The Bibliomaniacs: Tales from a Tel Aviv Bookseller

by J.C. Halper

At the tail-end of a long, dark, inauspicious alleyway, off Tel Aviv’s bustling Allenby Street, there is a door. Pass through it, and you’ve entered Halper’s world, a labyrinth of over 60,000 books packed floor to ceiling, winding in and out, over five rooms. He’s been there, behind his cluttered counter for over thirty years, in his faded T-shirt, incongruous North Jersey accent, and world-weary smile, collecting books and book people.

The Bibliomaniacs, Tales from a Tel Aviv Bookseller, is a collection of odd, funny and often outrageous stories, that can only occur in place full of surprises as a used books' shop.

Genres: Israel

169 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2022

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writer is the owner of Halper's Books, the best used bookstore in Israel

[Max Hockley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an oleh living in Tel Aviv who has been a customer of the author's bookstore, this was a really charming read. I really enjoyed the writing style and the motley cast of characters Halper brings to life in each chapter. My only criticism is that I didn't like how the majority of the book was written from the author's perspective, almost as a memoir, but periodically (especially in the Recycler chapter) he would write about events that he was not present for and would describe his subjects' feelings despite the fact that he couldn't credibly know them. That said, would recommend anyone who has been to Halper's Bookstore on Allenby to read this book. 8/10

[David Zonshayn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book cover-to-cover in practically one sitting. No doubt this will become a fixture in modern Israeli literature. Simply written, heartfelt, and captures the edgy spirit of literary Tel Aviv.

[Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five stars for the true (or they actually trueish? A thought that only occurred to me after finishing the book) stories.

Three stars for the clearly fictional Sulimani-Gold-Harel ark.

Life is stranger than fiction, for it is not constrained by verisimilitude.

[Klara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Josef Halper ist seit 2022 auch Autor. In einem kleinen, israelischen Verlag ist seine Kurzgeschichtensammlung "Bibliomaniacs - Tales from a Tel Aviv Bookseller" erschienen, frisch gedruckte Ausgaben stehen in seinem Laden zum Verkauf. Wer wäre ich da gewesen, hätte ich kein Exemplar erworben?

So also wurden Halpers Erzählungen meine Lektüre für die größte Zeit meines diesjährigen Israelaufenthalts (sein wir ehrlich, viel bin ich nicht zum Lesen gekommen, entsprechend war ich eine gute Woche mit diesen 250 Seiten beschäftigt). Waren sie gut? Waren sie schlecht? Waren sie mittelprächtig? Hier ein Rezensionsversuch.

1. Wer Tel Aviv kennt, wer sich unter der Allenby Street und unter Halpers verwinkeltem Buchladen etwas vorstellen kann, dem wird es eine helle Freude sein, sich der ganzen Sache mit diesen Geschichten auch literarisch zu nähern. Denn von Literatur kann man durchaus sprechen - dass der Autor weiß, was eine gute Geschichte ausmacht, ist beim Lesen deutlich spürbar. Und in Israel zu sein, ob nun tatsächlich oder durch Film und Buch, macht einfach immer Spaß.

2. Wer feine - nein, anders - wer überhaupt irgendwelche Antennen für Alltagssexismus hat, dem wird dieser Band in relativ regelmäßigen Intervallen ziemlich sauer aufstoßen. Ob man sich in 2022 noch von einem weißen Mann Anfang 60 erzählen lassen muss, wie die Brüste einer Kundin fast aus einem engen Oberteil quellen, während sie sich umsieht... ich weiß ja nicht. Und das ist nur ein Beispiel: Die attraktiven Uniformen weiblicher Soldatinnen, die im Alter abnehmende Libido des Autors, die abfälligen Kommentare über Frauen im Militär... ich hätte durchaus ohne dieserlei Kommentare leben können. Ihr versteht.

Abschließend ist also zu sagen: Für eine kleine Gruppe interessierter Menschen ist "Bibliomaniacs" es vielleicht (!) wert, gelesen zu werden. Aber wer auf der Suche nach einem guten Israel-Buch ist, der ist mit anderen Titeln hundert Mal besser beraten. Ich hab da noch ein paar in petto. Falls Interesse besteht.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esta es una colección de relatos escritos por J.C. Halper, propietario de una librería de segunda mano en Tel Aviv. El libro ofrece historias peculiares, humorísticas y, a menudo, sorprendentes que reflejan las singulares y, a veces, inquietantes relaciones entre las personas y los libros. Ambientadas en la librería de Halper, estas narraciones presentan una variedad de personajes y situaciones que ilustran la pasión y, en ocasiones, la obsesión que los libros pueden generar en sus lectores y coleccionistas. 

[isabel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This guy is obviously sexist and his misogyny permeates every chapter of this book. He had a great opportunity to speak more to the sociopolitical climate of Israeli-American relations and Israel as a home to specifically Jewish-Americans yet failed to do so meaningfully. He comes off as a narcissist.

Would recommend to read in an afternoon after going to his store but under no other circumstance do you need to read this book.

[Hananya Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bookshop is the stage and Halper is the Director of characters and narratives not under his direction. In these deliciously intimate stories, Halper confronts his own moral sensibilities as he encounters messed up misfits, underdogs and criminals who suffer from difficult circumstances.
The hero is Halper himself, who, through his entanglements with these pathetic, abusive, bizarre, perplexing people, comes out a bit exhausted, a bit enlightened and a bit redeemed.
I personally identified with the character of the librarian and the stories really ring true to life. Highly recommend the book for book lovers and those who desire to cross over from browsing books to becoming a character in a book. A little like Alice in Wonderland.
--- Hananya Goodman, Library Director, Shamoon College of Engineering.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

To immerse oneself in the life of Tel Aviv, I highly recommend these true stories from J.C Halper's life as a used bookstore owner in Tel Aviv. Reading the stories, one feels one is in Tel Aviv. Having landed in Tel Aviv this summer and being an avid used bookstore browser/buyer, I went to his bookstore upon the first week of arrival.

