What are Prominent Rhode Islanders Reading?

Book covers courtesy of the publishers.

James by Percival L. Everett

“This novel is thought provoking, heartfelt and interwoven with moments of deep trauma and perseverance. The story examined the ideas of freedom and humanity while challenging readers
to continue to seek out often unheard voices.” —Providence Mayor Brett Smiley

Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Giuffre

“This memoir by Virginia Giuffre is raw and deeply courageous. She chose to relive unimaginable pain so others could understand the reality of abuse, and to challenge the powerful network that enabled Jeffrey Epstein and other abusers.” —Trudy Coxe, CEO and executive director, The Preservation Society of Newport County

The Town That Food Saved by Ben Hewitt

“It was written around the time we founded Hope & Main, [and] it’s fascinating to see the parallels between Hardwick, Vermont, and Warren, Rhode Island — two small towns
redefining themselves through food entrepreneurship.” —Lisa Raiola, founder, Hope & Main

Still Life with Oysters and Lemon by Mark Doty

“This is a slim meditation on art by one of America’s great poets and essayists. It’s a layered delight of art crit and memoir. You’ll end up snapping pictures of paragraphs and texting them to friends.” —Colin Channer, Rhode Island poet laureate

The Fate of the Day by Rick Atkinson

“The second volume of his three-volume series on the Revolutionary War. It is a brilliant and detailed analysis of the military actions and political actions which forged our nation. Newport and the Battle of Rhode Island is featured in this volume.” —U.S. Senator Jack Reed

Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola Davis

“Viola shares her raw and inspiring story that started right in Central Falls — growing up in poverty as a person of color, facing all of the challenges and barriers that follow. It’s a story many residents in our city share, including myself. She never let that define or limit her future.” —Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera

Generation X by Douglas Coupland

“Inspired by a recent article in The New York Times, I picked up this seminal novel about a group of Gen X friends slumming it in Palm Springs in the 1990s and entertaining each other by telling stories.” —Jack Martin, executive director, Providence Public Library

The AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions by Geoff Woods

“AI is quickly reshaping the delivery of information. To best take advantage of AI, we’ve got to understand it. This book is essential reading as the foundation develops its approach to this emerging technology.” —David Cicilline, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation

1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin

“All about the financial stock market crash that led to the Great Depression. It’s interesting but definitely going to take a little while to finish, so I also just started Mel Robbins’ Let Them. I’m only on page thirty-two, but I love it and it’s an easy read.” —Jared Haibon, TV personality and owner, Audrey’s Coffee House & Lounge