What are you reading?

[Ellen]

I was underwhelmed. I expected to love it. I loved the description of it at the BEA editors' buzz panel. And I loved the first 75 pp or so - it was quirky and innovative and emotionally compelling. But as the book progressed, the structural oddities got in the way of the story, and my connection to the characters suffered from it.

[Erika]

Ellen wrote: "I was underwhelmed. I expected to love it. I loved the description of it at the BEA editors' buzz panel. And I loved the first 75 pp or so - it was quirky and innovative and emotionally compelling...."
I'd agree--the structural oddities got in the way for me, too. I was thinking about this some more, and I can't help wondering it would be a more successful book, in my view (tho' still more linked stories than a novel), without the final section (two chapters).

[Ellen]

I can see that. The last two chapters were much more confusing and less satisfying...

[Linda]

I'm reading Joshua Henkin's The World Without You. It's about a largely dysfunctional Jewish family, and every member comes across as authentic because of the author's talent at developing characters. The story is driven more by character than plot, and in this case, it works beautifully.
The book is based on a family dealing with the loss of the youngest child - a journalist who was killed by terrorists. It does seem a little like art imitating life because of the Daniel Pearl story, and yet it is truly its own piece. I love how Josh Henkin uses such detail and inserts humor, right down to bumper stickers on cars. I'm almost through, and hate to leave the Frankel family. I hope they return in another Henkin book. The World Without You

[Erika]

And I continue to think about Boianjiu's book, with a little help from Junot Diaz: http://www.erikadreifus.com/2012/07/w...

[Nic]

I'm reading Letters to Auntie Fori: The 5,000-Year History of the Jewish People and Their Faith ...it's quite engaging!

[[deleted user]]

Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948, I am learning so much about early Czech and Slovak history.

[Andrew]

Susan wrote: "Just starting Dovekeeper by Alice Hoffman, unfortunately I don't know anything about Masada, only the five books of Moses. I will have to research about the falling of the second temple and Masada...."

Try the Jewish Virtual Library, http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/

[Amy]

Susan wrote: "Just starting Dovekeeper by Alice Hoffman, unfortunately I don't know anything about Masada, only the five books of Moses. I will have to research about the falling of the second temple and Masada...."
I've got that book on my bedside table--got it signed by Alice Hoffman at the Tucson book festival and just haven't had a chance to start it. I visited Masada some years ago-- fascinating place (to say the least) and the final days there captured my imagination. I'm looking forward to reading the book--I'll be curious to know if you like it.

[Susan]

Just finished reading, Flowers in the Blood for my book club. The book was published 20 years ago. I am not into romance. But, I did like reading about the Jewish community of India, and the Opium trade. But, then it went into the dull info. about the financial business. If the book explained what money exchange was, I might have appreciated it more. Also it was a long book over 600 pages.

Now, I am reading City of Women and loving it. I love to read story when character, is place and time. The story takes place during WW2, in Berlin. You can read the review on JBC blog if interested. Good reading.

[Dave]

I hope you will take a look at my new novel "Rebirth" about the rebirth of Israel in 1948. It's getting a lot of attention and ready for the big screen! www.rebirthofisrael.com

Please tell others about it!

[Erika]

Dave wrote: "I hope you will take a look at my new novel "Rebirth" about the rebirth of Israel in 1948. It's getting a lot of attention and ready for the big screen! www.rebirthofisrael.com

Please tell others ..."

Congratulations, Dave. Good luck!

[Erika]

I'm almost halfway through Yuvi Zalkow's very funny novel, A BRILLIANT NOVEL IN THE WORKS. I was lucky to get a complimentary advance copy. Check out Yuvi's impressive website to find out more.

Also: Today's the official release date for MOVING WATERS, a wonderful story collection by my friend Racelle Rosett. The stories are set in Los Angeles, among Reform Jews. You can find a Q&A with Racelle about the book on my blog.

[Wendy]

The Fifth Servant 1692 Prague, a interesting complicated mystery where a Christian little girl is murdered. The suspect? A Jewish butcher. The very superstitious and prejudiced Christian population is ready to do a "blood purge" against the Jewish Ghetto and maybe even expel the entire population if the real murderer is not found in 3 days. The "Shamus" or Rabbi's helper has to delicately navigate the two worlds to find the killer. It is full of Yiddish, Hebrew, terms.

