My Year in Jewish Books

StarFor the past three years, I’ve found it useful (and kind of fun) to look back on “my year in Jewish books.” So, borrowing some of the same introductory wording, I’m going to attempt to do something similar for 2014.

Reviewing my reading for 2014 (thank you, Goodreads!), I can see that I do not and would not ever limit my reading to “Jewish books” exclusively; it seems that this list comprises about half of the titles I read this year in toto. (By the way, in case you haven’t heard me say this before, I define “Jewish books” in the simplest terms as books with substantive Jewish content. In my view, non-Jewish authors can write “Jewish books.” And Jewish authors can write books that don’t strike me as overtly Jewish.)

But this year, as usual, I did read quite a few books that fall within the “Jewish book” category. And, as an advocate for Jewish literature, I’m proud of that.

Below, you will find these books presented in the order in which I read them (most recent first, this year). Please note that, where appropriate, I have included links to reviews, essays, and newsy items I have written; interviews I have conducted; “Sunday Sentence” citations; and the odd blog post. I have also disclosed how I obtained each book: P (purchase), R (complimentary review copy), L (library). This year, I’m adding a category: FTB, for books I’ve read in manuscript prior to their release from Fig Tree Books in my job as FTB media editor.

7 thoughts on “My Year in Jewish Books

  1. Maggie Anton says:

    Thanks for reminding me of the Jewish books I somehow never got around to reading this year, especially “Hare with the Amber Eyes.” Maybe you’ll get some of my books on your list in 2015.

    1. Erika Dreifus says:

      Hope so, Maggie!

  2. Nina says:

    What a list! Impressive!

    1. Erika Dreifus says:

      Well, interesting, certainly! Some of these books I wholeheartedly loved, while others troubled me…well, you know how it is!

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