Mah Jongg Mondays: a memoir about friendship, love, and faith

by Fern Bernstein

Join Fern and a colorful cast of characters in her debut memoir titled Mah Jongg Mondays. Fern, married and the mother of three boys takes us into her modern middle-class suburban Long Island world where one day she gets the "Big Idea" to learn the Chinese tile game called mah jongg. Weekly games provide the setting for deep-seeded friendships to form around the mah jongg table. These Monday gatherings become a source of support and strength for Fern as her husband is diagnosed with cancer. Fear, insecurity and potential heart-wrenching loss become challenges she must overcome. The author weaves the themes of destiny, faith, friendship, time and love throughout the story. Fern takes us on her journey around the mah jongg table, eastward to the seaport town of Greenport and through her husband's battle with cancer as she relies on faith, friendship and her personal relationship with God. Read this heartwarming story about the wonderful things that can happen when five women are destined to come together to play an old Chinese game, sitting around a table with 152 tiles, dice and a mah jongg card. Love always; love all ways, for time has no guarantees.

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2019

Reviews

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “Mah Jongg Mondays” by Fern Bernstein, JAG Designer Services, April, 2019

Fern Bernstein, Author of “Mah Jongg Mondays” writes a well written Memoir that vividly describes the game of Mah Jongg, and the game of life. This is a true story of sisterhood, friendship, emotional support, love, and hope. The tiles are so symbolic of the way Fern, her family and friends negotiate a way to win. Sometimes with the tiles that we are given, we do the best we can and look hard at different options. The same is true in life. Not everything is always perfect, but we look at all the options again and do our best for a good outcome. I highly recommend this thought-provoking memoir for all readers.



Kudos to Fern Bernstein for writing such an entertaining, intense, dramatic, page turning, emotional memoir which depicts “The Game of Mahjong” as a “Game of Life or Death , with family, friends, neighbors, love and hope! This memoir tugged at my heartstrings as I cheer for the winners!!

[Honey Goydas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is more a memoir and the story of her husband's cancer than a story about Mah Jongg. Fern, like many other writers, writes any thoughts that come into her head. We don't need to know what makeup she is wearing for the day and how she removes it. Also, every hug does not need to be recorded.
They only play 4 games. Not serious May Jongg players.

[Bonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book should never have been written. It’s penned by a Long Island wife who is out of touch with everyone else’s reality beyond that bubble . I guess it technically is a memoir, but it is really just her appointment book in paragraph form. Worse really, because she records name, physical appearance and skills (in her opinion) of every nurse who administers chemo therapy to her husband. “Enriched” with comments noting what color nail polish everyone has on at the mah jongg game, full list of accessories for an everyday outfit, and who designed the dress she wore to synagogue. Relationships are weird. After her husband cancer diagnosis she seems to spend as much time as possible with friends, not him, develops a very close friendship with a widow, occasionally mistaken as her husband, and clearly favors her 3rd son to the point of awkwardness. Skip it.

[Marsha Bart · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thought this was going to be delight!!
Soooooo depressing!!!

[Grace Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book captured my heart. I learned to play Mah Jongg when I was 12 at a beach club in NJ. After playing in my teenage years, I didn’t play again until my 40’s. Now I was a wife and mother and I wanted to share this game with my girlfriends. I was living in California. Then in my 50’s I began to move with my husband, my children were off to college. We moved to NY! Hmmm, how does one meet people? You go to the library and play Mah Jongg and then you have new friends over to play in your home. After NY I moved to TX, where I taught girlfriends in my community to play this beloved game. I also travel to community centers and churches to play. Sometimes I play for money and sometimes I don’t. I am still friends with all these wonderful women.
Fern captured my heart by the way she wrote this delightful book. It’s really conversational in nature. I found that I felt like I knew her, that I could be her “kitchen friend.” One of my all time favorite books is The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. In this book women commune while they go through their cycle and herein this is where women bonded. Mah Jongg is a lot like that, a wonderful bonding experience. Thank you Fern Bernstein for a very enjoyable read.

[Bless Your Memory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Medium Spirits??

