Something Literarily Different

I ask you seriously: does anybody read books anymore? No, really – I mean it; I want to know. Please tell me, when was the last time you forwent picking up the paper (or clicking on a news website) to read all the deplorable news and opted instead to plop down in a comfy chair and read a book? I mean fiction, for the fun of it.

Oh, I can hear the hemming and hawing already. It’s true, isn’t it? Most of you don’t read books for fun anymore. And yet, I truly believe that there are lots of people who wouldn’t mind losing themselves in a good book now and again. It is escapism, all that reading about fictional characters and worlds unknown. And that can be such a strong draw – especially when reality bites as harshly as it does these days. It’s just that, well, where would you begin to find the right book?

That’s why I decided to write this blog – to help others find a book that just might help them forget about all their ‘cares and woes’ for a little while. Does that sound tempting? I hope so.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t pretend to be an expert[1], I simply love reading. I also love writing book reviews. It is one of my hobbies, along with: being a mediocre (but slowly improving) bowler on the Jerusalem league; a fairly good cook and an above average baker (original recipes may follow) and; a chocolate gourmet (NOT an addict – recommendations also may follow).

Just so you know, I cannot promise that all the books I review here will be on Israeli or Jewish subjects, but some of them will. I hope that my reviews will be even-handed. Knowing how difficult it is to write a novel, I always strive to find the positives in anything I read. However, I won’t hold back my criticism if I find fault with a book.

Most importantly, I hope you will come along for the read!

[1] Okay, so I did study English literature, creative writing and journalism in my youth, but I’m not young anymore.