Our Very Unique Book Club

In all honesty, I can't remember how long we've had our Shiloh Book Club, officially called "Book Bliss," but I was involved from day one. A new "Anglo" moved to Shiloh and felt the need for a book club to help make friends and talk BOOKS.

We've survived COVID lockdown and now a war... Here's more of the story...

Our Book Club started run like most others. We'd meet monthly, late in the evening, and we all had to read the same book. Then came... complaints...

There were two subjects for complaints. One was that the meetings was too late, and another was that it was too early, some members were hungry, because they hadn't had time to eat dinner.

So we came up with a great idea, Potluck Dinner! We started meeting a couple of hours earlier, and each brought something delicious to eat for all. Usually we'd end up with a healthy and balanced meal, though on occasion it may have been too heavy on the desserts, but who's complaining... As time went on we've ended up bringing the same sorts of food each month. My specialty is baked vegetables, including a special version for a neighbor who needs it cooked differently.

The second problem was the logistics of finding and sharing around the assigned book each month. In addition not all members manage to read a book a month.

We're all different ages, including some over a decade older than I am. Everyone is welcome, so we decided that it would be better to have a more flexible "book." We choose a genre or author, and we are very happy with that. For example, these children's books on the left were what I read for poetry. 

Another change we made was that each month a member is in charge of choosing the genre and facilitating the meeting. It's working for us.

We began by meeting in different homes, but, since some members can't walk up and down stairs, that limited the amount of suitable homes. Luckily there's a Women's Center* in my neighborhood, which is very easily accessible. Now that our numbers have grown, it's better than our homes. Plus the hostess's husband doesn't have to hide out.

Friends in nearby communities who've heard about our book club joined us. In Shiloh we have a nice group of English speakers and were happy to welcome them.

If you'd like more information, please feel free to contact me via the comments.

*It's officially called: The Inner Circle Women's Center Shilo and funded by donations from here and abroad.

Book Club Update, Monthly Genres, Successful

Last night was the monthly meeting of our Book Club, which we also turned into a Surprise Belated Birthday Party for the member who started this wonderful group.

I'm not quite sure how long we've been following this program. After a very rocky start, we added a potluck dinner to the evening, which seems to be the magic ingredient, at least for us. In the beginning we got together around 8:30pm, which meant that some members hadn't quite had dinner and were hungry, while others were tired and ready for bed.  As a creative solution we decided to meet earlier and eat dinner together before getting to the business of books. Potluck dinner in different homes made everyone happy, except for the hostess's husband, but later on we found a solution to that, too.

Another problem was the logistics of getting enough copies of the chosen book...

After the forced COVID break, which we unsuccessfully tried to compensate for via zoom, we changed the program even further. Instead of everyone reading the same book, we choose a genre/author and give each other the freedom for what we'll call individuality. One of the members told me that she had been a member of conventional book clubs and found it boring, listening to repetitive opinions from members at each meeting.

Last week the genre was "animals," which, when suggested, elicited a groan from me. I don't like animals; reading about animal lovers/stories isn't my thing. The only "animal book" I've ever enjoyed was Seabiscuit, because it's more about the people, but I couldn't find my copy.  Instead I saw the movie on DVD, but then I realized that the title of the book I had just read is At the Hour Between Dog and Wolf which does mention two animals. The title is a metaphor, and the book is fantastic. It belongs in the genre of Holocaust (which we have done) and coming of age. So, I decided to present it and recommend it highly. I still have to review it, but I'll say right here that it's definitely a book that can be the subject for a conventional book club that chooses one book to discuss. It's a novel by Tara Ison, and if you're looking for a great book, it has my vote. I hope to get the review done before Passover, if not...

The PROPHETESS, A Book Review

Evonne Marzouk's The PROPHETESS is an amazing book that slowly draws one in until it can't be put down. Even though it was written more for teens and marketed for that age group, I truly enjoyed reading it.

We follow Rachel, her family and friends as she discovers her destiny. There are no goody-goodies, as the characters are all drawn realistically with good points, bad points and problems. Rachel lives in an ordinary suburban neighborhood with all sorts of people, Jews religiously observant and not along with non-Jews. Rachel's parents, though both Jewish, have different attitudes towards their religion. Rachel's mother's father was very religious and influences their home, even after his death. The last thing Rachel ever expects is her destiny as a prophetess. And nothing is simple.

