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141 reviews for:
It's a Whole Spiel: Love, Latkes, and Other Jewish Stories
Katherine Locke, Laura Silverman
3.84 AVERAGE
141 reviews for:
It's a Whole Spiel: Love, Latkes, and Other Jewish Stories
Katherine Locke, Laura Silverman
3.84 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the fourth book in a row I’ve read that kinda sucks. I was not expecting this to be a romance short story collection and I find it hard to care about the love lives of characters in that short amount of time. There were a couple I liked, and I hope the next book I read will be better.
Indoor Kids, by Alex London
Very good and funny, with a side of space disaster. I ship it.
Two Truths and an Oy, by Dahlia Adler
Quite short! Sheltered girl from an Orthodox community goes out into the wider world and finds it is stressful.
The Hold, by David Levithan
Well this is very good to read and a master class in structure and hits like a lightning bolt.
Aftershocks, by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Adorable!
Good Shabbos, by Goldy Moldavsky
I both loved and struggled with the narration here, but I am always a fan of newsy footnotes.
Jewbacca, by Lance Rubin
Very funny, and I DIED INSIDE during most of that Hanukkah party.
El Al 328, by Dana Schwartz
Well that was Not upbeat.
Some Days You’re The Sidekick; Some Days You’re The Superhero, by Katherine Locke
Wow I need to read more Katherine Locke, this was fantastic.
He Who Revives The Dead, by Elie Lichtschein
Some great lines in this one, but I’m not sure if I buy overcoming a near-death experience with skinny dipping.
Be Brave and All, by Laura Silverman
Sneaking out to go to a protest together? This is the best Meet Cute.
Neilah, by Hannah Moskowitz
This was VERY good. CW: for eating disorder.
Find the River, by Matthue Roth
That was a very specific teenage experience that I didn’t quite get.
Ajshara, by Adi Alsaid
A lot of sex in this one! Also ghosts, which is cool, but a lot of sex!
Twelve Frames, Nova Ren Suma
I am so glad I am not into fashion, this sounds exhausting. But you go, girl.
Very good and funny, with a side of space disaster. I ship it.
Two Truths and an Oy, by Dahlia Adler
Quite short! Sheltered girl from an Orthodox community goes out into the wider world and finds it is stressful.
The Hold, by David Levithan
Well this is very good to read and a master class in structure and hits like a lightning bolt.
Aftershocks, by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Adorable!
Good Shabbos, by Goldy Moldavsky
I both loved and struggled with the narration here, but I am always a fan of newsy footnotes.
Jewbacca, by Lance Rubin
Very funny, and I DIED INSIDE during most of that Hanukkah party.
El Al 328, by Dana Schwartz
Well that was Not upbeat.
Some Days You’re The Sidekick; Some Days You’re The Superhero, by Katherine Locke
Wow I need to read more Katherine Locke, this was fantastic.
He Who Revives The Dead, by Elie Lichtschein
Some great lines in this one, but I’m not sure if I buy overcoming a near-death experience with skinny dipping.
Be Brave and All, by Laura Silverman
Sneaking out to go to a protest together? This is the best Meet Cute.
Neilah, by Hannah Moskowitz
This was VERY good. CW: for eating disorder.
Find the River, by Matthue Roth
That was a very specific teenage experience that I didn’t quite get.
Ajshara, by Adi Alsaid
A lot of sex in this one! Also ghosts, which is cool, but a lot of sex!
Twelve Frames, Nova Ren Suma
I am so glad I am not into fashion, this sounds exhausting. But you go, girl.
CONTENT WARNING: eating disorder
This book has come up so many times on Jewish bookstagram, but I hadn’t gotten around to it until now. And I’m so glad that I finally read it. It’s a collection of short stories from various Jewish authors — some of whom I’ve heard of (like Laura Silverman, David Levithan, Dahlia Adler, and Rachel Lynn Solomon), but a lot more who are new to me. And all of the stories were so interesting in different ways!
This whole book was incredibly meaningful to me, and the foreword by Mayim Bialik was done really well. She explores what it means to grow up Jewish, and how we each come to terms with the same religion in our own, unique way. But this line really stood out to me:
“Judaism is not about choosing things you always agree with in your religion and agreeing with them. Judaism is about seeing the world for what it is and being part of a community that is greater than the sum of its parts.”
I loved how each of the authors brought their own unique spin on a Jewish story. The stories were all so different, even though some themes came up often — finding a place in the world, feeling “not Jewish enough,” feeling “other” as a tiny minority in a Christian-oriented society, and learning how to find a way to connect with our peers, finding the similarities between ourselves, rather than focusing on the differences. Many of the characters in these stories don’t fit into the expected boxes. They are queer, non-practicing, patrilineal, struggling with anxiety or OCD, highly assimilated, Orthodox, somehow outside the norm of “typical” society.
