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Rhode Island Humanities Council

Renee Hobbs participates in a panel discussion responding to the book, Caleb's Crossing by Pulitzer Prize winning author Geraldine Brooks on Sunday, January 22 at the Newman Congregational Church in Rumford, RI. In addition to the distinguished author, Brown University professor William Simmons, an expert in Native American culture, will participate in the panel discussion, which is moderated by Doug Riggs. Living Literature presents a scene from their Caleb's Crossing inspired performance series.

Renee Hobbs will be speaking about her experience reading Caleb's Crossing on her iPad. Online reading is both similar and different to reading from a printed book. In the panel, she reflects on the themes of the book, encountering the other and the power and vulnerability of the state of in-between two cultural worlds, considering these ideas in relation to her own recent transition in moving from Pennsylvania to Rhode Island to become the Founding Director of the Harrington School of Communication and Media. Hobbs argues that a personal response to literature can occur only when readers feel engaged and powerful, confident in their interpretations. Too many people see reading as a chore, not as a delight. Media and technology resources, including films like Anne Makepeace's documentary, "We Still Live Here" can engage people's curiosity and help them make connections between reading and the contemporary world.Â