- About
- JBook Blogs!
- Books
- Bible & Midrash
- eBooks
- New Releases
- Biography & Memoirs
- Children & Young Adults
- Classic Backlist
- Ethics & Philosophy
- General Reference & Cultural Studies
- Health, Medicine and Family
- History, Holocaust and Zionism
- Holidays
- Jewish Theology & Law
- Literature & Jewish Classics
- Sephardic Interest
- Women’s Interest
- Donate
Posts Tagged trends
Delayed E-Book Releases – Smart or Annoying?
Posted by Sarah in Jewish Books, Publishing on January 5, 2010
No one can deny it. The e-book is here and it’s here to stay. Whether you’re for or against the e-reader doesn’t change the heart of the matter. The question now is how will the publishing industry adapt to the advent of such a new and exciting technology?
Many are concerned that as devices like Kindle, Nook, and the Sony Reader continue to take over the reading world, printed books will cease to exist. A very scary thought.
So, what is the publishing industry to do?
Well, if you’re Simon & Schuster, you’ve already thought of a solution. The question is, is it the right one? In an effort to address new technologies while continuing to sell printed materials, Simon & Schuster has decided to delay the sale of their publications’ e-books, only making them available four months after the initial hardcover release. And, they’re not the only ones, with companies like HarperCollins and Hachette Book Group following suit.
So, is this an ingenious plan or a childish antic?
Some believe that this makes sense. Wait a few months, let the printed version sell, and then release the e-book for those who desperately want it for their electronic devices. That way, everyone wins. As Simon & Schuster spokesman Adam Rothberg states,
We understand that there is an urge with digital media to have it more, faster, now. We’re trying to hit upon a happy medium.
But, some don’t agree. They argue that waiting to release an e-book version doesn’t cater to what the public wants most. Instead, these people believe that publishers are sticking to an antiquated system of scheduled releases (hardcover first, paperback second, etc) that doesn’t fit with the public’s desire. And, after all, aren’t the customers’ needs supposed to be priority #1?
Whether you agree with the publishers’ plan or not, be prepared to wait a little while for the e-book version of some of 2010’s exciting new releases. And remember, it’s not so bad. Reading print books is still an experience all its own!
-Sarah
The Apple Tablet – Amazing? Or Another Nail in the Coffin?
Posted by Sarah in Publishing, Uncategorized on December 1, 2009
I should start off by being completely honest. I’m a Mac. I’ve only ever owned Apple computers and iPods, and that’s the way I like it. So, as the rumors of the Apple Tablet continue to swirl through the technology realm, one must assume that if true, I will be an immediate fan. The thing is, I’m not so sure. Of everything I’ve read, the Tablet really just seems like a bigger iPod Touch.
Which makes me wonder. What’s the point?
As an iPod Touch owner, I’m very satisfied with what I have, so why would I switch to something larger?
It seems that the answer lies in the explosion of e-reading devices. Assumedly, Apple is creating a bigger screen to making reading easier. So, now we get to my dilemma. I love Apple, but I’m not sold on e-readers. I like print books – the feel of paper and the idea of holding something tangible. And the battle between print and digital media rages on. Will the Tablet be just another reason for people to shift from print books to e-materials? Who knows? For now though, no worries. Apple hasn’t officially announced the Tablet yet, which gives me more time to figure out whether I’ll want one.
One thing’s for sure, it’s bound to be cool.
-Sarah
Foer’s Common Thread: Death and Accountability
Posted by Sarah in Jewish Books, Uncategorized on November 18, 2009
As you might remember from a while back, I think Jonathan Safran Foer is a great writer. His style is lyrical, emotionally-packed, subtle, and infused with a much-needed humor, making his writing something that people can sink into. So, it’s no surprise that I am of fan of Foer’s novels, but what will I think of his newest work – a nonfiction book called Eating Animals?
Oddly enough, I first heard of Foer’s new book in a public statement made by Natalie Portman a few weeks. Random, I know. At the time, I remember being really surprised. In my mind, I had cataloged Foer as a novelist, so to find out that he had written a nonfiction piece threw me off. While he’s named main characters after himself, this is the first time Foer has truly written as himself. The words are his and no longer protected by the veil of fiction.
In an attempt to understand, I tried to find some parallels between his works. In a nutshell, Eating Animals attempts to reveal the violence behind the use of animals as food, thereby discouraging the eating of animals. Surely a fictional piece about the Holocaust and its aftermath (Everything is Illuminated) has no relation to a work promoting vegetarianism, right?
Wrong.
