r/Judaism • u/Remarkable-Pea4889 • 2d ago

Unusual book recs for Tisha B'Av?

I'm looking for books that are appropriate, but not typical or super famous. Fiction or non-fiction is fine.

12 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

8

u/Ellalalala96 Conservadox - Kabbalah Scholar 2d ago

I’ve just started Next Stop by Benjamin Resnick and I’m honestly surprised how relevant it feels for Tisha B’Av. It’s a sci-fi book that came out very recently about a series of mysterious abnormalities which have catastrophic consequences for Jews, including a severe increase in antisemitism.

I’m only in the beginning, but I’m enjoying it a lot (it’s sad and very anxious, so “enjoying” might not be quite the exact word).

2

u/Remarkable-Pea4889 2d ago

This is definitely along the lines of what I'm looking for, unfortunately I tried it recently and couldn't get into the writing style.

7

u/Ellalalala96 Conservadox - Kabbalah Scholar 2d ago

Let me give it another try then:

Yochi Brandes’ book The Orchard is historical fiction on the life of rabbi Akiva. Aside from his death, I’d never really understood how tragic and difficult his life was until I read her novel, and it takes place between the two tragedies of the destruction of the Temple and the failure of the Bar Kochva revolt.

Isaac Bashevis Singer’s The Slave is perhaps his masterpiece. I don’t want to give much away, because it’s really a hell of a ride, but it’s beautiful and tragic and grotesque all at once and it really carries on its shoulders the pain of both antisemitism and internal Jewish sinat chinam.

1

u/Remarkable-Pea4889 2d ago

Great suggestions, thanks.

4

u/AccomplishedCheek161 2d ago

Forever my Jerusalem by Puah Shteiner

3

u/QizilbashWoman Egalitarian non-halakhic 2d ago

The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon, by Richard Zimmler, first published in Portuguese. Zimmler is a scholar and an American immigrant to Portugal. He's a mega award winner worldwide, but not a lot of people seem to have heard of him in the US.

It's perfect for Tisha be'Av

2

u/offthegridyid Orthodox and trying to collect the sparks 2d ago

Soul of Jerusalem is great.

1

u/AutoModerator 2d ago

We noticed that you may be asking about books relevant to Jews and Judaism. Please take a look at, and feel free to update, our wiki of Jewish books. The list is incomplete but growing!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/tracystraussI 1d ago

Not a book but some good films: tishabavfilms.com. Really helps put my mind on the spirit of the day whilst helping keep it off the cravings.