Circulation Services Coordinator, Myron McGhee, helps patrons find the circulating materials they need at Pitts and facilitates many of the events held in our spaces. In his off time, what is Myron reading to stay entertained?
First on Myron’s list is Chaser: Unlocking the Genius of the Dog Who Knows a Thousand Words. Any dog owner can attest that their furry friends can understand human language, but few have pursued that as far as retired psychology professor John Pilley. Chaser, Pilley’s Border collie, has learned over a thousand words and sentences, including grammatical elements, and has pushed the limits of our knowledge of animal intelligence. The incredible story of Chaser is a great read for anyone interested in how we learn, play, and communicate.
Besides the book, there are countless news stories and videos documenting Chaser’s grasp of language, so be sure to check those out as well if you want to learn more!
Chaser is available at Emory Libraries and the Dekalb County Public Library.
Myron’s second recommendation comes from Professor Emeritus of Church and Community, Luther E. Smith, Jr. In his newest book, Hope is Here! Spiritual Practices for Pursuing Justice and Beloved Community, Smith guides individuals and communities through five spiritual practices to experience the power of hope for pursuing justice and beloved community. The book explores topics central to what Smith calls “the work of hope,” like “racism, mass incarceration, environmental crises, divisive politics, and indifference that imperil justice and beloved community.” In this volume, Smith provides a practical, honest, and compelling resource for facing the challenges that accompany social change.
Hope is Here! is available for pre-order for a November 7, 2023, release date. In the meantime, you can learn more about this book at the Westminster John Knox Press website. Pitts will have this book on our shelves when it is released this fall, so keep an eye out!
Stay tuned for more summer reading recommendations from the staff and faculty of Pitts and Candler! New blogs are posted every week of the summer.
To kick off the 2021 Pitts Summer Reading Blog, Pitts took to the hallways of the library and Candler building to find out “the best resource you discovered during quarantine.” This week spoke to Myron McGhee, the one of Pitts’ circulation specialists. If you are a Candler student, Myron is a familiar face, as his work ranges from assisting patrons and coordinating with Pitts’ librarians and student staff members, to managing the circulation and cataloging of library materials. 
Myron’s recommendation is 
Calypso was named Amazon’s Best Book of June 2018, where it was described as “reading ruminations on middle age and mortality is not typically a cheery exercise, unless David Sedaris is doing the writing.” The author, David Sedaris worked as a housecleaner and even a part-time elf at Macy’s, before becoming a best-selling author, having several plays produced, and winning the Thurber Prize for American Humor. As his tenth book, Sedaris proves his excellence in American humorist writing. He is a regular contributor at Esquire and Public Radio International’s “
