I love this book—and I think you will, as well. The new intercultural memoir from Margarita Gokun Silver, entitled I Named My Dog Pushkin (and Other Immigrant Tales), is both an extremely humorous memoir about living an international life, and an unflinching glimpse into (as expected, with a global life) the never-ending process of cultural adjustment.

Here’s my recommendation for your must-read book this summer: Shari Wallack’s extraordinary memoir, From Hell to Challah: Rising from Fragile to Fearless, One Grain at a Time. Here’s why…

This book is an exceptional glimpse into pandemic travel, reconnecting, friendships, food, mental health, growing into fearlessness, the importance of travel and always expanding your worldview, and self growth. It’s one of the best travel books (and memoirs) I’ve ever read, and is funny, to boot!

Haley Vetere earned an Associate of Science Degree in Tourism Management (2021) from the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). She is continuing her education at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Haley’s outgoing personality, combined with her absolute love for travel, is the foundation on which she based her decision to pursue a career in the travel industry. She discovered an interest in event planning while serving an internship at Hotel Indigo (South Side).

Lindsay Eisaman is a December 2019 Nursing Program graduate from the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) Boyce Campus. She has landed her dream job as an Obstetric Nurse at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Magee-Womens Hospital on the High Risk Antepartum Unit, and is pursuing a BSN at Aspen University. Lindsay loves helping people and is following the example of her grandmother Estellebelle Eisaman, who was a NICU nurse. 

Looking for your summer trifecta of delightful coffee drinks? Well, one of our favorite roasters, Fire Dept. Coffee (read our interview with them here, to learn the backstory of this great company!) has some tasty new roasts...and, in addition to their global coffee club, a new and VERY tasty spirit infused coffee club. 

Chantel Young earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Management (2020) from the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). She was a member of the first cohort of students to serve an internship at Rivers Casino (2016). Chantel quickly emerged from Marketing Intern to Players Club Representative, Marketing Representative, and Guest Services Specialist.

This is a popular refrain about author Patricia Leavy: She's done it again!