Category Archives: Reviews

Book reviews, as well as Reads to Reels

Darth Plagueis

Posted on July 31, 2020 by smellincoffee

Darth Plagueis © 2012 James Luceno 498 pages Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the wise? ….it’s not a story the Jedi would tell you.   Beginning decades before The Phantom Menace, and culminating in its end,  Darth … Continue reading →

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In the Garden of Beasts

Posted on July 30, 2020 by smellincoffee

In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin © 2011 Erik Larson 432 pages In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt needed a man for a post no one wanted to fill: US Ambassador to Germany.  … Continue reading →

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Re-read: The Ethical Assassin

Posted on July 29, 2020 by smellincoffee

The Ethical Assassin © 2006 David Liss 336 pages A few weeks ago for TTT,  I mentioned David Liss as an author who made me smile, and happened to think  about the first novel I read by him, The Ethical … Continue reading →

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The Splendid and the Vile

Posted on July 27, 2020 by smellincoffee

The Splendid and the Vile: A Sage of Churchill, Family, and Defiance during the Blitz © 2020 Erik Larson 464 pages “Nothing could have been more beautiful and the searchlights interlaced at certain points on the horizon, the star-like flashes … Continue reading →

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Harvard and the Unabomber

Posted on July 23, 2020 by smellincoffee

Harvard and the Unabomber: The Education of an American Terrorist Original title: A Mind for Murder © 2003 Alston Chase 352 pages Ted Kaczynski was hunted fruitlessly by the FBI for eighteen years, until finally being done in by his … Continue reading →

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The Obesity Code

Posted on July 17, 2020 by smellincoffee

The Obesity Code © 2016 Jason Fung 326 pages Jason Fung begins with a question: why are there fat doctors?   If the conventional analysis  of fat and its prescription are accurate, why do many people struggle to make long-term headway … Continue reading →

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Stoicism and Western Buddhism

Posted on July 11, 2020 by smellincoffee

Stoicism and Western Buddhism: A Reflection on Two Philosophical Ways of Life © 2018 Patrick Ussher 88 pages We read philosophy in order to live philosophy. In Stoicism and Western Buddhism, Patrick Ussher explores the kindred beliefs and practices of … Continue reading →

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Waco: A Survivor’s Story

Posted on July 8, 2020 by smellincoffee

A Place Called Waco: A Survivor’s Story © 1999 David Thibodeau 381 pages On April 19th, 1993, the arrogance of power was made obvious when scores of people were killed in a outstandingly incompetent, if not deliberately malicious, attempt to … Continue reading →

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Clutter Free

Posted on July 6, 2020 by smellincoffee

Clutter Free: Quick and Easy Steps to Simplifying Your Space © 2015 Kathi Lipp 226 pages “Enough is a beautiful thing.” Reading books about decluttering is much easier than actually doing it, which is probably why I’ve read so many … Continue reading →

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Uncertain Logic

Posted on July 2, 2020 by smellincoffee

Star Trek Enterprise, Rise of the Federation:   Uncertain Logic © 2015  Christopher L. Bennett 401 pages Okay, reader. Have a seat. This book is a bit busy.   Let’s begin with the Starship Endeavour‘s investigation of several automated stations that rely … Continue reading →

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