Pre-Shabbat Jewish Literary Links

The words "Jewish Lit Links" are printed over what appears to be a portion of a Torah scroll.
In which the My Machberet blog presents an array of Jewish-interest links, primarily of the literary variety.

  • As part of the Publishers Weekly fall “religion” overview, Howard Lovy offers an update on Jewish publishing (including kidlit).
  • Speaking of kidlit: That’s the emphasis in this piece by Arielle Kaden, on mirrors, windows, and Lesléa Newman’s Gittel’s Journey. (I’d argue, though, that the concept of mirrors and windows applies to literature for grown-ups, too.)
  • “The year is 1914. The world is on the verge of World War I. But it’s also a time of ideas, an era of enlightenment. Rachel Barenbaum’s immersive first novel, ‘A Bend in the Stars,’ follows sister and brother Miri and Vanya across the Russian empire in pursuit of an eclipse. Vanya is racing against time, and Albert Einstein himself, to prove the theory of relativity. To accomplish that feat, he must have access to pictures of the full eclipse that is happening just before Rosh Hashanah. It’s also the same time that Einstein was attempting to view the eclipse; he was eventually turned away at the Russian border.” Thus Judy Bolton-Fasman introduces a new Q&A with author Barenbaum.
  • The latest episode of the Tikvah podcast features Dara Horn discussing Eternal Life, her most recent novel.
  • And a sad note: Lucette Lagnado, perhaps best known for The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit, has passed away. May her memory be a blessing.
  • Shabbat shalom.