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Here's a thread for listing books we'd like to see on the list for next year.

I think we've had mainly (or only?) fiction, with the occasional memoir. Would nonfiction be tolerated? or would that be too un-book-clubbish for us?

A few suggestions (hopefully not repeating prior choices):

One of Gary Shteyngart's novels
One of Dara Horn's novels -- preferably The World to Come, which some friends say is her best
An Orphan in History: Retrieving a Jewish Legacy Paul Cowan's memoir (an oldie but goodie)
Half-Jew: A Daughter's Search For Her Family's Buried Past A revealing memoir from 2000 by the writer Susan Jacoby
One of Patrick Modiano's novels. He won the 2014 Nobel prize for literature

I'll soon think of some more. So many books, so little time! 🙂

Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman
The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon by Richard Zimler
The Lion Seeker by Kenneth Bonert
East West Street: On the Origins of "Genocide" and "Crimes Against Humanity" by Philippe Sands
Cry of the Peacock by Gina Nahai
Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

Not sure if this was already mentioned in previous years, but The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish is very good.

Dara Horn's and Gary Shteyngart's works are fabulous; I second those.

Barbara wrote: "Is it allowed to tout your own fiction? I recently published a mosaic novel (a series of interrelated short stories) called The History of Soul 2065. (If it isn't allowed, let me kn..."

Thanks, Barbara. Unfortunately we have an absentee moderator, but let me say the group Jewish Book Carnival has a slot for "authors introducing their work" where you could list this one. Maybe I'll go start a discussion like that for this group. If I do, would you mind reentering your new book over there, Barbara? Best to keep the "suggestions" discussion disinterested.

Okay, understood and done.

Barbara wrote: "Okay, understood and done."

Thank you. We can see how that works! And thanks for your comments on the books. The Weight of Ink was the book for March.

One of our difficulties is that without an active moderator we're not having much book discussion, but I was thinking why not talk about the books we've read or would like to read, at least.

Makes sense! And I'm not surprised that The Weight of Ink was already discussed -- it seemed ideal for the purpose.

Barbara wrote: "Makes sense! And I'm not surprised that The Weight of Ink was already discussed -- it seemed ideal for the purpose."

Well, it was already one of our books, but some discussion is going on now! 🙂 See near the bottom of list of discussions.

Jan wrote: "Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman
The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon by Richard Zimler
The Lion Seeker by Kenneth Bonert
[book:East West Street: On the Origi..."

Jan-
Great suggestions.
Here is another book we may want to add-
"The Flight Portfolio" by Julie Orringer.
She is the author of "The Invisible Bridge"

I know I saw this book in the group before, but
I forgot to add this suggestion from another member...
"The Crate: A Story of War, A Murder And Justice"
by Deborah Vadas Levison.

Stacey wrote: "Jan-
Great suggestions.
Here is another book we may want to add-
"The Flight Portfolio" by Julie Orringer.
She is the author of "The Invisible Bridge" ."


How about one of the detective novels of Batya Gur? I just read an opinion that Literary Murder is best -- and ordered it for a pittance from AbeBooks. 😎

I guess this depends on whether Shira shows up and adds some of these? P.S., Stacey, look under "2016 Book Suggestions," under the discussion "Apology for books out of order" to see Shira's plan for her participation. That is the basis of the difficulties we've been having. Groups need a more active moderator(s), it seems.

Should we add Abandoned in Berlin, a True
Story by John R. Cammidge

John wrote: "Should we add Abandoned in Berlin, a True
Story by John R. Cammidge"

I looked; fairly new (2018), only on Kindle apparently. Stacey appreciated it. 😊

No, it's also in paperback and hardback.

Jan wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Jan-
Great suggestions.
Here is another book we may want to add-
"The Flight Portfolio" by Julie Orringer.
She is the author of "The Invisible Bridge" ."


How about one of the detec..."

Great choice. I have read 6 of her books.
(am looking now at 2016 )

Jan wrote: "John wrote: "Should we add Abandoned in Berlin, a True
Story by John R. Cammidge"

I looked; fairly new (2018), only on Kindle apparently. Stacey appreciated it. 😊"

Jan wrote: "John wrote: "Should we add Abandoned in Berlin, a True
Story by John R. Cammidge"

I looked; fairly new (2018), only on Kindle apparently. Stacey appreciated it. 😊"

Hi John- Hope you are well.
My apology for missing your book from the list members put together.
Thank you again for the beautiful autographed book you sent me..
It was a quite a story. Well done.
"We as simply members, cant formally add books. The only one who can is the moderator of the group - who has been MIA for awhile.

In nonfiction Spies of No Country by Matti Friedman.

OMG- I agree. Great book. He is one smart author.
I think...that was on the "May 2019 Jewish Book Council" Conference list I printed.

