them in this short story collection , each set in a different town . The lead story , “ The First Violinist of Lowden Street ,” ends with a “ sweet , long and clear ” note that blends into the collective music of the orchestra and then fades — an apt metaphor for the resonance of his characters .

YOUNG ADULT : Alma Presses Play by Tina Cane ( Make Me a World , 2021 ) RHODE ISLAND CONNECTION :

Cane is the Rhode Island poet laureate A novel in verse , the story of Alma growing up in New York in the 1980s will still resonate with young readers today . A series of poetic reflections draws readers ’ attention to universal themes like the idea of home while also meditating on the specific , like the shoes worn in a fifth grade class photo .

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PUBLISHERS ; BEACH BACKGROUND : GETTY IMAGES / PHOTOBOYKO .

NOVEL : Ocean State by Stewart O ’ Nan ( Grove Atlantic , 2022 )

RHODE ISLAND CONNECTION :

Ashaway Most whodunnits keep readers guessing until the end , but O ’ Nan reveals the perpetrator in his first line : “ When I was in eighth grade my sister helped kill another girl .” The real mystery is how the four main characters will endure — and how you ’ ll feel as a reader when the lyrical prose makes you empathize with a murderer . The novel maintains forward motion even as it pauses to wax poetic about the Rhode Island scenery .

ART BOOK : The Year the World Stood Still by Susan

Brescia ( A Poet ’ s Hand , 2021 ) RHODE ISLAND CONNECTION :

Across the state

This art book , written and illustrated by Brescia , depicts Rhode Islanders making their way through the first several months of the COVID-19 pandemic . Charcoal drawings of health care workers , teachers and volunteers , among others , are accompanied by vignettes that pay homage to a brief , powerful moment in 2020 when folks across the state — and the country — stood together in solidarity against the disease that few guessed would still have such an impact in 2022 .

MEMOIR : The Longest Match : Rallying to Defeat an Eating Disorder in Midlife by Betsy

Brenner ( Stillwater River , 2021 ) RHODE ISLAND CONNECTION :

Barrington Using childhood diaries and adult journals as anchor points

for reflection , Brenner honestly but compassionately considers the way that a multitude of forces — from childhood relationships with family to extracurricular pursuits like tennis — shape the way we see ourselves . Her introspective narration of her midlife diagnosis , and work to confront and recover from an eating disorder , serves not only to tell her story but also to show that healing is possible .

SHORT STORY COLLECTION :

Rhode Island Stories by Michael Fine ( Stillwater River , 2021 ) RHODE ISLAND CONNECTION :

Pawtucket , Central Falls , Providence and beyond Fine calls Rhode Island “ a little state with more stories than people ,” and does a solid job of capturing sixteen of

LOCAL HISTORY : Strange New England by Thomas D ’ Agostino and Arlene

Nicholson ( The History Press , 2021 ) RHODE ISLAND CONNECTION :

Foster , Exeter and beyond Readers will appreciate the way local legends are given new life in stories that contextualize their roots while paying homage to their local notoriety . Witches , wizards , vampires , vagabonds and ghosts all appear in these pages , and while many have Rhode Island connections , two towns — Foster and Exeter , home of “ the ‘ last ’ vampire ” — are given particular prominence .