Speaking Volumes

Jayne Adair Brings the Ruckus

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures executive director Jayne Adair's reading list is as rich and varied as her schedule of speakers.

Nathaniel Philbrick, Bunker Hill

All For One, One For All

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:46:00 +0000

Matthias Sundberg, from Point Breeze, likes action and adventure stories tinged with social realism.

Dan Baum, Nine Lives: Death and Life in New Orleans

From Antietam to Nigeria with Mary Calland

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Writer and Mt. Lebanon resident Mary Frailey Calland does intensive research for her Civil War era novels. In between deep dives in the archives, she reads contemporary fiction.

James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom

Dr. Mario Fischetti interprets neuroses, novels

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:32:00 +0000

Dr. Mario Fischetti is a clinical psychologist with the Pittsburgh Psychoanalytic Center, and the moderator of its ongoing "Reading Fiction with Freud" discussion series.

Cloak & dagger, sword & sorcery picks from Michael Lamb

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 07:57:00 +0000

When Pittsburgh Controller Michael Lamb isn't busy minding the city's books, he's reading history and genre fiction.

North Sider Betsy O'Neill Recalls Her 'Summer of Melville'

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:12:00 +0000

North Sider Betsy O'Neill admits: "In a previous life, I probably lived in the 19th century." In her present incarnation, she spent the summer of 2012 immersed in Melvilliana.

Speaking Volumes: Kate Dewey

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 07:30:00 +0000

As President of the Forbes Funds, Kate Dewey is interested in how nonprofits can adapt along with changing technology.

What the Greater Pittsburgh Literary Council's Don Block is Reading

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Don Block runs the Greater Pittsburgh Literary Council, and practices what he preaches...

Speaking Volumes: Eric Shiner

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:57:00 +0000

Warhol Museum director Eric Shiner's reading interests are eclectic in a way that Andy would surely appreciate.

Speaking Volumes: Colleen McKenna

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:33:44 +0000

As a former teacher, parent, and author of children's and young adult novels, Colleen McKenna values fiction for young readers that doesn't insult their intelligence.

Speaking Volumes: Mike Doyle

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 13:22:00 +0000

Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Forest Hills) likes page-turning crime dramas and thrillers with a political bent. He has a unique vantage point on novels set in Washington, which — as it turns out — are more true to life than you might think.

David Baldacci, The Forgotten

Speaking Volumes: John Allison

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:17:00 +0000

Editor and critic John Allison works on the Sunday Books section at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Though much of his week is spent sifting through boxes of galleys for forthcoming books, it hasn't dimmed his enthusiasm for the printed word.

Speaking Volumes: Peter Kope and Michele de la Reza

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 13:03:00 +0000

Peter Kope and Michele de la Reza are the co-founders and artistic directors of Attack Theatre. Their upcoming show draws heavily on opera, a genre that not so long ago was considered popular entertainment.

Speaking Volumes: Michele Ament

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:52:00 +0000

Shady Side Academy math teacher Michele Ament puts her commuting hours to good use listening to audiobooks.

Edmund Morris, Theodore Rex

Speaking Volumes: Cindy Skrzycki

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:23:00 +0000

A seasoned journalist and senior lecturer for the University of Pittsburgh’s writing program, Cindy Skrzycki has an eye for a story. Her recent fiction and nonfiction book selections reflect what she teaches her students: Foundationally, good writing is informed writing.

Joan Clark, Latitudes of Melt

Speaking Volumes: Tim Cook

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:51:57 +0000

Pittsburgh's Saxifrage School is an experiment in higher education, rethinking the concept of college to emphasize purposeful learning and meaningful work. Founding Director Tim Cook's reading reflects that mission:

William Carlos Williams, Collected Poems

Speaking Volumes: Brian O'Neill

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 13:14:00 +0000

Brian O’Neill, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer and author of The Paris of Appalachia: Pittsburgh in the Twenty-First Century, talks about how fiction can impart a true sense of place, and the poetry of former Pennsylvania State Poet Samuel Hazo.

Kaui Hart Hemmings, The Descendants

Speaking Volumes: Megan Ward

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:01:00 +0000

Point Park University English professor Megan Ward is a Victorianist, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that her reading includes a lot of 19th century British fiction. She also loves the fiction of Michael Chabon, which Ward finds "Dickensian in its exuberance... its intricacies and weirdness."

Lately she's been reading:

Speaking Volumes: Justin Aion

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:03:12 +0000

Woodland Hills math teacher Justin Aion uses young adult novels in the classroom and enjoys genre fiction in his downtime. Lately he's been reading:

David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas

Speaking Volumes: Aaron Bisno

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 13:15:03 +0000

Rabbi Aaron Bisno of Rodef Shalom Congregation values narrative for its power "to convince someone of the meaning of an argument because of its direct implications on someone with whom they have a relationship, who they care about."

Erik Larson, In the Garden of Beasts

Speaking Volumes: Zach Simons

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:13:37 +0000

Zach Simons is a Pittsburgh-based standup comic and podcaster, and a lifelong Saturday Night Live fan. Lately he's been reading:

Tom Shales & James Andrew Miller, Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live

Speaking Volumes: Ruth Drescher

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:26:57 +0000

Ruth Drescher from Squirrel Hill will be the first to admit that Paul Auster's new memoir -- written entirely in the second person -- may not be for everyone. But she found Winter Journal unexpectedly compelling.

Paul Auster, Winter Journal

Speaking Volumes: Staycee Pearl

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 13:53:00 +0000

Staycee Pearl is a Pittsburgh-based choreographer who stages dance performances based on, or inspired by, works of literature. She offers a few favorite books and talks about their role in her work at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater.

Octavia Butler, Wild Seed

Speaking Volumes: Paige McKenzie

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:40:00 +0000

Paige McKenzie, from Penn Hills, is a fan of travel writing and memoirs.