[Susan]

I decided to try reading Unorthodox by Debrah Feldman. I will be posting most likely at the Jewish Book Carnival.

[Mark]

Treblinka Survivor: The Life and Death of Hershl Sperling

http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/prod...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Treblinka-Sur...

http://www.amazon.com/Treblinka-Survi...

[Global]

Just finished readingJourneys to a Jewish Life: Inspiring Stories from the Spiritual Journeys of American Jewslove the book... Love the way people have returned to this way of life after testing the waters...


It was a great book during the Yom Kippor holyday.. I cried in certain areas...An inspiring and candid read.

[Global]

Just completed...Journeys to a Jewish Life: Inspiring Stories from the Spiritual Journeys of American Jews great candid read...

[Mark]

I'm reading Neighbors, By Jan Gross ... and I recommend it to anyone interested in understanding Polish behavior toward their Jewish "neighbors" during the war years and after.

[Erika]

I'm brushing up on some history by reading "The Yom Kippur War: The Epic Encounter That Transformed the Middle East," by Abraham Rabinovich. My interest was piqued when I saw this incredible Holy Days video featuring war footage, and I realized there was a lot I didn't yet know about what happened back then.

[Global]

reading the The God-Powered Life: Awakening to Your Divine Purpose

This Rabbi is to the point and I love how direct he is...The point is so simplistic it makes one yearn to get back to the basics.

[Global]

Chai-ME: My exploration of Race,Religion,and Spirituality in America.

Started reading this book regarding Black American Jews...a good read...Too bad alot of people who claim to apart of the House of Israel are pretty far from it...What she endures is not the love that Hashem has commaned us to give...

[Global]

The Invention of the Jewish People

This is a meaty read...Taking my time with this one.

[Josephine]

I've recently read A CURABLE ROMANTIC, by Joseph Skibell. I think he's astounding.

[Alessandro]

Reading the cyclopic history of Italian Jews from 800 to 1990 is part of the history of Italy series edited by Einaudi

[Miriam]

I just read The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman and absolutely loved it. I could really get a feeling for what it must have been like to live on Masada in 70 CE.

[Erika]

Recently read my friend Kevin Haworth's brief essay collection, FAMOUS DROWNINGS IN LITERARY HISTORY, which, title notwithstanding, is deeply engaged with issues of 21st-century Jewishness. See my blog post for more. And also recently read Hans Keilson's first novel, translated as LIFE GOES ON, which I've reviewed for The Forward.

[Global]

reading "keeping Kosher".. I love to read about the different perspectives diffrent movements have on keeping Kosher.... It's essentail in my life but for many it's not an absolute.

[Susan]

Just finished two books, one fiction other non-fiction. Both good books, and very different than the other. But, would like to rave about both. Middlestein by Jami Attenberg, is a delicious read, bitter sweet, check it out at my blog at http://bagelsbooksandschmooze.blogspo.... The other is a about the French resistance, from a journalistic view, very broad subject. Worth the read, from a non-Jewish perspective. Check out my review again at http://bagelsbooksandschmooze.blogspo....

[Erika]

Susan wrote: "Just finished two books, one fiction other non-fiction. Both good books, and very different than the other. But, would like to rave about both. Middlestein by Jami Attenberg, is a delicious read, ..."

The Attenberg novel is on my tbr list! Getting great reviews.

[Global]

reading...The Way Of The Jewish Mystics...very simplistic book of wisdom.. but one should have a knowledge of Torah. Some statement commented on about different areas of Torah I did not agree from that their perspectives... nonetheless... a good and enlightening read..

[Global]

Aryeh Kaplan Jewish Meditation.... awesome book gave me a whole new perspective on meditation and it's importance... this is not something new to Judaism just a serious and intense practice that no matter way of life one follows it's beneficial for everyone...

[Marvin]

I would highly recommend a new book on growing up as the child of Holocuast survivors called Peril: From Jackboots to Jack Benny by Pearl Goodman. One review on bookpleasures called it "a powerfully moving book that deals with the lingering intergenerational effects of the horrific history of the holocaust..

