Jewish Book Club discussion

This time we're requesting nominations of books by local or regional Jewish authors that you know of whom others may not -- an author from your city, state, province, country or region.

For genre, I want to be fairly open-ended since don't know how many nominations you'll have. So let's say fiction or memoir. Or poetry. Why not? Poetry could work, if the poems are from a Jewish poet.

While I'm thinking recent books (say in the last dozen years), maybe there's a more classic author from your region who's poorly known outside of it. Depending on how many nominations come in, we could decide to consider those as well.

The trickiest part may be whether an author is Jewish. Some authors are out front. Others seem to think they could appeal to a wider audience by downplaying their ethnicity. If from the books themselves you think so, I expect we'll go with that. This is about nominating a good book rather than coming up with a hard and fast finding about the author's identity.

Is the book itself a Jewish book? If the main character is Jewish, then probably so.
We seem weighted toward seeing any book with a Holocaust victim as a Jewish book. Likewise, we ought to take a Jewish protagonist into account. If it's not clear just say why you think your nomination is a Jewish book. :)

One example from my local area would be a book by Zoe Fishman. Haven't read her yet but have seen her written up in the paper. Another example might be The Resemblance, the first in a detective series set at the U. of GA; it's one of the ambiguous ones so I'm actually reading it right now to check it out.

Nominations will be accepted until we get up to eight, or through Sunday May 23, whichever comes first.
As usual, one nomination per person, please.
We're asking for a nomination, not a list of suggestions, but if we get a list we'll take the 1st book on the list as your nomination.
Also as usual, Stacey and I will vet for availability and for whether your nomination is already on our bookshelf.

[Nominations by a book's author or other interested party not accepted]

The Tin Horse, Janice Steinberg

Hooray -- a nomination! Thanks, Emilie. Will look it up. Do you mind if I ask your region or locale?

Clearly, it has to be Mitch Albom of Franklin, MIchigan author of Tuesday’s with Morrie amongst so many others. He’s always approachable at the JCC Book Fair and other events. His heartfelt stories are ones that reach you deep in your soul and are always good for another read.

...That info was a click away. 😉
Thanks. A good nomination. I checked our bookshelf since this group originated a couple years after the date this book was published, but not on our shelf.
The book is available used over the internet -- and in my library!

The Tin Horse by Janice Steinberg

Ellyn wrote: "Clearly, it has to be Mitch Albom of Franklin, MIchigan author of Tuesday’s with Morrie amongst so many others. He’s always approachable at the JCC Book Fair and other events. His heartfelt stories..."

Ellyn, thank you. Which of his books would you like to nominate? Which would you recommend? Maybe one less widely read than Tuesdays with Morrie?

Ellyn wrote: "Clearly, it has to be Mitch Albom of Franklin, MIchigan author of Tuesday’s with Morrie amongst so many others. He’s always approachable at the JCC Book Fair and other events. His heartfelt stories..."

Ellyn, thank you. Which of his books would you like to nominate? Which would you recommend? Maybe one less widely read than Tuesdays with Morrie?

Ellyn wrote: "Clearly, it has to be Mitch Albom of Franklin, MIchigan author of Tuesday’s with Morrie amongst so many others. He’s always approachable at the JCC Book Fair and other events. His heartfelt stories..."

Clearly :)
Choose one. He has a new one, not sure its released.

I'm not sure this qualifies because it's a fair bit older, but Crackpot by Adele Wiseman. The author and her characters were all Jewish and Canadian, and it's been at the top of my list of Jewish/Canadian novels to read. If this is too old to qualify, I can ponder over different Canadian alternatives though.

Elizabeth wrote: "I'm not sure this qualifies because it's a fair bit older, but Crackpot by Adele Wiseman. The author and her characters were all Jewish and Canadian, and it's been at the top of my li..."

One of the reviews called it a classic, and another called it a "hidden gem of CanLit," so I say it does qualify, Elizabeth. Pretty sure it's not on our bookshelf....

