Category Archives: Reviews

Book reviews, as well as Reads to Reels

The Bicycle Diaries

Posted on November 3, 2018 by smellincoffee

The Bicycle Diaries: My 21,000 Mile Ride for the Climate© 2014 David Kroodsma428 pages The Bicycle Diaries combines travel and climate-change advocacy, both literally as a trip and throughout the book. As Kroodsma makes his way through Mexico, Central America, … Continue reading →

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The Prince

Posted on October 30, 2018 by smellincoffee

The Prince© 1532 Niccolo Machiavelli100 pages Italy, circa 1500, was a rough neighborhood. Divided between powerful city-centered states and frequently threatened by outside empires,  few rulers could rest on their laurels and enjoy a prolonged peace. Even if someone outside … Continue reading →

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Dispatches from the Muckdog Gazette

Posted on October 25, 2018 by smellincoffee

Dispatches from the Muckdog Gazette: A Mostly Affectionate Account of a Small Town’s Fight to Survive© 2003 Bill Kauffman206 pages Bill Kauffman, as a kid, went places. Starting from a little town in upstate New York, he journeyed as far … Continue reading →

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The Memory of Old Jack

Posted on October 24, 2018 by smellincoffee

The Memory of Old Jack© 1974 Wendell Berry223 pages “Now Old Jack, who was the last of that generation that Wheeler looked to with such fililial devotion, is dead. And Wheeler is fifty-two years old, as old as the century, … Continue reading →

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Oliver Twist

Posted on October 19, 2018 by smellincoffee

Oliver Twist© 1837 Charles Dickens447 pages “Please, sir, I want some more.”   I had never read or otherwise encountered Oliver Twist before this month, but I immediately recognized that quote. Something about little Oliver sticks in the minds of … Continue reading →

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Very Good, Jeeves

Posted on October 17, 2018 by smellincoffee

Very Good, Jeeves© 1930 P.G. Wodehouse304 pages This past Saturday I had a very happy surprise. Taking a break from a day of  sacking my closet, wardrobe, and bookcases to donate to charity and get me closer to my simple-living … Continue reading →

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The Shining

Posted on October 15, 2018 by smellincoffee

The Shining© 1977 Stephen King447 pages A recovering alcoholic and recently fired schoolteacher has taken a short-term gig as the winter caretaker of a luxury hotel nestled in the Colorado mountains.  The hotel is forced to close for the season … Continue reading →

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The Wisdom of Whimsy

Posted on October 12, 2018 by smellincoffee

Just spotted a podcast about the importance reading whimsy in the modern age — definitely giving that a listen tonight! Source: “The Wisdom of Whimsy“ “The world can feel awfully grim these days. My news app makes me nervous. But … Continue reading →

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An Iron Wind

Posted on October 11, 2018 by smellincoffee

An Iron Wind: Europe Under Hitler©  2016 Peter Fritzsche376 pages That crowds that cheered Neville Chamberlain’s return to England with a promise of peace in his hand are easy to condemn in hindsight. But no one in the 21st century … Continue reading →

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Frankenstein

Posted on October 9, 2018 by smellincoffee

Frankenstein: The Modern Prometheus© 1818 Mary Shelley288 pages “Shall I respect man when he contemns me? Let him live with me in the interchange of kindness; and, instead of injury, I would bestow every benefit upon him with tears of … Continue reading →

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