Jewish Book Club discussion

Let's turn the tables this month and have you, the members, nominate the genre you'd like for February.

After we have our nominations, we'll have a poll.
And finally your moderators, Stacey and Jan, will come up with a book selection to match the winning genre.

We're aiming for up to seven genres, or for Wednesday Dec. 21st (3rd day of Hanukkah 😘), whichever comes 1st.

Examples of genres: Memoir/autobiography, historical fiction, humor, light fiction, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, classic, Israeli lit, translated lit, religion, history, and books by a specific author. You can be specific, for example, for historical fiction, you could specify ancient, medieval, early modern, twentieth century, or Holocaust.

For more examples, google "literary genres"

I left off Biography since we've had that genre twice in close selection. But, hey, we could do it again!

Thanks in advance to those who nominate or otherwise participate.

I’m always in favor of historical fiction (especially if is from another time period other than WWII). Thanks for giving us a vote! Wishing everyone a happy holiday season - May this Chanukah help us find light and joy!

literary fiction suitable for a book group

Historical fiction! Something from Spain in the 1500s perhaps?

Historical fiction.

Beri wrote: "I’m always in favor of historical fiction (especially if is from another time period other than WWII). Thanks for giving us a vote! Wishing everyone a happy holiday season - May this Chanukah help ..."
You are quite welcome. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Hahtoolah wrote: "Historical fiction! Something from Spain in the 1500s perhaps?"

We will label your nomination "Spanish Historical Fiction.
Is that ok? It is different than a nomination of of just HF.
Happy Holidays Hahtoolah. Its so nice to see you here.

Marc wrote: "Historical fiction."

Marc- any specific theme per se"?
Happy Holidays to you Marc!
And ..thank you.

Shelley wrote: "literary fiction suitable for a book group"

Good morning Shelley.
"Literary Fiction" it is. You have read so many; Jan and I need to get creative.
Happy Holidays to you !!!

I would like historical fiction, also.

Allan wrote: "I would like historical fiction, also."
Thank you Allan.
Happy Holidays to you !

Hmm- So great to see quick participation.
As I see it- combined we have one nomination for "Literary Historical Fiction, (Shelley)
One for Spanish His. Fiction, (Hahtoolah) and one for simply HF
(Beri)
That leaves Marc and Allan whose nominations came in after.
Marc and Allan- do you want to change your genres or wait to see what other genres comes in?

Just for the sake of being different I’ll say generic nonfiction, not biography or memoir. But I really like the Spanish 1500s historical fiction idea.

A Freilichen Chanukah everyone !!!

Stacey B wrote: "Hmm- So great to see quick participation.
As I see it- combined we have one nomination for "Literary Historical Fiction, (Shelley)
One for Spanish His. Fiction, (Hahtoolah) and one for simply HF
..."

I actually said literary fiction , not historical fiction which I also like but has already been nominated

Shelley wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Hmm- So great to see quick participation.
As I see it- combined we have one nomination for "Literary Historical Fiction, (Shelley)
One for Spanish His. Fiction, (Hahtoolah) and on..."

My mistake Shelly, Im sorry. I added the word by mistake when I took my eye off the comment. :(

Historical fiction sounds good. Not WWII or holocaust. I've enjoyed the ones I've read.

I'm on the historical fiction bandwagon! Any time period before the modern one.

Hey, you all, "historical fiction" alone is too broad, so if you haven't done so, pin it down for us! Then for our purposes it'll represent a separate genre.

This isn't the poll, so don't keep saying "historical fiction" without getting more specific re time or era and maybe setting.

...And what about sci fi? Speculative fiction? Comedy? Speculative fiction? Horror? (Is there Jewish horror?) Crime?
No fans?

Keep 'em coming. 😊

So far:
Historical fiction Spanish medieval
Literary fiction
Generic nonfiction (not memoir or bio)
Historical fiction not WWII [Please narrow down further]

another vote for Historical Fiction, any time period

I vote for Historical Fiction in the 18th-19th century. I would offer a suggestion of an indie author who writes delightful, light fiction, but...if anyone cares for my recommendation, send me a private message. Chag Chanukah Sameach!

Light historical romance/fiction outside of Europe.

January is Mental Health Awareness Month, so how about Jewish books that deal with mental health. Looks like there are a bunch to choose from.

I would like to read some Jewish crime novels, especially ones set in Israel.

Claudia wrote: "I vote for Historical Fiction in the 18th-19th century. I would offer a suggestion of an indie author who writes delightful, light fiction, but...if anyone cares for my recommendation, send me a pr..."

Thanks, Claudia. That should work!

Judy wrote: "Light historical romance/fiction outside of Europe."

Sounds good, Judy!

Rachel wrote: "January is Mental Health Awareness Month, so how about Jewish books that deal with mental health. Looks like there are a bunch to choose from."

Good idea, Rachel!

Hermien wrote: "I would like to read some Jewish crime novels, especially ones set in Israel."

Got it!

