WHAT ARE YOU READING? A place for remarks, recommendations or reviews Showing 1,101-1,131 of 1,131

[Stacey B]

Hahtoolah wrote: "I just finished reading Second Person Singular by Sayed Kashua. It's an interesting novel that explores the conflicts of Arab-Israeli trying to assimilate in Israeli culture. It follows two Arab me..."

Hahtoolah,
This book sounds more than interesting. Assimilation is difficult -no doubt. Hoping politics doesn't play a role to much, if any. Reading is my happy place.

[Hahtoolah]

Stacey B wrote: "Kerry wrote: "I finished Australian writer Diane Armstrong's The Wild Date Palm which is a fiction account of the Nili spy group which operated in pre-Mandate Palestine during WW1...."

I visited the Nili Museum a couple of years ago. It is well worth the visit. I will add The Wild Date Palm to my reading list.

[Stacey B]

Hahtoolah wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Kerry wrote: "I finished Australian writer Diane Armstrong's The Wild Date Palm which is a fiction account of the Nili spy group which operated in pre-Mandate Pale..."

Me too.
Hahtoolah, thank you for posting about the book..
Have you been to the Ayalon Institute Museum? I keep bringing more people there every time Im in Israel. Fascinating, clever, and the best hidden secret. Trying to find a book written about it.

[Jan]

I am reading Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg's The Triumph of Life: A Narrative Theology of Judaism. It came out last year. I had heard a book interview he gave, and based on that I wasn't impressed. Then, I read an article that he had adapted from the book in the Spring edition of the Jewish Review of Books, and found it galvanizing. So now my local book group is going to read a part of it to see how we do.
Here's the link to the Jewish Review of Books article. I think they give a free read but if not send me your email address in a private message and I'll send you the PDF. Or your library may make it available. https://jewishreviewofbooks.com/autho...
P.S. Available brand new from Amazon as a nice paperback for a pittance.

Also I'm reading Melting Point: Family, Memory and the Search for a Promised Land. It has gotten a lot of press. It's written entirely in excerpts from articles, diaries, letters, and published material from the time, and somehow, it works. Especially the 1st part -- really brings history alive. I'm not quite done because I had to keep stopping for other reading obligations...

[Jan]

I'm reading Anthony Horowitz's Magpie Murders. It's a book within a book; a mystery within a mystery. And the detective in the "inside book," Atticus Pund, is a survivor. Does that, and the fact the author is of Jewish origins, make this a Jewish book? It's 1955, in the UK, and in the framing book, it's (almost) current times.

[Kerry]

I read Autocorrect: Stories by Etgar Keret earlier this month. I always enjoy his work.
Just now picking up A Backpack, a Bear, and Eight Crates of Vodka: A Memoir by Lev Golinkin, hoping the book lives up to its title.

[August ✡]

Hey everyone! Rosh Hashana is so close (:
Has anybody tried A Boy from Baghdad by Miriam Halahmy?
My library doesn't carry it unfortunately. So I wanted to shop around for reviews before committing to purchasing from AMZ.

[Kerry]

ELK✡ wrote: "Has anybody tried A Boy from Baghdad by Miriam Halahmy?
My library doesn't carry it unfortunately. So I wanted to shop aro..."
No, but it looks interesting. I read her The Emergency Zoo about WW2 London and liked it well enough.

Have you read The Dove Flyer by Eli Amir, an adult novel which covers similar ground and is narrated by a 13 year old boy.

[Stacey B]

Elk and Kerry,
Thank you for posting these books.
Looks like A Boy from Baghdad and The Dove Flyer share the same theme. Interesting to see this, as the first one -I think...is middle school.

[Kerry]

Stacey B wrote: "Elk and Kerry,
Thank you for posting these books.
Looks like A Boy from Baghdad and The Dove Flyer share the same theme. Interesting to see this, as the first one -I think...is middle school."

Looks like Halahmy's book focuses more on Israel.

