WHAT ARE YOU READING? A place for remarks, recommendations or reviews Showing 601-650 of 1,112

[Stacey B]

Esther wrote: "I'm reading Spies of No Country by Matti Friedman. It's for a book club I'm in. Quite engaging and definitely information I didn't know."

Esther,
He is quite the author for theses genres. I read his articles as well. Have you read Pumpkin Flowers or Aleppo Code? Very good books in my opinion.
I hear good things about his new one, but so far my mood hasn't allowed me buy it. :)

[Jan]

Esther wrote: "I'm reading Spies of No Country by Matti Friedman. It's for a book club I'm in. Quite engaging and definitely information I didn't know."

Hi, Esther. It's on our bookshelf for Feb. 2020!
Would love for you to click & add your thoughts here as you go along and when you finish

[Brina]

Picked this up from library. Not a big fan of short stories but holding my interest so far The Man Who Sold Air in the Holy Land: Stories

[Jan]

Have heard of that but don't remember offhand. Let us know, Brina!

[Brina]

I’ve read four so far. Author is Israeli and I feel immersed in contemporary Israeli culture. Eleven in collection will keep you posted.

[Jan]

Brina wrote: "I’ve read four so far. Author is Israeli and I feel immersed in contemporary Israeli culture. Eleven in collection will keep you posted."

Thanks. I believe it must have won one of the National Jewish Book Awards -- sounds so familiar. Have so much going on that I still didn't look it up.

[Stacey B]

Jan wrote: "Brina wrote: "I’ve read four so far. Author is Israeli and I feel immersed in contemporary Israeli culture. Eleven in collection will keep you posted."

Thanks. I believe it must have won one of th..."

Hi Jan- I think..you might have seen that I read it in April.
It hasn't won an award as far as I know, but the funny thing is
that I just pulled up my review (not a great one) and its showing me I wrote it today, which I did not. I was not on the computer all day.
Very strange.

[Brina]

Sometimes goodreads updates if you open a review or if people like it. Yours looked decent enough, Stacey, which is why I’m continuing with it. I hope to start Miriam’s Kitchen later this week as well.

[Brina]

Has anyone read The Lion Seeker and Mandela Plot by Kenneth Bonert? Looks really good. Worth it? Pass?

[Stacey B]

Brina wrote: "Sometimes goodreads updates if you open a review or if people like it. Yours looked decent enough, Stacey, which is why I’m continuing with it. I hope to start Miriam’s Kitchen later this week as w..."

Thanks Brina!! You are a doll.
I don't write many, but when I do and include content, this compared to others was weak.

[Stacey B]

Brina wrote: "Has anyone read The Lion Seeker and Mandela Plot by Kenneth Bonert? Looks really good. Worth it? Pass?"

I haven't read either of them. If you do decide to read one or both please let us know.

[Brina]

I’m starting the duology on vacation next week and will keep you guys posted.

[Stacey B]

Brina wrote: "I’m starting the duology on vacation next week and will keep you guys posted."

Great!!! Enjoy.

[Kszr]

I just read The Kings Cartographer by Jair Alcalay. It gives a ton of details on the race to map the world and conquer it before others. While the historical part is very detailed, the novel part was not as robust. I would have liked to hear more about those aspects of the story. Crypto Jews that had been expelled from Portugal and Spain trying to find a place in the world where they could practice their religion freely. They helped fund and lead expeditions to fill in the blank maps in the quest for this and trade. That human side could have been more developed.

[Jan]

Stacey B wrote: "Brina wrote: "Has anyone read The Lion Seeker and Mandela Plot by Kenneth Bonert? Looks really good. Worth it? Pass?"

I haven't read either of them. If you do decide to read one or both please let..."

I have wanted to as well! Just haven't been able to get to them.

[Shelley]

Brina wrote: "Picked this up from library. Not a big fan of short stories but holding my interest so far The Man Who Sold Air in the Holy Land: Stories [bookcover:The Man Who Sold Air in the Holy..."

the author presented on Literary Modi'in , which is run by our member Julie Zuckerman- look it up if you haven't already. one Sunday a month. in any event I was intrigued and enjoyed the stories. have a new appreciation for short stories,

[Stacey B]

Shelley wrote: "Brina wrote: "Picked this up from library. Not a big fan of short stories but holding my interest so far The Man Who Sold Air in the Holy Land: Stories [bookcover:The Man Who Sold A..."

Shelly, I have been reading short stories for about three years in between my other books. I find them to be equally as satisfying.
Ha, the hard part is the choice. :)

[Jan]

Stacey B wrote: "...Hi Jan- I think..you might have seen that I read it in April.
It hasn't won an award as far as I know ."

