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Once More with Chutzpah

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6 Hours, 51 Minutes
A moving YA debut about a girl who grapples with questions of her Jewish identity, mental health struggles, and sexuality while on a temple exchange trip through Israel.

When high school senior Tally and her twin brother Max head off on an exchange trip to Israel over their winter break, Tally thinks it will be a good distraction for Max; he might be trying to hide it, but she knows he's still struggling in the wake of a car crash that injured him and killed the driver. Maybe this will help him get back on track and apply to college the way he and Tally always planned.

But as the group travels across the country, Tally realizes her plan might not be working, and that her brother might not be the only one with a lot on his mind. When a new relationship gets complicated in the face of her own anxiety-about her future, her sexual and romantic identity, and her place within the Jewish diaspora-Tally must grapple not only with the past, but also with what life will be like when they get back home.

Debut author Haley Neil offers a relatable and deeply felt story about identity on the cusp of adulthood.

Audiobook

First published February 1, 2022

15 people are currently reading
1344 people want to read

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Haley Neil

3 books59 followers

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5 stars
349 (45%)
4 stars
211 (27%)
3 stars
125 (16%)
2 stars
26 (3%)
1 star
48 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
Profile Image for Jane.
Author 11 books24 followers
February 19, 2021
None of the people "reviewing" this book have read it -- because it has not yet been published and no arcs have been released. Instead they are here to object the idea of a book set in Israel -- without knowing what it is actually about or how it may deal with nuanced issues. They are saying that an #ownvoices author may not write about her own experiences. I am sure that they do not express disgust at every book set in the US despite our deep problems. I doubt they would reject a book from any other country or an author of any other background because they disagree with the governnment of that country. Criticism of Israel is not antisemitism (lots of Jews criticize Israel!), but rejecting an author writing about her own Jewish experience definitely is.
Profile Image for bookishlycaffenaited.
280 reviews
February 9, 2022
Review after reading:

I loved this! So cute, so fun, so enjoyable!

What I liked:

-I normally don't like excessive pop culture references throughout fictional books. It usually takes me out of the narrative. I actually liked it in this one, which is huge for me. I looooved the Broadway references and adored how each chapter was titled after a Broadway song. It really added a layer to the setting and tone of each chapter, though I'm not sure it would be as effective if someone isn't familiar with Broadway. But either way, I loved it.

-I loved the characters. I thought they were entertaining, supportive, and fleshed out really well for such a small amount of time. Sarona was a particular standout. I loved her voice and take on things, her passion for art and her overall effortlessness. She was confident, funny, supportive, and cool, and juxtaposed Tally's character well. This is so random but the Israeli guy, Amit, was absolutely hilarious. I could literally picture a guy like him on the trip, so confused with the beach game they were playing but, going along with it anyway and asking hilarious, rather personal questions. Side note: they were at the beach and Matkot wasn't mentioned??? How!!
Max was great as well. I really loved the dynamic between him and Tally. Their push and pull energy, their tension and annoyance with each other. But their tender, supportive moments were so sweet and well done as well. I really got a good sense of their relationship.

-The setting. Obviously. This book was visceral in a sense. There are so many places Tally goes that I went to on my own trip to Israel. I was instantly transported, and it made me miss Israel 100000x more than I already do. Eating falafel in the Jaffa port?? the best. Being called at by shuk vendors about Taglit? of course. Water rafting and then ending the day at a winery? Yep, did that too, and loved it. Masada, dead sea, and camel riding? Obviously. Getting Jachnun, shakshuka, schnitzel, Israeli salad?? ahhhhhh i miss it all. While reading, I was practically there, and it just gave me a big sense of missing home.

-Tally's journey. I loved how Tally got to learn about herself on this trip. That's obviously to be expected, but it was done very well. Especially when it came to her delving into her sexuality. Her anxieties and panic attacks, doubts and fears, and hopes and aspirations were all depicted in a way that really helped me understand the character well. She's 18, but seems and acts more juvenile. It sometimes drove me nuts, tbh, but she's clearly a sheltered girl who has a lot of life to see and growing up to do. I thought her journey into finding more about herself was beautiful and inspiring, and i appreciate how it wasn't wrapped up too well at the end, but rather realistically, where you're left happy and rooting for her the whole way.