Set to buy my books mostly written by Israeli authors, I noticed a stack of books at the checkout. I asked and found out this was the bookstore owner's book. I bought and read it first--glad I did. The descriptions of the people and life to me were extremely accurate and quite entertaining. I wanted to be in Israel both in real time and in my reading. Bibliomanics gave me that world.

[Daniel Ballin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful book presents a wonderful slice of Israeli life that often gets lost in the political disputes and current events of the day. Yosef's charm, sense of humor, and warmth towards others is authentic, moving, and funny. I was especially moved by Yosef's caring and humane interactions with a young man who dealt with delusions of being the Messiah. I have visited his bookstore over the years, and it is a remarkable place with an array of interesting people (and characters) browsing books and finding community in the hustle and bustle of Tel Aviv. Yosef's book invites us into a very special used bookstore and shares with us the lives of the booklovers he encounters.

[Dan Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an enjoyable read, a deceptively quick/smooth read, but beneath that is quite a beautiful slice-of-life that is uniquely Israel, uniquely Tel Aviv. It’s an insider’s view, with characters that this insider encounters, or rather, they pass through his field of view and he cannot help but engage them. Characters that are real human beings, and could only exist in Israel. It’s the story of a misfit-magnet used bookstore, but it is so much more than that. It’s an emotional snapshot of this complex and complicated country.

[Suzie]

I enjoyed reading this book very much, especially as I was aware of one of the characters upon whom the story was based. It was a joy to read, light and amusing. The author has a way with words. He conjures up pictures in the mind. Immediately I was drawn into his shop through the book. He has also captured what it is to live in Israel, the good and the bad. I look forward to more like this from the author.

[Tor Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.C. Halper’s The Bibliomaniacs offers an engaging glimpse into the world of bookseller in Tel Aviv. With sharp observation and understated humor, Halper captures both the chaos and charm of literary life. A concise, thoughtful read for anyone who values stories about books and the people behind them.

[S N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halper's writing is refreshing, enjoyable, funny and moving.
The stories are fascinating, shining a light on a mostly secretive corner of Allenby Street.
Highly recommended, really good as a weekend read.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of short stories about book people and their journeys through life’s ups and downs, all traversing through the author’s used book store in Tel Aviv. Interesting and fun to read.

[Sara Gabai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting . Bits of the author's store and life. One story that reads like complete fiction, "The Recyclist" is my favorite.

[Janet Vierra]

I wanted to buy this book but it was not offered on Amazon through goodreads.

[Tommer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun read about Halper’s Books on Allenby, told by Mr. Halper himself. Already looking forward to my next trip to his store.

[David Zonshayn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book cover-to-cover in practically one sitting. No doubt this will become a fixture in modern Israeli literature. Simply written and heartfelt.

[Kata Katarzynskaja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny book :)

[Maya 🐣 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely read, but, I’m just going to pretend that there weren’t 3 (three!!!) short stories revolving around Sulimani …

[G Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A witty, unputdownable gem. Entertaining, relatable, and an absolute must-read for every Tel Aviv booklover.

[Liam Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will remain special in my own little library. A signed copy from Halper himself! With its short and thoughtful stories, it has held my attention past the closing of its final pages. In each tale is a taste of the city in which I live, a feeling of familiarity and understanding though I haven't been here long. The humans whom fill these stories are rich with personality, though the endings for some leave me wishing for their victories, I know in life things don't always work in such ways. This book is the culinary equivalent of eating a sardine sandwiche after a hard day's work. In which I mean it has both a little heart and mind wedged within. Thanks for this...good read!

[Howard Tobochnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun collection of short stories, some true and some fictionalized, from the owner of the best used bookshop in Israel. I think I enjoyed the stories even more because I know Yosef and can imagine him telling stories like these. Several of Yosef’s stories and descriptions of Israel reminded me of short stories by Ephraim Kishon, Israel’s greatest satirist of all time. Definitely worth a read, especially if you live in Israel. And definitely stop by Halper’s bookstore to get the book signed and chat with the author himself. He always has interesting stories to tell (that are not in the book).

[Jane Gabin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating tale of 1) why and how someone would go into the used book business, and 2) the individuals, strange and non-strange, who wander into the bookshop. I, for instance, wandered in off the street, attracted by a sign (in Israel, where Hebrew is spoken) reading “livres en francais.” One story leads into the next, and before you know it, you are familiar with the denizens of this long-established shop, which attracts an international clientele.

[Tsuf Enosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that the book offers a variety of styles and subjects (not all stories are centered on Halper's book store). Whereas most of the stories seem autobiographical, the last few sections kind of feel like selected excerpts from a novel, each of them depicting a different perspective but all relating to the fictitious Sulimani case. Overall a fun and exciting reading experience!

[Sam Zonshayn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting. I absolutely loved it. Halper brings together so many unique slices of Israeli life in his stories. I could not put the book down. Having purchased the book directly from him at his store, I could practically picture all of the characters assembled in the alleyway drinking together and having a good time. I hope this is not his last book.

[Gal · Rating 4 out of 5]

באופן חד פעמי למרות שהספר באנגלית אני אכתוב את הביקורת בעברית

[Noam Hameiri‬‏ · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun anecdotes! really enjoyed this book. I whole-heartedly recommend it!