5 new books by Pitt authors to read this fall

Are you looking to add a few new titles to your shelves? Look no further than these five books, authored by Pitt professors and the Pitt-Johnstown president. Sure to entertain and enlighten — from engrossing novels to a treaty on America’s health care system — this list features all you need for some cozy fall reading.

Find some perseverance

Angie Cruz’s novel, How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water is narrated by Cara Romero, a 56-year-old Dominican immigrant taking stock of her life while struggling to hold onto her home in a rapidly gentrifying section of Washington Heights. Cruz, associate professor in the Department of English in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, imbued her protagonist with humor, grit and many opinions. (Published Sept. 2022)

[Q&A: Cruz’ new novel explores identity, immigration and bureaucracy]

Be called to action

The intersection of racial justice and disability rights are detailed in Embodied Injustice: Race, Disability, and Health.  Mary Crossley, John E. Murray Faculty Scholar and Director of the Health Law Program at Pitt Law, merges personal stories with health research and social science to paint a portrait of a health care system that fails people of color. (Published Aug. 2022)

A novel about an unyielding optimist

Mirth by Professor Kathleen George in the Department of Theatre Arts explores the loves of Harrison Mirth, a thrice-married man and unyielding optimist. From his youth in New York City to his golden years in Pittsburgh, readers are taken on a journey through the heart. George will discuss the book Oct. 5 at Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont and Nov. 28 at City of Asylum in the Central Norh Side. (Published Sept. 2022)

Motivation to get moving 

Jem Spectar, president of Pitt–Johnstown, chronicles America’s sedentary habits and presents a plan to get us back on our feet in Open Secret Rx: Tune into Lifestyle MEDicine & Fight Heart Disease, Diabetes & Cancer. (Published May 2022)

Poems new and rediscovered

In her latest book, The Sound Boat: New and Selected Poems, Judith Vollmer, professor emerita of English at Pitt–Greensburg, challenges readers to look deeper at the everyday moments we might otherwise miss. Vollmer was previously nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award and is the founding editor of the literary journal 5 AM. (Published April 2022)

— Nichole Faina