Publishing clearinghouse: ‘Entanglement’; Book Duet; ‘Death of the Daily News’; ‘Kaufmann’s’

BOOK EVENTS

Climate Fiction Reading Group: “Entanglement”
11 a.m.-noon, Nov. 7, World History Center, 3900 Posvar Hall

The World History Center is hosting the first meeting of the Climate Fiction Reading Group, where they will discuss Vandana Singh's novella “Entanglement” published in 2014The novella is global in scope, following ordinary people confronting climate change, from an Inuit biogeochemist in the Arctic to rural children in India. They support one another through Million Eyes, an experimental network that connects people virtually at critical moments when they need inspiration and support. Throughout the novella, Singh explores how technological innovations intersect with the looming problems of climate change, environmental degradation, and resource depletion. The novella is available online via the Pitt Library in the anthology “Hieroglyph: Stories and Visions for a Better Future (pages 352-398). Please RSVP to whc@pitt.edu if you plan to attend. Vandana Singh is an Indian science fiction writer and physicist. She is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Earth Science at Framingham State University in Massachusetts. 

 

Book Duet: Kathy George and Suzanne Staggenborg
12:30-2 p.m. Nov. 17, 602 Cathedral of Learning or via Zoom

The Humanities Center will host a book duet featuring Kathy George and her “The Blues Walked In and Suzanne Staggenborg and her “Grassroots Environmentalism.” This is part of a new Humanities Center series that brings books recently published by Pitt faculty into the conversation. George and Staggenborg will select excerpts from each other's books for discussion, and they will be available at the Humanities Center's shared folder. This event will be hybrid, so you can attend in person in 602 Cathedral of Learning or via Zoom at https://pitt.zoom.us/my/pitthumanities

NEW BOOKS

“Death of the Daily News: How Citizen Gatekeepers Can Save Local Journalism” by Andy Conte (University of Pittsburgh Press, September 2022)

McKeesport once had a population of more than 50,000 people and a newspaper that dated back to the 19th century. With the loss of their local paper in 2015, residents now struggle to make sense of what goes on in their community and to separate facts from gossip — often driven by social media. The changes taking place in this one Pennsylvania community are being repeated across the United States as hundreds of local newspapers close, creating news deserts and leaving citizens with little access to reliable local journalism. Even in the bleakest places, citizens are discovering what happens in their communities and becoming gatekeepers to information for the people around them. 

 

“Kaufmann’s: The Family That Built Pittsburgh’s Famed Department Store” by Marylynne Pitz and Laura Malt Schneiderman (University of Pittsburgh Press, October 2022)

“Kaufmann’s” recounts the story of one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved department stores, pulling back the curtain to reveal the hardships, triumphs, and complicated legacy of the prominent family behind its success.

SEND US YOUR INFORMATION

The University Times welcomes information about new books, journals, plays and musical compositions written or edited by faculty and staff.

Newly published works can be submitted through this link. Please keep the book descriptions short and accessible to a general audience.

Journals should be peer-reviewed. Self-published works will not be accepted. The listings also are restricted to complete works, because individual chapters, articles, works of art and poems would be too numerous.

We’ll also be highlighting some books and book talks with connections to Pitt.

If you have any questions, please contact editor Susan Jones at suejones@pitt.edu or 412-648-4294.