Jewish Book Carnival discussion
Authors Announcing Their Books
Hi everyone, I'm offering free signed copies of my new chapbook through goodreads giveaway...hurry it ends soon on Octber 15. Here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh.... Book review is includedd. (Visit my website to read sample poems and additional book reviews: www.michalmahgerefteh.com). This collection received 4-5 stars reviews since it's release. Thank you for the support!
Chanukah is "early this year"; are you ready? "With Love" makes a great gift and with an 18% discount, it's "chai-time" you placed your order Offer valid only at www.createspace.com/3931179
Enter code:BGZ67QAY
(FYI: The Hebrew letter חַי "chai" is a symbol and word that figures prominently in Jewish culture. Chai means "life" and it's "mystical" numerical value of 18 is why many donations, gifts or other forms of exchanges are often given in this amount.)
With Love, The Argentina Family: Memories of Tango and Kugel; Mate with Knishes
Thank you for allowing us to post about our Jewish-themed books. My YA novel, LINE CHANGE, was just released by Mazo Publishers, and will be reviewed in the Spring, 2014 edition of Jewish Book World. If you love Israel, you'll love LINE CHANGE! http://www.line-change.com
THE STORY----Ethan Conners is a savvy, Jewish academy senior who’s also the toughest high school hockey defenseman in Illinois, and he’s got an NCAA scholarship to prove it. But Ethan never wanted Team USA to select him for the summer Maccabiah games in Israel. Now, Ethan’s forced to trade a lazy July and angry girlfriend, for a shabby ice rink in Middle-East no-man’s land and a maniacal coach programmed for victory at all costs. And sharing a cramped apartment with a gritty Israeli family is anything but five-star. Ethan just wants to be done with this tournament and reclaim his snobby social scene in Chicago.
But everything changes when Ethan’s upper-crust birthright battles a rugged week of Israeli border town hardship. Suddenly, Ethan’s stressing over his cushy hockey scholarship, while his new Israeli peers face three-year stints defending the Jewish State. And when Ethan catches the eye of this sabra terror survivor with shocking ties to Chicago, his life’s about to change forever as he’s forced to decide between a dreamy, college free-ride, or the ultimate, Jewish line change.
Thank you, and feel free to contact me! Mark
Poetica Magazine, Contemporary Jewish Writing - Fall Edition - is now available. For the list of outstanding poets included in this edition, visit www.poeticamagazine.com
"Star of David" by Rick Black is the 2012 first place winning manuscript...now available for purchase. For sample poems and book reviews, visit www.poeticamagazine.com
Mark wrote: "Thank you for allowing us to post about our Jewish-themed books. My YA novel, LINE CHANGE, was just released by Mazo Publishers, and will be reviewed in the Spring, 2014 edition of Jewish Book Worl..."Kudos, Mark! I just forwarded a link to my son - a hockey player who's mostly into dystopian fiction. But if anything will pull him back into the land of reality fiction, it'd be this.
best,
Deb Levy
www.DebLevyWrites.com
@DebLevyWrites
Deb wrote: "Mark wrote: "Thank you for allowing us to post about our Jewish-themed books. My YA novel, LINE CHANGE, was just released by Mazo Publishers, and will be reviewed in the Spring, 2014 edition of Jew..."Hi Deb, and all,
I rarely comment on this forum, but follow some discussions.
Deb, your son is probably my age or close enough, to give me some prospective on my generation. If you care to see where I come from, please check out my remarks around August 30 at "What is Jewish Fiction" string.
He has to man-up and not run from his own country and our issues. Although I do not have anything against Israel and her people (lived there for a while too), his home and land is here.
To give him a better prospective on what he's got already recommend him to check out this realistic fiction:
Russian Jews Don't Cry
It may put his thoughts and actions in order. I am sure you are going to be a very happy mother...
Best, Camilia
Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm so excited to share with you the review from the "21st Annual Writer’s Digest Annual Self-Published Book Awards"Judge Number: 29
Entry Category: Life Stories
Judges Commentary:
The memoir, With Love, the Argentina Family, captures a special time and place through the eyes of a special family. The elegant and detailed writing brings the family to life, with an excellent eye setting and character. The mix of cultures is also captured well, and the author shows a good grasp of history and the ability to draw a reader right in to the heart of the family. Dialogue and events, both big and small, ring true, painting a lively cultural and emotional picture. The cover is professional and has an eye-catching layout and neat, clean font. The use of the photograph works well, although a photograph that would draw a reader in who may not be familiar with the content might work better as far as having someone pick up the book for instance, the one used inside that shows the author and her family getting off the airplane. Interior layout and production is clean and well-organized, with a readable font. Delightful and nicely written book.
