A joyful look at a year of Jewish holidays. The short descriptions of this collection function almost as free-verse poems. They capture a bit of the eA joyful look at a year of Jewish holidays. The short descriptions of this collection function almost as free-verse poems. They capture a bit of the emotion and history behind each holiday, and the slender volume would function well both for very young Jewish children and for non-Jews who have never been introduced to these holidays. Don't look for great depth of information here, but if you would like a charming and informational account that conveys a sense of childlike wonder, you won't be disappointed....more
There was a great deal of information here, and I learnt a lot about the physical properties of the sea and the way it has been described through the There was a great deal of information here, and I learnt a lot about the physical properties of the sea and the way it has been described through the centuries. This region is important to the Abrahamic faiths, and I like that the book touched on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in its analysis. I like the way the authors tied history to modern archeological findings; I am glad for the diversity of the primary sources quoted; and I think the authors did a good job of presenting such a complicated subject in a way that is clear and straightforward. I appreciated the chance to learn about even the unpleasant elements of its history, such as the devastation wrought upon the Jews of the region. Parts of this book were utterly horrifying. I have heard that this book has excellent pictures, but I cannot comment on them, as I only read the audio version. This is not a terribly long book, so it does not go into great depth on any particular subject connected to the Dead Sea, but it does offer a strong overview, and it made me curious to learn more....more
Haunting, evocative, tragic. A perfect pairing of poetry and illustrations, this little book captures the crushing tragedy of the Holocaust while stilHaunting, evocative, tragic. A perfect pairing of poetry and illustrations, this little book captures the crushing tragedy of the Holocaust while still acknowledging—even celebrating—the Jewish people, their faith, and their history....more
What did I think? I loved it! Beautiful, melancholic, poignant, vast in scope—it was everything it needed to be.
Stuff it does well: • The first book wWhat did I think? I loved it! Beautiful, melancholic, poignant, vast in scope—it was everything it needed to be.
Stuff it does well: • The first book was an immigrant tale, too, but this, in many ways, does a stellar job of showing some of the long-term difficulties of making a home in a new land. The first book’s conflicts were more immediate, whereas this book shows more long-term issues, as well as the strain on families and children. • The timeline. The first book described some events that all happened in pretty short order. This book, however, takes many years to unfold. This gives Wecker a bit more latitude as she explores the characters' relationships over time. (It also gives her a chance to work in a few significant events from history . . . ) • Character development. Any sequel ought to expand the characters. It ought to let them grow a bit, and it should give the readers a chance to see these characters in a whole new light. This does that, not just with Chava and Ahmad, but with the supporting characters, too. • Historical detail. Some big events from the early 20th century are woven into this story, such as the sinking of Titanic and the tensions of WWI. Smaller details are worked in as well, little touches that add a great deal to the tale.
Stuff that disappoints: • Some of the conflict felt a little forced. Chava and Ahmad are a couple for much of this tale, but we never get to see them in a supportive relationship. They never feel like a team, they way there were in the first story. They argue all the time, and it’s about things that would be resolved easily if the characters would just talk to each other. These magical beings who never sleep spend hour after hour together every day but don’t ever talk about their feelings. I suppose it’s possible, but it just feels, well, contrived. I won’t give any spoilers here, but it does fall into that sequel trap of having minor problems become major for really no reason. There are genuine threats at different parts of the story, and the plot is sprinkled with some legit sorrowful and poignant moments, but there are also so many instances when the bad stuff gets dragged on too long, when if only Character A had told Character B about xyz, the whole thing could have been cleared up a lot sooner. • The epilogue. Again, no specific spoilers, but it’s very open-ended, and it raises a bunch of questions. Not sure it was necessary. I had the distinct impression she was trying to set things up for a third installment, although as far as I know, this is a duology.
Final thoughts: • The tone is great. It’s been a while since I read the first one, but I think this book’s style is a great match. It seems to blend seamlessly with its predecessor, and it picks up right where the first left off. • Different enough focus to justify itself. This isn’t just a re-hash. The first book told of the Golem and the Jinni coming to New York and making a life in a new country. It led up to an intense climax in which they had to face the main villain. This book, however, isn’t about a single life-changing event, such as arriving somewhere new. It’s about living with the consequences of such an event. In the first book, Chava and Ahmad needed to survive. Here, they need to find a way to live a meaningful life in a rapidly changing foreign land. There is no villain, no final showdown—just a handful of characters over the course of 15 years looking for meaning and purpose. It all leads to connection. Instead of building to a big life-and-death battle, the real climax of this story happen as the characters come together and watch out for each other. It’s a beautiful culmination of much of the novel’s conflict.
