Category: SummerReading2019

Summer Reading, vol. 12: Yasmine Green

August 5, 2019

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We close our 2019 Summer Reading series with recommendations from a new face at Pitts Theology Library, Yasmine Green. Yasmine joins Pitts as the new Stacks and Circulation Specialist after recently completing her Bachelor of Arts at Agnes Scott College. In addition to her work at the circulation desk, Yasmine is in charge of Pitts’ book stacks, making sure all the items you need are in the correct place on the shelf. As the Fall Semester and anticipated readings quickly approach, take a break from the books with some of Yasmine’s favorite podcasts!

First, Yasmine recommends Mythunderstood: A Greek Mythology Podcast in which Paul Bianchi sits down with his best friend and comedic writing partner, Sarah Oliver, to teach her the ins and outs of Greek Mythology. From Silvanus and Sappho to Romulus and Remus, discover ancient legends you didn’t learn in school with new episodes released every other Wednesday. Episodes are available on demand at stitcher, iTunes, and at dragonwagonradio.com.

Second, Yasmin suggests a podcast that explores incarceration and its impact on individuals . Ear Hustle is a non-fiction series about prison life produced at San Quentin State Prison by inmates Earlonne Woods and Antwan Williams with assistance from Nigel Poor, an artist who volunteers at the prison. The first podcast to be created entirely inside a prison, this series explores questions of culture and day-to-day life of inmates. Find episodes online at https://www.earhustlesq.com/.

Last but not least is Ridiculous History, a podcast Yasmine describes as both “funny and informative.” This series is produced by veteran podcaster Ben Bowlin (HowStuffWorks, Stuff They Don’t Want You To Know, CarStuff and BrainStuff) and Noel Brown, a podcaster, musician, and filmmaker living right here in Atlanta! This podcast explores intriguing questions such as “Did the US Mafia actually start in New Orleans?” and bizarre events like “That Time Irish Separatists Invaded Canada.” Find episodes online at https://www.ridiculoushistoryshow.com/.

Thank you for joining us throughout the summer—please don’t hesitate to stop by the reference desk or get in touch if you’d like any other suggestions for your reading, listening, or viewing, whether it be for school or for pleasure!

Summer Reading, vol. 11: Sarah Bogue

July 29, 2019

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For our second to last Summer Reading blog post, we consulted a familiar face from the Pitts Reference and Circulation desks, and occasionally in your classroom! Sarah Bogue, Head of Research and Access Services, coordinates the busy service points of the library, conducts research consultations for both students and faculty, delivers instructional sessions in a variety of contexts, and more! Sarah provided a variety of suggestions that touch on theology, racial justice, fantasy, and modern storytelling.

First, Sarah recommends Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved (Random House, 2018) by Duke Divinity School Professor, Kate Bowler. In this memoir, Bowler discusses her battle with cancer and how she confronts her own deeply held theological beliefs in the ultimate “fairness” of things. Bowler’s work allows readers to join her quest to make sense of senseless things, which ultimately requires a fundamental reshaping of her faith. Borrow this book from the Woodruff Library’s Popular Reading McNaughton collection, or read it online! 

Sarah’s second must-read is I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness (Convergent Books, 2018) by Austin Channing Brown. This deeply personal story is a window into the countless ways that systemic racism impacted Brown—moving from her childhood, to her educational experiences, work experiences, and experiences in the church. This poignant account from a powerful new voice on racial justice is available through Emory online.

Walk the line between theology, science fiction, and fantasy with Sarah’s next suggestion, The Broken Earth Trilogy (Orbit, 2017) by N.K. Jemison. In this NYT bestselling and three-time Hugo award-winning series, master storyteller and prolific author Jemison creates an apocalyptic world of orogenes, beings with the ability to control geophysics with their minds. Emory provides online access to each book in this series.

Finally, Sarah recommends Cutting for Stone: A Novel by Abraham Verghese (Knopf, 2009). This book follows twins born in 1950s Ethiopia, tracking their wildly divergent and yet somehow connected lives. Sarah warns that “you’ll need tissues” reading this unforgettable story of love and betrayal, medicine and ordinary miracles. Borrow this book from the Woodruff Library before the summer comes to a close!

Next week we’ll wrap up our Summer Reading series with recommendations from Pitts’ new Stacks and Circulation Specialist, Yasmine Green!

Summer Reading, vol. 10: Carl Holladay

July 22, 2019

6:01 am

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While Dr. Carl Holladay, Charles Howard Candler Professor of New Testament, may be retiring after 39 years on the Candler faculty, his book shelves are still full as he moves on to a new chapter, and he was enthused to provide us with some parting reading suggestions this week!

Dr. Holladay is currently reading Robert Caro’s Working: Researching, Interviewing, Writing (Knopf, 2019), a collection of some older essays on the writer’s craft from which even experienced writers can learn. This book provides a glimpse into the research and writing of investigative reporter and award-winning biographer, Robert Caro. Pick up a copy at the Woodruff Library in anticipation your writing assignments for the fall semester!