-The Jewish Rep. Oh, if teenage me could have had this book!! I really enjoyed how Neil delved into different aspects of Judaism. She touched upon very relevant topics pertaining to Judaism such as, how Jews are an ethno religion so there's no such thing as "looking like a Jew" because Jews are a tribe of people. We all range in skin tone and features since there are Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi, Ethiopian, Asian Jews, etc. The subject of antisemitism was brought up as well, which is an ever-growing issue that needs to be addressed and combatted. The question of what makes someone a Jew was a dilemma within Tally, which I thought was such an important topic as well. Tally is secular, with a Catholic mom, so her identity as a Jew is questioned not just by herself, but by her peers. The constant comparisons between one another of what makes someone a better Jew is such an important topic and something I have struggled with before as well.

Also, Yad Vashem was written beautifully. Neil really captured the environment and sombre experience very well. I didn't expect her to mention the children's exhibit, which completely broke me when I went, but it was written so poignantly. Just such an important part of the book that I really appreciated.

The subject of grief was explored and dealt with very well, too. It was a very honest approach and was absolutely heartbreaking.

Also, the plot twist hit me like a pile of bricks.

What I didn't like:

-The dialogue, sometimes. loved David, and I didn't mind his relationship with Tally. I actually liked a lot of their deep discussions. However, the flirty dialogue drove me nuts. First, because it didn't sound like teens flirting. I get that Tally acts younger than she is, but I felt like their conversations were better suited for like, tweens. Needless to say, if I was on their trip and had to witness their flirty banter, I would have cringed way too many times.

I wiiiiish there were more descriptions of the landmarks and sights in Israel. Because I've been to these places, I didn't struggle with picturing them in all their beauty. But as a reader, I wanted to read more. Like yes, there's a lot of sand and beige - it is a desert- but I wanted more detailed descriptions to really put me in the city. Like they went to Tzfat, which is so rich in history and culture, but there are no descriptions of the sights or just the feeling of being there.
I wish there had been more of an exploration of what Israel means to Jews, I guess. I don't mean like Tally has to completely fall in love and want to make Aaliyah. But I wanted to see her get to really grasp and appreciate Israeli culture and life. While Israeli's may be hard-headed and tough, they're also some of the kindest people I've ever met. There's a sense of family in that country, of a communal bond that ties us to the only Jewish state. I understand this is because Tally had to grow with her group more, and I love that she connects to the Israelis (that was one of the most beautiful scenes), I do wish there was a chance for her to reflect on the country just a bit, and see how it important our ancestral homeland is.

-The audiobook. I read this in tandem while listening to it. The narrator was okay, but not the best, at least to my liking. The way she pronounced certain Hebrew words and names was abysmal. I really didn't appreciate how names like Chaya was pronounced Kaya (seriously wtf.), and some words were so off the mark. I understand it's difficult to read, but having someone at least check on it would have made the world of a difference.

Overall, I really loved this debut. It was cute, fun, emotional, and I'm looking forward to what Neil will be writing next. Also, I'm definitely more tempted to book my next trip to Israel, like, asap.

Comments before reading:

** I really commend the publishing house for releasing this book. For those who wish to support this novel and the author (and show publishers our support of this as well!) please consider pre ordering the book (if possible), or requesting it at your local library!**


Criticizing a book that hasn’t even been published yet?? No arcs, no information other than a brief synopsis and pressuring the publisher to cease publication??? Yeah OKAY that seems right and just.

I’m not about it.

The book sounds super exciting and fun, and the author has released a statement where she acknowledges the hate she’s getting, hears what they’re saying, and says to have faith in her. Let her write about her experience and beliefs. Not allowing her otherwise is straight up unfair and an act of censorship.

Anyway, I can’t fucking wait to read this book.
Profile Image for luciana.
669 reviews428 followers
July 4, 2020
yes i love to read some roadtrip in israel while thousands of ppl are being targeted for religious hate crimes and having to flee their home country bc they fear for the lives. perfect place to set a roadtrip.
Profile Image for Leora.
14 reviews6 followers
July 10, 2021
I wish Goodreads would clean up the trolls. This book isn't even published yet and people are here trashing it just because it's set in Israel.
Profile Image for Fanna.
1,071 reviews523 followers
no-support-at-all
February 11, 2021
Please listen to the Palestinians bringing attention to this problematic book, please educate yourselves about occupation and annexation, please realise how this story would be ignoring the oppression by Israel through a trip — even if unintentional — wrapped in propaganda covers, and please don't fall for a cute cover without attempting to understand the concerns raised by Palestinian readers and others.