Yes, there, AND I probably was at Literary Modii'in, that Shelley mentioned. :)

[Jan]

Kszr wrote: "I just read The Kings Cartographer by Jair Alcalay. It gives a ton of details on the race to map the world and conquer it before others. While the historical part is very detailed, the novel part w..."

Wow, I just looked at the reviews, and such a variation in assessments, from one to two stars vs. four and five. Very few threes! Probably accounted for by the relative weakness of the fictional story that you mentioned?

[Kszr]

The facts were all there, but they became overwhelming and distracting after a bit. I just wanted to be grabbed by a story to pull me through, and while the narrative generally followed a family, I had no connection with the people and kept forgetting their names. It's too bad, because it could have been amazing.

[Jan]

Kszr wrote: "The facts were all there, but they became overwhelming and distracting after a bit. I just wanted to be grabbed by a story to pull me through, and while the narrative generally followed a family, I..."

If you do a review I will read it. :)

[Brina]

The Man Who Sold Air in the Holy Land: Stories ended up being really really good. Ok it’s tisha b’av I can’t think straight so that’s the best adjective I can give. I rarely give a 5 star rating. I am not a fan of short stories but I enjoyed this immensely. Found on library shelf or would not have even considered it.

[Stacey B]

Brina wrote: "The Man Who Sold Air in the Holy Land: Stories ended up being really really good. Ok it’s tisha b’av I can’t think straight so that’s the best adjective I can give. I rarely give a ..."

I knew it!! Just had a feeling about this .
It's a good one. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Stacey B]

I just finished the book"
On Wings of Eagles: The Secret Operation of the Ethiopian Exodus" by Micah Feldman.
I began thinking about why a special mission must become a secret operation. Why is it that human beings can't escape while their lives are threatened by the mighty words " war and politics".
I am aware of those same issues from before WW2 and still watch that snowball effect land in other countries today.
Israel, although with much debate, and jews around the world made a pact to give the Ethiopians the opportunity to leave by airlifting as many as they could to get them out of harms way.
35 Israeli aircraft succeeded in getting 14,000 people out from Abbis Ababa. But "they had to get them there first; coming from as far as Gondor. Who is "they" -
Landing in Israel, they were housed, clothed, schooled, and taught how to acclimate into an unknown culture. This book is how and why the mission worked.
Amazing book, and every word in it is true.

[Jan]

Stacey B wrote: "I just finished the book"
On Wings of Eagles: The Secret Operation of the Ethiopian Exodus" by Micah Feldman...."

Thanks, Stacey.
So many good ones!

Let us all know when you discover a good one.

👉 Post them right here. 👈

[Cobwebs-Iced-Across-SpaceTime]

Recently acquired an ARC from NetGalley: Jewish Soldiers in the Civil War: The Union Army. Very interested to read it; it's a topic I know nothing about.

[Stacey B]

REMEMBER UKRAINE NOW ReadingReindeer wrote: "Recently acquired an ARC from NetGalley: Jewish Soldiers in the Civil War: The Union Army. Very interested to read it; it's a topic I know nothing about."

Wow, I saw that book and put in on hold. Then read
a blurb online about that. Love your choice-

[Cobwebs-Iced-Across-SpaceTime]

Thanks! I've read quite a bit about the Civil War over many years, but I don't remember seeing this subject specifically addressed.

[Stacey B]

I just saw a great review of the book below.
"Myths, Stories, and Organizations: Premodern Narratives for Our Times" Yiannis Gabriel (Editor)
Anyone know of this book?
Looks like a very interesting read.

[Brina]

I just read The Girl in the Middle: Growing Up Between Black and White, Rich and Poor. I had never heard of DeGrassi but saw this on the Jewish Book Council page recommendations and it look interesting. Writing ok but story was captivating. It is east reading and I recommend. No review yet, forthcoming.

[Amy]

20% into the Sunflower. Perfect Elul Book!

Pre-ordered the Matchmaker's Gift on Audio. Hope to start that right away. It comes out in 3 days....

[Stacey B]

Brina wrote: "I just read The Girl in the Middle: Growing Up Between Black and White, Rich and Poor. I had never heard of DeGrassi but saw this on the Jewish Book Council page recommendations and..."

Brina, I heard about that book.
Looking forward to your review.
Going to put it on my list. Thank you.

[Stacey B]

Amy wrote: "20% into the Sunflower. Perfect Elul Book!

Pre-ordered the Matchmaker's Gift on Audio. Hope to start that right away. It comes out in 3 days...."

Amy, you sound so excited which is always a great feeling. Love your enthusiasm!!! I read it in May/June I think it was. You will love it. It has received all glowing reviews. Did you read her other books?

[Brina]

I’m making One Hundred Saturdays: Stella Levi and the Search for a Lost World my Yom Kippur reading.

[Stacey B]

Brina wrote: "I’m making One Hundred Saturdays: Stella Levi and the Search for a Lost World my Yom Kippur reading."

