August Jewish Book Carnival

Welcome to the August the Jewish Book Carnival, a monthly event where bloggers who blog about Jewish books can meet, read and comment on each others' posts.

The carnival was started by Heidi Rabinowitz and Marie Cloutier to build community among bloggers and blogs who feature Jewish books. For more information about the Jewish Book Carnival, click here. 

This month I'm proud to host. I feel as though I should say something profound about the War, about living in Israel post-October 7, about the month of Av and Tisha B'Av specifically. But over and above fasting, I was up on and off all night checking the news in anticipation of an Iranian attack. Instead, I'll link to a recent interview with the Canadian Zionist Forum: "What's changed in Israel since October 6? Everything – everything has changed".

And I'll point out these beautiful photos I took of Tel Aviv's new tayelet (promenade), Tel Baruch. 

On to the Carnival: 

First up, on her blog, Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb, Deborah interviewed Chatham Greenfield about their new YA novel, Time and Time Again.

Just in time for "Back to School," The Book of Life Podcast discusses the State of Middle Grade Literature with librarian Karen Jensen and author Chris Baron.

The Association of Jewish Libraries has announced the Fall 2024 Holiday Highlights list, recommending the best new children's books about Jewish holidays, including Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, and Hanukkah.

The Sydney Taylor Shmooze mock award blog reviews Jewish children's books year round. Here's a review of a touching and impactful new middle grade novel, Not Nothing by Gayle Forman.

In the Tel Aviv Review of Books, novelist Jessamyn Hope is in conversation with Janice Weizman about reading Jewish-themed novels after October 7th.

At Jewish Books for Kids and More, Barbara Bietz interviews Gayle Forman about her new middle grade novel, NOT NOTHING. Jewish Books for Kids and More

On her My Machberet blog, Erika Dreifus has gathered an array of current calls and competitions that seek to recognize Jewish writing.

On gilagreenwrites, I was delighted to welcome back fellow writer in Israel, Jennifer Lang to discuss her second memoir, Landed. Find out what guilt, shame, recreation, the Hebrew language and more represent in her new book.