[Hahtoolah]

10/7, by Lee Yaron (2024)

This book recounts 100 human stories about horror of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. On that traumatic day, 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. Yaron provides a human portrait of many of those killed. The author is a journalist for Ha'aretz and was able to meet with, and interview survivors to piece together the lives of many of the victims.

On Shabbat October 7, 2023, which was also the last day of Sukkot and the beginning of Simhat Torah, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel. Hamas indiscriminately massacred civilians in what became one of the worst terror attacks in recent history, and the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

Very well written and provides a touchingly brings the lives of many victims come alive.

5 Stars

[Stacey B]

Hahtoolah wrote: "10/7, by Lee Yaron (2024)

This book recounts 100 human stories about horror of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. On that traumatic day, 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. Yar..."

Great book Hahtoolah-
Your book choices have always been outstanding.
Wishing you an easy fast.

[Deena]

I will preface this by saying that I am having a terrible reading year. I just can't find anything I want to read, or that I can get through.

Currently reading Tilar Mazzeo's Irena's Children, about Polish rescuer Irena Sendler. That at least is sort of moving along. I'm totally stuck in Rukhl Auerbach's Warsaw Testament, which I've been reading for over a year! In my defense, Auerbach didn't write it to be read as an extended narrative, so I shouldn't castigate myself for struggling to read it as one!

Mazzeo's handling of Sendler is good, I think, as objective (leaning on the admiration side) as one could be - but definitely not worshipful, and offering plenty of credit to the dozens of equally courageous people without whom Sendler's work would have been far less successful.

[Deena]

Kerry wrote: Just now picking up [book:A Backpack, a Bear, and Eight Crates of Vodka: A Memoir|125681012..."

That is indeed a wonderful title - was it good??

[Deena]

Jan wrote: "I am reading Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg's The Triumph of Life: A Narrative Theology of Judaism. It came out last year. I had heard a book interview he gave, and based on that I ..."

How is this one going? I find the concept interesting...

[Jan]

Deena wrote: "Jan wrote: "I am reading Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg's The Triumph of Life: A Narrative Theology of Judaism. It came out last year. I had heard a book interview he gave, and base..."

One of those I probably wouldn't read without having committed to a group to do so. In fact I'm on here now and am meant to be out in the other room studying it. I think it's wonderful but reading it is like pulling teeth. Not painful, I mean; just slow going. I love it because of his vision and his religious depth, which I often think in Reform Judaism is damped down so as not to offend Christians -- or, anyway, to be under the radar. That's what I've been thinking, anyway. Now, to go study a while! 😁 Thanks so much for asking, Deena!

[Stacey B]

Just finished "Heart of a Stranger
An Unlikely Rabbi's Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging"
by Angela Buchdahl.
From the publisher:
"The first Asian American to be ordained as a rabbi, a stirring account of one woman’s journey from feeling like an outsider to becoming one of the most admired religious leaders in the world
Angela Buchdahl was born in Seoul, the daughter of a Korean Buddhist mother and Jewish American father. "

The feeling of not belonging was a struggle.
You are a great role model Angela.

[Beryl]

Stacey: thank you for your suggestion. I read about her book. I submitted a request to notify me when my library has this book available.

[Stacey B]

Beryl wrote: "Stacey: thank you for your suggestion. I read about her book. I submitted a request to notify me when my library has this book available."

You are most welcome Beryl.
I actually streamed a bit of her temples service during Yom Kippur. I wanted to see the side of her I was unfamiliar with.
Very impressive woman.

[Beryl]

Thank you Stacey. I looked her up. I have yet to listen to recordings. Looking forward to listening.

[Deena]

Jan wrote: "Deena wrote: "Jan wrote: "I am reading Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg's The Triumph of Life: A Narrative Theology of Judaism. It came out last year. I had heard a book interview he ..."

I too have trouble getting through theology, even when it is interesting - but then, I have trouble getting through anything even remotely dense any more!!

[Jan]

Deena wrote: "...I too have trouble getting through theology, even when it is interesting - but then, I have trouble getting through anything even remotely dense any more!! "

It's rewarding, and once I get the picture, parts of it can fall into place. I can do five pages a day at the least.

