Jewish Book Club discussion
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Archived nominations/book ideas
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Nominations for our June 2020 book
Jan, Does the book have to be on a Jewish topic or can it just be by a Jewish author? And, does it have to be a full novel or can it be a collection of short stories ?
Thanks,
Susan K
I read Stars of David: Prominent Jews Talk about Being Jewish a few years ago and really enjoyed it. It's an older title (published in 2005) but if that doesn't matter, I think it could be an interesting one to discuss. I always like hearing about all the different ways to be Jewish.Or if we're open to YA, It's a Whole Spiel: Love, Latkes, and Other Jewish Stories sounds really cute :)
Mod
Does the book have to be on a Jewish topic or can it just be by a Jewish author? And, does it have to be a full novel or can it be a collection of short stories ?
Thanks,
Susan K"
Susan, it does need to be a "Jewish book" as well as by a Jewish author. Although we could have a spirited debate on what a Jewish book is, we might have some sense of that.
You could go on and nominate it and could lead to good discussion!
Yes, short stories are fine. Also poetry. Etc.!
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Alison, I was just looking at your suggestions, and that has made me think I was unclear in the request for nominations: I'm not asking for books that would help with being Jewish, but with our current moment, the pandemic, social distancing, lockdown, social divisions -- those issues.
Do you mean those books would help in coping with what's going on right now?
Please choose one nomination.
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P.S. I should have said that it doesn't have to be by a Jewish author.
I would like to nominate Einstein and the Rabbi by Naomi Levy. The book has received great reviews and seems to have a very relatable theme to our present time.
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Sounds like a good nomination to me, Jonathan. Although Kirkus and Publishers Weekly made it sound saccharine or new agey, a review by a more knowledgeable person on Huffpost had good things to say. also saw a lecture on the JTS site. Plus, available in paperback.
Einstein and the Rabbi: Searching for the Soul
For our current circumstances I would again recommend:Stir: My Broken Brain and the Meals That Brought Me Home
by Jessica Fechtor. Its a positive message of fighting back through what could have been a devastating situation. Its a well written memoir that feels very "real" in these times.
In relation to the Einstein book not really sure. I was thinking of some of the Harold Kushner books and I came across Einstein and the Rabbi. Have not read many books of this genre. So whatever we pick should be interesting.
I nominate Phoning Home, by Jacob M. Appel. Although an agnostic, he was raised in a Jewish household and Phoning Home is a series of personal essays that can provide a lot of food for thought and discussion on many levels.
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Stir: My Broken Brain and the Meals That Brought Me Home
by Jessica Fechtor. Its a positive message of fighting back through what could have b..."
I remember when you nominated it before and then deferred for a book I thought would win but didn't! 😘
Sounds good, and if we're still in our kitchens by then as we are now, would appreciate the positive attitude and new recipes, too.
There is an ebook and lots of used copies around. She reads her own audiobook.
Stir: My Broken Brain and the Meals That Brought Me Home
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I did remember that our book for May is one with mystical leanings -- I think! -- but it's probably not at all the same. I think Einstein is a good nomination, Jonathan. (Whichever book gets chosen, somebody will be displeased.)
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That sounds good, Susan. I really liked the idea of a doctor and ethicist and of emotional honesty. The only difficulty is accessibility. The used ones on Amazon aren't much of a bargain plus not very many of them and, in fact, only four hardbacks on sale at about $25. There is an ebook at $14.99 that seems like the best option. Pricey at the other used-book sources, if they have it at all. And not in the National Emergency Library, either. What do you think? $14.99 for the ebook? Would we mind doing an ebook (those who don't usually)?
Jan, The author freely gives away copies of his books. All a reader has to do is ask. His email address is on his website. I think I have read almost everything he has ever written.
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Wow; that would take care of the issue of availability, Susan.
Would he mind if he got lots and lots of requests? that is, if we should be so lucky as to have that much participation? Here's his website, although he doesn't mention that book in particular; https://jacobmappel.com/ I don't know about asking for that when he does have an e-version on sale on Amazon. What do you think?
Jan, On second thought, re: Phoning Home, I think I want to remove it as a nomination for now. The author is an ER psychiatrist in NYC and I’m sure he’s been pressed into service, so this would probably not be a good time to ask him for books. I’ll keep an eye out in case it comes out in paperback and maybe nominate it again later.