*Commentary may be quoted as: “Judge, Writer’s Digest 21st Annual Self-Published Book Awards” With Love, The Argentina Family: Memories of Tango and Kugel; Mate with Knishes
The JewolicThe Jewolic is a pisser! A true story (ok, it's funnier now)
About the Conundrums of a Half-Jew – a humorous romp through religious ambivalence.
Polish/Jewish mom; Italian/Catholic dad. I was a religious mutt — a matzo brie pizza; a blintz marinara; a bagel and lox trapped inside a spaghetti and meatballs body. I needed an identity.
I could have become:
a) A Jew, invoking the very popular, and all-inclusive, ‘if your mother is a Jew’ rule;
b) A Catholic, ignoring the above-mentioned rule; or,
c) A half Jew/half Cath, Jewolic, straddling both religions, favoring the one that was most advantageous at the time.
That was my conundrum. This is my story.
The Jewolic on Amazon
enjoy!
I have a new novel, my fourth, coming out in March 2014. It is called The Mapmaker's Daughter, and it tells the story of the last generations of Jews in Spain before the 1492 expulsion by Ferdinand and Isabella. It focuses on the women who held it all together during this tragic time, and is hopeful and affirmative, as my books always are. It's available for preorder on Amazon now. Laurel Corona.
Ritch wrote: "The JewolicThe Jewolic is a pisser! A true story (ok, it's funnier now)
About the Conundrums of a Half-Jew – a humorous romp through religious ambivalence.
Polish/Jewish mom; Italian/Catholic d..."
Hi Ritch, just have to say that I loved your post! Best wishes!
“Emotive. Sad. Beautiful. Funny. ECHO YEAR is terrific.” NY Journal of Books
Dear All,
My dark twin, Casper Silk, is back with the story of a synagogue firebombing and the life-changing friendship between witness and perpetrator that develops in its wake.
—View the book trailer: http://youtu.be/HVJmy8FpUdk
—Discover the story behind ECHO YEAR: http://palefirepress.com/?p=689
Although ECHO YEAR's official release date is November 25, the book is available under-the-radar at Pale Fire Press (http://palefirepress.com).
If you are a journalist or blogger, please request a digital ARC. Any help in spreading the word will be hugely appreciated.
All the best!
In January of this year, I posted an announcement about
Greenhorn,
my illustrated middle grade novel about a young Holocaust survivor who arrives at a Brooklyn yeshiva in the 1940s with only a small box that he won't let out of his sight.
NewSouth Books
published
Greenhorn
as a hard cover and ebook in December.As a literary agent, I endeavored to get a film option for the novel. What I succeeded in doing was finding a screenwriter and a director who want to make a small, independent film of Greenhorn. They are producing the film but also asked me to co-produce. That means I've helped with finding locations in New York and am in the process of helping to find backers. The director and screenwriter have the goal of submitting the film for an Academy Award nomination in the Short Films Awards category.
The book's website now has a link to the forthcoming film adaptation:
http://www.olswanger.com/greenhorn/in...
Our wish is that many people will want to become involved with this film. I would be happy to send anyone an electronic galley (PDF) of Greenhorn, if you'd like to share it. I hope we will all be sitting in a theater next year and watching the film version.
Sincerely,
Anna Olswanger
anna@olswanger.com
Shalom,Thank you for allowing authors to mention their books.
My book "The Jewish Holidays-Stories of Empowerment, Activities and Games for Teachers and Parents" just came out.
It's about the Jewish holydays and traditions and includes contemporary stories of empowerment, games and activities for the whole family or classroom.
Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Holidays-Storie...
Bloggers and reviewers please feel free to contact me for review sample.
Thanks,
Orly
In commemoration of Jewish Book Month, a really wonderful review of my book, The Color of Light, at The Jewish Standard--and an amazing author profile! http://www.jstandard.com/index.php/co...
Phil D'Amato, NYC forensic detective, is caught in an ongoing struggle that dates all the way back to the dawn of humanity on Earth--and one of his best friends is a recent casualty. Unless Phil can unravel the genetic puzzle of the Silk Code, he and his loved ones will soon be just as dead.
