November 30, 2009

Review: "Salomon Says"



There’s a good chance that you’ve heard the name Rabbi Yaakov Salomon before. A notable author, popular columnist on Aish.com, musmach of Rabbi Noah Weinberg, and a leader in Project Inspire and Aish, somehow the name is bound to pop up. If you haven’t heard of him, don’t worry, just keep reading. Now out with his latest book, “Salomon Says”, Rabbi Salomon is back on the shelves, delivering fresh and insightful stories (50 to be exact) that are meant to make you think, smile, and act. I’m always up for a good story and I was happy to find a satisfactory amount in this latest release. The book is broken up into six sections, each containing short essays relating to that sections theme. Certain topics are brought up more than once. I noticed that there were a couple of Yomim Tovim essays, as well as essays on parenting and chinuch. Many of the stories are real eye-openers. If I could list a few of my favorites I would probably say “Meeting Jason,” “The Connoisseur,” “Just Say No,” and “Thank You, Danny.” Rabbi Salomon is a social worker which also gives the book a noticeable psychological aspect. Most importantly, the topics are all very relatable. More than once you’re bound to have a “connection to the book moment’ where you feel like the author is speaking directly to you or had you in mind when writing that particular story. Overall, this book is an impressive release and can be read over and over again for the full motivational affect.

I just wanted to end off with one last thought. One of the things that impressed me most about “Salomon Says” was not necessarily about the book but about its author. I came away from reading the book thinking that Rabbi Salomon is a really exceptional human being. First off, as in many books, before it even begins there are the introductions and acknowledgments. Rabbi Salomon takes the opportunity here to encourage the reader to write to him with any questions or comments. He puts his e-mail address right up front and says with a perceivable sincerity that he would “love to hear from you.” I have so far only encountered one other book where the author has included his contact information. To me this says that the author is making a real attempt to relate to his readers, and the stories that follow will be in a similar vein. One of the other things I noticed was that Rabbi Salomon doesn’t just look to others for stories; rather he also takes personal stories from his own life. He doesn’t have any qualms about sharing personal thoughts, or even mistakes that he’s made. He uses them to inspire the reader and give approachable examples of how we should make the most of our life. Rabbi Salomon should be commended for his latest release and its benefits that it will undoubtedly serve.

(This review can also be read at The Cool Jew as part of our new partnership in bringing you the latest book reviews on the newest books.)

November 26, 2009

The Week in Books- Mega Release Week Edition

New Releases:

-Salomon Says: 50 Stirring and Stimulating Stories, by Rabbi Yaakov Salomon
-Rabbi Sherer: The Paramount Torah Spokesman of Our Era, by Yonason Rosenblum
-Kuntres Sfat Tamim- Chofetz Chaim
-Kuntres Chovat HaShemirah- Chofetz Chaim
-Too Beautiful: Stories So Uplifting They Have to be Shared, by Hanoch Teller
-Practical Halachos for Girls, by Meyer Birnbaum
-A Touch of Inspiration, by Rabbi Yechiel Spero
-The Beit Hamikdash: The Temple and the Holy Mount, by Rabbi Zalman Menachem Koren
-"Normal" and Other Stories, by Reva Rubenstein
-The Eye of the Storm: A Calm View of Raging Issues, by R' Aharon Feldman
-Something New: A Comprehensive Guide to the Halachos of the Shehecheyanu Brocha, by Rabbi Michael Yehoshua Newman
-Nissim V'Niflaos: Halachic Perspectives on Chanukah and Purim, by Rabbi Chaim Gross
-Good Job!: Successful Strategies For Developing Your Work Potential, by Rabbi Moshe Goldberger
-Breaking Free: A Novel, by Riva Pomerantz
-22 Promises, by Naama
-A Clever Title Goes Here, by Mordechai Schmutter
- Shabbos, NOT a Day of Rest: Discovering the True Shabbos, by Rabbi Pinchas Stopler
-Shabbos In a New Light - Majesty, Mystery, Meaning, by R' Yitzchak Hutner and adapted by Rabbi Pinchas Stopler
-Through Your Hands: The Complete Story of Chanukah, by Meir Lamberski
-Shadows on the Moon, by Bracha Goykadosh

Upcoming Releases:
-Invisible Me, by Tzipi Caton
-Book of Amazing Facts and Feats, by Nattan Hurvitz and Aharon Yosef Hoffman
-In Forest Fields: A Unique Guide to Personal Prayer, by Shalom Arush
-Emergencies in Halacha, by Rabbi Moshe Rotberg
-A Legacy of Leaders II, by Rabbi Yehuda Azoulay
-The Neshama Should Have an Aliyah, by Rabbi Tzvi Hebel
-Pen of the Soul, by Chani Altein
-A Vort from Rav Pam, by Rabbi Sholom Smith
-Great Jewish Letters, by Rabbi Moshe Bamberger
-Rav Schwab on Yeshayahu, by Rabbi Shimon Schwab
-Aleinu L'Shabei'ach: Shemos, by R' Yitzchok Zilberstein