Susan
Jan wrote: "We're requesting nominations for a good book that will be good for us to read in June. It might be wise or beautiful, it might be humorous, or a distraction, or the voice of experience, or Kafkae..."
The Pawnbroker - Edward Lewis Wallant
The Source - James Michener
The Winds of War - Herman Wouk
War & Remembrance - Herman Wouk
Elie Wiesel-Jewish Literary and Moral Perspectives
Voices from the Warsaw Ghetto: Writing Our History - David Roskies
If these have not yet been read ...Dara Horn - The World to Come or A Guide for the Perplexed
Ruth Reichl - any of her books
Rachel Naomi Remen, MD - Kitchen Table Wisdom
Saul Bellow- To Jerusalem and Back
Stephen J. Dubner - Turbulent Souls
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On second thought, re: Phoning Home, I think I want to remove it as a nomination for now. The author is an ER psychiatrist in NYC and I’m sure he’s been pressed into service, so this would p..."
Oh, thanks, Susan. I had continued to think about your question and had a prospective reply, but you have a point. ...But, could the fact of being nominated give him a lift? Let me just put down what I'd come up with: ask for 5 free copies now, in case any of those reading about it here would like to check it out, and then, say, more for the first 15 who request it if it should win the poll. Beyond the first 15 could purchase the ebook.
We have around 550 members but as seems to be typical a much smaller active group who nominate, vote, and comment. It's anybody's guess how many actually acquire our books of the month, but possibly more look here for suggestions!
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Thanks, Shaina. I will look into this one later today; want to get some bread in the bread machine first. Not to mention getting dressed. As you can see, I'm not a morning person, and our situation has exacerbated it. 😁
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It might be wise or beautiful, it might be humorous, or a distraction, or the voice of experienc..."
Thanks, Charles, and good to hear from you! Please choose one to nominate -- one that helps in some way with our coronavirus situation, which can include implications political, social, etc.
Maybe this, too, although I didn't say so before: one that isn't chiefly about the Holocaust.
A few years ago I was entranced by The Jewel Trader of Pegu by Jeffrey Hantover Oh my, what a gem. What a surprise. Widely based, I believe, in historical truth. Begins in 1598; the story of a young, introspective, moody devout Jew from the Ghetto of Venice, sent by his Uncle, a jewel merchant, to collect precious stones in Pegu, what we now call Myanmar. Ravishingly beautiful, deeply philosophical--what is the meaning of life, God? Marvelous details of Judaism and Buddhism. And romantic love to boot. A great distraction from the reality of now.
And another great distraction: Millard Salter’s Last Day Jacob Appel I really loved reading this story of a (Jewish) psychiatrist, head of the department at a NY hospital who decides to kill himself on his 75th birthday. Filled with brilliant prose, great wit, puns and pathos. Appel is a bioethicist who feels strongly about human rights and there is a lot of easy to understand philosophical musing in this tale.
I second the nomination of Millard Salter’s Last Day. I loved that book and could read it many times over. It has pathos, it has humor, it has compassion. So that is my nomination.
Mod
Thank you, Shaina. I noticed you're reading it now, and since you nominated it, it must be good.
It is a book that doesn't seem to have been read widely. Right now it's on sale on Kindle but not sure that would still be the case when we need it in June. No used copies around but available in paperback for $15 new. So my main concern is availability. We could chance it, though!
A Rabbi's Daughter
I nominate A Guide For the Perplexed, by Dara Horn
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You just get one nomination. (per month) 😉
I nominated two because of a lag in posts appearing ... so Dara Horn is withdrawn for now.
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I recently read Eternal Life (mentioned somewhere above). It took reading a 2nd time before I "got" it. So many people couldn't get over her plot device for getting back to biblical times and into how people thought then. Maybe we'll read it in the group some time!
Thanks, Susan.
Planaria wrote: "And another great distraction: Millard Salter’s Last Day Jacob Appel I really loved reading this story of a (Jewish) psychiatrist, head of the department at a NY hospital who decides to kill himsel..."This sounds good! Putting on my "to read" list. Have never heard of it before.... thanks!
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Einstein and the Rabbi: Searching for the Soul
Stir: My Broken Brain and the Meals That Brought Me Home
A Rabbi's Daughter
Millard Salter's Last Day
Shall I put in The Jewel Trader of Pegu as Planaria's nomination and let Millard Salter's Last Day be Pamela's?
