Category Archives: Reviews

Book reviews, as well as Reads to Reels

The Death of Mrs Westaway

Posted on December 30, 2024 by smellincoffee

Hal is a working girl in a bind. She had to take over her mother’s tarot shop after she lost her to a reckless driver, and while she can usually keep her head above the water weaving stories from the … Continue reading →

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An Unexpected Hero

Posted on December 28, 2024 by smellincoffee

It was a night like any other: Danny was on the stage at a dive bar, very nearly earning his keep but ruining it by digging at customers who got on his nerves. Then, one of them decided to teach … Continue reading →

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Frank and Red and Arthur and Maddy and —

Posted on December 20, 2024 by smellincoffee

This week I’ve read three books about lonely old men finding connection. I already posted a review for The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, but here are two more. They were both absolutely lovely, and featured friendships and connection across … Continue reading →

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The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife

Posted on December 17, 2024 by smellincoffee

Frederick Fife is a warm-hearted old soul who’s something of the polar opposite of say, Ebeneezer Scrooge: he has the milk of human kindness in every vein and flowing out of his ears, but he’s penniless and soon to be … Continue reading →

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Animal Farm

Posted on December 16, 2024 by smellincoffee

Recently I realized that it had been as many as twenty years since I read Animal Farm, as I can remember reading it in early high school (1999, 2000 perhaps). A lot of water has flown under the bridge since … Continue reading →

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The Bookshop of Yesterdays

Posted on December 13, 2024 by smellincoffee

Miranda grew up in sunny California, but her interest in teaching history took her across the country. Now a phone call summons her back: her uncle Billy, who she’s not seen for sixteen years, has died. Returning home to see … Continue reading →

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My Dear Hemlock

Posted on December 12, 2024 by smellincoffee

During Advent I like to revisit The Screwtape Letters as a devotional exercise, but this year my ladyfriend discovered My Dear Hemlock, a new Screwtape-esque book that focuses on a female “patient”, and follows her from early young adulthood through … Continue reading →

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Living in Wonder

Posted on December 12, 2024 by smellincoffee

“The world is not what you think it is.” Rod Dreher opens Living in Wonder with that line, one that can rattle the reader when it actually begins sinking in throughout the course of this book. I’ve struggled with writing … Continue reading →

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Selections from Living in Wonder

Posted on December 11, 2024 by smellincoffee

Review to follow tomorrow.

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Christmas shorts: of Grinches and Herdmans

Posted on December 11, 2024 by smellincoffee

Because of the holidays I’m doing a lot of house and dogsitting at the moment, and driving more than I usually do: consequently I’m also chewing through some audiobooks! Recently I finished two short Christmas “reads”. First up, Walter Matthau … Continue reading →

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