The story was delightful and heartbreaking all the same time. It disheartened me to hear see was using a medium to get her guidance instead of her faith in God!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was pretty good but I found some of the writing elementary and unsophisticated with a lot of repetition. What I liked was how grounded the author is and it made me cherish my own sisters even more. I admire the author's spirituality and her deep faith, and would like to bring back that kind of faith and prayerfulness in my own life. She is smart and fortunate to have such an arsenal of support - makes me want to go find a few coaches for my own life.

A good book to read for women approaching 50 or mid-life as it would encourage anyone to take stock of themselves, look at the relationship one has with God, and seek out the people who would both need for themselves or provide the support that these people provided to the author in her life journey.

[andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mah Jongg on Mondays as therapy while going through life's difficult times.

[Stacy Kaplan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the very words of Fern Bernstein, it is b'shert that I was given this book to read as a gift. It is so much more than a memoir, a story, and the remembrances of one woman's journey. It is a tale that takes the reader through a lifetime of faith and love, of hope and friendship, and of true inner being. Fern's words become a landscape for family and for personal growth. Her spirit and her spirituality resonate through the words on the page. Each chapter made me think of a person in my life who would benefit and enjoy this book -- people who play mah jongg on Mondays, like my Mom and her friends (who play multiple times a week, and plan their days so they can always make "the game!") to friends who may have never played mah jongg but have traveled the lives of Fern's friends and family in many ways. I found synergy in the story of her life, her devotion to her faith and volunteerism at her Temple, and her devotion to her family and lifelong friendships and helping others. I laughed, I cried, I closed my eyes and pictured the beautiful descriptions of the home and travels she took me to. This is a must read! Todah Rabah, Fern Bernstein!

[Holly Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just happened by this lovely book at the library yesterday. I love it when I find gems like this! What a beautiful heartfelt story that had me smiling, crying and contemplating my life, all at the same time. The author has a talent for storytelling and I appreciated her ability to share her story clearly and without judgement. I almost fell over when she talked about how Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday’s had resonated in her life’s journey because I have felt that same way for years!!!! I read so many awesome books from people I’ve watched on SSS. I don’t play mah jongg but we have a bunco group and we’ve played for past 17 years in my neighborhood. Those friendships are priceless. Her constant inner voice reminding her of B’shert was a good reminder for me to slow down, be in the moment, be grateful and be conscious of meaningful signs/events in my life. This book is not a literary phenomenon, however, it was the perfect book I needed to read right now!! Thank you, Fern, for sharing your story.❤️

[Sue Seligman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book after reading a free excerpt online. The author grew up in Bergen County, NJ, and now lives in Long Island, which is the opposite of my life. I was attracted to the book with the themes of friendship, family, and women’s relationships formed around the game of mah jongg. Although I don’t play, I know many people who do and I thought it would be a fun book to read. Although I enjoyed the part of the story which centered around family and friendship, this book is centered around the author’s husband’s treatment for cancer and how this horrendous illness effects so many lives, specifically the lives of her friends and other loved ones. The mah jongg game is where the women can connect with and support one another and forget about their worries for a short time. I enjoyed the part of the book which focused on the women’s relationships and family, but after awhile I found myself skimming through certain sections.

[Terry G. Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Mah Jongg Mondays. I was attracted to this title as a new Mah Jongg player and was expecting the story to center on these Monday games and those who played. Yes, Fern did introduce us to these ladies, but the story was a snapshot of a difficult time in her life and how each of her co-Mah Jongg players were placed in the game for such a time as that.

Even though the group had been formed earlier, each player was a friend who understood through personal experience the trials that Fern and her husband, Len were walking through. Along with a strong faith in God, these scheduled game nights with good friends provided the much needed love and comfort and demonstrated the importance of having close relationships .

I came away with a New Year’s resolution to not take my friendship for granted; we all need one another!

[Diane Carneiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review:
I connected with the story as I too play mah jongg with a special group of women. I felt like I was at the table playing in the scenes Fern wrote about around the mah jongg table.
Her story gives inspiration and hope to readers. I especially like her references to Dr.Laura. I listen to her On tbe radio and love the question she asks: "What do you want to do between now and dead?" Fern gets the reader thinking and let's us do some of our own introspection. Thoroughly enjoyed the story and recommend this book.

[Alisa Klinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me want to learn how to play Mahjong so I can experience the friendship and support of a Mahjong group! Fern Bernstein creates a touching memoir that touches your heart. The book reads as if you are spending time with the author. I truly felt connected and related to her life experiences. The author’s vivid writing and willingness to share her deepest fears and struggles kept me engaged. I highly recommend this book.

