So you’ve read Incredible, and perhaps The Bamboo Cradle. If youre nonfiction-shy but ready to break out of the comfortable cocoon of fiction, it’s time to try a memoir. Unlike autobiographies of the famous, memoirs share a narrow slice of a regular person’s life, fictionalized through a uniting theme.
This week’s memoirs each tell of a journey, dramatic, colorful, or meaningful. The pace often slows down at the end, though, when the author sticks around to share their reflections and the afterward. Given this pattern, I’m choosing to judge a memoir by part one, not part two. Enjoy!
From Central Park to Sinai - From his early childhood, Roy Neuberger was plagued by deep anxiety and paranoia that drove him on a relentless search. Told from the perspective of his frum life today, this teshuva story doesn’t hesitate to stop the action for current-day-Roy’s two cents and delightful nuggets of truth. A joyful and optimistic memoir with subtle humor sprinkled in that will have you either missing all of it or laughing out loud.
God Winked - For a liberal Jewish girl, Sara Yocheved Rigler’s story couldn’t be more colorful. Her furious drive for truth led her to explore spirituality both far and close to home, and ultimately in Buddhist India and Montana. From sheltered childhood to desperate search, from colorful and exotic wanderings to chaotic but peaceful frum family, each stage of her urgent but poignant path is a fascinating story of its own.
Miracle Ride - A humorous and snarky memoir that turns a harrowing medical saga into a hilarious and uplifting story of surviving and thriving. The irreverent stream-of-consciousness style, infused with Tzippy’s spunk and biting wit, makes Miracle Ride an exciting read, approachable to the memoir-shy. Great for teen girls as well
Mitzlall: Stranger Among Sisters - An exotic and touching memoir with simple writing and profound repercussions. An Ethiopian family braves a grueling desert trek to get to the City of Gold. When they finally reach their destination, a hostile welcome throws doubt and bitterness on everything they know to be true. As Mitzllal struggles to acclimate, can she be religious when the chareidi community seems to reject her?
My Sister, The Jew - From her youngest days, Ahuva had been growing spiritually, drawing inspiration from her Southern grandmother’s heartfelt prayers. When the only way to keep growing is through Judaism, she resists conversion, but the many routes she takes all lead to the charedi Bayit V’gan. A vivacious woman tells of the gradual acceptance by her vibrant African-American family, her deep connection with Tanach, and the intimate path that leads to beauty.
The Mountain Family - With candor and courageous honesty, Tzirel presents the scrappy details of her Appalachian homeschooling-mother-of-10 life, where she forged her own path in homemaking, parenting, and ultimately her yiddishkeit. Far from a happily ever after, her conversion presented challenges throughout, and we witness her incredible commitment to living her ideals. An engaging and inspiring memoir that reads like fiction.
Our Man in Jerusalem - Fascinating experiences come together with wide-ranging knowledge and connections in an eclectic collection of anecdotes: daring, historical, inspiring, and mystical. Surprising and fast-paced, a radio host takes you right into the history and people of Yerushalayim, with the personality and chutzpah that reminds you of home.
Skullcaps and Switchblades - A chassidish teacher takes a job teaching learning-disabled teens in an inner-city public school with a simple promise: not to bore his students. Written candidly with a lively sense of humor, he describes the unconventional tactics he employs to engage his students and the adventures he braves to build trust and friendship.
The Insider - The drama of Incredible fades in comparison to The Insider’s fast-paced action. Less memoir-like and more storytelling, Nachman Seltzer’s signature out-of-order style weaves through time and space. Yisroel Katzover’s lifetime on the front line will intrigue anyone captivated by Israeli history, our miraculous survival, politics and friendship, and international adventure. Great for teen boys as well.
The Rabbi and the Nuns - Behind the plethora of psychological and self-help teachings stands a captivating life story. An easy memoir narrowing in on the early days of Rabbi Twerski’s practice, we are given a personal view of his teachings and the path that took him from Rabbanus to psychiatry. With wry humor, he describes groundbreaking projects championing mental health in our community and navigating change with the nuns of St. Francis.
The Well Spiced Life - From her secular childhood in the suburbs of Philadephia to her Sephardi home in Brookly, Jewish food has been one constant on Barbara Bensoussan’s journey. The Well Spiced Life is a deeply satisfying food memoir that invites you to the warmth of Barbara’s multi-cultural Jewish home, feeding family and friends and spreading love.
Book News Catch-Up
Last week, Bassy Gruen announced that she will be leaving Family First. Miriam Milstein, deputy editor, will fill her role. Bassy will be missed; so many authors have described her instrumental role in shaping their stories, and her meaningful editorials always added a personal touch to the magazine.
Notable New Releases:
The Thirteenth Gate by Esther Zirkind, author of Where is the Daughter I Raised
Wall of Fire by Meir Uri Gottesman
Coming Soon:
Riva Pomerantz’s See You is now available in Israel and is expected in the US by Chanuka. Initially serialized in the Ami, published by Menucha
A sequel to The Captives by Rochel Istrin is expected Chanuka time, published by Artscroll. “I loved writing the novel but found I simply could not end it. My feeling of connection with the characters made it impossible to stop writing.”
Feldheim has announced The Kichel Collection #3, sure to be a Chanuka gifting favorite once again
Etka Gitel Schwartz dropped multiple hints about the release of Grey Lines (2013 Binah serial) in the Binah recently, but we can only speculate when it will be out. Will keep you posted!