Awesome, it's definitely one of those books I'd love to read in a group, so I'm glad I can nominate it, thanks!

Elizabeth wrote: "Awesome, it's definitely one of those books I'd love to read in a group, so I'm glad I can nominate it, thanks!"

Not in the library. It is available used, in the $7 to $9 range, including postage. Guess it's getting a little rare. Not in an e-version.
And not on our shelf.
I was tempted to snap up a copy already, if not for my literal stack being high enough to threaten an avalanche.

Crackpot by Adele Wiseman

Last of the Seven, by Steven Hartov.
Historical/ military fiction, set in North Africa and Italy during WW2. Main character is a soldier in the Jewish Brigade (later LT in a British unit). Hartov lives in NJ (so that's regional for me), and served in the IDF.

LA wrote: "Last of the Seven, by Steven Hartov.
Historical/ military fiction, set in North Africa and Italy during WW2. Main character is a soldier in the Jewish Brigade (later LT in a British unit). Hartov l..."

LA-
Hartov is a great author!!!
Good pick. 2022 right?

Yes, published in August I believe. I read it in November.

Last of the Seven is in my public library--yay!
It's not out in paper yet so $17.50 new on Amazon Prime. Getting it used doesn't help that much with postage. Still, a good nomination.
When we have the poll, voters can make that one of their considerations.

Thanks, LA.

The Last of the Seven by Steven Hartov

Just started The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem and so far I'm loving it. Apparently also a series streaming somewhere, but my friend says the book is much better (isn't it always?).

Linda Aronovsky wrote: "Just started The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem and so far I'm loving it. Apparently also a series streaming somewhere, but my friend says the book is much better (isn't it always?)."

Im glad you do. just read it for the second time and enjoyed it. I didn't love it the first time for some reason.
Are you thinking about nominating a book??

I didn’t read the request well so this is not a local author. I’ll try to come up with one.

Lynda Cohen Loigman is local to me. I read her book, "The Wartime Sisters," but would love to nominate her newest novel, "The Matchmaker's Gift," as I want to read that one!

Melissa wrote: "Lynda Cohen Loigman is local to me. I read her book, "The Wartime Sisters," but would love to nominate her newest novel, "The Matchmaker's Gift," as I want to read that one!"

It is in my library in several formats!
Looks like it has come out in paperback, so in comparison you can save a little something by getting it used. But the library seems to be the best bet.

The Matchmaker's Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman

Thank you, Melissa!

Elan Barnehama’s novel, Escape Route, is set in New York City during the tumultuous 1960s, and told by Zach, the son of Holocaust survivors who becomes obsessed with the Vietnam War and finding an escape route for his family for when he believes the US will round up and incarcerate its Jews. https://amzn.to/3Mevrlz

Linda Aronovsky wrote: "I didn’t read the request well so this is not a local author. I’ll try to come up with one."
:)

Elan wrote: "Elan Barnehama’s novel, Escape Route, is set in New York City during the tumultuous 1960s, and told by Zach, the son of Holocaust survivors who becomes obsessed with the Vietnam War and finding an ..."

Stacey B wrote: "Linda Aronovsky wrote: "I didn’t read the request well so this is not a local author. I’ll try to come up with one."
:)

Elan wrote: "Elan Barnehama’s novel, Escape Route, is set in New York City d..."

Good morning Elan-
Hope you are well. I see you are a newer member, so I'm not sure if you posted your comment here as a shout out, or, you are nominating your book. One of our written group rules is an author and the like can't nominate their own own book, as I'm sure you understand.
It would be great if you would nominate a different book for June.
We and the group are always impressed when an author humbly nominates another colleague's book.
Because we are all about books and authors, we created a topic line in Discussions- under "Authors Announcing their Work" where this should go as it will get more attention. Could you move your comment there? Thank you in advance.

