The Ocean State

It’s the smallest state in the U.S. and has a population density second only to New Jersey. Let’s discover what this place and people are like through some of their books.

Is there a book you love and feel does a great job of highlighting its Rhode Island setting? Send your suggestions and please don’t forget to tell me why you think that book is a good choice for this state. It doesn’t need to explicitly be about the state, only clearly set in it and written by someone who actually lived there. I have a bias towards books written by authors who are still living so that we can reflect more on today’s reality but I won’t turn down a classic if you make a good argument for it!

Books are in no order of preference. That they are on this list is not a reflection of my personal taste or even that I’ve read them — I want you to find what works for you.