Jewish Book Club discussion
Nominations
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Nominations for our book of April 2023
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....and Stacey and I will check nominations to be sure they are not already on our bookshelf -- you can do that too -- and vet for availability etc.
Just for example, here are a couple of books recently recommended in Jewish Book Club discussions: The Man Who Sold Air in the Holy Land: Stories and If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Say It in Yiddish. (If somebody meant to nominate one of those, please go ahead.) Then, I was looking up a book for a friend online and came across this recommendation: The Curator of Broken Things Trilogy: Full Trilogy by Corine Gantz.
Recommendations are everywhere!
Just for example, here are a couple of books recently recommended in Jewish Book Club discussions: The Man Who Sold Air in the Holy Land: Stories and If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Say It in Yiddish. (If somebody meant to nominate one of those, please go ahead.) Then, I was looking up a book for a friend online and came across this recommendation: The Curator of Broken Things Trilogy: Full Trilogy by Corine Gantz.
Recommendations are everywhere!


My friend Ross is quite insistent that I read two of her books.
The first one he recommended to me is
The Birthday Boys (1991) - Beryl Bainbridge

Brina wrote: "I will nominate A Pigeon and a Boy that was recommended to me and still haven’t read yet."
Brina, your selection is already on our shelf. It was the book-of-the-month back in September of 2015, the 1st year of this book club and way before Stacey & I were moderators -- back before there were polls.
I know some groups reread books after a certain number of years, but as we have so many to choose from, we have not undertaken to reread books that are already on our shelves. So, Brina, would you nominate another book?
Btw, the author of A Pigeon and a Boy seems to be very prolific. Last time I looked there were four by him on our shelves (and I haven't read any of them!).
Brina, your selection is already on our shelf. It was the book-of-the-month back in September of 2015, the 1st year of this book club and way before Stacey & I were moderators -- back before there were polls.
I know some groups reread books after a certain number of years, but as we have so many to choose from, we have not undertaken to reread books that are already on our shelves. So, Brina, would you nominate another book?
Btw, the author of A Pigeon and a Boy seems to be very prolific. Last time I looked there were four by him on our shelves (and I haven't read any of them!).
Hmm I guess any Amos Oz book the group hasn’t read yet. I know not specific but I actually haven’t read him yet either shame on me. Otherwise I can’t think off the top of my head as I’m such a mood reader.
Brina wrote: "Hmm I guess any Amos Oz book the group hasn’t read yet. I know not specific but I actually haven’t read him yet either shame on me. Otherwise I can’t think off the top of my head as I’m such a mood..."
Well, look: why don't we have an exception to our rule and put up A Pigeon and a Boy again after all. Adding another book by that same author isn't the solution since he's on our shelf so often. So let's take your original one after all. The exception that proves the rule! It has been eight years after all. (I haven't checked it out for cost and availability yet, but assuming that's okay let's run with it!)
Well, look: why don't we have an exception to our rule and put up A Pigeon and a Boy again after all. Adding another book by that same author isn't the solution since he's on our shelf so often. So let's take your original one after all. The exception that proves the rule! It has been eight years after all. (I haven't checked it out for cost and availability yet, but assuming that's okay let's run with it!)
Kszr wrote: "I would like to nominate All the Broken Places"
Thanks, Kszr.
All the Broken Places is eligible for nomination.
This is a new book, out in a pricey hardback. Even the Kindle is $15. It is in my public library, and so maybe in yours, too, albeit with a queue.
The other point of note is John Boyne is the author of the controversial The Boy in the Striped Pajamas -- controversial due to how he wrote about the Holocaust. (I went through a journey in my thinking about that one.) Your moderators aren't censors. I do want you to be an informed reader. Just want to note that while many Goodreads reviewers (including Jews) had rave reviews, not all did. Professional reviews are also mixed. https://bookmarks.reviews/reviews/all...
Thanks, Kszr.
All the Broken Places is eligible for nomination.
This is a new book, out in a pricey hardback. Even the Kindle is $15. It is in my public library, and so maybe in yours, too, albeit with a queue.
The other point of note is John Boyne is the author of the controversial The Boy in the Striped Pajamas -- controversial due to how he wrote about the Holocaust. (I went through a journey in my thinking about that one.) Your moderators aren't censors. I do want you to be an informed reader. Just want to note that while many Goodreads reviewers (including Jews) had rave reviews, not all did. Professional reviews are also mixed. https://bookmarks.reviews/reviews/all...
Judith wrote: "I would go with The Curator of Broken Things because it sounds interesting. Daniel Turtel has two books. One is The Family Marfowitz and the other (which is older and may be more easily accessible/..."
The Curator of Broken Things Trilogy: Full Trilogy
Hi, Judith. Thanks for your nomination.
I don't understand your reference to The Family Marfowitz, but I take it The Curator of Broken Things is your nomination.
Recommendation to me is from Amazon, and hope I'm right in taking it as a Jewish book! I think so.
Although this book is available in three volumes, it is really all one book. It may be less expensive, though, to get the three volumes separately. They are available used. Book isn't in my library.
Should it win, I think keeping it as book of the month for two months would be appropriate, since readers say it really isn't three separate books although published that way.
The Curator of Broken Things Trilogy: Full Trilogy
Hi, Judith. Thanks for your nomination.
I don't understand your reference to The Family Marfowitz, but I take it The Curator of Broken Things is your nomination.
Recommendation to me is from Amazon, and hope I'm right in taking it as a Jewish book! I think so.
Although this book is available in three volumes, it is really all one book. It may be less expensive, though, to get the three volumes separately. They are available used. Book isn't in my library.
Should it win, I think keeping it as book of the month for two months would be appropriate, since readers say it really isn't three separate books although published that way.
Jazzy wrote: "Beryl Bainbridge was born to a Lithuanian Jewish father before she decided to be a Catholic.
My friend Ross is quite insistent that I read two of her books.
The first one he recommended to me is
..."
Hi, Jazzy. Thanks. Let me ask, though, is The Birthday Boys a Jewish book? Regardless of the religious identification of the author, does The Birthday Boys have a Jewish theme?
My friend Ross is quite insistent that I read two of her books.
The first one he recommended to me is
..."
Hi, Jazzy. Thanks. Let me ask, though, is The Birthday Boys a Jewish book? Regardless of the religious identification of the author, does The Birthday Boys have a Jewish theme?