If you try it, I look forward to your reaction, Deena.
P.S. I just reread your above comment (currently No. 1113), and (in your defense) those sound as though they may be challenging books. Does it ever help to read something readable and quick?

[Deena]

Jan wrote: P.S. I just reread your above comment (currently No. 1113), and (in your defense) those sound as though they may be challenging books. Does it ever help to read something readable and quick?"

I'm doing that as well, I'm afraid - currently reading 3 different fiction titles, and struggling with those as well!!

[Jan]

Deena wrote: "...I'm doing that as well, I'm afraid - currently reading 3 different fiction titles, and struggling with those as well!!"

I read a cartoon collection the other day that took 30 minute. And I listen to audiobooks for only a short time but on most days, so it adds up! Just keep on keeping on.

[Deena]

Jan wrote: "Deena wrote: "...I'm doing that as well, I'm afraid - currently reading 3 different fiction titles, and struggling with those as well!!"

I read a cartoon collection the other day that took 30 minu..."

Fortunately, although I make a goal here on GR every year, I don't actually care whether or not I meet it!!

But in my infinite wisdom I also started a library book AND a new translation (from Polish to English) about Sugihara, which is so new to English that the edition isn't even on GoodReads yet...

[Stacey B]

Deena wrote: "Jan wrote: "Deena wrote: "...I'm doing that as well, I'm afraid - currently reading 3 different fiction titles, and struggling with those as well!!"

I read a cartoon collection the other day that ..."

Deena,
Thank you for including Sugihara in your comments.
I really want to read this. Im off on a hunt for the book.

[Stacey B]

Stacey B wrote: "Deena wrote: "Jan wrote: "Deena wrote: "...I'm doing that as well, I'm afraid - currently reading 3 different fiction titles, and struggling with those as well!!"

I read a cartoon collection the o..."

Ok, Im surprised- that took just a minute to buy on Amazon.
I must say Im impressed there are 2-3 children's books about Chiune Sugihara. Thank you again for bringing him up.

[LA]

Just finished The Sword of Freedom, written by former Mossad director Yossi Cohen. As you can imagine there's not a lot of operational detail, but he does discuss the Mossad's theft of Iran's nuclear archive as well as details of the assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh with an AI powered, remote-operated machine gun in 2021.

He talks about how he was recruited, qualities Mossad looks for, and how they recruit foreign agents. He talks about politics and personalities in a general way, without slinging mud. For most of Israel's history, the Prime Minister has used the Mossad director as a go-between with countries that did not officially recognize Israel, so the Director gains foreign policy experience and an appreciation of a variety of political personalities. He shares some of his own political ideas and is clearly thinking about getting into politics himself at some point in the future. An interesting account, an easy read, and an interesting guy to meet over a glass of wine, but not in a dark alley. ;)

I would give it 4 stars out of 5, only because I would have liked more details than he was prepared to share!

-Laurie

[Stacey B]

LA wrote: "Just finished The Sword of Freedom, written by former Mossad director Yossi Cohen. As you can imagine there's not a lot of operational detail, but he does discuss the Mossad's theft of Iran's nucle..."

I thought it was an informative book as well.
Mossad will never tell you a secret. :)

[Deena]

Stacey B wrote: Ok, Im surprised- that took just a minute to buy on Amazon. I must say Im impressed there are 2-3 children's books about Chiune Sugihara. Thank you again for bringing him up."

There are a few adult books, including one by widow, that was translated by his son if my memory serves. I am not a huge fan of the Levine contribution because it always sems to be more about Levine than Sugihara. But Sugihara deserves to be remembered and his story should be told.

[Stacey B]

Deena wrote: "Stacey B wrote: Ok, Im surprised- that took just a minute to buy on Amazon. I must say Im impressed there are 2-3 children's books about Chiune Sugihara. Thank you again for bringing him up."

Ther..."

Ha, you will get no argument from me. It should be told.