And I could take the first from Charles' list. No word from him yet as to choosing one from his list.
That would be six. Or, could take another nomination....
I thought I had nominated Mallard Salter, too ....
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Yes, you're right. I'm beginning to see double. So sorry, Susan.
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I would like to nominate Uncovered by Leah Lax. https://amzn.to/2S0aJfO
It's a few years old but given the popularity of the Netflix show Unorthodox, this would be a great book to explore women leaving ultra-orthodox culture.
I believe Leah is also a member of this group and would be open to facilitating a discussion. http://leahlaxauthor.com/
Mod
https://amzn.to/2S0aJfO
It's a few years old but given the popularity of the Netflix show Unorthodox, this would be a great book to explore women l..."
Stefani wrote: "I would like to nominate Uncovered by Leah Lax.
https://amzn.to/2S0aJfO
It's a few years old but given the popularity of the Netflix show Unorthodox, this would be a great book to explore women l..."
Hi Stefanie- Glad you gave a recommendation. We do need more members to nominate.
Heres where the shoe drops- :)
When Jan and I took over this group we added a rule that an author cant nominate their own book; if they do even in error, it will be deleted. Unfortunately, Leah nominated it already- we had to delete it, which is why you wouldn't have seen it. Jan explained it to her.
Jan also wrote an explanation as to "why" we put that rule in place which you can find under discussions.
Maybe...
An Unorthodox Match
All Who Go do not Return
They are little different, but subject is the same.
Just a thought..
Would love to see you nominate another one.
.
Mod
Another nomination would be Esther Safran Foer's "I Want You To Know We're Still Here: A Post-Holocaust Memoir." I just finished reading it last night and it will be with me for awhile.
It just came out last month and there are discussion questions formulated by JBC at the end of the book.
I'm currently reading Call It Sleep by Henry Roth. I would like to nominate this book. It is about the Jewish immigration experience. Since it was nominated before but didn't make the cut, I would also nominate Cantor Ostfeld's memoir (I know her and I found out many things that I didn't know before). Cantor Ostfeld was the first cantor ordained by the Reform movement. There are so many great books by Jewish authors. The Weight of Ink was very interesting (fiction) and anything by Saul Bellow or Elie Wiesel (Beggar in Jerusalem was great).
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"I Want You To Know We're Still Here: A Post-Holocaust Memoir." I just finished reading it last night and it will be with me for awhile.
It just c..."
Thank you for this nomination, Stefani. I know it's getting a lot of publicity and I believe an upcoming interview (or recent interview?) with the author of A Terrible Country. (There are almost too many online opportunities at present.) I would like to ask you to nominate it at a later point, though, for this reason: we are reading a Holocaust memoir this month. And we are the Jewish Book Club, not the Holocaust Readers Book Club, which sometimes it seems we're in danger of becoming. Although I could sound negative in light of one nomination already not accepted, please understand.
Mod
Let's go with Call It Sleep. Among other advantages, it's greatly available, and at least for now is in the National Emergency Library!
Judith, you clearly said it's your nomination.
I need to be clearer that it's one nomination per person. 🙂
Sounds like we have some great choices.
Mod
Also, this thread could stay open briefly for further discussion.
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Next month must remember to say one nomination per person!
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Jewish Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Jewel Trader of Pegu (other topics)Call It Sleep (other topics)
Stir: My Broken Brain and the Meals That Brought Me Home (other topics)
Einstein and the Rabbi: Searching for the Soul (other topics)
A Rabbi's Daughter (other topics)
More...
It might be wise or beautiful, it might be humorous, or a distraction, or the voice of experience, or Kafkaesque. It might be fiction or nonfiction, just so long as it helps.
Everyone won't agree on what would be a helpful book, so we'll get our nominations, and then we'll vote.
Let's try for six nominations by the end of the week -- 6:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on Friday the 24th.
Maybe we'll have a good discussion along the way, like last month, with recommendations about suitability as we go and also checking on availability. Nominations by a book's author or agent will be deleted.
You can check the group's bookshelf or scroll down the prior years on the homepage to see if you're duplicating a previous selection.
We hope you're staying well, doing as well as possible, and finding time to read❣