This well-researched book provides a great deal of historical background for the events of the first Christmas as described in the Gospel accounts. AlThis well-researched book provides a great deal of historical background for the events of the first Christmas as described in the Gospel accounts. Although it is a relatively short book that doesn’t have much depth, it nevertheless covers a very broad range of topics connected to the Christmas story. It pieces together likely possibilities from a variety of sources, which it cites clearly. Maier writes in an engaging style, and maps, charts, and full-color photographs make for a charming reading experience....more
William Shatner is a larger-than-life persona, and this humorous memoir will tell you exactly what you need to know to understand Shatner. Here is a lWilliam Shatner is a larger-than-life persona, and this humorous memoir will tell you exactly what you need to know to understand Shatner. Here is a list of simple rules—wisdom gained from his 80 years of life experience—that will guide you on a path of Shatneresque glory. All kidding aside, this book is funny. The writing is good, and the audio narration provided by Shatner is on point. There is a down-to-earth element, which sometimes competes with the overblown egocentrical element, and even here, Shatner is very self-aware and somewhat tongue-in-cheek. He shows the complicated relationship between “William Shatner” and just “Bill.” He talks about his life, his career, his family, his personality, his mistakes, and his achievements. He sort of pokes fun at, and at the same time revels in, his “big shiny ego.” Part memoir, part celebration, part inspiration—and with perfect comedic timing....more
This was an interesting book with vivid characters. The chapters are told in alternating perspectives from Maggie and Edith, two women whose lives areThis was an interesting book with vivid characters. The chapters are told in alternating perspectives from Maggie and Edith, two women whose lives are turned upside down by Liza's suicide. As they learn to trust each other, secrets are revealed and friendships forged. I kept turning pages until the end, and I certainly enjoyed the journey. I liked the in-depth look at the different characters—they feel nuanced and very real. I also like this book's approach to mental illness and Alzheimer's disease; they are real problems with no easy solutions, and this book was brave enough to acknowledge their complexities. A story of death, life, and hope....more
This author is skilled with words, and he has a good sense of comedic timing. If he'd wanted to, he might have written a volume of dry humor that coulThis author is skilled with words, and he has a good sense of comedic timing. If he'd wanted to, he might have written a volume of dry humor that could rival Douglas Adams.
But he was trying for something very different.
This is a very well-written book, for what it is, but I really didn't care for it. I found the content to be too over-the-top for dry humor, and too uncomfortable for pleasure reading. I know that this is more a matter of personal likes and dislikes, and certainly there will be people out there who won't be troubled by the content and can just hang on and enjoy the ride. But I didn't like the characters, who were all incredibly promiscuous and just assumed that everyone was the same. I didn't care for the characters who would commit adultery and borderline-incest (with graphic descriptions), objectify sexy females as though they were a piece of meat to be devoured, and be dismissive of their families and even their own children. It just left me cold. It is not unlike the raucous sort of fabliau that Chaucer used, and I'm sure it's intentional, but it is not the kind of story that I could lose myself in. It was an uncomfortable world to visit.
Yes, the family is messed up, and yes, they are very much aware of their shortcomings. To its credit, the book handles the characterizations well: the main characters are introspective and show legitimate development. They change and grow. They are also interesting people, with strengths and weaknesses. No cliches, no boring flat characters--the author is very intelligent and has obviously put a lot of thought into fleshing out the story. This book also avoids the trap of having one self-righteous character judge the others. This family is trying to figure things out together, and that's a nice dynamic. But I still found it to be disturbing. It makes me wonder if people are really that cold and selfish in real life.
PS, All of the sex in the story is described, vividly, from the male's point of view. Maybe this was meant more for guys to read?...more
This book is amazing. The characters are well-developed, the plot is intricate, and this seamless blend of two completely different mythological figurThis book is amazing. The characters are well-developed, the plot is intricate, and this seamless blend of two completely different mythological figures from two different cultures kept me turning pages until the very end. Powerful and beautiful, and completely unlike anything I've ever read before....more
This is NOT a feel-good Christmas story. It's not even a happy story.
But if you're in the mood for a chilling, unsettling, thought-provoking holiday taThis is NOT a feel-good Christmas story. It's not even a happy story.
But if you're in the mood for a chilling, unsettling, thought-provoking holiday tale that gives a realistic picture of human nature, then you've come to the right place.
To say anything more would be to spoil the best parts of the tale. Read it. Enjoy it. It's by Daphne du Maurier, and it's great....more
Very well-written account of the Nazi regime and the cultures and peoples they devastated. This book is very informative; I'd never read a Holocaust aVery well-written account of the Nazi regime and the cultures and peoples they devastated. This book is very informative; I'd never read a Holocaust atlas before, and after seeing the many different types of information presented, I don't know why books like this aren't more common. I could see specific figures and statistics by country; I saw maps showing the locations of camps, ghettos, and uprisings; some maps showed the journeys of specific people, e.g. Anne Frank and Kitty Hart; some maps showed the popular routes followed by thousands trying to escape persecution. There were also many many photographs, sobering and horrifying. Everyone should read this book....more
I really enjoyed this book. I'm giving it five stars, but I really should add a disclaimer: the five stars are not to be taken as an endorsement of evI really enjoyed this book. I'm giving it five stars, but I really should add a disclaimer: the five stars are not to be taken as an endorsement of every joke. Some jokes are in poor taste, and some I just didn't get. That said, so many of the jokes that I *did* get were so side-splittingly funny that they were well worth the ones that fell flat. I can't remember when I had such an enjoyable time reading a book. I laughed out loud so often, reading by myself, that I was half afraid my family would hear me from the other room and have me committed....more
**spoiler alert** This book tells of a little girl who gains the attention from her parents that she has always craved when it is discovered that she **spoiler alert** This book tells of a little girl who gains the attention from her parents that she has always craved when it is discovered that she has a gift for spelling. Her family, which was already dysfunctional, spirals more and more out of control: (view spoiler)[her brother, who had been a devout rabbi-to-be, converts to Harre Krishna; her mother is sent to a mental institution; and her father pushes her deeper and deeper into an obscure branch of Jewish mysticism, living vicariously through her efforts (hide spoiler)]. I honestly wouldn't recommend this book. While the characters are engaging and multi-faceted, the tension in the family is grating, and the book is deeply disturbing. Moreover, I think that the narrative itself could have used more editing. It seems like the author took two unrelated concepts -- spelling and mysticism -- and shoehorned them together into the same book. It turns out that the author had studied this particular mystic in college, which would explain her own fascination with him and his concepts, but I feel that it hurts her story overall. Just my two cents....more
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