Jewish Book Club discussion
Literary Chat & Other Book Stuff
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WHAT ARE YOU READING? A place for remarks, recommendations or reviews
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I was a bit disappointed in this one."
Amy,
Im sorry.
I heard this from..."
Your talking about filler? Yes, unless its useful info, it is usually boring. :( Maybe there is a reason Allison and Nathan communicate in only one language? I'm surprised- the author isn't foreign in the
spy world.
Stacey B wrote: "Louise wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Louise wrote: "Amy wrote: "I am reading Ron Balson’s latest, Affair of Spies. Started out pretty strong."I was a bit disappointed in this one."
Amy,
Im sorry.
I ..."
The info dump was a lot of scientific info, especially about nuclear fission. And I just didn't find their activities very believable. YMMV!
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You nominated general nonfiction for the recent poll, and it sounds like that's what you're wanting, Brina. I'm about halfway through Walter Russell Mead's The Arc of a Covenant: The United States, Israel, and the Fate of the Jewish People, so I recommend that. It should be in your library, and if it's not they might get it if you suggest it. Informative and sometimes surprising. Well-written.
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👍 It's long enough! But let us know what you come up with. 😃
I also read My Father’s Paradise and found it very moving.The Arc of a Covenant is also on my TBR. I will raise it.
I have been on vacation and I missed a connecting flight - this led me to get home a day late, New Years Eve afternoon. Like most of us would, I dropped my bags and headed straight for the library, before it closed for two days. I was 15 minutes late, so all my beloved January books are there behind it’s beautiful locked doors of treasures. But…. Affair of Spies was here, so it is supposed to last me just fine until my beloved library reopens.
But then late New Years Eve - the trouble began. I seem to have come down with Covid - end it is exactly how people describe. I was knocked out so crazy that I could barely lift my head from the pillow. So looks like I will be out for the week, or until I test negative. So Affair of Spies Will have to do. At least it will pass the time and I will let you know what I think. I was tiring of Liam and Catherine anyway, so was happy to have something a little different.
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The Arc of a Covenant is also on my TBR. I will raise it.
I have been on vacation and I missed a connecting flight - this led me to get ..."
Oh no Amy..
Hopefully this will be quick. At least you didnt catch it in the middle of your vacation! I hope it makes a quick exit!!
Mod
It wasn't outstanding, but it was more than two stars. Have to let it
it seep a bit to see if I want to rate it and write a review.
Has anyone read it?
An Affair of Spies by Ron Balson - 3 stars
I have read all of Ron Balson's canon of works, so I was looking forward to this one. I liked it, although perhaps not so much as the others. I did hear some harsh reviews of it when I was at about 15%, but I am giving it a solid three. Some detracting voices felt it was too heavy on the science and that it was all highly improbably. I feel that when we are talking about regular people, even soldiers outsmarting the Nazi's in 1943, well its all highly improbable anyway. You kind of have to enter these spy novels with a complete suspension of disbelief. If I took apart every single book I had read in this manner, I wouldn't enjoy the experience of reading.
I liked it. I liked the couple. I didn't mind the science. They were fiesty and ethical and humane and daring. I liked the people the met along the way and I thought the book well displayed some of the difficult choices folks had to consider both in the moment and over time. Some of it was pure and plain luck and pluck. Which I think actually did save a lot of people. I am thinking of the non-fiction book We Were The Lucky Ones, and what kind of crazy luck and pluck had to occur for this family to survive in its entirety and reunite. I have to believe there's a little bit of hand of God in there. Which never really explains why some people aren't afforded the same luck or protection. I can't explain that dilemma of preferential discrimination - no one can. I think that is where Faith comes in.
This is my first book of 2023. I read likely about 75% historical fiction or over. For my first book, not too bad. Next up is Carrie Soto is Back. Happy New Year Everyone.
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I have read all of Ron Balson's canon of works, so I was looking forward to this one. I liked it, although perha..."
Amy,
Your character shines through in the honesty and fairness of this well balanced review. You covered just about everything and then some. Although I haven't read this one, I read all his others as you did, and can understand why you gave it 3*. He is consistent in his themes which I love and happy you finished the book. I am going to read it.
I am spiritual like you Amy.
Pertaining to "luck "- During the time my son was studying for his Bar Mitzvah, he decided to take on the rabbi about G-d and the Holocaust. He asked .. How could G-d allow this to happen?
So the rabbi asked him if he believes in G-d. Yes- but that has nothing to do with my question.Well, said the rabbi, that's a good start . The rabbi said when G-d speaks, not all listen. We are given the the tools and and freedom for how to use them.