I saw that you had given it 5 stars a few months ago. I actually heard Freidman speak he was interviewed bu Lucette Lagnado, another wonderful author. I have been wanting read ever since.

Stacey wrote: "...Great choice. I have read 6 of her books...."

I read a Tablet article that called her the greatest Israeli detective novelist and compared her to the classic "hard boiled" American detective writers like Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald. Said that just as they picked up a genre that American literary writers turned up their noses at, so it happened in Israel too, although there it was women. And said Batya Gur's 2nd career as a novelist was a short one as she got cancer; thus only wrote those six.

On Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, her work doesn't seem to be universally appreciated, but somebody said Literary Murder was the best; who can resist a pic like this:

John wrote: "No, it's also in paperback and hardback."

That's great! But, John, I didn't realize it was your own book, and for the sake of disinterested recommendations, best to tout those in the "Authors Announcing their Work" discussion.

Only fair, since that was my response to Barbara. ;-)

From another perspective, consider that getting your book selected as a monthly read is a double-edged sword. Shira did pick one of those up last year and, to all appearances, no one read it -- not the best publicity!

Maybe you can get some folks to read it and post their own reviews. That's something authors love these days. 💓

Jonathan wrote: "In nonfiction Spies of No Country by Matti Friedman."

Surprised no one mentioned him before. This one has been getting a lot of publicity. I hadn't sought it out b/c his style in The Aleppo Codex: The True Story of Obsession, Faith, and the International Pursuit of an Ancient Bible struck me as somewhat dry. But I'll be in the minority, I'm sure.

A lot of good choices. If not listed in a prior year; We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter.

I really liked Marcia Fine's The Hidden Ones:A Veil of Memories. It's about the inquisition in North America. It has won a few awards.

Jonathan wrote: "I saw that you had given it 5 stars a few months ago. I actually heard Freidman speak he was interviewed bu Lucette Lagnado, another wonderful author. I have been wanting read ever since."

I bet you were quite impressed. That interview must have been outstanding.
Did you know Lucette Lagnado passed away in June? As you said, she was a great author. So sad.
I was also fortunate to hear him speak in DC, -I think in April or May. We received a hard copy of his book.
It's strange that so years ago I fought changing to a Kindle, yet when I have to read a hard copy, it hurts my fingers now and falls out of my hands. :)

Oh My God, what sad news. You know when I saw her she on stage she did not look in the best of health. I know in reading her books she had Hodkins lymphoma or Hodgkin disease from a young age. Just read her obituary, which confirmed that as the cause of death. God Bless her, she lived with Cancer for over 45 years and accomplished so much.
Thank you Stacey for letting me know. This is the second one I missed as I did not know Herman Wouk died in May.

Susan wrote: "I really liked Marcia Fine's The Hidden Ones:A Veil of Memories. It's about the inquisition in North America. It has won a few awards.

..."
Looks good Susan.

How about Kate Quinn's "The Huntress"? I liked it very much, have recommended it to a few people, and they all enjoyed it, too,

Hi.
I feel the same way. Thoroughly enjoyed that book.
Great suggestion!!!

Agreed, I have been wanting read this for a while. I can see how it is hard to pick twelve books and at the same time vary the subjects.

Still looking for info:

In my face-to-face book groups, people tend not to want to buy a lot of books when they're hot off the press and expensive. How do you all feel about that?

Do you like all new books?

Is some nonfiction okay (other than memoirs, I mean)?

What kind of mix are you hoping for? What sort of recommendations?

I like a mix of old and new, classics I've missed, tried and true as well as new, books I've read or heard about here and elsewhere, a discriminating taste...

Jan wrote: "Still looking for info:

In my face-to-face book groups, people tend not to want to buy a lot of books when they're hot off the press and expensive. How do you all feel about that?

Do you like all..."

Hi Jan-
I would buy any book if I felt it was calling out to me by way of the synopsis, reviews, but more so by word of mouth. Have I done this many times and then been disappointed? Absolutely. But, many of books I bought have been so wonderful and fulfilling that its worth the investment to me. I enjoy everything in this genre.
I could use a break in regard to "in -depth detail" Nazi concentration camp memoirs.
My mood mostly dictates which type of book Im going to read, unless I am told from someone I respect that there is "must read" I will love. They are usually correct, but I wont read it until I finish what Im reading at the time.
Did this help ?

Hi Jan-

A vote here for putting at lease one classic in the rotation. You never know at what point somebody begins their reading journey. Books like The Source, Exodus(Uris), The Red Tent. Could also put up Wouk book, honoring his memory. I am also ok with nonfiction. I agree with Stacey, if I see a book I want, I will buy it. Almost all purchases are under $15. That said we just started a book club in our co-op and I was surprised to see how many people are waiting for the book at the library and in the group only about 30% are reading digitally.