Despite being nonfiction, Eating Animals addresses the same things as Foer’s previous novels – horror, violence, and accountability. Only this time, the subject is blunt, unclouded by fictional plot lines and characters, leaving readers with no doubts as to the author’s intentions. In his writing, Foer raises the point that we are accountable for the violence inflicted on animals. He explains,
Those alive today are the generations that came to know better. We are the ones of whom it will be fairly asked, What did you do when you learned the truth about eating animals?
His mode of communication may be different but his message is the same as some of those raised in his earlier works. We are accountable! The decisions we make have consequences, and whether discussing the Holocaust or the meat-eating people of the world, we cannot deny that human beings share responsibility for many of the horrors around us.
The real question is, will people switch to vegetarianism as a result of this book? Who knows? But, given the fact that I think Foer is an amazing Jewish writer, I recommend checking out Eating Animals. Once you’ve finished, see how it affects you!
If you want to find out more about Eating Animals, check out Keith Meatto’s review at The Forward!
-Sarah
The National Book Awards – celebrating reading in the ipod age
Posted by Naomi in Publishing on November 15, 2009
Back in September, New York City played host to the illustrious Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. I didn’t blink an eye. (What do I know about Jimmy Choos? I’m more of a flip-flops girl…) This week, though, the book world descends upon the Big Apple. And I’m getting very excited!
Now, I don’t think that I can really afford to attend the $1000 a plate dinner at the prestigious National Book Awards ceremony on November 18th (I also don’t think that they’d appreciate gate crashers). So I’ll probably have to content myself with checking out how the nominees stack up (you can read more about them here), and keeping an eye on the Publisher’s Weekly website to see who’s won.
With book reading on the decline across the nation, it’s nice to have big, annual events like the National Book Awards – or the National Jewish Book Awards, the American Library Association Awards, the Pulitzer Prize… – to remind the public that there are still great books out there, waiting to be read. In an age where portable devices allow us to watch movies on the go, where television programs can be streamed over the internet, and where the average attention span seems to have been reduced to -
- Hey! Over here! I’m not done yet… as I was saying, in an age where your average American no longer seems willing to sit still for long enough to read an actual book, it’s good to remind people that great literature didn’t end with The Great Gatsby. Great literature and powerful works of nonfiction are still being churned out every day, folks. The National Book Awards give us a moment to recognize that.
Now all we need to do is go the next step beyond recognizing that great books are still being published today, and actually get out and read them!
So if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with my paperback.
-Naomi
Become Your Own Book Critic
Posted by Sarah in Jewish Books, Publishing on October 22, 2009
Imagine it. A place where social networking combines with books – creating one of the largest communal book groups in existence. When I heard that such a place existed, I was so excited. What better combination could there be 
for someone like me, who works with social media and books everyday? My only disappointment is that it took me almost three years to discover this place. So, for all of you out there who have yet to stumble upon this site and hear about it from friends, allow me to invite you into the world of Goodreads!
It all started a week or so ago when a friend of mine insisted that I join. When I asked her what it was all about, she told me about how members can indicate which books they are reading and have read in the past, and then review/rate their selections. The site includes millions of books for readers to rate, and even allows individuals to add books that the site may have missed. How cool is this?! You can make an entirely virtual library and share with other the greatest books you’ve ever read, along with the greatest duds. Delve into this site, and you’ll find books spanning numerous genres, allowing you to experience any type of writing you want!
Here’s the best part. You can find JPS books on Goodreads!
Have you been dying for a way to share with people your favorite JPS books? Or, maybe you wish you could’ve reviewed a JPS book, but you had no way of doing so. Well, now you do! Not to mention, we love seeing how the public feels about our books, so take this opportunity to share your opinions with us and the rest of the reading community. And, of course, relish in the chance to connect with others through similar reading interests! There’s nothing more exciting than finding someone who loves the same books you do.
Have fun!
-Sarah
What is Jewish Literature?
Posted by Sarah in Jewish Books, Jewish Knowledge, Publishing on October 21, 2009
Cross-posted from the Jewish Book Council Blog and MyJewishLearning.
In her last post, Ellen Frankel looked at how to make the Bible PG. She is guest-blogging all week for MJL and JBC.
What is Jewish literature?
What makes a book or its writer Jewish? What’s “in” and what’s “out” of the contemporary Jewish syllabus? Who gets to make such judgment calls? Should they even be made at all?
Some time ago, an Orthodox scholar I know suggested a different way of thinking about this issue. He pointed to a distinction between books that Jews “read” and those that they “study,” i.e., secular vs. sacred texts. In my mind, this distinction largely hinges on the question of the authority we invest in books. Those that we read—for pleasure, for a course, to make ourselves culturally conversant—exercise little authority over us. But those that we study—for moral instruction, for answers to ultimate questions, to inspire us and develop our character—guide our lives and matter profoundly to us. If a particular book is itself in conversation with other Jewish books, we then become part of that conversation as it becomes part of us. If a book is not in dialogue with other Jewish books, then our reading will lead us away into a different conversation. Whether or not we ever find our way back into the Jewish conversation is anyone’s guess.
To read the full post, visit The Jewish Book Council Blog!
Is Judaism a Religion? Ask Dan Brown
Posted by Sarah in JPS History, Jewish Knowledge on October 14, 2009
I have a confession. Despite all the hype surrounding his many novels, I’m not a huge Dan Brown fan. Sure, I’ve read all his books, and like many, I love a good historically-loaded suspense novel. But while his writing keeps you excited and wanting more, his plotlines are all the same. Of all his books, I read Angels & Demons last, and it only took me about two chapters before I could tell you the identity of the mysterious villain.
So, when his new Robert Langdon book came out, Lost Symbol, I was torn. Part of me couldn’t help but wonder if he’d finally shaken things up. Giving in, I reserved the book at the library and finally started reading it this morning. While I haven’t completed more than 100 pages of the novel, I am excited to say that at least one part of this book has sparked an interest. In the initial pages of the novel, Brown’s protagonist Langdon discusses the question: What makes something a religion? In response, Langdon and his class talk about the three necessary components of a religion – the ABCs – assure, believe, convert. As Langdon explains, “Religions assure salvation; religions believe in a precise theology; and religions convert nonbelievers.”
This got me thinking. If these three components are necessary to categorize something as a religion, can Judaism be considered a religion?
As far as I can tell, Judaism only completely fulfills the second attribute. Most would agree that Judaism follows and believes in a specific theology, with a set of rules and beliefs all its own. We see this everyday! People keeping kosher, reciting prayers, and adhering to the Ten Commandments. But, what about the other two requirements?
Does Judaism assure salvation? Perhaps it comes down to how one defines salvation. I think of salvation as the saving of one’s soul and the belief in an afterlife. As someone raised in an observant Jewish household, I was always taught that Judaism does not discuss an afterlife. Instead, Judaism emphasizes the here and now, saying that what we 
do with the present is all that matters, not what happens to us after we are gone. Based on this, I’m not sure if Judaism meets the “A” requirement for a religion.
And, what about converting nonbelievers? Like all religions, Judaism gladly accepts those wishing to convert to the Jewish faith. However, Judaism does not go out and seek converts. There aren’t Jewish missionaries roaming the globe in search of prospective Jews. In fact, tradition says that a Rabbi must turn down someone wishing to convert three times before accepting them as a student. Three times! That means you have to really want to become a Jew if you’re going to withstand rejection so many times. So, if Jews do not act as missionaries and, on top of that, they make it difficult to convert, I have trouble seeing how they fit the “C” criterion.
What does this mean? Honestly, who knows for sure? It could just mean that Brown’s statement is flawed (regardless of whether the idea was his or someone else’s). Still, even if his book ends up leaving me disappointed, I can at least give him credit for sparking an interesting discussion!
-Sarah
Need some Bah Dum Ching? Look No Further!
Posted by Sarah in Jewish Books on October 8, 2009
It’s Thursday. That day that makes you realize how close you are to the weekend. You start to anticipate having some downtime and suddenly realize that you still have another full day of work before you can experience that well-deserved relaxation. It’s depressing, I know.
Let’s brighten the day with some good old fashion laughter. All you need to help ease the stress of the never-ending Thursday is some humor! So, as promised in last week’s post, I’ve put together a list of 5 must-read books on 
Jewish Humor. Take a break from today and have a laugh!
1. The Big Book of Jewish Humor – For those who don’t know it, this book is practically the bible for Jewish comedy. It contains jokes, short stories, comics, and more. You name it, and this book probably has it. It’s thanks to a cartoon that this book makes my top 5. And, never will I cease to be amused by the line “Today, I am a man!” Check out the chapter “Happy Bar Mitzvah, Bernie!” to experience!
2. Naked Pictures of Famous People – One of Jon Stewarts many publications, this book manages to cover tons of topics while maintaining a wit that makes Jewish humor so great. Honestly, the person who can mock Martha Stewart through a discussion of the female anatomy is someone after my own heart!
3. SeinLanguage – When it comes to Jerry Seinfeld, you can laugh or cry. While I don’t always find his material amusing, sometimes his banter is so funny that it’s all you can do to not spit on the person next to you as you laugh uncontrollably. In this book, Seinfeld mixes deprecation and social criticism to create the ideal Jewish comedy. Don’t get me wrong, not all of his stuff is funny, but this book gives you so many options that there’s something for everyone!
