In this episode, you’ll hear Providence-based author and storyteller Mark Binder share two of his favorite tall tales.

Roger Williams vs. The Big Blue Bugs explains the origin of not one but two famous statues.

The Great Rhode Island Clam Shake describes Mark’s first weeks as a resident of Rhode Island, battling hurricanes, seagulls, and the infamous New York System

These two live performances give a humorous and alternative facts view of life in the Ocean State. Roger Williams was recorded at the Coventry Public Library in 2017. The Clam Shake was recorded at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick during Sharing the Fire in 2009.

Music by George Dussault, used with permission. Stories and program copyright 2021 by Mark Binder, all rights reserved.

You can find many of Mark Binder’s books and audio recordings at your local public library. 

For more information on what Mark is doing now, and to links for his latest work, follow him on social media @markbinderbooks or visit his website at https://markbinderbooks.com

New & Notable Books brings you book recommendations from Rhode Island Librarians. Listen to new reviews every week, and find something wonderful to read.

Recent Novels with Mary Anne

• Eternal by Lisa Scottoline

• The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons

Hosting this week's episode, on the theme of songwriting as therapy during coronavirus is Morgan Johnston. Hailing from Rhode Island, Johnston is an indie-folk singer-songwriter stomping, strumming, speaking, and singing her way to empowering both herself and her listeners. Her guitar and vocal arrangements are inspired by the natural landscape of places as much as by the emotional landscape of human experiences. As a board-certified music therapist, she is constantly reminded of the healing power of the music that she aims to share.

Songs featured in this episode include:

1) Pandemic Spring

2) Days of Quarantine

3) Disorientation

4) The Things That I Hope We Keep After Quarantine

5) Six Months In

6) I'm Worried

7) To Just Be

To learn more about Morgan Johnston visit her website morganjohnstonmusic.com or send her an email at [email protected].

This project is made possible with support from the Office of Library & Information Services. Funding for this program is provided by the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities. 

New & Notable Books brings you book recommendations from Rhode Island Librarians. Listen to new reviews every week, and find something wonderful to read.

Gripping Mysteries with Mary Anne

• Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith

• Wild Fire by Ann Cleeves

This week we're presenting an excerpt from Down Time with Cranston Public Library. Tayla and Zach chat with Joel Christian Gill, Associate Professor of Illustration at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, who is working on the forthcoming graphic novel adaptation of Stamped From the Beginning. We were honored to get a sneak peek into Gill’s process as he creates this adaptation and hear his perspective on the source material. You’ll also hear our regular segment, The Last Chapter, where we discuss a library or bookish question. This week we answered the question: what’s a book that you just couldn’t finish? Enjoy!

Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi

Like what you hear? Check out full episodes of Down Time on your podcast player of choice and learn more about our show at cranstonlibrary.org/downtime. If you’d like to submit a topic for The Last Chapter you can send your topic suggestions to [email protected]. Our theme music is Day Trips by Ketsa and our ad music is Happy Ukulele by Scott Holmes. Thanks for listening!

New & Notable Books brings you book recommendations from Rhode Island Librarians. Listen to new reviews every week, and find something wonderful to read.

Native American Picture Books with Christine

• My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith

• Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk

• Thunder Boy, Jr. by Sherman Alexie

• "Fall in Line, Holden!" by Daniel W. Vandever

• We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell

• Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard

• Bowwow Powwow: Bagosenjige-niimi'idim by Brenda J. Child

Click here for more Native American picture books.

Jennifer Shaker from the Willett Free Library in Saunderstown introduces a selection from Historic Wickford’s Living History Series. In this selection, former library Susan Berman discusses the old library building located in historic Wickford. Visit the Willett Free Library to learn more about the library and visit Historic Wickford to listen to more of the Living History Series. 

Music in this episode is Victor by Les Hayden.

Take the Rhody Radio One Minute Survey! 

New & Notable Books brings you book recommendations from Rhode Island Librarians. Listen to new reviews every week, and find something wonderful to read.

Personal Finance Made Easy with the RILA Financial Literacy Roundtable

• Napkin Finance: Build Your Wealth in 30 Seconds or Less by Tina Hay

• Broke Millennial Talks Money: Scripts, Stories, and Advice to Navigate Awkward Financial Conversations by Erin Lowry

• The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money by Ron Lieber

• You Need a Budget: The Proven System for Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle, Getting Out of Debt, and Living the Life You Want by Jesse Mecham

• Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez

In today's episode, you'll hear from Barrington Public Library's resident film buff Doug Swiszcz, as he presents an on-the-go lecture for the 1954 film, A Star is Born starring Judy Garland. 

Doug leads a classic film lecture series for the library, which traditionally involves a motion-picture screening in our auditorium and is paired with pre-film commentary. Due to the limitations on public gatherings because of the pandemic, Doug has adapted his lectures for the Rhody Radio audience. Listen in and enjoy!

If you want to learn more about Judy Garland and A Star is Born:

-- Request a copy of any (or all) of the four versions of the film A Star is Born from the Ocean State Libraries catalog HERE. 

-- Check out a few other movies with Judy Garland like The Wizard of Oz and Meet Me in St. Louis.

-- Judy Garland co-starred with Mickey Rooney in several on-screen performances. Find them in the library catalog HERE.

-- Want to learn more about the restoration efforts of Ronald Haver, who restored the film in the early 1980s? He wrote the book A Star is Born: The Story of the Making of the 1954 Movie and the 1983 Restoration. Request it from your local library.

New & Notable Books brings you book recommendations from Rhode Island Librarians. Listen to new reviews every week, and find something wonderful to read.

Mysteries from the British Isles with Mary Anne

• Dead Water: A Shetland Mystery by Ann Cleeves

• The Searcher by Tana French