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Authors Announcing Their Work
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Jennifer
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Oct 14, 2024 04:29AM
My super Jewish, very Israel-centric book launches tomorrow. Check out Landed: A yogi’s memoir in pieces & poses by Jennifer Lang, which is coming on the heels of Places We Left Behind: a memoir-in-miniature, which launched last September. I had 32 days to celebrate before October 7 changed everything, where I live, the background of my books. They are both nontraditional reads with playful prose and a strong visual element. I welcome questions and book clubs and conversations. I'll be in SF, Chicago, Philadelphia, Westchester and W Hartford. For more info find me @jenlangwrites on FB and Instagram or here.
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Mod
Hi Randie,
Thank you for posting. Im not receiving notifications at all for some reason, so apologies for responding late.
Ahh, the 70's, and yes turbulent :) Wishing you much success on the book, and Happy New Year!
Mod
Daniel, I'm responding to your Comment No. 641, back on the prior page. I don't think there's time right now, but have been wanting to mention your book The Evil Inclination over in the What books have impacted my ideas about Judaism discussion. Because it has! And you're welcome to respond over there if you could do it while staying with the theology/practice or whatever, without bring your book or its plot etc into the discussion. I mean, we could do that HERE, but not over there, where authors are not supposed to be pushing their books.
So if I don't get to comment tomorrow, will do in a week or so ☺️
In the meantime, chag sameach.
hi, all! now that the December book guidelines have expanded to include stories about "perseverance against the odds", I think my new novel, WAYFARERS, could be a really fun and interesting choice (it also deals with tough questions about Jewish identity and what "Jewish survival" requires).I can't nominate it, of course, but would be honored if someone here finds it worthy of nomination. .
Mod
Thanks for placing your comment right here on the Authors Announcing Their Work thread, Arnon. 😘
My latest novel, "The Jews of Donwell Abbey: An Emma Vagary, is receiving some grand accolades! “Trupp’s orchestration of history and mystery enriches the ongoing collection of stimulating rewrites of classical novels. A gift to Austen fans, it will interest all readers curious about the hidden facets of “proper” social intercourse in Georgian England.” ~ Yael Halevi-Wise, author of Interactive Fictions: Scenes of Storytelling in the Novel, Professor of Jewish Studies and English Literature
“In The Jews of Donwell Abbey, Trupp brings sidekick Harriet Smith to the forefront, her mysterious origins are explained, and her ultimate happy ending turned into a lesson about tolerance, acceptance, and the miracles hidden within mundane lives. The perfect companion piece!” ~ Alina Adams, author of The Fictitious Marquis, Romance Writers of America's first #OwnVoices Jewish Regency Romance
https://www.amazon.com/Jews-Donwell-A...
Mod
“Trupp’s orchestration of history and mystery enriches the ongoing collection of s..."
Congrats on your newest book. Wishing you much success!!!
Randie wrote: "“A Different Sky” is my first novel. It follows a young Jewish woman’s struggles with family, love, career, and cultural stereotypes during the turbulent 1970s. Rachel Rubin is a powerful heroine w..."Hi Randi!
From one recovering attorney to another, good for you to commit to writing. It burns off a lot of lawyer karma.
Dean
Thanks, Dean. I'm currently writing my second novel, which is set in the legal world and features a female attorney as the protagonist. I'd love to hear a fellow attorney's thoughts. Hopefully, it will be released next spring. Keep a lookout.
I'm proud to share a few more testimonials about my latest novel: The Jews of Donwell Abbey: An Emma Vagary. “Blending Emma with a Jewish story line is an ingenious idea!" ~ Rabbi Jo David
"A captivating read!” ~ Meryl Ain, author of Shadows We Carry and The Takeaway Men
"I'm glad my curiosity won out! As a Christian, I wasn't sure if this book was for me, but another book reviewer set my mind at ease. I think Trupp's respect for Austen is equal to her love for her history and culture. I love Mr. Knightley in this version and that letter at the end... it's Austen worthy! " ~ Cathy Stone, Youth Pastor and avid novel reader
Check out my new book, Intimate Solitude, recently published. It offers a unique perspective on Israeli society and its evolution over the years. The novel follows two childhood friends from Jerusalem who launch a startup firm, only to see it nearly collapse under the strain of deep-seated tensions within Israeli society.
The story also delves into the diverse and complex viewpoints of world Jewry toward Israel. Laurie, a young British immigrant, and her family oscillate between savoring life in Tel Aviv and grappling with profound reservations about the country.