(Sounds like the response Rabbi Sacks gave ) My son said -Rabbi that is not an answer. Yes it is, it's not the answer you wanted to hear .
Fast forward.. I watch history repeat itself.
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Amy, how are you now?
Has the book you had available proved curative? I hope!
Amy wrote: "An Affair of Spies by Ron Balson - 3 starsI have read all of Ron Balson's canon of works, so I was looking forward to this one. I liked it, although perha..."
I also wound up giving it 3 stars. As I stated in my GR review, "once I suspended my disbelief and critical eye, I enjoyed reading Nathan and Allison’s adventures."
Aurora wrote: "This year, some Jewish related books i read include THE SIZTERS OF THE WINTER WOOD BY RENA ROSSNER, and recently i finished THE THIRD DAUGHTER BY TALIA CARNER and AN UNORTHODOX MATCH BY NAOMI RAGEN..."I am also reading An Unorthodox Match and recommended my public library get the sequel An Observant Wife. Naomi Ragen keeps getting better and better. These three books were made for the big screen.
Stacey - I love that you said that your son "took on" God and the Holocaust. My son just might be taking on the question of "the chosen people" and what that might mean, given an interfaith audience. I read sisters of the winter wood as well as an unorthodox match. I did not feel that shined as strongly as some of Naomi Ragen's others. I do have the third daughter on my list. I am looking forward to the thread collectors.
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Hi Amy...
Welcome- Happy you joined our group today.
I didn't see your px at first when I was reading your comment. It took a second to distinguish which Amy was writing.
Ha- I think the authors you mention feel the same as you do pertaining to "the big screen". :)
Did you have a chance to vote in our poll today? It closes on the evening of the 26th.
I voted. I only choose to read with this group when it’s something that really calls me. But if it turns out to be address unknown, I dare say that I’m in. I am also reading the thread collectors for this month. It seems to be on its way to my library as we speak.
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Please feel free to read Address Unknown even if it doesn't win, Amy. :) Our suggestion list is much longer if we include the nominations (not only the winners)!
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Amy,
I knew you would appreciate that little story about my son.
And.. it didn't stop there. I think the Rabbi truly appreciated being taken on by a 12 yr old.. knowing at that point he would not give an acceptable answer. While the rabbi was defending God - rightly so, he also recognized not every kid wants to get their lesson over with and leave. :)
Im smiling because I love that your son may take on "the chosen people"! Glad he isn't a Stepford son! Good for him and I hope he does it.
School of thought in his thinking?
I would love to see this and the reactions by this group.
I don't know anything about common beliefs and understanding within an interfaith group.
I read both books but not Sisters of the ....."
Can't remember which of Ragen's books I was bothered by.
Had nothing to do with a rating, I will let you know. xo
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Sisters
Unorthodox
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Amy,
At least I'm not the only one confused by the two "Amy's" we have now.".
I knew you voted, did you see message 714 - where I welcomed her and asked if she voted? This is too funny.
Hi - I am currently reading the first book translated to English from Madagascar. It is fascinating, but going very slowly. I have read The Thread Collectors and I am looking forward to sharing about that.
I recently read The Last of the Seven, by Steven Hartov. Protagonist is a young German Jew who escapes to Palestine and signs up with the Jewish Brigade in WW2, and becomes involved in special operations in North Africa and Europe. First novel I've read by Hartov (I'll check out some of his others now...) It's a great read, well written, and realistic. --Laurie
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Hi LA,
Good to know about this one. Thanks for the heads up.
I read The Devil's Shepard and The Nylon Hand of God.
Those aren't on my shelves- read them way before I joined GRs, but remember enjoying them.
We have many books in common, so now I have to take a look again at your book list to steal some. :)
I've loaded my Kindle with Heat of Ramadan and Nylon Hand for my trip to Israel this spring! I will have to take a look at your list as well. I don't document nearly as much as I should here.
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Me either.
Now I have to look at Heat of Ramadan. :)
1947: Where Now Begins, by Asbrink, quite engaging nonfiction! I'm sure I saw it on someone's list here. Also a novel based on the author's experience: Diary of a Jewish Muslim by Ruhayyim.
@kszr - can you tell us more about the book from Madagascar?
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Perlie, I have the Diary of a Jewish Muslim; Im seeing it everywhere.
I also would like to know more about Madagascar Ksar.
The book does not have any Jews in it, but it is an amazing fictional story of the history of the country. Beyond the Rice Fields
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Thank you Ksar.
I've just read Ten Years Gone (after reading The Missing File for a Group Read) and I definitely recommend it. Ten Years Gone is emotionally wrenching, but the Protagonist's determination and the convoluted Mystery are gratifying. It's also educational, vivifying Palestine under British rule and then Israeli Independence and the difficulty of day-to-day life with freedom but political travails and a poor economy [though a flourishing black market]. I hope to read the entire Series.
