Jewish Book Club discussion

This is a time during which, if you're like me, your reading suffers from distractability but at the same time can be a comfort. So I'd like to assemble a list of books for the poll, and "nominations" is in quotes to signify some informality.

I'm looking for books that will help by being instructive, encouraging, or strengthening in some way -- not all of them nonfiction but some could be.

In line with the "informal" part, I'm actually going to add some books myself this time -- four -- while also soliciting four more from the community.

I'll post my four, and then wait until after Shabbat to send out the group-wide notice. If you add your nominations in the meantime that's great; just be aware I'll be waiting to respond until tomorrow night.

1. The Arc of a Covenant: The United States, Israel, and the Fate of the Jewish People by Walter Russell Mead. Very instructive if you are somebody who learns and gains strength from nonfiction. Out in paperback now. Some used copies. May be in your library.

2. Talking Cure: An Essay on the Civilizing Power of Conversation by Paula Marantz Cohen. New. I had to ask my library to get it. Not to everyone's taste, I imagine, but a triumph of humanism in a world that can seem barbarous.

3. Kantika by Elizabeth Graber. Historical novel, Sephardic. I saw it recommended. If you've read it and don't think it fits, we can discuss.

4. The Wild Iris by Louise Glück. The poet who received the Nobel in 2020 has just died at 80. When she won, her work was hard to find, and I never did read her. She was Jewish but resisted being defined as a Jewish poet -- or a nature poet or feminist poet. Maybe she stood for life, though.

Shabbat Shalom,
Jan

I would love to suggest
SON OF HAMMAS by Mosab Hassan Yousef
In lieu of what’s happening now

Kantika is Ladino for song and this book is a beautiful song.

Although billed as a novel, Kantika is tightly based on the life of the author’s grandmother, Rebecca Cohen Baruch Levy. The book spans from 1907 to 1950 and is her journey as a Sephardic Jew from Turkey to the United States, through a circuitous route through Spain and Cuba.

It's definitely worth reading.

Hahtoolah wrote: "Kantika is Ladino for song and this book is a beautiful song.

Although billed as a novel, Kantika is tightly based on the life of the author’s grandmother, Rebecca Cohen Baruch Levy. The book span..."

Okay; thanks for that, Hahtoolah.

Liz wrote: "I would love to suggest
SON OF HAMMAS by Mosab Hassan Yousef
In lieu of what’s happening now"

I'm still looking into this one, which I've somehow managed to never hear of until now, Liz. Thanks.
There is a certain genre of book where people "go over to the other side," for example in the 1960s when there was a lot of anti-Catholic feeling in the US, there was a Catholic priest who got quite a following from Protestants. That I just read about and don't know the name. More recently, pre-pandemic, I personally heard two Jews who gained quite a following by preaching anti-Zionism to liberal churches or the public at large. There must be more of those.
So Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices may be more appropriate for a buddy read than as a candidate for our book of the month, even if it's instructive or in a sense strengthening.
I saw a very wide range of reactions in Goodreads book reviews. So, still checking. Thanks again.

Further input from Liz or others?

Happy to support this nomination - Son of Hamas

Nominations certainly could be about the conflict but they don't have to be. Instruct, strengthen, encourage 🙂

...book nominations can simply be beautiful books that remind us of life and everything good.
Anyone? 🌈

We need some more books for our poll!

It could be spy fiction. That would be okay!
Without having read Son of Hamas, it sounds like Mosab Hassan Yousef's work as a spy and/or double agent was helpful. The reason we can't have his book representing the Jewish Book Club is that, in establishing a following among Jews (and Christians?), he's doing what is abhorrent to us when, for example, anti-Zionist Jews establish a following among Christians by maligning Jews and Judaism. Also, since he converted out of Islam, he has an internal need to justify himself by maligning Islam in general. We shouldn't represent the Jewish Book Club by getting off on that. That said. we're all free to read what we want. If two or more people want to read Son of Hamas, I'll set up a Buddy Read.

What are some other candidates for our list?

Liz wrote: "I would love to suggest
SON OF HAMMAS by Mosab Hassan Yousef
In lieu of what’s happening now"

Great book!! There's also a documentary. Very enlightening.

Hahtoolah wrote: "Kantika is Ladino for song and this book is a beautiful song.

Although billed as a novel, Kantika is tightly based on the life of the author’s grandmother, Rebecca Cohen Baruch Levy. The book span..."