November 19, 2009

Israel Book Shop gets a blog

Israel Book Shop has a new blog called The Next Page. It's pretty new but I'm already impressed. The layout is really cool and the content so far (all 3 posts of it) is great. I hope that they can keep up the good work. They even have a post about Mordechai Schmutter's upcoming book, "A Clever Title Goes Here," which I am very much looking forward to. Here's what they had to say:

When I was little, aside from the fact that I had to walk two miles to school uphill both ways because only the rich people could afford horses, another depressing fact was that there was no such thing as American Jewish humor. Sure, there were some old Yiddish jokes, but only people who appreciated the “flavor” of Yiddish and also the flavor of Slivovitz thought that they were funny.

Mordechai Schmutter changed all that. Beginning sporadically, he worked his way up to a weekly Hamodia Magazine column. He’s still shocked that Hamodia even has a humor column, but the tens of thousands of readers who look forward to it each week are glad that it does.

His first book, Don’t Yell Challah in a Crowded Matzah Bakery was a gamble at first because it was the first of its kind, and the gamble paid off as it became a best seller. Meanwhile, his column, which began with such everyday topics as cooking, marriage, and writing humor columns, has expanded into areas such as GPS, Kosherfest, and the Syms Bash.

Now, Mordechai is publishing his second book, A Clever Title Goes Here. Aside from the clever title, it also has many of his funniest articles in it, one of which you can read here!


To see my review of Mordechai Schmutter's first book, "Don't Yell Challah in a Crowded Matzah Bakery," click here.

Update: Anybody who recieved the Jewish Press or Hamodia this week (perhaps even other papers as well) should have also seen the "The Next Page" magazine insert. As with the blog, I was also very impressed by this as it was a mix between spotlights on new upcoming books as well as a catalog of Israel Book Shop's publications. It appears to be a quarterly as it was dated Winter 2009. I'm always excited about anything new in books and I'm looking forward to seeing more things from "The Next Page."

Spotlight on. . . "Miracle Ride"

In anticipation of a new novel, “Invisible Me” from author Tzipi Caton, we present a review of her first book, “Miracle Ride”, released in May 2008, which was received with great acclaim. I remember reading a while back that “Miracle Ride” was a bestseller for Artscroll and indeed if you look at the publication date for the book it says that the first impression was May 2008 while the second was June 2008, meaning that they had to already print more copies a month later! I personally have read it at least three times and I’ll say right off the bat that this was definitely one of the best books to be released in the last two years. Let's take a look. . .

“Miracle Ride” is the true story of Tzipi Caton (which is her pen name), who was diagnosed in 11th grade with Hodgkin’s disease, a type of cancer. The book is her story as she chronicles it throughout the ordeal, starting with the diagnosis, followed by treatment and the path to recovery. The fact that this was originally written as part of her blog (jacancerpatient.blogspot.com) before being compiled into a full length book gives it a light and personable feel. What’s interesting is that one wouldn’t automatically associate a book about someone’s struggle through cancer as being “light reading,” yet Tzipi has very superbly put together a book that is exactly that. What stuck out for me the most was the humor aspect. I’m a big believer in trying to find the humor in life and Tzipi’s personality is such that she is able to make you smile even as she goes through the ups and downs of cancer. It's fun to watch her take her strong sarcasm and deal with some of the more difficult people in life and it's incredible how she can take such serious predicaments and end off making you smile. I do wonder though every time I read the book whether people she criticizes in her writing figure out who they are, and if yes what were their reactions? That question always makes me so curious!

Tzipi also gives over stark, yet important, messages about the good and not such good ways to treat someone who is ill. A teacher who she befriends in the course of the story has diabetes and there is a common theme between the two illness of how we use our misconceptions to delegitimize those who are ill. There are also instances where friends don't really think before acting, which most of us are guilty of in some form or another, and it's good to be reminded from the sick person's point of view how we really need to act. Pretty much this is a biography, funny, and filled with lessons, my three favorite book genres rolled into one. What more can I ask for?

Miracle Ride is a bold and fresh book and if you haven’t read it since it was released over a year ago, than what are you waiting for?! The chapters are short, making it more accessible to those on a busy schedule, yet it is so addicting that putting it down sounds easier than it really is.Keep your eyes out for her upcoming book, “Invisible Me”, coming soon to bookstores near you.


Targum Press Chanukah Sale

Chanukah discount sale

November 18, 2009

Feldheim's Pre-Chanukah 25% Off Sale

Feldheim Presents:



Take advantage of our 25% off sale while it lasts.
Start Saving Now!
Want to Shop at a Store? Click Here to Print a Coupon.

November 13, 2009

Ashreinu That We Are Jews!