The PROPHETESS leaves us with a few incomplete storylines, so I'm hoping for a sequel. What was the turning point in Rachel's mother's life, and what happens to Rachel's three best friends Maya, Chris and Jake? Nu, Evonne, hint, HINT!

The PROPHETESS is the perfect gift for readers of all ages, including yourself. It can be ordered on Amazon hardcover or Kindle. 

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bancroft Press (October 16, 2019)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 161088504X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1610885041
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 - 18 years
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ 10 - 12
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.25 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9 inches

• Best Sellers Rank: #1,005,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #79 in Teen & Young Adult Jewish Fiction

• Customer Reviews: 
  4.7 out of 5 stars    27 ratings

A New Format For Our Book Club

Last night we had another meeting of the Book Club, with a tasty, filling pot luck dinner. Dessert was scones with all the trimmings. So obviously we would have considered the evening a great success even if the discussion part had been a bust.

This meeting was the most ambitious so far of our new framework. We had been given (actually I think it was my idea) a rather open assignment. Read any book written by Herman Wouk, and as the date of the meeting got closer, I, as facilitator, loosened the requirement a bit. I told the participants that they could even watch one of his books as a movie or see one of the tv shows he had  written or was based on a book of his.

Our custom is to eat first and then talk books. Who can really focus on books when sitting around a table heaped with great food?

As we polished off the scones, we began the meeting. If I remember correctly, first I gave a summary of Wouk's life and discussed his book that I had read, This Is My God, which is a very personal book. Wouk was an Orthodox Jew in a time when it seemed that Jewish Orthodoxy was a dying breed. So we also discussed the state of American Jewry in the mid-twentieth century, which shaped Wouk.

Then I asked everyone to state the book they had read and I wrote it all down. There was only one overlap; two read the Caine Mutiny.  Each member described her book, and what she thought of it. The two who had read Caine Mutiny had a mini-panel discussion. Then we talked about Wouk and what we had learned together. 

We all agreed that this new format is working for us. It's such a relief not to have to search for the same book and/or rush reading so it could be passed on to other members. Our next meeting with deal with a time in history, and we'll all have to find suitable books in the genre.

If you use any of our ideas or are a member of a book club, please let me know in the comments. Thanks

Back To "Pot Luck Dinner" Book Club, Thank Gd

 Last night I hosted our local Book Club.

The meeting was our second post-corona get-together, but the first time we got down to the business of literary book discussions. A couple of weeks earlier we just "partied," ate and hashed out how to best conduct meetings. 

Pre-corona our set meeting meant a book that all of were supposed to have read, usually facilitated by the same member. Some months it worked better than others. Buying, borrowing and sharing books can get complicated, even though a few members read most of their books on kindle. As we talked and ate, we realized that maybe we should change our meeting structure. On occasion we may manage to read the same book, but no longer always.

Our new plan is to choose monthly genres or authors. Each month a different member facilitates and decides on details. 

The member who facilitated last night wanted to read a couple of children's classics, Pollyanna and Anne of Green Gables. I had never read either of them before, not even as a child. I borrowed Pollyanna from her. I surprised myself by enjoying it. There was a lively discussion about the books. Not everyone read both, and a couple didn't read either one. We agreed that even though we liked the books, we couldn't see our grandchildren reading them. The Harry Potter generation can't relate to the low-tech lives and innocence of Anne and Pollyanna.

Next month's book is The Brigade : An Epic Story of Vengeance, Salvation, and WWII by Howard Blum. If I don't get a copy of the book, I'll try to research the history of the time.

I must admit that in the early days of our book club, we didn't have the pot luck dinner, and the club wasn't all that successful. Once we added the meal at an earlier hour and extra socializing, it really improved our meetings and attendance. I can't remember how many years our book club has been going on. Members are from Shiloh and nearby communities, and we're grandmothers and great-grandmothers, too.