If you’re in the mood for an engaging biography about a major figure in international diplomacy, Dr. Holladay recommends George Packer’s Our Man: Richard Holbrooke and the End of the American Century (Knopf, 2019). This work, written in Packer’s riveting prose, provides a probing look at the frenetic life of influential statesman, Richard Holbrooke, who played a key role in Balkan diplomacy.

Dr. Holladay recently finished Dima Adamsky’s Russian Nuclear Orthodoxy (Stanford University Press, 2019), a fascinating account of the Russian Orthodox Church’s alignment with Russian foreign policy, especially the Russian nuclear industrial complex, since the emergence of the Russian Federation. Dr. Holladay describes Adamsky’s work as “a rather sobering case study of unalloyed church-state alliance, but also helpful in understanding Putin’s international political vision.”

Dr. Holladay’s final suggestion is an “informative though depressing account of another bleak moment in church history,” Ion Popa’s The Romanian Orthodox Church and the Holocaust (Indiana University Press, 2017). This history scrutinizes the role of the Romanian Orthodox Church from 1938 to the present day by unveiling and questioning myths that concealed the Church’s role in supporting official antisemitic policies of the Romanian government. This important publication goes on to analyze how Holocaust memory has been shaped in Romania today, and you can find it for purchase online or in Emory-affiliated libraries at worldcat.org.

Next week we’ll wrap up our Summer Reading blog with suggestions from Pitts’ Head of Research and Access Services, Sarah Bogue!

Summer Reading, vol. 9: Kailyn Middleton

July 15, 2019

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Pitts’ Interlibrary Loan and Circulation Specialist, Kailyn Middleton, not only brought a new face to the library team this year, but also fascinating reading and listening suggestions for the summer! Kailyn joins the Pitts staff from the University of North Georgia and now works on Level 2 to bring you any books Emory’s libraries don’t own and more.

Kailyn’s first recommendation is The Poisoner’s Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Science in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum (Penguin Press, 2010). This New York Times best-selling non-fiction book by Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer, Deborah Blum, is a captivating breakdown of early forensic science. Each chapter examines the development of forensic toxicology chemical by chemical during the Jazz Age by the New York City medical examiner’s office. Find The Poisoner’s Handbook on the shelves at the Woodruff Library!

If you want to put down the books and plug in the headphones, Kailyn suggests LeVar Burton Reads, a podcast she describes as “Reading Rainbow for adults.” In this series, well-known and loved public figure, LeVar Burton, updates and evolves his former work on the PBS television show by hand-selecting short stories to read to a live audience. After the story concludes, he presents his thoughts on the work and engages with the author for general discussion. The wide variety of content is enhanced by immersive post production music and background sounds, and you can listen or subscribe for free at http://www.levarburtonpodcast.com/.

Finally, Kailyn suggests a fascinating look into all kinds of plagues upon humanity in a podcast by Erin Welsh and Erin Allman Updike titled This Podcast Will Kill You. These ecologists and epidemiologists begin each episode with a themed cocktail recipe before diving into the history and biology of the disease of the week. In addition to engendering a healthy dose of paranoia, the hosts also list all their article and book sources for further reading.

We look forward to sharing recommendations from retiring Charles Howard Candler Professor of New Testament, Dr. Carl R. Holladay next week for some thought-provoking reads in history and politics!

Summer Reading, vol. 8: Roxanne Russell

July 8, 2019

6:05 am

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This week Candler’s Director of Online Learning, Roxanne Russell, gave her two cents on great reads for the summer intercession! Roxanne supports the fully online Doctor of Ministry program and collaborates with Candler faculty to facilitate innovative methods of digital pedagogy.

First, Roxanne suggests a book of short stories by innovative Chinese writer, Can Xue, titled Vertical Motion (Open Letter, 2011). This collection of vignettes that “defy logic and experience” share the stories of characters who navigate dreamscape surroundings “as both daily duties and universal responsibilities.” Roxanne explains that this transformative, sensory read “converting the absurd into the mundane.” Check out your local library to get your hands on a copy!

Roxanne also recommends Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom (Routledge, 1994). In her book, cultural critic, feminist theorist, and writer bell hooks combines personal narrative, essay, critical theory, dialogue and a fantasy interview with herself to challenge preconceptions regarding instruction and pedagogy. Roxanne admits that this work is thought-provoking, gleaning more from book each time she re-reads it.

If you prefer a testament to the power of education in the form of a narrative, Roxanne recommends Daring to Drive: A Saudi Woman’s Awakening by Manal Al-Sharif. This memoir describes the path that led Manal Al-Sharif to become an unexpected activist for women’s rights in Saudi Arabia.

Feeling adventurous? “Turn on your radio and hide” with this podcast written by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor. Narrated by Cecil Baldwin, Welcome to Nightvale is an entertaining series for folks who love wordplay and thrive on conspiracy theories.

Catch up on all Summer Reading recommendations on the Pitts Librarians’ Blog, and look for more suggestions next week!