Linda Aronovsky wrote: "I didn’t read the request well so this is not a local author. I’ll try to come up with one."
:)

As of now these books are definites nominated for June.
We need 4 or 5 more.

Tin Horse
Matchmakers Gift
Last of the Seven
Crackpot ( if we can find it )

Jan wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Awesome, it's definitely one of those books I'd love to read in a group, so I'm glad I can nominate it, thanks!"

Not in the library. It is available used, in the $7 to $9 range, ..."

This is a great example of it being regional, because it's in my own local library haha. Hopefully it can be found by others though.

Melissa wrote: "Lynda Cohen Loigman is local to me. I read her book, "The Wartime Sisters," but would love to nominate her newest novel, "The Matchmaker's Gift," as I want to read that one!"


I loved The Matchmaker's Gift and would love to read one of her other books.

On Crackpot, see comment #12. 🧐 Although not in my library, it's available used for not too much. I am still tempted to go on & get one!

Surprisingly Sacrifice by Wiseman is at my library but Crackpot is not. I rarely buy books so maybe this is available via interlibrary loan.

Brina wrote: "Surprisingly Sacrifice by Wiseman is at my library but Crackpot is not. I rarely buy books so maybe this is available via interlibrary loan."

Thank you Brina.
Good to know. Im sure Jan will comment when she
sees yours. As she wrote - "see comment # I2" .
Embarrassing and more to have a book win that is not available to all.
All about the vetting- :)
Have a great weekend.

Brina wrote: "Surprisingly Sacrifice by Wiseman is at my library but Crackpot is not. I rarely buy books so maybe this is available via interlibrary loan."

Interlibrary loan is a good idea -- an option that doesn't often get mentioned, so thanks, Brina. Haven't done it for a while, but it has cost $3 here. They are strict about returning the book promptly though.

There are used copies of Crackpot on Amazon, AbeBooks and eBay--some inexpensive, but watch the postage; sometimes not included and sometimes shipping from Europe. It looks like Amazon is stocking "paperback" edition for $18.90 but not prime. But it is available!

Also on a whim I checked out Internet Archive. Have any of you heard of the current controversy re Internet Archive? Anyway I seem to have found it on a PDF, but I didn't download yet b/c didn't know where to put it...

Anyway, then I googled it (instead of going to Amazon). And guess what: Target carries it. $14. Not in stores, but they say you can order the paperback online. My goodness -- don't usually look at all these other options!

For what it's worth, Prairie Forum (U. of Regina) calls it "subversive ethnic fiction female style"...

Well no interlibrary loan either. I don’t buy even used books so if I have time in the summer I’ll try the book of Wiseman’s that is available at my library because now I’m curious. For what it’s worth, I looked up local authors Ohio but couldn’t find. The first hit that can up was of course Philip Roth’s Goodbye, Columbus , but I was looking for something contemporary.

How about Jennifer Weiner? She's from Philadelphia, her characters are Jewish, and she writes about the local places. Her newest one, The Summer Place, is a fun read.

Lynne wrote: "How about Jennifer Weiner? She's from Philadelphia, her characters are Jewish, and she writes about the local places. Her newest one, The Summer Place, is a fun read."

The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner

Ah--another nomination. Thanks, Lynne! Let's see....
My goodness: the hardback is $6.62 new via Amazon Prime at the moment. I guess it just came out in paperback. There are used ones as well. Of course in the library, in every imaginable format. Hereby pronounced available!

Brina wrote: "Well no interlibrary loan either. I don’t buy even used books so if I have time in the summer I’ll try the book of Wiseman’s that is available at my library because now I’m curious. For what it’s w..."

No interlibrary loan! I wonder why?
You don't have to stay in Ohio. Can spread a wider net if you want to.

My resistance wore down. I just ordered Crackpot from AbeBooks. Maybe I can squeeze it in before I'm supposed to start reading The Source-- which I don't have yet. 😂

On that note, Crossing California by Adam Langer. This is the neighborhood my paternal family is from and I know well. Does this work?

