Book Review Category
April 2022 Wrap Up
Posted on May 4, 2022 Leave a Comment
Welcome to my April Wrap-Up! I have already completed my reading goal of 75 titles for 2022. This month, I’ve reviewed six of the titles I completed. All of them are wonderful books and I hope you’ll check them out. You’ll find all of my reading lists from the month along with my short story […]
[Book Review] Jewish Noir II by Kenneth Wishnia and Chantelle Aimée Osman
Posted on May 4, 2022 4 Comments
By Kenneth Wishnia and Chantelle Aimée Osman Jewish Noir II is a collection of twenty-four stories from a combination of Jewish and non-Jewish writers focusing on topics including the resurgence of anti-Semitism in the US, the influence of stereotypes about certain Jewish communities on anti-Semitic attitudes, Israel’s ongoing legacy of regional warfare, the Jewish role […]
[Book Review] The Next Pair of Shoes by Chaya Rochel Zimmerman
Posted on May 4, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Chaya Rochel Zimmerman The Grinburg family lives in a Polish shtetl. A young family, just started out, they are faced with a difficult choice. Pogroms against their little community at the turn of the century making decision about seeking safety elsewhere. Froyim, a shoemaker, leaves his wife and infant son, in order to start […]
[Book Review] Shtum by Jem Lester
Posted on May 4, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Jem Lester Based on the author’s personal experiences, Shtum follows the story of Jewish father, Ben Jewell, is struggling to cope with the care of his ten-year-old son Jonah. Jonah is on the spectrum and non-verbal. Stress of his care and navigating the British social services system, which will decide Jonah’s placement for future […]
[Book Review] Lemons in the Fog by Chaya Rochel Zimmerman
Posted on April 27, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Chaya Rochel Zimmerman Meir Rosen is looking forward to a gap year experience, studying in a yeshiva, in Israel. But he finds himself experiencing some unusual symptoms leading to a surprising diagnosis. Meir faces uncertainty in seeking to recover his mental health while navigating his relationship with his family and cultural expectation of his […]
[Book Review] Atomic Anna by Rachel Barenbaum
Posted on April 27, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Rachel Barenbaum Atomic Anna is the story of three incredible women spanning three generations. The first is Anna Berkova, a nuclear scientist, working the Soviet Union in 1986 when Chernobyl melts down. It is at this moment she accidentally discovers her ability to time jump and is reunited with her estranged daughter, Molly. Molly […]
[Book Review] 365 Days of Gutsy Women by Rosemary Roenfanz
Posted on April 20, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Rosemary Roenfanz The history books are largely silent on the contributions of women. Generations of them who have made incredible contributions while receiving little to no recognition. That is until now. Roenfanz has created a well-researched collection of mini biographies, celebrating the contributions and accomplishments of women throughout history. Many of them largely ignored […]
Jewish Voices on Autism
Posted on April 18, 2022 Leave a Comment
According to the CDC 1% of the world’s population, or about seventy-five million people has an autism spectrum disorder. In honor of Autism Awareness Month, I’ve compiled a list of books featuring Jewish writers and Jewish characters featuring people and characters impacted by autism. This is the fourth installment in my monthly series, celebrating the […]
[Book Review] Ten Years Gone by Jonathan Dunsky
Posted on April 13, 2022 Leave a Comment
By Jonathan Dunsky A survivor of the Shoah, Adam Lapid immigrated to Israel, working as a private detective. Tasked with a seemingly hopeless case, Lapid has a soft spot for a mother seeking her missing son. He finds himself attempting to untangle a web of secrets, lies, and deception that could put him in mortal […]
[Book Review] Choosing Hope: The Heritage of Judaism by David Arnow
Posted on April 6, 2022 Leave a Comment
By David Arnow Dr. Arnow’s new release explores various sources of Jewish text and tradition that provide the primary sources for seeking hope in an ever changing world. The book considers nine sources including: Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), the Exodus, HaOlam HaBa (the World to Come), Israel, and Jewish Humor, among others. Dr. Arnow […]