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Brina, I wish I could. I have a commitment that I can't cancel.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. So nice!!
I'm re-reading Destiny by Design- Leah's JourneyI love the rich history of Jewish Argentina combined with the period piece feel. It's the perfect mixture of Austen and Belva Plain. Its FREE today on Kindle Unlimited, so thanks to the author!
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I love the rich history of Jewish Argentina combined with the period piece feel. It's the perfect mixture of Austen and Belva Plain..."
Destiny by Design--Leah's Journey is actually on our bookshelf, Claudia. It was our book for Aug. 2019, if you'd like to comment. Actually there are a couple other closed threads from back then. It was the Jewish Book Club's "wild, wild west" period. ;)
We no longer accept author promotions on the discussion threads, but if she'd like to comment on the author thread for freebies, she'd be welcome to do so.
Mod
I love the rich history of Jewish Argentina combined with the period piece feel. It's the perfect mixture of Austen and Belva Plain..."
Hi Claudia,
I enjoyed that book too.
When visiting Argentina, I had previously read D by D- Leah's Journey. We toured all over, seeing the Second Gen in action at their JCC which was a coup. But looking at the rich jewish history as you wrote was very special.. including the oldest synagogue.
One treasure still is/was the oldest coffee house in Buenos Aires that is deep in history, charming, and was quite sophisticated in the day. We were told that while authors adored it for coffee and pastry, it was a ritual to socialize and read. Patrons with great timing would be fortunate to become involved in their conversations and latest books.
Looks like you have read all the books by this author. Your favorite?
As Jan said, some threads are closed, but comments are appreciated.
You never know what small thing may come up in a comment you can relate to.
As for the wild, wild west - I wish we had time to travel and see the history of the jewish cowboys. :) Gaucho-something? We did fly to Mendoza which is their wine country; also full of history.
Jan wrote: "Claudia wrote: "I'm re-reading Destiny by Design- Leah's JourneyI love the rich history of Jewish Argentina combined with the period piece feel. It's the perfect mixture of Austen..."
Hi Jan. My post was to answer the question "What are you reading"... I just so happen to be re-reading a book that was on a closed thread. I didn't think mean to break a rule.
Stacey B wrote: "Claudia wrote: "I'm re-reading Destiny by Design- Leah's JourneyI love the rich history of Jewish Argentina combined with the period piece feel. It's the perfect mixture of Austen..."
That must have been an amazing experience. You asked which is my favorite of the author's novels, I'd have to say her latest one, Celestial Persuasion. It's got Jewish history, Argentine history, an amazing woman by the name of Mariquita Sanchez (sort of our Abigail Adams and Betsey Ross) and a bit of Jane Austen. My kind of book :-)
Celestial persuasion is sitting in my house and has been for years. It’s also in the top 10 of my next to be read books, and it’s been there for the same two years. But because you are recommending it so highly, I might make an extra push to throw it into the rotation.
Brazen, by Julia Haart (2022) is a whiny memoir about a woman who was born in Moscow, Russia to secular parents. As a young child, her parents immigrated to America, where they became ultimately joined a large ultra-Orthodox community in New York and were essentially cutoff from the modern world. Later, as an adult, she left the community to enter the world of fashion and become a shoe designer.As her family became indoctrinated into the ultra-Orthodox community, Haart was taught to believe that any deviation from the community’s norms would incur the wrath of God. Because her family was not always religious, her parents were concerned about making a good marriage match. Although she had some say in her marriage partner, Haart essentially married a young man she had met only 3 times prior to the wedding. They had little in common and he expected his wife to work and keep the home while he studied Torah.
She described how, at age 19 and with no formal higher education, she taught 17- and 18-year old girls in her community. The education was limited to religious instruction, as subjects such as math and science were forbidden. Eventually, her husband gets an outside job and the family moved to an Orthodox community in Atlanta for a few years.
Somehow, the family has money and Haart describes the high-end clothing that she wears, after altering them to conform to the stringencies of the community – long skirts, high necks, long sleeves so no skin is showing.
After Haart left the community, my interest in her life began to wane. She wanted to be a shoe designer. Suddenly, everyone she met wanted to both help her and take advantage of her. She admitted that she was naïve to the outside world, but still … She also describes in cringy detail her sexual encounters. Suddenly, everyone wants to have sex with her, and she often seems to have no objection to their wishes.
What she left out, however, is the reaction of the community once she left. She mentions one instance in which she was invited to a family wedding but was never invited to a family event after that. She implies that her children have left the community but doesn’t explain what and how that happened. One daughter married young before Haart had left the community.