My friend Ross is quite insistent that I read two of her books.
The first one he recomme..."
It's a history book, about the arctic explorers like Cherry, etc. so probably not. No one has recommended I should read any Jewish themed books. But i really want to read If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Say It in Yiddish
Thanks, Jan. I know it’s at my library so hopefully it’s at other libraries as well. I know with reading international authors that’s not always the case so hopefully it’s wide sky available.
Brina wrote: "Thanks, Jan. I know it’s at my library so hopefully it’s at other libraries as well. I know with reading international authors that’s not always the case so hopefully it’s wide sky available."
A Pigeon and a Boy also available used very inexpensively. 👍
A Pigeon and a Boy also available used very inexpensively. 👍
Jazzy wrote: "... It's a history book, about the arctic explorers like Cherry, etc. so probably not. No one has recommended I should read any Jewish themed books. But i really want to read If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Say It in Yiddish."
If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Say It in Yiddish
Well, somebody must have recommended it!
On an earlier discussion, Stacey's mom recommended it to her, and looks like she was seconding your interest. That's enough for me! 😅
I'll check out availability after a while.
If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Say It in Yiddish
Well, somebody must have recommended it!
On an earlier discussion, Stacey's mom recommended it to her, and looks like she was seconding your interest. That's enough for me! 😅
I'll check out availability after a while.
Jazzy, If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Say It in Yiddish is available used for $6 or $7 from Amazon and Abebooks, including postage. EBay has the best price, between $4 and $5, with free shipping. (Tax will be added on.) I think they may have the mass-market paperbacks. So, your nomination is good to go.
Shelley wrote: "I nominate The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz"
The Latecomer
Thank you, Shelley. I was just enjoying looking it up & reading about it. Beautiful cover with the three flowers.
It's in my library! At 1st I thought it had a queue of 59 people waiting, but that was the e-book. There are 16 copies of the hardcopy and only one person waiting. That's a surprise!
It came out last year, but there are already some used versions available in the $10-range (including postage).
The Latecomer
Thank you, Shelley. I was just enjoying looking it up & reading about it. Beautiful cover with the three flowers.
It's in my library! At 1st I thought it had a queue of 59 people waiting, but that was the e-book. There are 16 copies of the hardcopy and only one person waiting. That's a surprise!
It came out last year, but there are already some used versions available in the $10-range (including postage).
We have five so far:
All the Broken Places
The Curator of Broken Things Trilogy: Full Trilogy
A Pigeon and a Boy
If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Say It in Yiddish
The Latecomer
We can use two more. What was a recent recommendation to you?
All the Broken Places
The Curator of Broken Things Trilogy: Full Trilogy
A Pigeon and a Boy
If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Say It in Yiddish
The Latecomer
We can use two more. What was a recent recommendation to you?

Esther wrote: "Rebecca of Salerno: A Novel of Rogue Crusaders, a Jewish Female Physician, and a Murder by Esther Erman"
Esther, nominations by a book's author (or other interested party) are not accepted.
Esther, nominations by a book's author (or other interested party) are not accepted.

This is SUCH A GOOD book!! It gets under the skin! Awesome nomination.

All the Broken Places
The Curator of Broken Things Trilogy: Full Trilogy
A Pigeon and a Boy
[book:If You Can't Say Anything Nice,..."
Jan, hope all is well. All the Broken Places is just phenomenal.


