Josh Raulerson

Around the World and Beyond with Steve Sokol

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:00:00 +0000

President of the World Affairs Council in Pittsburgh Steve Sokol describes his picks in both nonfiction and fiction.

Peter Bergen, Manhunt: The Ten-Year Search for Bin Laden From 9/11 to Abbottabad

Separating Myth From Fact in 'Summer Brain Drain'

Josh Raulerson — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 07:30:00 +0000

If you consume any amount of media at all, there’s a good chance you’re already familiar with the idea that kids tend to lose ground academically during the summer months.

But what is the so-called “summer brain drain?” Is it real, or a media invention? And just how concerned should you be?

Weird and wonderful fiction picks from Tom Sweterlitsch

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:28:00 +0000

Pittsburgh writer and librarian Tom Sweterlitsch has wide-ranging reading interests in fiction.

Stewart O'Nan, Songs for the Missing

Yes, George Saunders is that good

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Gary Terner of Mt. Lebanon was blown away by the new short story collection from George Saunders.

George Saunders, Tenth of December

A Moveable Feast of Language

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 27 May 2013 07:21:00 +0000

Lori Jakiela is a poet, a memoirist and a devotee of sparse, unsentimental prose.

A few of the books you might encounter in her writing class at Chatham or Pitt-Greensburg:

A history lesson with Prof. Patrick Dowd

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Pittsburgh City Councilman Patrick Dowd started out as a historian, and while he's no longer in academia, his reading still reflects that background. These days Dowd reads historical nonfiction mixed with fiction "with a serious historical bent."

Edwin Coddington, The Gettysburg Campaign: A Study in Command

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

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

Talking 'Toaster Wars' Security Competition with CMU's David Brumley

Josh Raulerson — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Thousands of high school students from across the country will compete in a first-of-its-kind computer security competition starting today. It’s being run out of Carnegie Mellon University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Morning Edition host Josh Raulerson speaks with CMU professor David Brumley, who helped to organize the event.

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.

Katie Bates recommends Anne Applebaum and Tom Vanderbilt

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:36:00 +0000

As a civil engineer, and as a reader of fiction, Katie Bates is interested in "why people act the way they do."

Anne Applebaum, The Iron Curtain: The Crushing of Eastern Europe, 1944-1956

Backers of Medicaid Expansion Want Corbett to 'Stop Fooling Around'

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:30:00 +0000

Labor and healthcare advocacy groups are using this April Fool's Day to make a point: that Gov. Tom Corbett's decision to forego a federally funded expansion of Medicaid in Pennsylvania is, well, foolish.

Members of three groups — Working America, the Pennsylvania Health Access Network and the Consumer Health Coalition — plan to deliver 9,000 petitions to Corbett's office urging the administration to lower eligibility requirements for the federal program.

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.

Pittsburgh Children's Museum Offers Free Admission for Mister Rogers Day

Josh Raulerson — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:20:50 +0000

Your friendly neighbors at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum will waive admission fees on Wednesday, March 20 — just tell 'em Mister Rogers sent you.

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.

CCAC Pres. Alex Johnson reads Harry Potter, Carson McCullers

Josh Raulerson — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 07:11:00 +0000

It may not be Hogwarts, but CCAC president and Potter fan Alex Johnson is passionate about his school.

He recommends:

Parker Palmer, The Courage to Teach

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