Tonight I had the zechus to attend the beautiful Hachnosos Sefer Torah that was held in front of 770 Eastern Parkway, in memory and in honor of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg H"YD. I say zechus because when I left Crown Heights to go back home I felt as if I had witnessed true simcha and achdus, the greatest sight in the world, and to me that is a zechus. It was a zechus to have the opportunity to share in that moment of achdus as well as to be mesameach in a brand new Sefer Torah that will join the new Chabad house in Mumbai, solidifying a determination to never give up, to continue persevering b'derech HaTorah. To see thousands of Shluchim, along with children, teenagers, families and Jews of many stripes, dancing together with such a great energy, that is something that one does not easily forget. Ashreinu that we are Jews!

November 05, 2009

A Book Trailer

There's a new twist to book advertisement; book trailers. This is the first time I've seen anything like this, so kol hakavod to Artscroll (if anybody knows of anything similar, please share!). This is for a children's book and I don't know how well a video like this would work for an adult, words only book, but it's interesting to see. I definitely think there could be more videos like this to showcase the new books coming out. What do you think of it?


November 04, 2009

The Week in Books

Note: It's incredible how since the last "Week in Books" post so many upcoming and new releases have popped up. Artscroll in particular seems to have their machines on full strength with many new titles being announced for the near future. Some of the books that are scheduled to be released look really good and hopefully we'll have some coverage over those new titles to give you a taste of what to expect once they come out.
And now back to regular programming:

New Releases:

-The Shmuz on the Parsha: Life Transforming Insights on the Weekly Torah Reading, by Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier
-Meoros HaShabbos Vol. 5: The Laws of Shabbos Arranged for Weekly Study at the Shabbos Table (see here for a brief overview of the series)
-In-Laws: It's All Relative, by Rabbi Abraham Twerski and Leah Shifrin Averick
-Peace in Your Palace: Blueprints for a Successful Marriage, by Rebbetzin S. Simon

Upcoming Releases:

-Rav Schwab on Yeshayahu: The teachings of Rabbi Shimon Schwab zt"l on the Book of Isaiah
-Rabbi Sherer: The Paramount Torah Spokesman of Our Era, by Yonoson Rosenblum
-Salomon Says: 50 Stirring and Stimulating Stories, by Rabbi Yaakov Salomon C.S.W
-A Vort From Rav Pam, by Rabbi Sholom Smith
-A Touch of Inspiration, by Rabbi Yechiel Spero
-Great Jewish Letters: A collection of classic and inspirational writings of Torah sages and Jewish leader, by Rabbi Moshe Bamberger
-Kuntres Sfat Tamim- Chofetz Chaim
-Kuntres Chovat HaShemirah- Chofetz Chaim
-Too Beautiful: Stories So Uplifting They Have to be Shared, by Hanoch Teller
-Something New: A Comprehensive Guide to the Halachos of the Shehecheyanu Brocha, by Rabbi Michael Yehoshua Newman
-"Normal" and Other Stories, by Reva Rubenstein
-Chain of Thought: Torah Linked Through the Ages, by Rabbi Moshe Hubner


Seforim Store Directory

The Jewish Book World is looking to compile a comprehensive list of seforim stores as a service to its readers, similar to the various lists of kosher restaurants that are available. If you have information regarding a seforim store in your community we would love to hear from you! Please send any relevant information, such as the store name, address, phone number, etc. to Jewishbookworld@gmail.com. Thank you!

November 02, 2009

Benny Friedman Has Arrived!

There has been so much hype surrounding the release of this album and I think that it's going to be a hit! Benny's talent has already been showcased on the Jewish music scene for a while from the various performances he has done and he has a great stage presence and a powerful performing voice. I can't wait to get a copy!



Benny Friedman's long awaited debut album is finally here! Presented by Sameach Music and produced by Avi Newmark, this has been one of the most anticipated albums in recent memory, featuring 12 tracks sure to satisfy all musical palettes.

A variety of talented artists team up to bring you this masterful musical production. Selections include compositions from such famed composers as Yitzy Waldner and Elimelech Blumstein, and relative newcomers like Meshulum Greenberger and Oriel Avraham. Arrangers range from Good ol' Mona and Moshe Laufer to the always incredible Leib Yaakov Rigler and Avremi G, along with some great surprises from Ian Freitor, the album's engineer.

The Friedman/Marcus families showcase some very strong talent with three compositions, including the title track, Taamu, composed by Shmuel Marcus, an incredible piece of music sure to take your breath away composed by Simche Friedman, and a Bentzi Marcus composition featuring a duet with 8th Day! Rabbi Manis Friedman, Benny's father, collaborates with Lipa Schmeltzer to compose a Yiddish lyric that will at once force you to look inward, while causing your feet to move with the beat! A special musical tribute was composed by Yitzy Spinner in memory of Izzy Taubenfeld, the founder of Sameach Music.