News Release

12/31/08 The Rhode Island Center for the Book at Providence Public Library Announces
2009 Reading Across Rhode Island Title: Five Skies, by Ron Carlson

Readers across Rhode Island are invited to join in the statewide reading of Five Skies, a novel by noted short story writer Ron Carlson – his first novel in 30 years. Kirkus Reviews hails Five Skies as "A thinking man’s novel, containing all the rugged elements of Western allure." Publisher’s Weekly says, "Carlson writes with uncommon precision, and this return to long-form fiction after four well-received story collections is stunning." This is the seventh year for Reading Across Rhode Island (RARI), our state’s one book project – which takes place from January to May each year. This year, Rhode Island readers can travel to the western reaches of our nation, to the beautiful isolation of the canyons of Idaho.

Joining the Rhode Island Center for the Book in announcing the 2009 title is this year’s Honorable Chair Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts.

"I am honored to participate in this year’s Reading Across Rhode Island project as its Honorary Chair, and I welcome the opportunity to encourage and support reading and literacy initiatives throughout the state. Our libraries, schools, and our homegrown book clubs are all valuable resources. This program brings us all together for a shared conversation about a single book, and as someone who enjoys fiction about the American West, I look forward to reading and discussing Five Skies with fellow Rhode Islanders."

Five Skies Author Ron Carlson to Keynote RARI Launch Conference
Teachers, librarians and book group leaders are invited to attend the RARI Launch Conference at Bryant University on Saturday, January 31, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm to hear from author Ron Carlson and learn about events planned for the 2009 project. In addition to keynoting the Conference, Ron Carlson will return to Rhode Island to join readers at the annual RARI May Breakfast at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet on May 9, 2009. Other events include the annual student videoconference. Conference attendees can meet workshop presenters ready to link the themes of the book to Rhode Island-based activities. The Conference registration fee and Breakfast tickets are both $25.

Five Skies tells of three men, each emotionally damaged in different ways, coming together at the edge of a remote canyon in Idaho. Their task is to construct a ramp in this isolated area from which a motorcyclist will launch herself across a chasm. With a crisp narrative style, Carlson outlines not only the transformations that take place in the three men, but also develops the novel’s setting into a fourth character. Themes for discussion include relationship between men, the value of work, environmental issues and the beauty of nature.

The Launch Conference will highlight themes and activities mentioned in the book: outdoor cooking, freshwater fly tying, and construction. Chef Finklestein of Westerly High School will demonstrate outdoor cooking and David Loren of the United Fly Tiers of RI will offer a hands-on workshop on freshwater fly tying. Rhode Island College Professor and author of Shavetail, Thomas Cobb will present a critique of the novel; there will be a short story workshop, one on self-publishing and East Providence Public Library’s expert book group leaders, Joyce May and Pat Trodson, will lead a discussion designed to “Reinvigorate Your Book Group.” Registration forms will be available on the Reading Across Rhode Island web site in early January.

Reading Across Rhode Island is a project of the Rhode Island Center for the Book at Providence Public Library. The 2009 project is sponsored by Fidelity Investments, Penguin Books, Reading with Robin, a local radio talk show about books, Newport Federal, RI Network for Educational Technology and Bryant University.

Further reading lists, book discussion guides, the author’s website, audio interviews and other supplementary material may be found on the RARI website or by calling Louise Moulton at 455-8134.