There are book clubs all over the world which follow various "programs." We've even traded books with a few here in Israel. Not only do I enjoy the socializing and literary talk, but it has been good for me to stretch my reading to books I never would have touched if they hadn't been on our "list." What are your experiences with book clubs?

Fantastic Israeli Second Hand Book Store

When I was looking for English children's books as presents for my grandchildren, one of my daughters introduced me to REBOOKS, סיפור חוזר Sipur Chozer. REBOOKS is a chain with a few branches in Jerusalem. We went to the one in the center of town, 4 Shmuel Hanagid Street, Sunday-Thursday 8:30-16:00, Tel. 035341400 just above the Horse Park.

When we walked in a young man greeted us and took our names and phone numbers. He wrote them with the time we were in the store, so if Gd forbid anyone in at the same time would be diagnosed with corona  COVID-19, we can be notified easily.

You can see the hand sterilizer easily available, and everyone is masked.

The book shop is clean and well organized. I was extremely impressed by the large selection of English language books, even for young children.

To simplify things for customers and staff, all books cost NS20, though if you donate books you'll receive a coupon per book, allowing you to buy one for only NS15-

Rebooks calls themselves a "social bookstore chain," because it's actually a retraining/rehabilitation project for those recovering from psychiatric conditions.

I was very impressed by the service and told them I'd be recommending them to everyone.

One of My Favorite Books, Madeline, Filmed

I loved the book Madeline when I was a child. Like many, since it's in rhyme I had it memorized. And then I read it to my children.

And now I've read it for the public on facebook. This is the only way I can read to my grandchildren, now that we're in corona virus lock-down, a quasi-quarantine.


My plan is to read more books on facebook live. Tune in. I hope you enjoy.

Jewish Book Carnival: March 2019

If you like the genre of  Jewish books, a very broad one for sure, then click the Jewish Book Carnival: March 2019 and see what's offered.

To those of you who write and/or publish Jewish/Israeli books and need reviews, then contact the bloggers who are linked in the post. Most of us are always interested in getting new books to read and review.

My post reviewing Maybe Esther-A Family Story is included in the Jewish Book Carnival. I hope the round-up interests you in reading some of the books. Thanks to the bloggers who host it each month.

JEWISH BOOK CARNIVAL HQ

What are You Reading?

Besides the books for my local book club, A Man Called Ove is for the next meeting & I've already read it, I love reading Michael Connelly and Daniel Silva books.

Here's the one I'm reading now:

What are you reading?

Making Kitchen Progress, Who Wants These?

One of my tasks before redoing the kitchen, Gd willing, is to get rid of things that have been in it for decades, which I don't use.  And like many people, especially experienced and confident cooks, I don't open my old cookbooks.

Way back when I did love and utilize cookbooks, I'd frequently read them cover to cover and then internalize general principles. Except for cakes, I'd very rarely follow a recipe exactly. Besides eliminating or seriously reducing the amount of salt and other seasonings, it was usually impossible to find all of the ingredients in my pantry/kitchen. I became a "housewife" in late June,1970, and two months later we docked in Israel. Post-tzenna* Israel had plenty of food, but not all of the the ingredients in the American recipes.

My mother bought/sent me not only cookbooks, but lots of books about natural health, dieting, pregnancy and child-raising. I added many books and health/vegetarian magazines to the collection. But it has been a very long time, decades, since any of them have been opened and read. When I need a recipe, instead of taking down a few books, going through the index, putting small pieces of paper to mark the pages and then reading and comparing, I just check with Chef Google. Isn't that what almost everyone does?

So, as I've planned and envisioned my new kitchen, the bookshelves** will morph into my coffee corner. Gd willing in a few months, maybe by my next birthday, we'll be seeing my percolator, French Presses and coffee mugs on those shelves.

I've already given away more than half of the actual cookbooks. If anyone is interested in any of the remaining books, please come and get them.

*צנע tzenna or zenna, was the term for the austerity days of great financial difficulties and hardships in the early years of the State of Israel. The population grew dramatically, as Jews from all over the world hurried to our Historic Homeland. Basic food items were rationed, and families/citizens were given coupons to try to make it possible to share the limited supplies.