"Barasch Rubinstein... does a marvelous job of bringing to vivid life the political and cultural landscape of Israel during terribly turbulent years." — Kirkus
Intimate Solitude is my sixth book. I've published fiction and nonfiction: https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=em...
The story also delves into the diverse and complex viewpoints of world Jewry toward Israel. Laurie, a young British immigrant, and her family oscillate between savoring life in Tel Aviv and grappling with profound reservations about the country.
"Barasch Rubinstein... does a marvelous job of bringing to vivid life the political and cultural landscape of Israel during terribly turbulent years." — Kirkus
Intimate Solitude is my sixth book. I've published fiction and nonfiction: https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=em...
Mod
Emanuela,
Congrats on your newest book.
Thank you for posting here on JBC
Mirta wrote: "I'm proud to share a few more testimonials about my latest novel: The Jews of Donwell Abbey: An Emma Vagary. “Blending Emma with a Jewish story line is an ingenious idea!" ~ Rab..."
Stacey B wrote: "Mirta wrote: "My latest novel, "The Jews of Donwell Abbey: An Emma Vagary, is receiving some grand accolades!
“Trupp’s orchestration of history and mystery enriches the ongoing c..."
Congratulations. Wishing you success.
My debut novel, Walk the Earth as Brothers: A Novel: just received a wonderful review from the Jewish Book Council and I needed a place to kvell.In this novel about the Holocaust, author Henry Rozycki tells the story of two brothers who have very different experiences during the war years, and he does so in a humane, dignified style that brings their hardships to life ... full of realistic examples of what happened to people during World War II. It shows how betrayal and deception can change the course of someone’s life, but also how bravery, love, and random acts of kindness can help them survive.
Mod
In this novel about the Holocau..."
Henry, Glad you thought of us as your go-to place. :)
I saw the review. Congrats and much success.
Exciting news: The audiobook of “The Evil Inclination” is now available on Audible. The audiobook vividly captures the Brooklyn idiom of the protagonists Lev Livitski and Angela Pizatto. The audiobook is narrated by a real pro—actress Laura Patinkin, a veteran of Broadway and off-Broadway, as well as film and television. Listen to the first chapter on Audible:https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Evil-I...
Mod
Great news Daniel.
I think Im the only one who cant concentrate with audio, and believe more readers would rather listen to audio versions.
But..I read the kindle version. :)
Henry wrote: "My debut novel, Walk the Earth as Brothers: A Novel: just received a wonderful review from the Jewish Book Council and I needed a place to kvell.In this novel about the Holocau..."
Mazal tov!
Mod
In this novel abou..."
Yay Henry.
I saw it. Congrats!!!
Hello all. I've just released my latest novel, 'The Last Secret of The Soul'.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
“Ten-year-old Feitel's harrowing journey through the Holocaust unveils a tale of courage, resilience, and the enduring bond between a mother and her son. Separated at the gates of a concentration camp, Feitel grapples with loss and loneliness, clinging to her last words: 'Find somebody to look after you.' As he navigates the horrors of the concentration camp and witnesses the devastation of war-torn Berlin, Feitel's quest to find sanctuary and someone to care for him becomes a poignant story of hope in the face of unimaginable darkness.”
Mod
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
“Ten-year-old Feitel's harrowing journey th..."
Stephen,
Congrats on the upcoming release of your newest book.
Specializing in the aftermath of wars is not easy; I'm glad to see your second genre is comedy. :)
Stephen wrote: "Hello all. I've just released my latest novel, 'The Last Secret of The Soul'.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
“Ten-year-old Feitel's harrowing journey th..."
I love the cover!
My new book, The Last Secret of The Soul: One boy. One Holocaust. One Survivor., is now published.Ten-year-old Feitel's harrowing journey through the Holocaust unveils a tale of courage, resilience, and the enduring bond between a mother and her son. Separated at the gates of a concentration camp, Feitel grapples with loss and loneliness, clinging to her last words: 'Find somebody to look after you.' As he navigates the horrors of the concentration camp and witnesses the devastation of war-torn Berlin, Feitel's quest to find sanctuary and someone to care for him becomes a poignant story of hope in the face of unimaginable darkness.
UK Kindle: https://amzn.eu/d/f2Gi04o
UK Printed: https://amzn.eu/d/c0mY6q5
US Kindle: https://a.co/d/iZFxpAh
US Printed: https://a.co/d/iXJnUGF
Canada Kindle: https://a.co/d/4I7G4CO
Canada Printed: https://a.co/d/40OYzvZ
Australia Kindle: https://amzn.asia/d/6WGNonj
Australia Printed: https://amzn.asia/d/b8pLXin
Mod
Ten-year-old Feitel's harrowing journey through the Holocaust unveils a tale of ..."
I'm glad you got it launched, and thanks for notifying us, Stephen!
Jan wrote: "Stephen wrote: "My new book, The Last Secret of The Soul: One boy. One Holocaust. One Survivor., is now published.Ten-year-old Feitel's harrowing journey through the Holocaust un..."
Thank you, Jan!
I am the author of The Last Dekrepitzer. It is my first novel having stopped writing fiction over fifty years ago. I am a lawyer and law professor at the University of Pennsylvania and have taught both at Oxford and the University of Tokyo. I began The Last Dekrepitzer after watching a zoom workshop by George Saunders during covid. He said that if you want to write you have to stop talking or thinking about it. I was getting old so I started writing the next morning.
Mod
Congratulations on your book, Howard. Very exciting developments! You can also go to the "author" discussion for awards, if you like. But please take down your comment in the welcome and introducing yourself section, as all author announcements need to be in the author threads. Thanks so much, & expecting we'll be hearing more about your book!
Hi everyone! I wrote the novel DIASPORA while working as a merchant marine at sea. This novel explores the Jewish diaspora through the centuries-long journey of the Vostęvskie family. Spanning from their near-mythical roots in a Polish farming village, to the merchant ships and sprawling shanties of port cities across the globe, this epic tale of survival, love, and loss highlights the complexities of identity, assimilation, and the human condition.
With lyrical prose and a nuanced understanding of the Jewish experience, Margulies weaves together historical fiction, a family's saga, and deeper philosophical inquiry. As the Vostęvskies navigate the ravages of world war, forced migration, and unrequited love, they must confront the ultimate question: Can a people thrive when so much has been lost to time?
A poignant and thought-provoking exploration of heritage, belonging, and the search for meaning, DIASPORA will resonate with anyone with a soul to feed.
Isaiah Margulies
DIASPORA
With lyrical prose and a nuanced understanding of the Jewish experience, Margulies weaves together historical fiction, a family's saga, and deeper philosophical inquiry. As the Vostęvskies navigate the ravages of world war, forced migration, and unrequited love, they must confront the ultimate question: Can a people thrive when so much has been lost to time?
A poignant and thought-provoking exploration of heritage, belonging, and the search for meaning, DIASPORA will resonate with anyone with a soul to feed.
Isaiah Margulies
DIASPORA
I am reaching out to introduce my book, Year One—a thinly fictionalized memoir about my first year in America as a Soviet Jewish refugee in the mid 90s. Year One has been well received by critics and readers alike. Kirkus Reviews praises it as "a rich and funny immigrant story," while Amazon readers have shared their enthusiasm, often describing it as both heartbreaking and hilarious. The book delves into the issues of self-discovery, cultural adaptation, and language acquisition.
It’s available in paperback as well as kindle editions, and Audible.
Mod
Year One has been well received by critics..."
Hi Marina,
Thank you for this update. Must have been very hard to write.
Hi, I am Chinese by birth, Australian by choice, and becoming Jewish by conversion. I first started learning Hebrew in early 2023 after I visited European Jewish sites of rememberance like Seville, Prague, Dachau and Anne Frank's attic.Then October 7 happened, I was devastated as my online Hebrew tutor lost friends, I asked him to cancel that day's lesson and take as long as break as he needed.
I also became admitted as an Australian lawyer but never practiced law, because I decided to enrol in a Hebrew class at the University of Sydney in 2024. I enjoyed the classes, but have had to comfort and reassure my Jewish classmates as the only non-Jew in the class. (To be honest, there was another man who wasn't Jewish but married a Jew)
Then one encounter with a Progressive Jew at a political town hall style Q&A led me to decide to convert to Progressive Judaism. I achieved a Distinction grade in that semester, but decided to move to the more affordable Bangkok.
And I have been attending the Thailand Progressive Jewish Community since August last year. I'm also studying with 2 different Conservative rabbis on Zoom to prepare for my formal conversion planned for later this year.
I had a near-death experience (but not as religious as it might make you think, but VERY VIVIDLY JEWISH nonetheless), which you will find in my new memoir: The Voice that Saved Me, and Why You Should Avoid Edibles in Thailand.
My memoir has multiple themelines running throuogh, and one of them is how my Jewish and Zionist identity has been evolving, such as learning Hebrew, but not daring to use Hebrew in front of others, appreciating the blessing said after using the bathroom, and making a case against pro-Hamas propaganda.
It's a messy and chaotic memoir, because my life has been messy and chaotic, and my identity is often blurred, making me a queer, Jew-ish, Chinese Australian, interpreter-turned massage therapist-turned non-practicing lawyer-turned trainee to teach ESL in Asia.
I have the Kindle links for anyone who finds my story intriguing. And I would welcome any feedback and review, positive or negative. I know I'm just an indie debut memoirist and there may be flaws in my book, but I'm being authentically myself, and will take your genuine feedback with gratitude.
Content warnings: there are sexual themes and a big chunk of graphic depictions of intimate moments in the second section of my book, if you're not into that sort of content, but feel free to skip, or not review the book. Thank you!
Depending on where you Amazon Kindle account is registered:
For Americans: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F3VPQV1P
For Canadians: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0F3VPQV1P
For Australians: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0F3VPQV1P
For Brits: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F3VPQV1P
Forgot to mention, right now, you can get the Kindle version for free!
Mod
Good morning Jiao.
Very interesting.
Thank you for posting your work. Its life experiences that make who we become today. I see you laid the ground work for the purpose of your book.
Im sure this memoir is fascinating with the many decisions you made, especially living in our rocky world today.
My name is Joyce Wadler, I'm a former New York Times reporter and humor columnist, and I hope this is the right spot to announce my new book, "The Satyr in Bungalow D", which will be published May 1.
"Satyr" is about a secret colony of satyrs, living on the outskirts of a Jewish resort community in the Catskills, in 1963. Extremely good-looking and differing from humans only because of their short horns and delicate hooves, it is easy for satyrs to pass. In summer, they frequently do. That great-looking guy who gave your aunt the best sex of her life before the tennis courts and refused to take off his hat? Most likely a satyr. I grew up in a small, family hotel in the town of Fleischmanns, where the novel is set. Were they really satyrs? Ask your aunt.
Mod
Congrats Joyce.
Sounds like an interesting read. I am from the Midwest and not that familiar with the Catskills other than "Mother May I" and Dirty Dancing. However.. I do know my greek mythology and am aware of Satyrs.
📚 New Holocaust Memoir by a Jewish Woman Survivor — Pre-order Opens June 6As I Remember... by Maria Gluck
At 93 years old, Maria Gluck — a Holocaust survivor who lost 22 family members in Auschwitz and Mauthausen — sat down to write her story.
Not through a ghostwriter.
Not as told to someone else.
But in her own words — first by hand, then typed herself.
As I Remember... is a raw, personal, and deeply human memoir.
Maria was 23 when she emigrated from Czechoslovakia to the U.S. in 1940 with three siblings. Their father, oldest brother, nieces, and nephews stayed behind — and were murdered in Auschwitz and Mauthausen.
This is her reckoning. Her remembrance. Her voice.
She writes about family and fracture, fear and resilience. About starting over in America. About silence, strength, and survival — in a world that too often wanted to forget.
As I Remember... serves as a poignant bookend to Private Good Luck and Pappus, and is part of a larger four-volume project documenting one family’s journey through persecution, survival, and memory.
(The fourth volume, From the Ashes, is a documentary collection and will be available digitally.)
For readers who value women’s voices, intergenerational memory, and the emotional truth of lived history, this memoir will stay with you.
🕯️ As I Remember... will be available for pre-order June 6 (Kindle & paperback)
I’d be honored if you’d take a look — and I welcome any thoughts or questions here. This book is my aunt’s legacy, and I’m grateful to help share it.
— Sherwin Gluck
Editor & Nephew of the Author
Hi everybody, I’m a first-time author and new member of The Jewish Book Club. Hope I’m posting in the right place (and not overstepping my bounds) for an introduction to my book, The Torah Road Trip… Abraham Rides Shotgun. It’s based on a true story of transporting a Torah (in an SUV I dubbed “The Torah Blazer”) that my father Abraham had donated to our former temple in Connecticut back in the 1960’s, to my current temple outside of Chicago. The book combines that physical journey with a spiritual one. My reflections of my dad’s life and our relationship, accompanied by some of the principles in the Torah, make for quite a ride and an inspiring story. Akin to Bill Crystal’s 700 Sundays, it’s an uplifting, funny, heartfelt memoir that blends together the beauty of the Torah, the Jewish faith, and father-and-son relationships.
