Rhody Reads: Discover a New You This New Year with Six Inspiring Books with Local Ties

Whether the new year means a new you or more of the same old wonderful you, it’s great to flip the calendar with a fresh stack of books to inspire and motivate you to be your best self – or simply enjoy an engrossing read. Dive into 2023 with these six titles with local ties and be sure to shop at your favorite bookstore all year long. 

Starting over from scratch is never easy, but building on memories can help. Why. Me. is Eric Toth’s tale of Archer, a young man who looks toward the future while putting together the pieces of his past. Follow him through the city of Providence and the coast of Rhode Island on his journey of loss, luck, and love to learn what he discovers about others, and most importantly himself. 

In Luke Dani Blue’s first collection, Pretend It’s My Body, the writer explores lives that defy definition but thrive in our everyday world, using a mix of fantasy, science fiction, and, of course, reality. Pretend is a powerful debut that leaves you with the sense and hope that there will be much more from this uniquely insightful Rhode Island author. 

January is the perfect time to plan your next adventure and the latest from South County’s Robert Curley will guide you through 100 Things to Do in the Caribbean Before You Die. From Barbados to the Virgin Islands, traditional outings to hidden secrets known only to natives, Curley invites readers to experience the tropical islands in a whole new way. 

For an adventure that’s a little more grounded, check out 199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die by Loren Rhoads, a noted expert on the topic. The unique travel guide contains more than 300 stunning photographs along with the histories of cemeteries around the world and their residents – including four locations right here in Rhode Island.

Need a little slice-of-life humor to get 2023 off to a fresh start? Check out The Meat and Potatoes of Life: My True Lit Com by Lisa Smith Molinari of Jamestown. The award-winning columnist shares her life’s trials and tribulations as she struggles to maneuver the everyday twists and turns of suburban living as a navy wife.

In Come On In: There’s a Party in This Book! Barrington’s own Jamie Michalak teams up with Instagram sensation Sabine Timm (@virgin_honey) to take Lemon on a journey to find where the fun is, only to discover…whoops, no spoilers here! The whimsical illustrations and read-aloud rhymes make this picture book a blast for every early reader.