Winner Locus Award for Best First Science Fiction novel of 1999.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0091W43JW/r...
"As a genre-bending blend of police procedural and science fiction, The Silk Code delivers on its promises." -- Gerald Jonas, The New York Times Book Review
"As twisted as a double helix. " -- Wired
"D'Amato is an appealingly savvy character, and Levinson brings a great deal of invention to the endeavor." -- San Francisco Chronicle
"hard to put down, easy to pick up again. " -- San Diego Union-Tribune
The Silk Code
The protagonist, Dr. Phil D'Amato, is Marrano.
Paul wrote: "Phil D'Amato, NYC forensic detective, is caught in an ongoing struggle that dates all the way back to the dawn of humanity on Earth--and one of his best friends is a recent casualty. Unless Phil ..."
Wow, Paul, Amazing!
This is in response to the Post on Nov. 3, 2013
Helen, I highly recommend you attend your neighborhood Temple(Bnai Yeshurun of Teaneck)services to bring you back on Earth, so your kids could learn from their Rabbi something else, but BS about vampires ...so they could see what is awaiting them in the nearest future being forced upon us by the current regime.
Camilia
Camilia wrote: "This is in response to the Post on Nov. 3, 2013
Helen, I highly recommend you attend your neighborhood Temple(Bnai Yeshurun of Teaneck)services to bring you..."
Camilia, thanks for your concern. My family goes to shul every week. The vampire is a literary device used in the novel to bridge events in the past and events in the present.
Helen, someone you would certainly recognize went to Jeremiah Wright "shul" weekly too ...
Bravo Camilia!All that junk with vampire' justification as a "literary device" just proves my earlier remarks about Jewish fiction being highjacked by so called writers on the current regime's payroll ...
The least they can do for themselves and their kids take themselves to the Dachau concentration camp ... or at least, make an effort to read about it (even in my novel). That would cure "the vampire syndrome as a literary device" excuse.
Best, Uri Norwich
Poetica Magazine is sponsoring a new poetry collection by the 88 year-old Yiddish poet Rivka Basman Ben-Haim (Israel)published with English translation by Zelda Kahan Newma. To review the cover art and to learn more about the authors, visit: http://www.poeticamagazine.com/apps/d...
Thanks very much for the opportunity to share with you a little bit about my debut novel, THE BOOK OF JONAH, which will be published in February by Henry Holt. The novel is a modern retelling of the Biblical Book of Jonah. The main character is an ambitious young lawyer, living in contemporary New York City. When he starts to have bizarre, inexplicable visions, his life as he knows it quickly unravels. I tried in the book to take the richness, mystery, and humor of the Biblical tale, long one of my favorites, and bring them into our time.
"It is rare that a novel juxtaposes the contemporary world and the biblical one in such dramatic fashion. The Book of Jonah is a compelling read, a clever deconstruction of modern life as reflected in an ancient and timeless lens." —Abraham Verghese, author of CUTTING FOR STONE
"The text of the biblical Book of Jonah is minimal, and its God and its Jonah are ciphers, and their motives enigmatic, but the Jonah of Joshua Feldman's novel is fully realized, a New York corporate lawyer making recognizable compromises until, brushed by the divine, his world dissolves.This engaging novel gives form to an opaque and ancient story while retaining that story's mystery."—Zachary Mason, author of THE LOST BOOKS OF THE ODYSSEY
"Joshua Feldman offers a shrewd, humorous, and entertainingly modern twist on the Old Testament prophet. He's written a bold and very funny book." —Sarah Shun-lien Bynum, author of National Book Award finalist MADELEINE IS SLEEPING
You can learn a little bit more about me here:
http://joshuamaxfeldman.com/
And the book can be preordered here:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Book-Jonah-...
Aaaaand, you can try to win a copy via Goodreads here:
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
Hot off the press ready for Chanukah.There isn’t a scroll read on Chanukah - but perhaps there should be? Sofer STa”M Marc Michaels has gathered over twenty handwritten and printed manuscripts from the 13th Century onwards for this traditional text for Chanukah that used to be read in Italian, Yemenite and other synagogues. Examining the variant Hebrew and Aramaic texts, he has created a new tikkun kor’im fully pointed with vowels and trope and a new tikkun sofrim with visual midrashim to add extra depth to the text. A new translation into English with explanatory notes is accompanied by a new commentary on the text - Or LiM’norah in the style of the biblical commentators. Includes two ‘missing’ verses found in the oldest Aramaic manuscripts but expunged from later Hebrew ones.
http://www.lulu.com/shop/marc-michael...
http://www.lulu.com/shop/marc-michael...