↣ read this and this
Profile Image for Aims.
525 reviews493 followers
Read
July 2, 2020
no thank you, in this house we do not support books passed off as fun romps through an apartheid, settler state that routinely murders, displaces and subjugates palestinians. :)
1 review1 follower
July 9, 2021
Thanks to all the Israel and Jew haters I’m going to buy this book and recommend all my friends buy it too! All the baseless hate for a book that hasn’t even come out yet just proves the nature of the hatred people have for Israel and the Jewish people. And don’t come at me in the comments section, I won’t be bothering to respond.
1 review
February 17, 2021
I am excited to read about her journey through life and Israel. For those critiquing the book before it has been published, shame on you! You think the United States is a nation of perfection? We have problems too...
Profile Image for Aviva.
3 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2021
i’m sure this book is going to be great, and i’m excited to read it. for those condemning a jewish book by a jewish author about jewish identity, throwing buzz words incorrectly to make a point: don’t read it. cry about it to your therapist, not good reads, you weirdos. jewish voices matter. if you don’t agree with that, then that’s your issue, not jews’

anyway! i’m gonna pre-order this and do a more in depth review later. mazel tov to the author for her publication.
2 reviews
July 5, 2021
The negative reviewers here have slurped up propaganda giving them permission to ostracize Jews in the name of "social justice." If these sourpusses don't like Jewish stories, that's fine, they don't have to read them.
Profile Image for W.F. Jamesson-Bryant.
13 reviews
July 10, 2021
I should be rather astounded that so many Jew-hating Anti-Semites and apparent queer-hating homophobes are attempting to trash a book before it has even been released, and is only currently available for pre-order, which I have done.
Sadly, I am not astounded. The virulent ignorance of the history of the Middle East in general, and Judea/Palestine specifically, has a way of infecting every facet of our lives with obtuse, deliberately ignorant support for a Terrorist Organization, e.g., Hamas. Hamas is patently Anti-Semitic with stated goal of murdering Israeli Jews, Druze, Bedouins, Circassians, and Christians, as well as an ideology of vile, brutish misogyny.
The Palestinian people deserve their own state in a Two State Solution, but Hamas rejects that notion while embracing the solution of murdering Israelis.
It is repugnant that this site has become a platform for Anti-Semitism, brutal misogyny, homophobia, and support for violent Salafi Jihadist views.
Profile Image for Megan.
Author 14 books44 followers
Want to read
February 16, 2021
I actually don't see "birthright trip" anywhere in the above description. The blurb says it's an exchange trip, and the uproar over this is, in my opinion, premature. Lots of American teens take senior trips to various countries. And it changes them. We don't have any idea how this author is handling the Palestinian POV. It may be central to her struggle to come to terms with her religion and personal values. Or it may not. To blacklist it before it comes out when it's #ownvoices is, to me, a huge error in judgement. We would not do that to a Muslim struggling with issues of belief and culture or a Latino author writing about experiences in Cuba, even if they celebrated Communism. This author's lived experience is equally valid, even if it is in stark opposition to your personal beliefs about the treatment of Palestinians. Also, there are hundreds of Americans who could never afford to travel to Israel to dig deeper into their spiritual heritage without these birthright trips. The economically disadvantaged depend on them, and decrying them makes me twitchy. It's a privileged view. I do think traveling to the West Bank and thoroughly understanding both sides of the conflict is imperative.
1 review
July 9, 2021
I'm sorry your book is being targeted by antisemites and the ignorant. let's try and balance out the rating by people who haven't read the book yet--because it. hasn't. come. out.
Profile Image for Sara.
110 reviews
July 11, 2021
It’s sick how people are rating this book one star all using the same language and phrases. The language they’re using is not found in the book description, and book hasn’t been published yet. It’s clearly an organized campaign off some social media to hurt a Jewish author and to hurt Jewish children who want to see themselves reflected in literature they read. Goodreads needs to clean up the trolls here who are clearly just here for the antisemitism and have no knowledge about the actual book.
Profile Image for sophie.
626 reviews119 followers
July 2, 2020
glorifying birthright? not actually dope
1 review2 followers
July 11, 2021
I am looking forward to reading this because it will help me understand the current identity questions of today's Jewish teenagers. LGBTQ questions in the Jewish community are a current hot topic and hopefully this will help explain that questioning your identity is developmentally healthy for teenagers.
For those saying that they are boycotting this book because they are anti-Israel - Since this book is not out yet, I am wondering how they are making an educated review based on things that are not even mentioned in the description. Nor are they understanding the relevant progressive topic of this book. I hope that their reviews do not prevent this book from reaching its intended audience.
Profile Image for Sisi Loo.
15 reviews
July 10, 2021
Rating something you haven’t read with one star because you irrationally hate another country is 🤮
1 review
August 17, 2020
Until Palestinians are allowed into their OWN HOMELAND, books like this are nothing but propagana. The author MUST see this. This book is glorifying how great it is that anyone from anywhere in the world who agrees with Israel's oppression of Palestinians can just tramp all around Palestine and feel a devine sense of belonging there. While the Palestinians who were born there are kept out. Gay Palestinians are murdered for their orientation while privileged kids from around the world are told they have a birthright to go insert themselves in the middle of a serious conflict and feel protected and special, and using LGBT themes to get away with this propaganda is insulting to all LGBT Palestinians.
Profile Image for Era ➴.
233 reviews696 followers
February 14, 2021
Can people just...not pull this kind of bullshit? We don't need another book invalidating thousands of lives and glorifying the erasure of culture. We already have a whole country that does that. 🖕🏽
1 review
May 9, 2021
Pre-ordered and looking forward to it!
Profile Image for Judy Chessin.
257 reviews24 followers
July 11, 2021
Like everyone else, I haven’t read the book. It is absurd how cancel culture hits every part of our lives. The political protests brought me to a book I would have otherwise never read. Well done, activists. Now I’ll read it. So sad that Goodreads community can’t moderate the ones who try to blot out voices. I try to come here to get away from this kind of noise. Since we wont read, listen, dialogue with and learn from other narratives, we’ll never make progress. Sad.
Profile Image for katie ❀.
120 reviews499 followers
Read
February 12, 2021
please so many problematic books being published these days istg
1 review
July 10, 2021
To anyone complaining about the Palestinian problem, habe you ever actually been ro Israel? Do you actually know the history? Are you aware that many many Jewish families were kicked out of their ancestral homes in most Arab countries, and stripped of all their possessions in the 40s and 50s? If the Palestinians wanted to remain in their homes, they could have, but they were told the Rab armies would win the war and they would be able to reclaim their homes. Guess what? ISRAEL WON THE WAR. Now those same Arab countries don't want to solve the problem that they created. Shame on them!!
Profile Image for Celeste.
12 reviews1 follower
July 2, 2020
Absolutely mortified at this book. Palestinians have been kicked out their homes by colonisers and you’re choosing to write a book on a person who goes on a ‘birthright’ trip to a country that’s not even hers in the first place?! Ridiculous. Remove this book immediately.
160 reviews2 followers
August 12, 2022
I want to address the elephant in the room first. This book got review bombed before it even came out, solely because it’s about a trip to Israel. For the record, within the first 30 pages of the book, the main character talks about the conflict and how the Palestinians have been treated, and expresses disapproval with the choices of the Israeli government. The topic is brought up several more times throughout the book, including a critique of the implications of the term “birthright” trips (which this is not). The author’s note also acknowledges the importance of the Palestinian people and their stories. But the author and the main character have grandparents from Israel. Regardless of the complexity of the issue, it is part of who they are in a very real way. The main character also addresses other issues, like sexism, homophobia, and gatekeeping within Jewish culture (Tally’s father is Jewish but her mother is not, and Orthodox Jews believe that Jewishness is only passed down through the mother).

