Jewish Book Club discussion

For November, we're looking for nominations of a book that's been recommended to you. Yes, it's time to read that highly recommended book -- or at least to nominate it!

It should be by a Jewish author and/or be related in some way, shape, or form, to a Jewish theme.

We'll take nominations until we have seven or until Tuesday Sept. 24, whichever comes first. A poll will follow.

One nomination per person. Also, please give us a nomination and not a list -- but if you accidentally give a list we'll take the first as your nomination. 🙂

[Nominations by the author or other interested parties not accepted]

Yes, it's time to attend to that recommendation you've been meaning to get to!

~ Reserved for Nominations ~

1. In the Mouth of the Wolf by Rose Zar

2. City of Glass by Paul Auster (or No. 1 of The New York Trilogy)

3. Goyhood by Reuven Fenton

4. The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum: The Rise and Fall of an American Organized-Crime Boss by Margalit Fox

5. The Book of Paradise: A Yiddish Comic Novel by Itzik Manger

6. Shadows on the Hudson by Isaac Bashevis Singer

7.

I recommend THE AMEN EFFECT by Sharon Brous

Todd wrote: "I recommend THE AMEN EFFECT by Sharon Brous"

Good one, Todd. But it's already our book for this month. Here's hoping you've had another recommendation you can share!

I hope somebody has received recommendations other than The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World! Think back. Pretty please! 🤪

Jan wrote: "For November, we're looking for nominations of a book that's been recommended to you. Yes, it's time to read that highly recommended book -- or at least to nominate it!

It should be by a Jewish au..."

My nomination, recommended to me and sitting, waiting on a shelf, is In the Mouth of the Wolf by Rose Zar. This is a memoir telling of Zar "fleeing the Piotrkow ghetto to live under false papers as an Aryan Pole ... hired by the S.S. commandant of Krakow as a nursemaid for his infant son.

In the Mouth of the Wolf, originally hailing from 1983, and past winner of the Sidney Taylor award for older readers (we read one of Sidney Taylor's books, if I'm not mistaken!). Not in my library, probably due to age, but there are inexpensive copies out there (under $5 from AbeBooks) plus there is a Kindle edition too.
So, yes, it's available!
Thank you, Dvora.

I thought we were going to do a Paul Auster book. City of Glass is the 1st book in the NY Trilogy. You can get it on Amazon for a few dollars and it is in my Public Library.

Judith wrote: "I thought we were going to do a Paul Auster book. City of Glass is the 1st book in the NY Trilogy. You can get it on Amazon for a few dollars and it is in my Public Library."

Yes, good idea, Judith!
Sooner after his death, I read Leviathan on the recommendation of a group member and was quite taken by it!

City of Glass is available used, either by itself or as part of The New York Trilogy. My library has the trilogy. You may have to search either "City of Glass" or "City of Glass (New York Trilogy, 1)" or as "The New York Trilogy," but it's available. Also available as a graphic novel, so be careful what you're ordering.
Thank you, Judith.

Judith wrote: "I thought we were going to do a Paul Auster book. City of Glass is the 1st book in the NY Trilogy. You can get it on Amazon for a few dollars and it is in my Public Library."

Hi Judith,
Thank you for the comment. It has been a crazy summer. As you know Jan had surgery and her recovery wasn't a piece of cake. Communication had to stop for awhile, rightly so which is why we brought Brina in, and I was away for a few weeks.
Paul Auster may have slipped through the cracks, but maybe it was around the time he passed away. I went back to look for the post on that- TBH I may have missed it.

I nominate Goyhood by Reuven Fenton. A devoutly Orthodox man discovers he isn’t really Jewish. (A novel.)

Beth wrote: "I nominate Goyhood by Reuven Fenton. A devoutly Orthodox man discovers he isn’t really Jewish. (A novel.)"

Goyhood is a new book this year, so no inexpensive used versions yet. It's $22.78 on Amazon Prime and won't be out in paperback until April. And not in my library. But for those who do Kindle, it's $9.99. It's also available on Audible. When it's time to vote, you just have to consider cost and local availability as factors.

It’s also available at most major libraries if you want a paper copy.

Beth wrote: "I nominate Goyhood by Reuven Fenton. A devoutly Orthodox man discovers he isn’t really Jewish. (A novel.)"

I bet this is an interesting book having the opposite take.
Wish the author could have come with a kinder title.

Brina wrote: "It’s also available at most major libraries if you want a paper copy."

The main Atlanta library system has it but only an e-version and an audiobook. And already a queue of 4 holds on the e-book! I'm in a large neighboring county that's part of metro-Atlanta, and we have none. Of course I could request it. Have done it before. If it wins, I will.
Also we have intra-library loan. It would be cheaper than buying, but not free like where you are, Brina, you lucky dog! 😉

Stacey B wrote: "... I bet this is an interesting book having the opposite take.
Wish the author could have come with a kinder title."

