It’s basically summer in Rhode Island, so it’s time to come up with the perfect reading list for the beach, a rainy day, or when it’s too unbearably hot to play golf or hang out at The Guild’s beer garden in Providence.

I asked some of the state’s movers and shakers for the best books they’ve read in the last 90 days. Here’s a rundown.

David Cicilline
Rhode Island Foundation
President and CEO

“The Unwanted” by Michael Dobbs
The book traces the slow, insidious, and ultimately deadly impact of the “Big Lie” on the Jewish residents of a small German village ahead of World War II. It delivers a terrifying lesson about how ordinary people can become desensitized to the growing danger at their doorstep.

Martha L. Wofford
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
President and CEO

Book: “Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity” by Eric Topol
Dr. Topol’s book provides evidence of how lifestyle, environmental exposure, and our genes and epigenetics impact our health. He shows how dysregulation of our immune response and inflammation is driving major diseases like cancer and autoimmune conditions. As we face an aging population in Rhode Island, and as a nation, Dr. Topol’s book provides hope that there is a path to improving health as we age -- through diet, exercise, sleep, social connection, and reducing environmental toxins, combined with ongoing breakthroughs in diagnosing and treating age-related diseases.

Laurie White 
Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce
President

“Compassion in the Courtroom” by Judge Frank Caprio
The degree to which Judge Caprio’s life’s purpose was shaped at a young age by the lessons imparted by his loving parents – particularly his dad, Tup, on the milk truck delivery route on Federal Hill. The book left me in tears. It mirrors my own sentiments about the influence of my 
mom and dad and the small business they started together in the 1950s (and still exists today.) Judge Caprio vividly takes the reader through the lessons of hard work and everyday acts of compassion that lift your soul. It is no coincidence that he has 25 million followers on social media. These are the lessons that resonate throughout the world.

Rele Abiade 
Consultant

“New Kid” by Jerry Craft
My daughters were reading this graphic novel, and we were talking about how it had been banned in Texas. I skimmed through it because I was curious why anyone would be triggered by a book nine-year-olds loved. Of course it was one of the best books I have probably read! The main character is a gifted student who goes to a predominantly white private school and the book explores how he gracefully navigates through social dynamics. I wish I had books like this as a child because I related to Jordan (the main character) and despite some situations it really is a positive story. I think every adult should read it, especially during these interesting political times where diversity and inclusion is no longer seen as a necessity by some. Guess what? It is!

Cortney M. Nicolato
United Way of Rhode Island
President and CEO

“Between a Rock and A Hard Place” by Aron Ralston
It talks about perseverance and the power that love can have on someone. In times like this, I want to spend my spare time being inspired and celebrating love and joy wherever possible.

Kelli J. Armstrong 
Salve Regina University
President

“Union” by Colin Woodard
Colin is a resident scholar here at Salve and leads our Nationhood Lab project. I find his ideas to be absolutely brilliant. In “Union,” he describes how important it is for the US to have a common narrative, one that could hold its rival regional cultures together. Colin is an historian, and his ability to illuminate how we have evolved as a nation and how these patterns are affecting our current divisions is fascinating.

Neil Steinberg
Rhode Island Life Science Hub
Board chair

“The Medici Return” by Steve Berry
My preferred genre is the thriller category; it started with Robert Ludlum many years ago.

Marcela Betancur 
Latino Policy Institute
Executive director

“Hidden Pictures” by Jason Rekulak 
I am a huge fan of mysteries and thrillers, and this one kept me on my toes the whole time. It's rare when I get to the end of a book without knowing what's happening or "who did it" - but this one did it!