** That wall closet is to be re-doored with new formica to match the new cabinets on the other walls.

Bye, Bye Books

It may have been years since I have looked at any of the books here, mostly cookbooks and natural health books.

In my new kitchen, Gd willing, these shelves will be recycled and doored to hold percolator, French press, mugs and other thins I use daily.

If anyone wants some books, now is the time to come and take or arrange delivery.

Book Club, "City Boy"

Homemade pickles and bagels  

After a much too long summer hiatus, the local Shiloh Bloq "Book Bliss" Book Club met at my house last night. We had read City Boy by Herman Wouk quite a while ago, but due to the usual events and personal plans of summer and then Jewish Holiday seasons, it took us much too long to set a date to meet.

We always have a "potluck" dinner as part of the meeting. This time, besides the homemade pickles and bagels show above, we ate orange soup, salad, cheeses, flavored butters and totally irresistible eclairs. There was also some fantastic wine for the drinkers among us.

I feel extremely blessed to live near such a wonderful group of women. The conversation and social aspect of the group rivals the intellectual stimulation of the book discussion. Adding an early dinner to our meetings has enriched them enormously.  Some of us read the books from paper, while others use their kindles or audio versions. And sometimes for various reasons, we just can't get to or through the entire book, so cheat and google it.

Our next book is Humboldt's Gift. I must get a copy somehow.

What Books Have You Been Reading Lately?

One of my daughters got me started on some amazing police detective series, Harry Bosch/Mickey Haller by Michael Connelly and NYPD Red by James Patterson. I'm in total awe of the authors who can spin amazing tales with so many characters and details and even unexpected plot twists. I'm always trying to second guess them and predict what will be discovered, but it's very hard with these two mystery writers.

The main characters are also amazingly compelling, likable and very intelligent. In addition, the side plots are fascinating, too. Both authors build total worlds, especially Connelly,  who keeps adding new series based on characters first introduced in the Harry Bosch books. And the characters continue to interact. Yes, it's very much like real life.

I could never write fiction, especially with such complicated plot lines. I only once tried writing something fictional but got stuck very early on.

These books must be returned to my daughter- so she can pass them onto other series addicts fans- unlike most books I read which are "disposable." That means that I can just pass them to others. I'm not in the "book collection" business. Our house has a gazillion too many books.

And as you may have noticed from the photos of the books, I read real paper books, not kindle screens.

Another Reader!

Our 1st Grader granddaughter has joined us as a reader.

Yes, it's nice to know that she's on the right track.

And What Did I Do Instead of Blogging?

It was more than just the lack of blogging, when I didn't have internet in the house for my computer. Though I could receive and send emails on my phone and check facebook, the tiny phone screen and faux keyboard made typing a nightmare, especially for me who does "touch-typing."

Suddenly I wasn't spending time in the den. There's nothing to do in the den without internet. So I read some fun books and watched more television. What books? I read books from the Rizzoli & Isles series by Tess Gerritsen. I definitely recommend them.

Not blogging and not having internet wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be.

The world survived without reading my opinions on everything. And there are things I could have done on the computer that don't need internet, but I just did not feel like doing any of it. I guess I needed a break.

THE JERUSALEM INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR

Yes, THE JERUSALEM INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR! It has been our biennial treat since we made aliyah 36 years ago.

The 23rd biennial Jerusalem International Book Fair JIBF will take place from February 18-23, 2007.

This year, as it was the past couple of times, if I'm not mistaken, is free for the general public. It used to cost a lot, so we had to make a marathon day of it. In 1971(?) they offered an unlimited entrance deal. For a bit extra money, but it was worth it. My husband and I took turns going there, yes, on the same card I must admit. Then on the last day, we paid for "one more," so we could be there at the same time.

It used to be held the week before Pesach, so there were times I found it too difficult to leave home for the day. That's when the kids were little and we were in Shiloh. But the past few times, it has been around Purim or before.

Pre-internet, it was such a treat to see books and publications from all over the world and get newspapers and magazines for free. Now a lot of my reading time is spent sitting here at the computer.

Maybe it would be a good idea to
arrange a few f2f meeting for Israeli and jbloggers at the fair?