Mordechai wrote: "Hot off the press ready for Chanukah.There isn’t a scroll read on Chanukah - but perhaps there should be? Sofer STa”M Marc Michaels has gathered over twenty handwritten and printed manuscripts fr..."
This looks amazing, Mordechai!
Thanks Helen - that's very very kind of you to say. I've sold a few copies since launching last week and one Rabbi said 'stunning' and I've had some nice feedback from the chap at Cambridge who helped me source some of the manuscripts. Shalom v'chag chanukah sameach, Mordechai
Mordechai wrote: "Hot off the press ready for Chanukah.This looks stunning. I have ordered the print book for my wife. She is enrolled in class with our Rabbi. They are just about to start studying the Book of Esther. I will suggest adding your book for a future class.
B'Shalom, Richard
Do the many remarkable stories of the World War II era amaze you? They amaze me. I recently published a historical fiction novel, Across Great Divides, that connects two of great travesties of the 20th century: the Nazi occupation of Europe and the system called Apartheid in South Africa.
When Hitler came to power in 1933, one Jewish family refused to be destroyed and defied the Nazis only to come up against another struggle—confronting apartheid in South Africa.
As a writer, I feel it is truly important to tell the stories of the Nazi era and to keep alive the notion that we must 'never forget'.
To find out more, visit http://www.monique-roy.com. Book can be purchased on Amazon.
Richard wrote: "Mordechai wrote: "Hot off the press ready for Chanukah.This looks stunning. I have ordered the print book for my wife. She is enrolled in class with our Rabbi. They are just about to start studyi..."
Todah Richard - I hope you and your wife enjoy it. Shalom V'kol tuv, Mordechai
Thank you for creating this thread! I would also like to thank all the authors who have shared their work here.I am currently participating in a Goodreads Giveaway of Running from Giants , an illustrated memoir about the struggles and triumphs of my grandfather, Srulik Ackerman, a child Holocaust survivor. While the narrative propels us through Srulik's struggle to survive in Nazi occupied Europe, the black-and-white art reveals his journey through the imagination of a child caught in a land of giants.
The Giveaway ends on Dec 5, 2013.
You might also be interested in a recent interview with Srulik Ackerman, titled "Lessons on Happiness from a Holocaust Survivor."
I would like to add that Srulik Ackerman passed away on Nov 18, 2013, reminding us of the importance of preserving his story and the stories of other survivors.
Thank you for letting me be part of this group. I look forward to connecting with you.
I am sorry for your loss. May his memory be for a blessing.
Need a gift idea for holidays? Surprise and amuse the mishpocha with my new book:Fifty Shades of Oy Vey: A Parody ("So erotic, you'll plotz.")
Now available in print and Kindle on Amazon.com. Some reviews:
"It is sure to leave you verklempt with passion!"
-- Jewitup.com, 10/09/13
"While I know I should be offended and appalled...I was amused. Instead of Anatasia's 'inner goddess,' Anatevka has an 'inner yenta....' It's an entertaining parody."
- Life Is Like a Library, 11/14/2013
More info here:
http://fiftyshadesofoyvey.webs.com
Happy Hanukkah, Thanukkah, Thanksgivingukkah, or Whateverukkah, and thank you Jewish Book Carnival for creating this thread.
E.L. Jamesbergstein
Announcing the release of my new book, From Generation To…From Generation To...
I am the grandson of 4 Holocaust survivors. As a child, I wrote poems about the Holocaust, after listening to stories that my grandparents had shared with me, about their experiences during the war. This tribute, features my poetry and historical documents that were compiled for each of my grandparents.
I am giving away 3 autographed copies of the book in a GoodReads giveaway. Please show your support and enter to win today.
Please feel free to visit the books website for news and links and how to order your copy:
http://www.fromgenerationto.com
Thank you.
R.F.
