Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, in the 1990s, Hanif Abdurraqib witnessed a golden era of basketball, one in which legends like LeBron James were forged and countless others weren’t. His lifelong love of the game leads Abdurraqib into a lyrical, historical, and emotionally rich exploration of what it means to make it, who we think deserves success, the tension between excellence and expectation, and the very notion of role models, all of which he expertly weaves together with intimate, personal storytelling. “Here is where I would like to tell you about the form on my father’s jump shot,” Abdurraqib writes. “The truth, though, is that I saw my father shoot a basketball only one time.”
There’s Always This Year is a triumph, brimming with joy, pain, solidarity, comfort, outrage, and hope. No matter the subject of his keen focus—whether it’s basketball, or music, or performance—Hanif Abdurraqib’s exquisite writing is always poetry, always profound, and always a clarion call to radically reimagine how we think about our culture, our country, and ourselves.
Borrow a Book Set:
1. Fill out the Book Request Form.
2. John will let you know when to expect your materials, and where to send them when you are done.
3. Your books will come uncataloged. Use the enclosed book log (or your own method) to track who borrows books from you and when they are returned. Do your best to collect all books before passing them along, but if a book becomes lost, prioritize passing the sets along to the next library in a timely fashion, letting John know if there is a missing copy.
Book Club in a Bag:
Independent book discussion groups can borrow a book set from libraries around the state, thanks to RI Center for the Book! The following libraries have a book set for There's Always This Year. Contact one of these libraries today to borrow a set:
Want your library to receive a Book Club in a Bag? Contact Emily at emily.goodman@olis.ri.gov or Kate at kate@ribook.org.
Featuring Storyteller Len Cabral and Filmmaker Evan Villari
Family-friendly event with award winning storyteller, Len Cabral, and filmmaker Evan Villari, as they share stories and behind-the-scenes insights from their upcoming documentary, Meet Me at the Court. This film, currently in development, uncovers the untold history of the legendary North Providence Summer Basketball League (1962–1994), where games were played on the iconic Swenson/Ruggerio Courts at Evan’s Field.
It was here on Smith Street that Len and his childhood friends created a 30-year institution, leaving an indelible mark on the community and basketball history—where dozens of future NBA stars first showcased their talents.
The event will begin with captivating stories from Len, followed by a special preview of work-in-progress clips from the documentary. This is an opportunity for the community to come together, reminisce, and celebrate the vibrant cultural history of Rhode Island.
Email Evan Villari to book a program for your library or school.
Requested honorarium towards documentary completion: $150.
Discuss any financial challenges with Evan.
Join Tina Cane for a generative poetry workshop in which we explore and write original poems
on the "emotional politics of place" and the "power of digression," as illuminated by the brilliant
Hanif Abdurraquib. in this year's RARI book, There's Alway This Year: On Ascension and Basketball.
2 hours one-time or 6-week, Zoom or in-person
All ages, all levels welcome.
Schools, libraries, senior centers and organizations interested in hosting a workshop should contact kate@ribook.org.
Living Literature will be offering a 45 minute, readers’ theatre style presentation of There's Always This Year performed by Marlon Carey.
Email Tanya Martin to book a performance: tanyarmartin3@gmail.com. Program cost negotiable based on budget. Typical range $150 - $200.
Interested in something new? Receive a set of LEGO kits designed specifically to facilitate conversation around There’s Always This Year, designed for the Reading Across Rhode Island Program by partners at Carnegie Mellon University. Programming kits include LEGO sets (one for every 3-4 participants), facilitation instructions, and a dedicated discussion guide for use with the completed builds. Learn more from our partner.
Contact kate@ribook.org to coordinate. A special training will be held in the Spring to showcase the kits. Kits come free of cost, and must be returned.