University of Pittsburgh Press is celebrating summertime with our annual Summer Poetry Sale. Kick back and relax at your favorite vacation spot with titles from the acclaimed Pitt Poetry Series, featuring two former Poet Laureates (Billy Collins and Ted Kooser) along with many other well-known poets. Poetry sale details: here  In honor of the Fourth of July, we take a light-hearted approach to Americana, with a twist on the classic apple pie. This recipe for Fried Apple Pies is from More than Moonshine: Appalachian Recipes and Recollections by Sidney Saylor Farr. Fried Apple Pies 2 c. flour 1 tsp. salt ½…

Ever since UPP published The Fallingwater Cookbook: Elsie Henderson’s Recipes and Memories in 2008, the now 101-year-old Henderson has made at least two annual visits to Fallingwater to sign copies of the book and visit with those touring this Frank Lloyd Wright icon. Those standing visits are on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. This Memorial Day will be no different. Henderson will visit Fallingwater on May 23, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., accompanied by UPP publicist Maria Sticco. “Elsie gets so much enjoyment out of talking to the crowds at Fallingwater, and sharing memories of the 15 years she worked…

Florida poet Barbara Hamby, who has published three books with the Pitt Poetry series, is known for cooking up delicious verse. Poet Laureate Billy Collins described one of her collections as offering “a generous helping of poems so crackling with references and busy with verbal energy you might feel them buzzing in your hands.” It turns out that one of Hamby’s other passions is soup! “I love soup. It is the ultimate comfort food,” she said. Hamby usually has a freezer full of several different kinds, and enjoys trying new recipes.” Most of my soups are easy, and many are…