Thanks, Stacey and Jonathan,

How about we post proposed list here 1st for feedback, before posting to Shira's attention? Maybe with a few extra?

I know that on some groups, they vote, but they have large active membership and involved moderators, which we don't so far. However, if there a few extra and if someone has read and found not as good as it seemed (sometimes despite being a big bestseller!), then maybe they'll say so. Forewarned is forearmed! 😃

I put in a friend request to Shira, and in that way I got to send a message about intent to come up with proposed reads. Hopefully she'll see, whether or not she accepts!

Are you thinking in terms of each us puts down twelve books that we would like to see in 2020?

Jonathan wrote: "Are you thinking in terms of each us puts down twelve books that we would like to see in 2020?"

Nope. I think only a few would do it, although several people have been giving suggestions. Stacey and I have been bouncing off each other to come up with one. Will then propose & get input. How's that sound?

Sounds good. I will put up my suggestions soon.

Book suggestions:
Catch 67 by Micha Goodman
The German Girl by Armando Lucas Corea
The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon by Richard Zimler
Spies of No Country by Matti Friedman
Winds of War by Herman Wouk

Thanks

Book suggestion: Barbara Ostfeld's memoir, Catbird: The Ballad of Barbi Prim is fantastic. She's the first ordained female cantor in 3,000 years of Jewish history. There are over 40 rave reader reviews on Amazon already, with descriptions like "life-changing," "tour-de-force," and similar superlatives.

Thank you for the suggestion. I believe I heard her speak at a conference.

Stacey wrote: "Thank you for the suggestion. I believe I heard her speak at a conference."

Could be -- from her website, it looks like she's speaking at events all over the country.

Jonathan wrote: "Book suggestions:
Catch 67 by Micha Goodman
The German Girl by Armando Lucas Corea
The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon by Richard Zimler
Spies of No Country by Matti Friedman
Winds of War by Herman Wouk
..."

Thank you, Jonathan.
Winds of War and its sequel were formative for me. Would people jump in to discuss, even if read it in the past? Would you? i guess I would!

Todd wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Thank you for the suggestion. I believe I heard her speak at a conference."

Could be -- from her website, it looks like she's speaking at events all over the country."

Second time Catbird has gotten on my radar!

To Winds of War, not sure how many people under the age of 50 are familiar with Wouk. Coupled with his passing and the conversation of possibly adding a classic to the mix, I thought it was a good time to suggest. I also thought about War and Remembrance but I felt reading the second book before the first was wrong. For me personally it has been twenty years since I read the book but I would reread again if it was a monthly selection.

Jonathan wrote: "To Winds of War, not sure how many people under the age of 50 are familiar with Wouk. Coupled with his passing and the conversation of possibly adding a classic to the mix, I thought it was a good ..."

Oh, yes--the 1st one 1st. It is a good idea; has been a long time.

I would as well. Cried through both of them.
But, remember- its a long book.

No denying that.

Here's the proposed list of suggested books for 2020 -- a book a month -- based on our suggestions and on debating back and forth with Stacey. For three of the items I've listed two books, so in those cases, take a look and say which you prefer.

Next I'll start a new discussion thread to bring the list to Shira's attention, and hopefully she'll enter these books, since as moderator, only she can do so -- and she has done it since 2015!

1. The Huntress by Kate Quinn "fun," available at a good price OR Have You Seen Luis Velez? by Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of Pay It Forward, sweet message
2. Dora Bruder by Patrick Modiano, 2014 Nobel winner, more accessible than his earliest books
3. Eternal Life by Dara Horn, who loves and supports Jews & Judaism without the typical politics
4. Spies of No Country: Secret Lives at the Birth of Israel by Matti Friedman--will be out in paperback early next year
5. Literary Murder by Batya Gur, a classic of Israeli crime fiction
6. Lake Success by Gary Shteyngart, youngish literary lion OR The Ruined House by Ruby Namdar, last Israeli expat to win the Israel Prize b/c they changed the rules after he won
7. The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon by Richard Zimler OR The Last Jew by Noah Gordon
8. A Bintel Brief: Love and Longing in Old New York a graphic memoir/thought piece by New Yorker cartoonist Liana Finck
9. Button Man by Andrew Gross, historical mystery/thriller
10. The Winds of War by Herman Wouk, 1st volume of his WWII classic
11. Mavericks, Mystics & False Messiahs: Episodes from the Margins of Jewish History
12. He, She and It by Marge Pearcy, classic sci fi

It's harder than it may seem to come up with a list, so I hope it meets with your general approval and also that Shira will pick up on it.
Best,
Jan

Hi Jan, I would vote for The Huntress, Lake Success and The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon.