Books Read April & May 2019

B”H

You thought I forgot!? No, but where does the time go? We’re in June already! Kids out of school!? Crazy. But, did you read the book I did tell you about in this post, The Latte Factor? Hmmm, what exactly are you waiting for? By the way it’s SUCH an easy read, it makes for a perfect vacation book to read by the beach. I’m serious! (Oh and I made my two oldest kids read it too! And they did!) So, aside from that book, here’s what I tackled during April & May. Totally diverse, and some interesting titles there… (And btw, I did end up finishing The Ultimate Jew)

Dear Libby, Will You Answer My Questions About Friendship by Libby Kiszner

I bought this book initially for my 11 year old daughter and I think I enjoyed it more than her! It’s based on questions that the author received in her many years as a columnist for the Dear Libby column in Mishpacha Magazine. The book is grouped by topics and I thought it was delightful and insightful. It would make a nice gift for a teenager. In fact, my daughter told me that after reading it, she emailed her friend who has been having a hard time lately with some friends, and suggested the book for her. I thought that was super sweet and a pretty good endorsement. The author will be on Jewish Latin Princess Podcast soon, actually. So, stay tuned for that interview!

Early Years: The Formative Years of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson by Elkhana Shmotkin

I have to thank my son for this one. He bought it for himself and told me I should read it. I couldn’t put it down and I’m not much of a history buff. Granted, it is my Rebbe, so I’m personally interested, but I thought it was fascinating and so incredibly well researched. Highly recommend. It would also make a beautiful gift as it’s almost the size of a coffee table book and the design and way the information is presented is beautiful.

Let My Nation Go by Yosef Deutch

It was Passover back then, so yup, my son made me read it! If you like historical novels, you will like it, as anything else in the “Let My Nation…” series by Yosef Deutch. They’re all great for young readers and adults too.

Inside Secrets to the Craft of Writing by Shifra Devorah Witt

I was cleaning my office for Passover and found this small book that my friend had written years ago on my bookcase. I lost contact with her for many years, but thanks to the internet, over the past year we’ve been back in touch when I went to Israel this past winter, we got to meet up. She’s a writing coach. So, when I held the book in my hand, I wondered, “Yael, did you ever read this?” Well, guess what, back then I had very little babies, plus a few moves happened, life went by and I don’t think I had ever read the book! So I grabbed the book from the bookcase and read it! I’m happy that I did! I actually enjoyed it very much and it made me want to be part of one of her writing workshops! So, super cool! Sadly, I couldn’t find it on amazon. But if you’re curious to learn more about Shifra Devorah and her writing workshops and coaching, let me know, and I will put you in touch with her.

The Rational Bible: Genesis by Dennis Prager

I received an email from someone in Mr. Prager’s team and I was delighted. I like Mr. Prager’s work with Prager University and the like, and I was delighted that they offered me a copy of his new book. I hadn’t read any of his books, and I’m happy to have gotten the chance. This new work goes through every verse in Genesis with his insights, which are primarily lessons to be learned in the context of, and applicable to, our society today in 2019. I think it’s fascinating and definitely an important work. I’m halfway through it and so far I’m definitely enjoying it and appreciating the insights. I’ll try to report with a more thorough review later this month, as hopefully I’d be finished by then.

I’ve also been reading Pirke Avot (Ethics of our Fathers) every Shabbat, as is the custom to do so between Pesach and Shavuot. My two favorite books to use for this at the moment are this one and this one:

Finally, now I’m working on The Next Millionaire Next Door: Enduring Strategies for Building Wealth

This is the new version of a classic that came out back in the late 1990’s (The Millionaire Next Door) and I’m enjoying it very much. I think you know I love everything having to do with personal finance, especially when it intersects with human behavior and psychology, so while I haven’t finished the book, I can tell I will enjoy it.

What’s waiting for me on my nightstand to tackle in June?

I just heard that one of our favorite library branches has finally re-opened! It had closed down after it flooded during Hurricane Harvey. This means that we will get to visit a few times this summer before camp starts! Yay!

Ok, what about you? Anything interesting I should tackle this summer? Do share!

The Latte Factor

Books Read in March 2019

Books Read in February 2019

Books Read in January