4. Mere Anarchy – For those of you that like Woody Allen’s style, you’ll definitely get a kick out of these short stories. While reading, I could 
practically hear Allen’s voice rapidly firing out these random and amusing anecdotes. I personally really like “The Rejection.” It sums up perfectly the absurdity worrying about getting your children into elite preschools. Read to enjoy!
5. Oy!: The Ultimate Book of Jewish Jokes – While I don’t find this entire book terribly funny, a handful of the jokes found in it completely redeem it. As you might expect, the funnier jokes are found in the section on sex. Some of them are hilarious and probably for the same reason that oldjewstellingjokes.com is, since the characters are often old Jews. I thoroughly enjoyed the central joke on page 284. The combination of old Jews, dances, pantyhose, and sex will leave you laughing at the absurdity!
-Sarah
A Literary “Whisper Down the Lane”?
Posted by Sarah in Jewish Books, Jewish Knowledge on October 1, 2009
You’ve probably heard so much about Anne Frank throughout your life that a post on it right now may seem redundant and typical – a Jewish blog writing about one of the most famous nonfiction Jewish books. I get it. And yet, I recently read about a book that analyzes Anne Frank’s diary and its adaptations over time.
How has this well-known account changed as people alter it into movies and stage plays?
According to Francine Prose, author of the new book Anne Frank: the Book, the Life, the Afterlife, the book’s fate following initial publication is just as interesting as the history it portrays. With different parts emphasized, universalized, or downplayed, the overall story of the girl hiding in the annex has changed. And, despite what people think, the book does not necessarily “teach itself.” So what are we supposed to take from it? How do we learn the lessons as the product morphs over time?
Prose’s critique made me think. I remember in eighth grade being assigned this book, and instead of writing papers about it or taking tests, each class was broken into groups and told to perform the book in skit form. We could adapt the book as necessary, with the goal being to maintain the major plot line while being unique (especially since there were probably 20 groups that had to perform the same story!) I have to admit, it wasn’t my favorite assignment. Like the good little nerd that I was, I preferred writing! Not to mention, I have pretty bad stage fright. So, the idea of getting up in front of my entire grade to perform a skit was terrifying. Still, the assignment had been made and I dutifully played my part, fully decked out in a hideously embarrassing flannel nightgown.
As we tried to meet the teachers’ expectations, my group decided to assign each character a stereotypical personality – scholarly, preppy, ditsy, snobby, sporty, and more. Let’s face it. It was middle school and these were the stereotypes each of us encountered everyday. With these personalities in mind, the play took on a comedic mood and earned first place for the assignment. Exciting, right? Of course!
But, that’s the problem.
Our skit became more about having fun and getting a good grade than learning the lessons intended. Not to mention, the performance stood out by adding humor to a story that, in reality, isn’t very funny. True, some pieces of Frank’s narrative may invoke humor, but few can argue that the story of a girl hiding from a group committing genocide is funny. So, I can’t help but think of my eighth grade skit and how it fits right into Prose’s look at how society has altered this story. In the end, it begs the question. How far is too far? And, at what point do we lose the essence of the original piece?
-Sarah
Old Jews and Crude Humor…Bring on the Yuks!
Posted by Sarah in Jewish Knowledge on September 30, 2009
Like Jewish humor? Who doesn’t?! Jews have a comedic style all their own and aren’t afraid to get into some of comedy’s dirtier topics. But, this is only part of the reason why Old Jews Telling Jokes is such a hilarious and rewarding site. The other reason, naturally, lies in the age of the joke-tellers! Somehow, seeing someone old enough to be my grandparent sharing bathroom and sexual humor just makes me laugh. The combination is so unexpected! It clashes with our preconceived notions that old people are too conservative or stodgy to have a crude sense of humor. Still, this combination is precisely what makes this site so great!
Plus, it’s impressive how well most of the people keep a straight face leading up to their punch line. As the site makes clear, telling a joke requires talent! Not just anyone can phrase things just right, using the best inflections and tones of voice to leave the crowd rolling in the aisles. Therefore, I have to give major kudos to these old jokesters!
Source: http://oldjewstellingjokes.com
Even better, older Jews are often the characters of these outrageous Jewish jokes. Why is this so great? Because, if there’s one thing funnier than old Jews telling crude jokes, it’s the idea of old Jews actually being in these crazy situations!
In the spirit of this fun and hilarious site, one must take time to enjoy a good joke. Love jokes but in need of new material? Stay tuned for my top 5 books on Jewish humor! And, until then, have a good laugh.
-Sarah
