Rhode Island has a long and rich history, dating back to well before Roger Williams befriended Canonicus and was given the land that eventually became Providence (and before the native’s land was taken by settlers). Like most of America, not all of this history is positive; some of it is downright difficult to digest. While […]
Providence Books through Bars is a 15-year-old organization that provides reading material to inmates throughout the country. It is a small operation in the South Side that helps to fuel big dreams. I recently spoke with Tara Emsley, president of Providence Books through Bars, about the organization. Emily Olson: How does Books through Bars work? […]
The Big Get-Even follows a mixture of somewhat (or formally) bad people who ultimately end up doing a positive thing all in the name of revenge. Author Frank Di Filippo mixes a style of noir and caper with a vengeance, and adds in a dash of romance combined with a decent amount of sex appeal. This all […]
Imagine you live in California and you go to a local coffee shop often; parked outside is a teal and pink truck. You see it, every time — it’s hard not to — but you never stop. Although you can’t remember why exactly, there is always something else to do, some rush you are in, […]
Last month, on a quiet Monday night, I read two New York Times articles back-to-back. Though penned by different writers, they both had the same protagonist. Both of them made me cry. The first was out of delight – and, I’ll admit, because I’m a softie. The story was that of Ann Hood and Michael […]
Robert Ellis Smith, who died unexpectedly July 25, was an independent journalist whose influence on our understanding of privacy – indeed, on the definition of the term – cannot be overstated. We didn’t know each other well, but I would see him perform in plays – I reviewed him in The Man From Earth – […]
RI native and former Trump press secretary Sean Spicer was in town in July representing and signing his new memoir, The Briefing: Politics, the Press, and the President. Spicer grew up in Barrington and attended Portsmouth Abbey School. He lasted six months as President Trump’s first press secretary (not a short tenure in the Trump administration). […]
Throughout May and June, robed college graduates listened to commencement speeches delivered by well-known lawmakers, judges, television personalities, actors and chief executive officers of businesses. Many of the orators advised the young adults on how to create a more rewarding personal and professional life in their later years. Members of the Association of Rhode Island Authors […]
Tiger Tiger is the second book in author Joann Mead’s Underlying Crimes series, though the books aren’t connected in any way other than the biological theme of the series. Mead is a science teacher who also works in the biotechnology and medical research fields, which gives her writing a sense of realism and terror. […]
You’re not limited to romancey, vampirey, murdery fluff when you head to the beach this summer. Pick up one of these non-fiction local tales instead and getcher learn on, you dummy! If for no other reason, do it so you’ll be more interesting at parties. The Poison Plot: A Tale of Adultery and Murder in Colonial […]