Trek day, which I’m pretty sure is something Paramount made up to compete with May the Fourth. I’ve been a Trekkie since a trampoline accident landed me in a hospital for three weeks and I suddenly got … Continue reading →

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The Lives They Saved

Posted on September 6, 2023 by smellincoffee

“Look for the helpers”, Mr Rogers advised children who were frightened by disaster. L. Douglas Keeney here offers a spyglass to readers. Instead of fixating on the flaming towers, the clouds of smoke filled with dust, jet engine fumes, and … Continue reading →

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Top Ten Tuesday: Surprises and Spells

Posted on September 5, 2023 by smellincoffee

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is books that surprised us. First up. a tease from Jim Butcher’s Storm Front. I had several enchanted items around—or half-enchanted items, anyway. Carrying out a full enchantment is expensive and time-consuming, and I just couldn’t … Continue reading →

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Friday the Rabbi Slept Late

Posted on September 1, 2023 by smellincoffee

The small Massachusetts village of Barnard’s Crossing is shaken when the body of a young woman is found lying behind a garden wall, and no one more than Rabbi David Small — because the woman’s purse was in his car, … Continue reading →

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August 2023 in Review

Posted on September 1, 2023 by smellincoffee

August is one of the few months of the year where I don’t mind if it passes too quickly. In the Gulf Coast, it’s a month for holing up inside and giving thanks for freon and electricity. The unexpected presidents … Continue reading →

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