Category Archives: Reviews

Book reviews, as well as Reads to Reels

The Return of the Black Widowers

Posted on May 6, 2009 by smellincoffee

The Return of the Black Widowers© 2003 Isaac Asimov, ed. Harlan Ellison304 pages As regular readers know, I greatly enjoy Isaac Asimov’short story collections, and in particular his Black Widower series. The Black Widower stories are “cozy” mysteries, in which … Continue reading →

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This Week at the Library (4/5)

Posted on May 4, 2009 by smellincoffee

Books this Update: A People’s History of the United States, Howard Zinn The Great Journey: Peopling the United States, Brian Fagan Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life, Wayne Dyer Wicca for Beginners, Thea Sabin I began last week by reading … Continue reading →

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Out of my Life and Thought

Posted on May 4, 2009 by smellincoffee

Out of My Life and Thought,© 1933, Albert Schweitzer (translated and republished in 1960)233 pages These comments are long-overdue. Unlike The Sane Society and The Reason for God, Albert Schweitzer’s autobiography doesn’t require a point-by-point review. It’s not that the … Continue reading →

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Wicca for Beginners

Posted on May 4, 2009 by smellincoffee

Wicca for Beginners: Fundamentals of Philosophy and Practice© 2006 Thea Sabin288 pages I could say that I decided to read this book as a part of my private comparative religion studies, or as research for a fantasy novel — but … Continue reading →

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Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life

Posted on May 4, 2009 by smellincoffee

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao© 2007 Wayne Dyer416 pages In continuing my philosophical and comparative religion studies, I’m reading another book on the Tao Te Ching. While The Guiding Light of Lao Tzu … Continue reading →

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The Great Journey

Posted on May 3, 2009 by smellincoffee

The Great Journey: Peopling the Americas© 1987 Brian Fagan288 pages Fourth grade history was most memorable for me, for it was that year that we learned local history. Because Alabama was home to at least four native populations before the … Continue reading →

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A People’s History of the United States

Posted on May 2, 2009 by smellincoffee

A People’s History of the United States, 1492-Present© 2003 Howard Zinn729 pages I attracted a fair number of dirty looks and endured numerous assaults on my non-existent patriotism for reading this book, making it especially fun to read in public. … Continue reading →

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This Week at the Library (27/4)

Posted on April 27, 2009 by smellincoffee

Books this Update: The Associate, John Grisham A People’s History of American Empire, Howard Zinn Abounding Grace, M. Scott Peck The House of the Vestals, Steven Saylor Our Inner Ape, Frans De Waal The Sane Society, Erich Fromm The Reason … Continue reading →

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Our Inner Ape

Posted on April 27, 2009 by smellincoffee

Our Inner Ape: A Leading Primatologist Explains Why We Are the Way We Are© 2005 Frans De Waal288 pages I’ve been passing by this one for weeks now, and decided to give it a go this past weekend. It was … Continue reading →

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The House of the Vestals

Posted on April 24, 2009 by smellincoffee

The House of the Vestals: The Investigations of Gordianus the Finder© 1997 Steven Saylor260 pages In previous weeks I have read two novels by Steven Saylor starring Gordianus the Finder, ancient Rome’s very own private detective. This book is a … Continue reading →

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