Category Archives: General

Merlin’s Tour of the Universe

Posted on October 3, 2025 by smellincoffee

This is a book I’ve been meaning to read for years, though the only thing I knew about it was that it was authored by Neil deGrasse Tyson. Tyson is the director of the Hayden Planetarium and a public advocate … Continue reading →

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The Best of Oct ’24 – Oct ’25’s Teases

Posted on October 3, 2025 by smellincoffee

Three years ago, I started posting Tuesday Teasers after a long period of dormancy — so long, in fact, that the original host of it from 2009 was no longer around. After a year of consistent teases, I shared my … Continue reading →

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WWW Wednesday

Posted on September 30, 2025 by smellincoffee

WHAT have you finished reading recently? The Day of Battle, a girthy history of the Anglo-American invasion of Sicily and Italy in World War 2. WHAT are you reading now? Against the Machine, Paul Kingsnorth. I’m also looking through Starry … Continue reading →

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September 2025 in Review + Tuesday Tease

Posted on September 30, 2025 by smellincoffee

‘Twenty years ago’, said Mark, toying with his knight, ‘we were fighting to save wilderness from destruction. Now it seems like we’re just fighting to keep ourselves off screens twenty-four hours a day.’ AGAINST THE MACHINE, Paul Kingsnorth September was, … Continue reading →

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WWW Wednesday

Posted on September 24, 2025 by smellincoffee

WHAT have you finished recently? Knife Creek, Paul Doiron. Game warden mystery set in Maine. WHAT are you reading now? Day of Battle, a history of the Allied invasion of Sicily and Italy. Presently “knee deep” into the Italy campaign, … Continue reading →

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Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR

Posted on September 23, 2025 by smellincoffee

Tuesday Teaser “If you own the corner store, you must know everyone who lives along thisroad.”“Everyone who smokes cigarettes, buys scratch tickets, and drinks beer.”He had a scratchy laugh. “In other words, yeah. I know everyone who livesalong this road.” … Continue reading →

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WWW Wednesday

Posted on September 17, 2025 by smellincoffee

WHAT have you finished reading recently? Dominus, by Steven Saylor. A novel covering one family across a century or so of Roman history, from Marcus Aurelius to Constantine. WHAT are you reading now? Day of Battle, a history of the … Continue reading →

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Teaser Tuesday, Operation Husky Edition

Posted on September 16, 2025 by smellincoffee

Today’s TTT is….books that inspire candle scents? I got nothing, so here’s some historical gore instead. “Harris dashed forward only to have another mine shred his abdomen and legs; after flicking grenades into a line of pillboxes, he sprinkled sulfa … Continue reading →

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Top Ten (Recent) Villains

Posted on September 9, 2025 by smellincoffee

Today’s TTT is “Villains”.     We did this one ….over a decade ago, so I’m going to compose this list without looking at  that prior list, and try to focus on recent villains I’ve read.  Turns out it’s…a lot … Continue reading →

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Top Ten Books with Occupations in the Title

Posted on September 2, 2025 by smellincoffee

Today’s TTT is books with occupations in the title: I’m going to go back to 2007 and work my way forward, limiting each year to one book. But first, a tease! What they understood at Johnny White’s, however, was what … Continue reading →

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