Well, originally it just meant nation.
I'm trying to remember a tidbit from Torah study, actually from one of the special holiday Haftorahs -- that the 1st time in the TANAK it was used negatively, it was about the Hebrew nation.... I think... 🤔

"The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum - the rise and fall of an American organized crime boss" by Margarlit Fox.

"A Jewish mother of four, a gracious society hostess, a beloved member of her community—and the first widely renowned crime boss in America."

Recommend by NPR

Stacy wrote: "The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum - the rise and fall of an American organized crime boss by Margaret Fox.
"A Jewish mother of four, a gracious society hostess, a beloved member of her community—and th..."

Hi Stacy,
Thank you for the nomination.
This a new release from 7-2-2024
So far Im seeing from Amazon is the kindle version at $13.99.
There is an audio for $13.78 and what they are calling a hardcover for $19.79. Abes Books lists a semi used at $24.00. Im not happy about that. My library is showing they have copies.

Stacy wrote: "The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum - the rise and fall of an American organized crime boss by Margaret Fox.
"A Jewish mother of four, a gracious society hostess, a beloved member of her community—and th..."

The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum: The Rise and Fall of an American Organized-Crime Boss

Another new book but not TOO expensive: $19.79 on Amazon Prime and around $14 for KIndle -- AND in my library in book form, as an ebook + audible. Looks to be popular, with the library showing queues in all formats, so get on the list. :)

Thank you, Stacy
.... and just saw something indicating Stacey my fellow mod has just commented too! Oh, well...

Thanks to all for the nominations so far.
I'll be taking a little break until tomorrow evening, unless you squeak in another nomination under the wire. Back to you then.
Shabbat Shalom to all.

More nominations, anybody?
Ready when you are!

Last chance for nominations. Anybody?

Can we at least have 1 more please!

How about The Book of Paradise by Itzik Manger.

Thank you Lee.
Looks fine for a nomination. The paperback is $16.26 and the kindle version is $9.99. I checked to make sure on the
availability of copies.

Lee wrote: "How about The Book of Paradise by Itzik Manger."

and

Stacey wrote: "Thank you Lee.
Looks fine for a nomination. The paperback is $16.26 and the kindle version is $9.99. I checked to make sure on the
availability of copies."

Yes, thanks, Lee.
Stacey, thanks for finding it. It's tricky to find! Amazon has that one under The Book of Paradise: A Yiddish Comic Novel (Pushkin Press Classics), and an older edition under The Book of Paradise: The Wonderful Adventures of Shmuel-Aba Abervo. I found that 1st and thought there wouldn't be enough reasonably-priced copies -- but with the new edition, there are. :) And my library has just one copy, if I search under just plain The Book of Paradise.
So -- yes, thank you, Lee!

That one sounds so good -- so does anybody out there have another? 😍

Shadows on the Hudson by Isaac Bashevis Singer

Rmplanet wrote: "Shadows on the Hudson by Isaac Bashevis Singer"

Rmplanet,
Thanks for nominating.
The problem here is the paperback is $42 and change.
Im speechless :(

...wait; looking it up now.... Talking about Shadows on the Hudson

Okay, so Amazon has some used, both in paper and and hardback, for a reasonable cost. And AbeBooks too. I see those expensive ones -- avoid those! Maybe signed, or 1st ed??? What's that other source we had for used books, Stacey? I forgot. No Kindle. Audible has it. But it would take a while as an audiobook -- around 548 pages! There seem to be new paperbacks available for $16.89; says in stock. So not sure it's out of print. (If this one should win, we would need to consider giving it two months!) My library has it -- since by an author considered a writer of classics, I guess.... I think we should accept it, Stacey. Some reviewers rave over it. Being read in many other languages as well.

...thank you, Rmplanet!

Jan wrote: "Okay, so Amazon has some used, both in paper and and hardback, for a reasonable cost. And AbeBooks too. I see those expensive ones -- avoid those! Maybe signed, or 1st ed??? What's that other sourc..."

I have no issue accepting it. Orthodox members prefer paperbacks and what I saw sent me to the moon. I think the other source closed down. I will check when I find the name.

Stacey B wrote: "...I have no issue accepting it. Orthodox members prefer paperbacks and what I saw sent me to the moon. I think the other source closed down. I will check when I find the name.."

It's weird. Amazon isn't calling it "Prime," but is offering free delivery.
I'm just worried about those who must rely on Kindle. They may be out of luck. :(

And now for the poll, to begin Wednesday night or, actually, Thursday at 12:01 AM Eastern.

Good morning.
The other place to buy books is "alibris". They had Shadows on the Hudson, used, at $2.99. Shipping is a different story. Ugh

Jake in the Jewish Book a club we do not allow authors to nominate their own book. If you would please cut and paste this post to the author thread, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Nominations are now closed.
Thanks, everybody.
I should be able to have the poll up for midnight.

One more day to vote, and we have a close race between the top two. Click here to go to the poll or find it by scrolling all the way down to the bottom of the group home page.