I agree with your choice.

[Brina]

Have you read yet? It’s gotten good reviews so hopefully it gets me thru the day. I only go to shul on Yom Kippur if the temperature is under 75 otherwise I can’t make it there and back (over a mile) without water. So usually I read. One year it was House on Endless Waters. Id read more of her books but sadly not translated into English and my Hebrew isn’t all that great. Of course I can daven that the temperature goes down in the next few weeks and I can actually get to shul.

[Stacey B]

Brina wrote: "Have you read yet? It’s gotten good reviews so hopefully it gets me thru the day. I only go to shul on Yom Kippur if the temperature is under 75 otherwise I can’t make it there and back (over a mil..."

No, I haven't but have heard good things about it as well.
I never thought about the the heat in that way.. so I'm hoping you get a cold front for a few days.

[Alan]

Stacey B wrote: "Esther wrote: "I'm reading Spies of No Country by Matti Friedman. It's for a book club I'm in. Quite engaging and definitely information I didn't know."

Esther,
He is quite the author for theses g..."

I just read his book on Leonard Bernstein during the Yom Kippur War. It is quite interesting. A little bit different from the others. Here is my review on GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Stacey B]

Alan wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Esther wrote: "I'm reading Spies of No Country by Matti Friedman. It's for a book club I'm in. Quite engaging and definitely information I didn't know."

Esther,
He is quite the au..."

Alan,
Nice review.
Matti Friedman in my opinion is not only smart, he is a great author.
I don't know if it was the subject or another book by Friedman you were after .. If you want to know Lenny Bernstein a little better,
his daughter Jamie wrote a book in 2018 :

Famous Father Girl: A Memoir of Growing Up Bernstein
– June 12, 2018
by Jamie Bernstein (Author)

[Alan]

Stacey B wrote: "Alan wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Esther wrote: "I'm reading Spies of No Country by Matti Friedman. It's for a book club I'm in. Quite engaging and definitely information I didn't know."

Esther,

I read the book because I enjoy Matti Friedman's books. I was not so into Leonard Berstein either as a Poet, Novelist, nor Musician. I am more interested in the theme running through most of what I have read from Matti Friedman; there is a point in time in Israel where significant events impact the nation as a whole that act as a catalyst towards change if not reinvention. I believe in this book, the Yom Kippur War was the time, and change occurred both in Israel and also within Leonard Bernstein. To me, that was the most interesting aspect of the book.

[Alan]

Just finished "At The Entrance to the Garden of Eden" by Yossi Klein Halevi. Please read my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Alan]

Starting to Read "To Heal a Fractured World; The Ethics of Responsibility" by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. I always try to read one of his books around for Rosh Hashanah - Sukkot, Pesach, and Shavuot. Thanksfully there are many I have not yet read!

[Stacey B]

Alan wrote: "Starting to Read "To Heal a Fractured World; The Ethics of Responsibility" by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. I always try to read one of his books around for Rosh Hashanah - Sukkot, Pesach, and Shavuot. Tha..."

I agree Alan.
I read Sack's book. Perfect timing for it.
Haven't read "At the Entrance to..." but going to read your review.
Wasn't there another book in addition to "Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor?
Im either having a block or confusing "Halevi with Halevy".

[Alan]

Memoirs of a Jewish Extremist
At the Entrance to the Garden of Eden
Like Dreamers
Letters To My Palestinian Neighbors

[Stacey B]

Alan wrote: "Memoirs of a Jewish Extremist
At the Entrance to the Garden of Eden
Like Dreamers
Letters To My Palestinian Neighbors"

Thank you so much Alan. Very appreciated.
I see it now. Confusion was- Mossad (Halevy)

[Bibliophile]

"If you haven't read it, Bad Rabbi: And Other Strange but True Stories from the Yiddish Press (Stanford Studies in Jewish History and Culture) , is a fun book and an easy read."

[Jan]

Bibliophile wrote: ""If you haven't read it, Bad Rabbi: And Other Strange but True Stories from the Yiddish Press (Stanford Studies in Jewish History and Culture) , is a fun book and an easy read.""

Sounds interesting, Bibliophile.
For those who are interested, here's that link: Bad Rabbi: And Other Strange But True Stories from the Yiddish Press
We read one book that's sort of related. ...I have to go to our bookshelf for a minute... or my bookshelf.... The Education of Hyman Kaplan. It was a poll winner for a book of Jewish humor that we read in January '21.

[Amy]

I’m reading Mad Honey!

[Jan]

I hope to take on Daniel Deronda this winter!

[Brina]

I started The Last Kings of Shanghai: The Rival Jewish Dynasties That Helped Create Modern China . I’ve read the first two chapters and it’s quite fascinating so far.