An Amazon review said "culturally informative and emotionally moving story". "Far More Than 'Coming of Age': Holocaust and Love"Peril: From Jackboots To Jack Benny

[Miriam]

Susan wrote: "Just starting Dovekeeper by Alice Hoffman, unfortunately I don't know anything about Masada, only the five books of Moses. I will have to research about the falling of the second temple and Masada...."

I think there is a section at the back of the book that talks about what parts of the book were based on fact. A lot of the book was based on the account that Josephus gave regarding what happened on Masada.

[Charles]

Marvin wrote: "I would highly recommend a new book on growing up as the child of Holocuast survivors called Peril: From Jackboots to Jack Benny by Pearl Goodman. One review on bookpleasures called it "a powerfull..."

Very interesting. I have a book and a web site dedicated to the Holocaust here http://www.facebook.com/jacobs.courage.

Also, Jack Benny was my cousin. My family and I met him after being in the audience at The Jack Benny Show in 1961, Jack asked us about our lineage. It turs out that his mother and my maternal great-grandmother were first cousins. They lived in Russia, in a town called Rozyscze. I have an Israeli video of the cemetery in Rozyszcze here http://www.facebook.com/jacobs.courage. Small world.

[Marvin]

Thanks Charles - that's quite interesting and I'll check out your book

[Maggie]

I just finished The House of Secrets: The Hidden World of the Mikveh and was rather disappointed. I found the subject interesting, but this book was way too repetitious. How many times do I need to hear how a 2-week timeout from sex spices up marriage? I would have like to know more about the many secular women who are forced by the Israeli Rabbinate to use a mikvah before marriage, especially since the author starts out as one of these and it's clear that she doesn't go to the mikvah at other times.
Maggie Anton

[Mark]

I did not expect A Jane Austen Education to have a Jewish angle, but along the way the author, William Deresiewicz talks about his Jewish family background, his summers at a Jewish summer camp that was part of either the Habonim or Dror (he doesn't say) kibbutz-oriented movements (I was with Dror), and it was a nice extra treat. The book is terrific -- moving, intelligent, hard-headed, and decent (to use one of Saul Bellow's words of high praise).

[Bernadette]

I was certainly blown away when I first read The Lonely Tree by Yael Politis and I keep finding little gems when I re-read this award-winning story of Tonia Shulman. The Lonely Tree

[Erika]

My review of Eduardo Halfon's THE POLISH BOXER (translated by an impressive group of translators), just went up on THE JEWISH JOURNAL's site. http://www.jewishjournal.com/culture/...

[Bernadette]

Erika, I loved your review and I now have to check out The Polish Boxer.

[Erika]

Bernadette wrote: "Erika, I loved your review and I now have to check out The Polish Boxer."

Thank you, Bernadette! I trust that you will find it a worthwhile read.

[Erika]

Have just started David Ebenbach's story collection, INTO THE WILDERNESS, and I am enjoying it very much.

[Erika]

And I finished Ebenbach's book in time to include it in this blog post, "My Year in Jewish Books." Anyone else have a year-end post along the lines of this one? http://www.erikadreifus.com/2012/12/m...

[Heather]

Basic Concepts in Kabbalah by Rabbi Michael Laitman. I am not thinking to get seriously into Kabbalah, but just want to understand what the basic ideas are.

[Global]

We the Black JewsThis is a book that has to be savored not a qucik read...alot of history...

[Global]

This is a good book for all th read...

[Marvin]

A nice review of Peril From Jackboots to Jack Benny about growing up as the child of Holocaust survivors in Toronto in The Netherlands at http://ditissuzanneleest.blogspot.nl/.... According to the computer translation "Of course, the experiences and traumas that Goodman describes terrible, but it describes the with a very pleasant warmth humor. Those dialogs sparkle and do you, in spite of the tragedy of the ruined lives, smile."Peril: From Jackboots To Jack Benny

[Maggie]

Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the Ancient World is probably not on your average Goodreads shelf, but I find it fascinating. It is also very informative into an area I need to know about as I'm researching the second volume of my new series.
Maggie Anton

[Erika]

Recently read and enjoyed an advance complimentary copy of Karen E. Bender's A Town of Empty Rooms. The book's official pub date is in January, but I understand that it's available now. Review is available at the book's Goodreads page and on my blog.