Mod
Yes -- the right place, Bruce. :)
Thank you for announcing your book here. Was writing it a fulfilling experience?
And welcome!
Mod
Now available for Pre-Order!"
👍
Sounds interesting. Was your father a survivor? Where was he?
Hi. I''m also a new member of the book club! I'm pleased to announce the publication of my book, The Pessimist's Son: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope, co-authored with my late father.Here is a description:
A personal depiction of life in Poland set against the Nazi and Soviet takeovers of Europe and their cataclysmic aftermaths. It is the compelling memoir of Alexander Kimel, taking him from a shtetl in the Polish Ukraine to a Nazi ghetto to liberation. It is also the harrowing story of his wife, Eva, whose father is murdered in the “Holocaust by Bullets.” A dialog across generations with narrative written by their son, the book is a rare portrayal of Jewish survivors who remained in Communist Poland after the war. It is a story of the many challenges they faced and the life they built together after quitting Poland in 1956 for Israel, ultimately emigrating to America. By including the stories of other family members, the book also provides a panoramic view of Polish Jewry before, during, and after the war.
You can read blurbs the book got at my website if you like, www.martinkimel.com. Please check it out. The Pessimist’s Son: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope
Mod
Sorry, the book link is now added."
Thank you, Martin, for telling us about your book here.
And welcome to the Jewish Book Club! I look forward to your telling us about the progress of your book, and hope you'll join in our general discussions as well.
Jan wrote: "Bruce wrote: "Hi everybody, I’m a first-time author and new member of The Jewish Book Club. Hope I’m posting in the right place (and not overstepping my bounds) for an introduction to my book, The ..."Jan wrote: "Bruce wrote: "Hi everybody, I’m a first-time author and new member of The Jewish Book Club. Hope I’m posting in the right place (and not overstepping my bounds) for an introduction to my book, The ..."
Jan wrote: "Bruce wrote: "Hi everybody, I’m a first-time author and new member of The Jewish Book Club. Hope I’m posting in the right place (and not overstepping my bounds) for an introduction to my book, The ..."
Jan, thanks so much for the nice welocm! And yes, it was very much of a fulfilling experience to write this book about my father and this privilege of my journy transporting a Torah from Conecticut to Chicago.
Mod
Glad to hear it, Bruce.
...And the name of his book is The Torah Road Trip: Abraham Rides Shotgun
Martin wrote: "Sounds interesting. Was your father a survivor? Where was he?"Hi Martin, thanks for your comment about my book. And no my father wasn’t a Survivor, but both of my wife’s parents were. They were both at Auschwitz, and my mother-in-law was in the orchestra there (which is how she survived). She was originally from Bendzin, Poland.
Your new book “The Pessimist’s Son: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope” sounds very moving.
Hi Everyone! My very first book,a short story, a Frum Romance has just been published!
Gold And Ruby: A short Story
Enjoy!
Also, I have an online novel
'Drop of Ruby', you can read it for free at
https://estherbuchmanthewriter.substa...
Please leave a comment!
Esther
Mod
Congrat's on you first book. I bet the feeling of such a great accomplishment is extremely satisfying along with the
wonderful feeling of being on Cloud 9.
Wishing all the best!!!!
've just discovered this community. I wrote two ‘near-holocaust’ themed books. The first, “The Dressmaker’s Parcels,” is loosely inspired by what happened to my mother’s family (Venetian Jews), my mother, my grandmother, a great-uncle, and other members of their inner circle, who joined the resistance. The book concludes with the characters beginning to rebuild their lives after the war's end and learning about those who did not survive. The second book, “Elena’s Memory,” is a story set in Venice in 1947. All the characters have been through World War II, and there are references to the Holocaust. It shows the efforts to recover seized property and WWII survivors making sense of their own lives.After the Dressmaker's Parcels I divided them into two series:
1) Rachele Modiano Mendes the early years, set in Venice (3 books so far, set in 1921. 1925/1926, and 1929/1930).
2) Rachele Modiano Mendes investigates (2 books so far, 1 set in 1947, the other in 1950, currently working on a third set in 1953)
You can find my last book here on GoodReads or here https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH6QD73P
My books are available on Amazon and have reviews here on Goodreads
Mod
We love that you joined our to help promote your books.
It would be a such a contribution to us if you could weigh in on some of our discussions. Possibly you may have had an experience or a different view on a book, article and the like.
Thank you so much.
Jewish Book Club
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