Now that that’s out of the way, this book was wonderful. Not only was all of that discussion done well, but Tally’s anxiety was also incredibly well done. She has pretty severe anxiety and regular panic attacks, and it’s woven into the text through pacing and phrasing. She’s more critical of herself when she’s anxious, but not without an unhealthy heaping of self doubt even at her calmest. Her relationship with her twin brother, Max, was beautiful and real—they love each other, they’re very close, but they’re still siblings and still get on each other’s nerves and in each other’s way. The friendships were also great, and (refreshingly, if not entirely realistically) there wasn’t a single mean, spiteful, judgmental person.

And the rep: gay, bi, asexual, Black, and obviously Jewish. These identities are discussed, briefly, and the difficulties of being both x and Jewish are expressed. Differences in how people experience their Jewish identities are also discussed and respected.

The book was smart, well-written, paced well, and emotionally satisfying. Beautifully done.
Profile Image for Farheen .
166 reviews24 followers
February 11, 2021
We don't need a book that ignores what Palestinians went through and romanticizes apartheid
Profile Image for Estee.
2 reviews
July 10, 2021
I’m so excited for this book! I share similar experiences with the characters and look forward to watching them learn and grow while exploring a place I love.
1 review4 followers
July 11, 2021
Going to buy it just because of the anti-semitic reviews below
Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews

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