On my To Read list!

Also interested in this Ruth Blau: A Life of Paradox and Purpose

For historical perspective and understanding, this is also great: Jerusalem 1913: The Origins of the Arab-Israeli Conflict

Perlie wrote: "Also interested in this Ruth Blau: A Life of Paradox and Purpose"

Perlie, thanks for this!
More of a comment by tonight; I'm under some time pressure today.

Perlie wrote: "For historical perspective and understanding, this is also great: Jerusalem 1913: The Origins of the Arab-Israeli Conflict"

Jerusalem 1913: The Origins of the Arab-Israeli Conflict would give us a different angle than I've read about. Not in my public library but available used. Thanks, Perlie

Perlie wrote: "Also interested in this Ruth Blau: A Life of Paradox and Purpose"

Ruth Blau: A Life of Paradox and Purpose: Very fascinating, Perlie, but the cheapest I can find it is $40. Just not that available. 😢 Even Kindle is $34. I think it's brand new; maybe it will eventually become more available.

In the interest of "informality" we could have considered two nominations -- if it had been more available.

Really really need some more book nominations for us.
Can we get a few more?
Somebody out there?

Kantika sounds great, but I would also nominate Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl by Rene Rosen. It is a fictional account (pretty well researched) about Estee Lauder. I need to be distracted about what is going on in Israel, so I prefer not to read nonfiction about the history of Israel.

Judith wrote: "Kantika sounds great, but I would also nominate Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl by Rene Rosen. It is a fictional account (pretty well researched) about Estee Lauder. I need to be distracted about what is..."

I'm pretty sure you're not the only one, Judith. Thanks!
Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl by Renée Rosen. It's available used in the $10 range (including postage), and it's in my public library.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store would have been a good one -- but it's already on the schedule: coming up on the 1st. It's great.

Künstlers in Paradise

I just finished reading this book and think it could be a good pick.

Liz wrote: "I would love to suggest
SON OF HAMMAS by Mosab Hassan Yousef
In lieu of what’s happening now"

This is an excellent pick IMO. I just put it on hold.

What about "Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life--in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There)" Sarah Hurwitz. (This was a read in one of my book clubs--could it have been this one? I confess, I did not read it when it was the selection.)

The Nesting Dolls by Alina Adams
Or
The Orphan's Daughter by Jan Cherubin

Rachel wrote: "Künstlers in Paradise

I just finished reading this book and think it could be a good pick."

Künstlers in Paradise is in libraries (or likely to be) and some used copies available. Thank you, Rachel

Melissa wrote: "What about "Here All Along: Finding Meaning, Spirituality, and a Deeper Connection to Life--in Judaism (After Finally Choosing to Look There)" Sarah Hurwitz. (This was a read in one of my book club..."

We have it on our shelf from Sept. 2020, but thanks, Melissa. Great idea.
Comments can be added here: 2020/9 Impressions and conclusions for Here All Along, by Sarah Hurwitz--POLL WINNER

Rmplanet wrote: "The Nesting Dolls by Alina Adams
Or
The Orphan's Daughter by Jan Cherubin"

The Nesting Dolls is available used and is in my public library, so maybe in yours. Thank you, Rmplanet!

Jan wrote: "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store


I haven't yet read this, but McBride is a great author. I don't know how much he's in touch with his Judaism. I think his mom had a pretty traumatic upbringing, and left Judaism with very bad feelings (understandably).

Thanks for the burst of responses this afternoon/evening!

So, from the members, we have,
1) Kantika -- new this spring but likely to be in your library.
2) Jerusalem 1913: The Origins of the Arab-Israeli Conflict for a different perspective -- not in my library but there are new copies around.
3) Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl by Renee Rosen to distract you and entertain -- used copies available + in my library
4) Künstlers in Paradise by Cathleen Schine, historical novel of WWII but a light touch; a family who escapes. In libraries, available used
5) The Nesting Dolls by Alina Adams, "heartbreaking but redemptive" story of three generations of women escaping Russia -- available used and in libraries
6) The Arc of a Covenant: The United States, Israel, and the Fate of the Jewish People -- nonfiction, history of Israel & the US (and a lot of other history too)
7) Talking Cure: An Essay on the Civilizing Power of Conversation, a unique book about the history of conversation and how it's good for us. New.
8) The Wild Iris by Louise Glück, Nobel laureate, and poet of Jewish descent, although doesn't define herself that way.