M wrote: "another vote for Historical Fiction, any time period"

Hey, Beri, Marc, Allan, Irene, Laura, & M,
The way these nominations are shaping up, we need the historical fiction narrowed down before it can work.
In other words, we can't have "historical fiction, any time period" and "Historical Fiction, Spanish Medieval," "Historical Fiction, 18th/19th century," "Light historical fiction/romance/non-European."

Excuse me if I included a name accidentally or left yours out.
Let me update the list of what we have so far, and then those who said some version of "historical fiction," please pin it down as to what you'd like (as well as what you want to avoid), so we can include your nomination.

Ok- here's what we have now...

1 ) Historical Fiction- spanish medieval
2) Literary Fiction
3 ).Historical Fiction, 18th -19th Century
4 )Historical Romance Fiction, no WW2 - please narrow this down
5 ) Romance Fiction- not in Europe
6) Book on Mental Health
7) Jewish Crime Fiction, Israeli based
8) Historical Fiction, Greek or Roman Times

Is "Generic Fiction" your nomination -or are we going with
15th century Historical Fiction? Brina??

Nominations so far are:

Historical fiction Spanish medieval
Literary fiction
Generic nonfiction (not memoir or bio)
Historical fiction set in the 18th or 19th century
Light historical fiction/romance, non-European
Books dealing with mental health
Crime novels, especially ones set in Israel

Well, we are up to seven. We did not foresee the dilemma, so let's take a few more, say, tonight or tomorrow up to 6:00 PM -- either those who already said "historical fiction" who narrow down their nominations into a usable format and another nomination that is not a subcategory of historical fiction.

Jan,
Our timing is becoming down to the second here.

Stacey B wrote: "Jan,
Our timing is becoming down to the second here."

Pretty good independent summations, Stacey. I left out the one that said any historical fiction except WWII until/unless it gets narrowed down.

She did say historical romance (non-European)
And the "mental health" nomination doesn't have to be a nonfiction text but can be fiction (or otherwise) that incorporates the subject. So I think that one could be a memoir--or a good one, whatever!

BTW, everybody--all nominations assumed to be of Jewish books.

I didn’t nominate the Spanish historical fiction. Someone else mentioned it and I said I thought it sounded interesting.
Mine is generic nonfiction.

P.S. Brina nominated "generic nonfiction, if I'm not mistaken.

Historical fiction - set in the Greek or Roman times, if possible (I can think of at least one)

Brina wrote: "I didn’t nominate the Spanish historical fiction. Someone else mentioned it and I said I thought it sounded interesting.
Mine is generic nonfiction."

Stacey, can't wait to tell you the one I'm going to suggest in that category!

Jan wrote: "P.S. Brina nominated "generic nonfiction, if I'm not mistaken."
Yes Brina, you are right- I didnt know if you wanted 1500's or not.

Louise wrote: "Historical fiction - set in the Greek or Roman times, if possible (I can think of at least one)"

Okay, add:
Historical Fiction set in Greek or Roman times

I can think of one, too -- that we've already read ... but wait -- just thought of another I don't think we've read.... 😆

Would that period be termed "antiquity?"

Jan wrote: "Judy wrote: "Light historical romance/fiction outside of Europe."

Sounds good, Judy!" I'll be more specific and say "Argentina"

Judy wrote: "Jan wrote: "Judy wrote: "Light historical romance/fiction outside of Europe."

Sounds good, Judy!" I'll be more specific and say "Argentina""

Whoa--that's specific, alright! :)
You might want to leave that one as you originally had it, Judy. Or South American historical fiction, romance if possible? would that work for you?

As an author of historical fiction, I will read any historical fiction novel that is interesting, regardless of era or theme. Reading historical fiction is a continuous lesson for me, as it teaches me how to write the genre. Until we create a time travel machine, it is the only way we can travel to other times and places. Reading non-fiction history just does not do it for me.

Jan wrote: "Louise wrote: "Historical fiction - set in the Greek or Roman times, if possible (I can think of at least one)"

Okay, add:
Historical Fiction set in Greek or Roman times

I can think of one, too ..."

"Antiquity" sounds good.

Allan wrote: "As an author of historical fiction, I will read any historical fiction novel that is interesting, regardless of era or theme. Reading historical fiction is a continuous lesson for me, as it teaches..."

Allan, well said for the historical fiction aficionados!

And our nominated categories for February are:

1) Historical fiction Spanish medieval
2) Literary fiction
3) Generic nonfiction (not memoir or bio)
4) Historical fiction set in the 18th or 19th century
5) Light romance/historical fiction, South American, especially Argentinean
6) Books on the subject of mental health (for Mental Health Month)
7) Crime novels, especially Israeli
8) Historical fiction set in antiquity (Greek or Roman)

Hope none are omitted!
Poll to follow soon...

Did we ever have a winner/poll for February? Is it just a genre or were there book suggestions?

Last time we voted for the genre, and then Stacey and I provided the book. See home page & the selection for the winning genre.
For a bonus, there's the moderator's choice too. Enjoy!