I recently read Rabin: Our Life, His Legacy by Leah Rabin and then read this book, which details the life of Yitzak Rabin's assassin. As horrible as this story is, I found it very worthwhile to read. Religious extremism leads to catastrophe, and I often wonder what would have been if the peace process had not been halted by the assassination.
Nilguen wrote: "Kszr wrote: "I would like to nominate All the Broken Places"
This is SUCH A GOOD book!! It gets under the skin! Awesome nomination."
Thanks, Nilguen.
Accepted along with my earlier caveat:
We'll have the poll soon. When we do I'll post my caveat again, along with comments on other candidates as appropriate.
This is SUCH A GOOD book!! It gets under the skin! Awesome nomination."
Thanks, Nilguen.
Accepted along with my earlier caveat:
All the Broken Places is eligible for nomination.
This is a new book, out in a pricey hardback. Even the Kindle is $15. It is in my public library, and so maybe in yours, too, albeit with a queue.
The other point of note is John Boyne is the author of the controversial The Boy in the Striped Pajamas -- controversial due to how he wrote about the Holocaust. (I went through a journey in my thinking about that one.) Your moderators aren't censors. I do want you to be an informed reader. Just want to note that while many Goodreads reviewers (including Jews) had rave reviews, not all did. Professional reviews are also mixed. https://bookmarks.reviews/reviews/all...
We'll have the poll soon. When we do I'll post my caveat again, along with comments on other candidates as appropriate.
Allan wrote: "Jan, I nominate Killing a King: The Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the Remaking of Israel
[bookcover:Killing a King: The Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the Remaking of Israe..."
Killing a King is available used for an economical price, even though not in my library. Thanks, Allan.
Note: although the category was actually books recommended to you, not books you recommend, this is sort of a loose category, and this book is a fine entry. No doubt it was recommended to you at some point!
I will say that often in polls, nonfiction doesn't compete well with fiction. Yet in the process, more books are being brought to our attention. 😍
[bookcover:Killing a King: The Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the Remaking of Israe..."
Killing a King is available used for an economical price, even though not in my library. Thanks, Allan.
Note: although the category was actually books recommended to you, not books you recommend, this is sort of a loose category, and this book is a fine entry. No doubt it was recommended to you at some point!
I will say that often in polls, nonfiction doesn't compete well with fiction. Yet in the process, more books are being brought to our attention. 😍

Thanks, Kszr.
All the Broken Places is eligible for nomination.
This is a new book, out in a pricey har..."
Thanks for that - if its too new I can withdraw based upon cost. I heard the author interviewed on a podcast and was fascinated by his discussion of carrying the shame of the guilt of knowing but not acting.
Kszr wrote: "...Thanks for that - if its too new I can withdraw based upon cost. I heard the author interviewed on a podcast and was fascinated by his discussion of carrying the shame of the guilt of knowing but not acting.."
Well, Stacey has convinced me that if people want to read a book badly enough, they will get it. Since we are nominating the book for April (so that, next month, we'll have a "next up") they could get into a library queue early. So, people should make themselves aware of those sorts of things before they vote, but not necessary to withdraw the nomination.
And, if it should win, the controversial aspects will be grist for the discussion mill!
I probably came across a little defensive or something about the controversial aspects. Sorry. That happens too. 😁 More grist. Thank you, Kszr.
Well, Stacey has convinced me that if people want to read a book badly enough, they will get it. Since we are nominating the book for April (so that, next month, we'll have a "next up") they could get into a library queue early. So, people should make themselves aware of those sorts of things before they vote, but not necessary to withdraw the nomination.
And, if it should win, the controversial aspects will be grist for the discussion mill!
I probably came across a little defensive or something about the controversial aspects. Sorry. That happens too. 😁 More grist. Thank you, Kszr.
We have six nominations so far and can use one more:
All the Broken Places
The Curator of Broken Things Trilogy: Full Trilogy
A Pigeon and a Boy
If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Say It in Yiddish
The Latecomer
Killing a King: The Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the Remaking of Israel
What's a book that has been recommended to you that you'd like the group to read with you?
All the Broken Places
The Curator of Broken Things Trilogy: Full Trilogy
A Pigeon and a Boy
If You Can't Say Anything Nice, Say It in Yiddish
The Latecomer
Killing a King: The Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the Remaking of Israel
What's a book that has been recommended to you that you'd like the group to read with you?
Books mentioned in this topic
All the Broken Places (other topics)The Latecomer (other topics)
Killing a King: The Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the Remaking of Israel (other topics)
A Pigeon and a Boy (other topics)
The Curator of Broken Things Trilogy: Full Trilogy (other topics)
More...
The recommended book can be of any genre.
Nominations will remain open through Thursday Feb. 23 or until we have seven books nominated, whichever comes first.
We're curious to see what books have been recently recommended to you!
One nomination per person, please --
but if you do give us a list, we'll take the first one on your list as your nomination.
[Nominations by a book's author or other interested party not accepted]