Emilie wrote: "The Tin Horse, Janice Steinberg"

Jan wrote: "Hooray -- a nomination! Thanks, Emilie. Will look it up. Do you mind if I ask your region or locale?"

San Diego, CA

Home So Far Away by Judith Berlowitz

Esther wrote: "Home So Far Away by Judith Berlowitz"

Esther-
Thank you for the nomination.
I saw this book somewhere in the last few months. I just read the bio of the author; quite multi talented.
I only have checked Amazon so far and see the Kindle version is .99 cents. Surprised to see the comparison cost of the pp at $16.95.
Found it at Abes Books from $$7.48 - $16.00 for soft book.

Brina wrote: "On that note, Crossing California by Adam Langer. This is the neighborhood my paternal family is from and I know well. Does this work?"

Wow Brina-
A title from the past. I read this bf I ever joined Grds.
Going to look up the costs. I know Kindle is $5.99 and think the pp was $24 and change. But that is Amazon.
Checking Abe's Books. Here we go...
New offers from US$ 16.00
Used offers from US$ 4.47

Considering I get all my books from the library, I never considered costs. Feel free to use another of his books that is newer and more widely available.

Brina wrote: "Considering I get all my books from the library, I never considered costs. Feel free to use another of his books that is newer and more widely available."

No worries Brina. The costs are..what they are. I was told two years ago there was a paper shortage. I began noticing it when release dates were becoming extended and printing costs for most things began climbing along with everything else.
Fortunately, Jan and I haven't received any complaints about book costs. Reading can be an expensive habit, but a good one to have.

Stacey B wrote: "Brina wrote: "Considering I get all my books from the library, I never considered costs. Feel free to use another of his books that is newer and more widely available."

No worries Brina. The costs..."

Crossing California by Adam Langer

Stacey's right: all kinds of inexpensive used copies out there, Amazon Marketplace, Abebooks etc!

I always considered reading a cheap addiction! 😄

Stacey B wrote: "Esther wrote: "Home So Far Away by Judith Berlowitz"

Esther-
Thank you for the nomination.
I saw this book somewhere in the last few months. I just read the bio of the author; quite multi talente..."

Home So Far Away by Judith Berlowitz

Yes, a good nomination. 99¢ Kindle a real steal. Fairly new so that's why there aren't so many cheap ones, but not so bad new. Just part of the calculus to consider when we get to the poll.

So, let's see. Are we up to seven?

1) The Tin Horse
2) Crackpot by Adele Wiseman
3) The Last of the Seven by Steven Hartov
4) The Matchmaker's Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman
5) The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner
6) Crossing California by Adam Langer
7) Home So Far Away by Judith Berlowitz

I asked for up to eight, so we have tomorrow to take another nomination. Looking like a good crop of candidates!
Then, after that, we'll set up a poll. :)

I have a few local authors to recommend from Pittsburgh!

Dr. Yolanda Abram Willis writes about her experience as a hidden child in Greece, and her family's history there. A Hidden Child in Greece: Rescue in the Holocaust

Dorit Sassoon writes about her experience serving in the IDF Accidental Soldier: A Memoir of Service and Sacrifice in the Israel Defense Forces and what it's like to live in two worlds Sand and Steel: A Memoir of Longing and Finding Home

I don't personally know Ellen Litman, but her writing is great, and set locally. The Last Chicken in America: A Novel in Stories

Written by a dear friend of mine, but for kids - Louis Pasteur: And the Founding of Microbiology

Another book by a friend, YA novel Myrtle of Willendorf

(I used to belong to a local writer's group, so I've got lots of local author friends!)

Perlie wrote: "I have a few local authors to recommend from Pittsburgh!

Dr. Yolanda Abram Willis writes about her experience as a hidden child in Greece, and her family's history there. [book:A Hidden Child in G..."

Good morning Perlie!!
Always great to see you here.
These look like great books. Would you consider nominating one of them for June???