The Meant to Be Together Series of books are about people trying to find their Bashert, the person they are meant to be with for life. The series includes "Finding a Soul Mate", "The Couples", "Finding Each Other", and "Growing Together". Check out the synopsis and excerpts from each book at The Village Drummer Fiction website: http://tinyurl.com/qaw2rb8. Take advantage of the Black Friday - Cyber Monday bargain prices to enjoy the poignant multi-generational family saga that explores relationships, love, and life. Books make great gifts! http://tinyurl.com/ldumsjf
Glad to find readers of books on Judaism here! I'm a book publicist and I'm searching for a few fine folks to post reviews on the new book edited by Rabbi David A. Teutsch, A GUIDE TO JEWISH PRACTICE, VOLUME 2: SHABBAT AND HOLIDAYS. If you're interested, please email me at braintreebooks@gmail.com. Thanks,
Ellen
I am not a Jewish writer, but the Holocaust is a critical part of my novella, "One More Victim" and thus is categorized by Amazon as Jewish literature. Several times it has broken through to the top #100 ranking in that category. One More Victim
My most recent book The Talmud: A Biography will be published by Bloomsbury in February. I have tried to show that the Talmud is not just the basis of Jewish life and law; it is also a classic of world literature with a history unlike any other. I'd love to hear what you think of the book if and when you read it. You might also like to look at the resource website I have created for the book; http://www.talmudbiography.com
My debut novel, THE ART OF BEING REBEKKAH, a story about a Jewish woman who discovers her husband has a dark side, was released by E-Lit Books 12/9/2013. If you like women's fiction filled with suspense and romance, this is for you! To learn more about me and my book, please visit my website at KarolineBarrett. I hope you enjoy my book!
Let me give you the dearest gift that I canDo not refuse me, for my story began
With passion at heart, guilt down at the gut
And sentences that I weave, then turn and cut
Now I give it to you, and this is my plea
Hold my book in your hand, it is yours, it is for thee!
♥ Rise to Power ♥ http://bookShow.me/B00H6PMZ0U
♥ Apart From Love ♥ http://BookShow.me/B006WPITP0
♥ A Favorite Son ♥ http://bookShow.me/B00AUZ3LGU
♥ Twisted ♥ http://bookShow.me/B00D7Q3IY4
The Kickstarter campaign for
The Jewish Comix Anthology
should be launched sometime in early February.
Hello! My historical novel THE MAPMAKER'S DAUGHTER will be released on March 4 by Sourcebooks. It is set in the years leading up to the expulsion of the Jews from Spain, with women's lives as the central focus. it has gotten excellent reviews from Book World, Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. Read more on my website, www;laurel corona.com
The Mapmaker's DaughterMy novel THE MAPMAKER'S DAUGHTER (Sourcebooks March 2014) is set in Spain in the years leading up to the expulsion of the Jews. The main character is an elderly matriarch waiting to leave Spain in 1492. In recalling her life, she paints a rich and complex portrait of Jewish women of that era. Excellent reviews from PW, Library Journal, and Bookworld.
A Damaged Mirror by Ovadya ben Malka, Yael Shahar (Holocaust Memoir, Judaism/Inspirational)
ISBN: ISBN 978-0-9910584-0-2 (Kasva Press, Jan 2014)
Previews: Sample Chapter
Links: Website Author Profile
Buy: Amazon
Two lives touched by the same nightmare.
An embittered survivor cannot speak of what he was forced to do to survive the horrors of Birkenau. A young girl in Texas is haunted by a memory of something she could not have lived. Their meeting will bring each of them face to face with themselves, and with the hope that lies on the other side of despair.
Laurel wrote: "The Mapmaker's DaughterMy novel THE MAPMAKER'S DAUGHTER (Sourcebooks March 2014) is set in Spain in the years leading up to the expulsion of the Jews. The main character is an e..."
Laurel, your book sounds wonderful. I look forward to reading it. And, as an aside, I'm madly in love with your cover. It's gorgeous.
Yael wrote: Two lives touched by the same nightmare.An embittered survivor cannot speak of what he was forced to do to survive the horrors of Birkenau...
Sounds like this one is right up my alley, Yael! Good luck!
Helen wrote: "Laurel wrote: "The Mapmaker's DaughterMy novel THE MAPMAKER'S DAUGHTER (Sourcebooks March 2014) is set in Spain in the years leading up to the expulsion of the Jews. The main ch..."
I've finally finished my latest ms and am waiting for copyediting, so it's the perfect time for me to read somebody else's novel. Mazel Tov, Laurel.
Maggie Anton
Helen wrote: "Sounds like this one is right up my alley..."Thanks Helen! I just put your book on my 'to read' list. Looks intriguing!
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