Perlie wrote: "Jan wrote: "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

I haven't yet read this, but McBride is a great author. I don't know how much he's in touch with his Judaism. I think his mom had a p..."

Oh, yes, Perlie, you are right about where he was when he wrote his memoir The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother back in the '90s. I did love that book, but he had a slightly defensive air. But even then he was open about it. I'm at least a third into The H & E Grocery Store, and he's learned so much since then. It's quite amazing. He's amazing. I have it on audio. It's coming right up, for Nov. I need to create the discussion thread. :)

Jan wrote: "Rmplanet wrote: "The Nesting Dolls by Alina Adams
Or
The Orphan's Daughter by Jan Cherubin"

The Nesting Dolls is available used and is in my public library, so maybe in yours. Than..."

My library has it and I am going to read it whether a pick or not. Thanks for the recommendation.

Rachel wrote: "Jan wrote: ... The Nesting Dolls is available used and is in my public library, so maybe in..."

"My library has it and I am going to read it whether a pick or not. Thanks for the recommendation."

Enjoy!

Thanks everybody for helping with the nominations

I misspoke in Comment 29 (above); the candidates on the poll are from a combo of members + me.

Going to set up the poll now. It will go active at midnight Eastern.

Jan wrote: "Perlie wrote: "Jan wrote: "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

Jan, thank you for the update. I was hesitant, given the perhaps grisliness of a found body. But I'm willing to give it a try, based on your enthusiasm!

Perlie wrote: "Jan wrote: "Perlie wrote: "Jan wrote: "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

Jan, thank you for the update. I was hesitant, given the perhaps grisliness of a found body. But I'm willin..."

So far, that's only come up in the set-up of the story and isn't in the ongoing story. He does deal with serious topics but his way of writing is so -- what -- natural? straightforward? open? -- that it is far from grisly. ...We could actually go to its discussion site for what you think and more... :)

My Sisterhood Book Club chose the Heaven and Earth Grocery Store to read in Sept and I am about 2/3 through it. So far nothing grisly. We will discuss it in November, and I am interested to see and hear all opinions from both book clubs. The writing tone is.... earthy, for lack of a better word. More to follow later when members have read it.

I read it a while ago and did not find it upsetting at all. It is an interesting story.

Rachel wrote: "I read it a while ago and did not find it upsetting at all. It is an interesting story."

Glad to hear that, Rachel

So is the poll over? Does Kantika win?

Rachel wrote: "So is the poll over? Does Kantika win?"

Hi Rachel,
Thank you so much for the heads up and paying attention to this more than I.
Yes, Kantika wins and we will also be including a Moderator's Choice as well.
I feel its necessary for me to apologize to all for my lack of attention to The Jewish Book Club. Truly, most of my time has been dedicated to providing help due to the last four weeks.
Its in you library, correct? Let me know otherwise.

You might want to contact Alina Adams. She is willing to do a q/an over zoom even on a Sunday. She gives an interesting talk so if Jan or Stacey contacts her she might be willing to talk to our group.

Thank you Brina for this suggestion.
For those that may be seeing this thread for the first time,
Alina Adams is the author of The Nesting Dolls.

Stacey B wrote: "Rachel wrote: "So is the poll over? Does Kantika win?"

Hi Rachel,
Thank you so much for the heads up and paying attention to this more than I.
Yes, Kantika wins and we will also be including a Mo..."

Yes, my library has Kantika.

Rachel wrote: "Stacey B wrote: "Rachel wrote: "So is the poll over? Does Kantika win?"

Hi Rachel,
Thank you so much for the heads up and paying attention to this more than I.
Yes, Kantika wins and we will also ..."

Great Rachel- Im glad for that.

Brina wrote: "You might want to contact Alina Adams. She is willing to do a q/an over zoom even on a Sunday. She gives an interesting talk so if Jan or Stacey contacts her she might be willing to talk to our group."

And then Stacey wrote: "Thank you Brina for this suggestion.
For those that may be seeing this thread for the first time,
Alina Adams is the author of The Nesting Dolls"

Hi, Brina. Once previously, Stacey and I received the suggestion to organize something of the sort, via Zoom. But we don't personally have the wherewithal (time or energy) to extend into virtual discussions or author interviews. (Nor can we simply turn something like that over to a third party without supervising them since we'd still be responsible.) But if any of Alina Adams' author interviews are already available online, that would be very welcome! Do you know of any?
Thanks so much, Brina
Jan