The book could have used some better editing. Some of her accounts of biblical stories seem a bit “off.”
I read the book to the end, but found it very whiny, egocentric and quite frankly, unnecessary.
2.5 Stars
I just finished Jacob’s Dream, by Beer-Hofmann. This is a lyrical play meant as a prologue to a trilogy that the author never finished. The play is a retelling of the story of Jacob and his brother, referred to in the work as "Edom". The author combines a number of Biblical accounts into a few core scenes, and renders them quite moving and powerfully. I was fascinated to know that this was a text taught at the Bais Yaakov schools in Poland, and that knowledge provided much food for thought as I read. Currently also reading the memoirs of Edwin Samuels, son of first High Commissioner to Palestine, Herbert Samuels.
Mod
Hi Claudia: you didn't break a rule, although I see how you thought I was saying that. You can take at face value what I said about the book discussion being available too, if you'd like to talk more about it. :)
And if the author herself wishes to comment, she's welcome to go to the author threads and do so.
Hahtoolah wrote: "Brazen, by Julia Haart (2022) is a whiny memoir about a woman who was born in Moscow, Russia to secular parents. As a young child, her parents immigrated to America, where they became ultimately jo..."A friend of mine went to school with her. The friend is still part of the Orthodox community, and says that Haart's account is false. The school they attended had a high academic level, graduates went on to college, became actuaries, doctors, and the like, and currently work in high level careers, while remaining religious, and pursuing hobbies like biking, hiking, travel. I also have a family member who attended the same school, and can corroborate that.
The content of Haart's 'memoirs' about the community and school she attended is largely false. Of course, no one knows what happens in someone's family.
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Hahtoolah-
Is she connected to the TV show "My Jewish...(something??)
The Dressmakers of Prospect HeightsAfter reading Not Our Kind also by Kitty Zeldis. I knew I wanted to read The Dressmakers. Ms. Zeldis is just a master storyteller and creates such vivid characters. From the Pogroms of Russia, she gives us a young protagonist who will become a Jewish News Orleans Madam and eventually a dress shop owner in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. I felt one of the strengths of the book was the way it dealt with tragic loss and the reaction to that loss and what it takes to heal. The story takes place in 1924, but also flashes back to Russia in the 1880's. The author was able to describe this time her family history was from Russia and she had these stories from the past to rely on and tell. four to four &half stars.
Having some fun this week with Sadie on a Plate in audio. Imagine MasterChef or next level Chef with a Jewish cooking themed inspiration and love story to boot.
The Hidden Palace, by Helena Wecker (2021)The Hidden Palace picks up the characters from The Golem and the Jenni, but the reader need not have read the first book to enjoy this one. This novel takes place eight years after the first novel has ended and begins around 1900. There are several threads plots in this novel. Chava, the Jewish golem, and Ahmad, the Arabian jinni, have gone their separate ways haven’t seen each other in years. Sophia Winston, who became chilled following her affair with the jinni, has traveled to a desert Middle East to find a cure. Anne is working as a laundress and raising her young son. Interwoven into the lives of the characters, is a fair amount of history, as the world is on the brink of World War I.
Cheva realizes that as a golem, she never ages, while the people around her do. She realized that she could no longer work in the bakery, so attends a nearby college and gets a degree in that allows her to teach cooking. She reinvented herself as Charlotte Levy and landed a job at an orphanage academy. After the jinni’s partner died, he holed up in the building and cut himself off from the rest of the community and spent his time constructing with steel. Anne’s son landed a job as a Western Union messenger, which takes him around New York City.
While searching for a cure to her illness, Sophia encounteres a female jinni, whom she calls Dima. Dima has been banished from her tribe and is searching for the jinni who can touch steel (Ahmad). She promises Sophia a cure if she can bring her to Ahmad. Meanwhile, back in New York, the reader meets Kreindel, a young girl who studies Hebrew with her rabbi and assists him in making Yessele, another golem to be her protector.
In addition to a beautiful story, the author also gives us a glimpse of life in the New York tenements at the turn of the last century. I loved this book and look forward to other writings from this author.
4 Stars
Was going through my bookcase and next to my copy of Tevy was Mottel, so I figured, why not?
Mod
Hi Kszr-
Is this by Sholem Aleichem?
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I was a bit disappointed in this one."
Amy,
Im sorry.
I heard this from a few of my frie..."
A few things - there was a lot of "info dump" so that was boring, and then when the action started, it just wasn't believable. For example, Allison doesn’t speak German and Nathan doesn’t speak French, so they can only converse in English. They're supposed to be spies!
(I'm behind on the Gabriel Allon books, so ... so far, so good.)