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am a Jewish mah Jongg player from Long Island. I actually bought this book from a bookstore in Greenport. It must be b’shert. ( just kidding)
Actually, I had trouble finishing this book. It was so repetitive, with no depth or character development. It reads like a high school writing assignment. The descriptions of mundane details like nail polish and room accessories add nothing to the plot. Not everything in life is destiny.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, I found her positive attitude inspiring. She invites you in to her life as she deals with her husband’s cancer and other life altering events. I won this book in a give-away by Fern so I was inspired to have a book give-away at my “Mon Jongg Monday group” B’shert! “Pay it forward” and brighten another's day with hope, faith and love.

[Mary Feder · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this beautiful memoir, Fern Bernstein hits all the right notes as she tells her tale of sisterhood, family, and faith. She brings you into her life with honesty and truth and before long you feel like you are her personal friend. This is a mandatory read for all Mah Jongg players and a great option for anyone who loves stories about friendship and destiny.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for a light read and it turned out to be much deeper. Mahjongg has been a part of my life for a long time. My grandmother and my Mom played. I relate to the bond we develop with our Mahjongg friends. I didn’t expect it to be a journal for the author and how Mahjongg helped her deal with her husband’s cancer. In that sense the book wasn’t as light as I thought it would be.

[janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Game On

At times, I felt as if I was talking with my girls, my “kitchen people” my “ Jongers”. At our table, what lands on the table, stays on the table. We have tabled good, bad, sad, happy, ugly & beautiful. This book..b’shert.. it was fate that led me to the game & the friends & the faith & the beauty of Fern’s words.

[Raylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written From Her Heart

I was very drawn to the authors writing style. She really wanted to have her readers understand and know her for who she is and what message she was trying to get across to them. I was drawn in from page one. I also live on Long Island so I was familiar with all the places Fern visited. A real heartfelt memoir. Looking forward to a sequel.

[Mary Lechman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment I picked up Fern’s book I couldn’t put it down. I traveled with her on her journey of playing Mahjongg. I felt like she was my friend and she was writing about me. It’s a book that will keep you captivated, laughing and sometimes in tears. I enjoyed every word!! I just hope one day it’ll become a movie

[Jo Travers · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful

This was one of the most boring books I have every read. I, too, play Mah Jongg but do not want to hear about hands played. The religiosity, spiritualism, and just plain kookieness was way more than I could stomach. Also, she presents herself as a perfect person with no flaws. She is the perfect friend, outstanding wife and mother, great teacher, etc.

[Tena Bremmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved how she explained the different kinds of friendships and playing mah Jongg! The ups and downs of people fighting cancer is heartbreaking and she explained it well.

[Valerie T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This inspirational book about friendships, love and faith has become my coffee table book! I want to revisit this gift over and over. B’shert. It was by far the best book I have ever read. I hope there will be a sequel about your summer retreat and Mah Jongg Mondays. Thank you Fern!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this memoir very much. As a mah jongg player, I also have a strong sisterhood with my fellow players where we share the inner workings of our days and minds. It is indeed “therapy” on many days. I could feel my friends in the pages of the book as I hope you do as well. Enjoy!

[Michelle Shapiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book. Fern has Done an outstanding job on writing about her personal struggles, friendships and general mah-jongg fun stuff. It really hits home with all of us. I highly suggest reading.

[David Cohen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only four Mah Jongg games cited. Nothing about Mah Jongg itself, but cancer stories. More like Bernstein took her daily journal and narrated it, self-published, and barely edited out the lack of flow.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love playing mahjong and relate to the friendships the author has created through this game. The stories of her husband’s struggle with cancer treatments and those of her friends and their families were moving. But the writing is rudimentary and the structure of the novel is thin.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A recent newbie to mahjong, I have listened to Fran’s podcast for over a year. This memoir came before the pandemic. Fern shares her life, her husband’s cancer treatments, Long Island. She could have covered the same matter in half the time, but I enjoyed returning to my stomping grounds in NY.

[Suzin Nussbaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mag Jongg Mondays

Definitely not what I expected! This book dwelled on sickness, treatments and death. Growing up near Long Island I remember Mah jongg being a happy loud evening.

Too much sadness...