Watching their journey was awesome, and in these short stories, the authors somehow managed to squeeze in a journey. I often found myself disappointed that the story ended when I flipped the page, and wishing that there was more. But I think that’s my biggest problem when reading short stories — I want more and that’s just not how short stories work. I’d be curious to see more of the story.
Books like these are so important to have, and it’s a beautiful thing to see more of these being put out. I can’t help but think that seeing ourselves reflected on the pages of a book is a comforting and reassuring thing. It’s knowing that we aren’t the only one who feels that we “aren’t Jewish enough,” or might be “too Jewish.” It’s helpful to know that others face these same thoughts and can open up a discussion. This is a wonderful book for all people, whether you’re Jewish or not, and it gives just a tiny peek into the world of Judaism and the incredibly diverse people who belong to the tribe.
This book has come up so many times on Jewish bookstagram, but I hadn’t gotten around to it until now. And I’m so glad that I finally read it. It’s a collection of short stories from various Jewish authors — some of whom I’ve heard of (like Laura Silverman, David Levithan, Dahlia Adler, and Rachel Lynn Solomon), but a lot more who are new to me. And all of the stories were so interesting in different ways!
This whole book was incredibly meaningful to me, and the foreword by Mayim Bialik was done really well. She explores what it means to grow up Jewish, and how we each come to terms with the same religion in our own, unique way. But this line really stood out to me:
“Judaism is not about choosing things you always agree with in your religion and agreeing with them. Judaism is about seeing the world for what it is and being part of a community that is greater than the sum of its parts.”
I loved how each of the authors brought their own unique spin on a Jewish story. The stories were all so different, even though some themes came up often — finding a place in the world, feeling “not Jewish enough,” feeling “other” as a tiny minority in a Christian-oriented society, and learning how to find a way to connect with our peers, finding the similarities between ourselves, rather than focusing on the differences. Many of the characters in these stories don’t fit into the expected boxes. They are queer, non-practicing, patrilineal, struggling with anxiety or OCD, highly assimilated, Orthodox, somehow outside the norm of “typical” society.
Watching their journey was awesome, and in these short stories, the authors somehow managed to squeeze in a journey. I often found myself disappointed that the story ended when I flipped the page, and wishing that there was more. But I think that’s my biggest problem when reading short stories — I want more and that’s just not how short stories work. I’d be curious to see more of the story.
Books like these are so important to have, and it’s a beautiful thing to see more of these being put out. I can’t help but think that seeing ourselves reflected on the pages of a book is a comforting and reassuring thing. It’s knowing that we aren’t the only one who feels that we “aren’t Jewish enough,” or might be “too Jewish.” It’s helpful to know that others face these same thoughts and can open up a discussion. This is a wonderful book for all people, whether you’re Jewish or not, and it gives just a tiny peek into the world of Judaism and the incredibly diverse people who belong to the tribe.
3,5 stars:
1. Indoor kids - Alex London
4 out of 5 stars
2. Two Truths and an Oy - Dahlia Adler
4 out of 5 stars
3. The Hold - David Levithan
4 out of 5 stars
4. Aftershocks - Rachel Lynn Solomon
5 out of 5 stars
5. Good Shabbos - Goldy Moldavsky
2 out of 5 stars
6. Jewbacca - Lance Rubin
3 out of 5 stars
7. El Al 328 - Dana Schwartz
1 out of 5 stars
8. Some Days You’re The Sidekick; Somedays You’re the Superhero - Katherine Locke
5 out of 5 stars
9. He Who Revives The Dead - Ellie Lichtstein
3 out of 5 stars
10. Be Brave and All - Laura Silverman
5 out of 5 stars
11. Neilah - Hannah Moskowitz
4 out of 5 stars
12. Find the River - Matthue Roth
2 out of 5 stars
13. Ajshara - Adi Alsaid
2 out of 5 stars
14. Twelve Frames - Nova Ren Suma
3 out of 5 stars
1. Indoor kids - Alex London
4 out of 5 stars
2. Two Truths and an Oy - Dahlia Adler
4 out of 5 stars
3. The Hold - David Levithan
4 out of 5 stars
4. Aftershocks - Rachel Lynn Solomon
5 out of 5 stars
5. Good Shabbos - Goldy Moldavsky
2 out of 5 stars
6. Jewbacca - Lance Rubin
3 out of 5 stars
7. El Al 328 - Dana Schwartz
1 out of 5 stars
8. Some Days You’re The Sidekick; Somedays You’re the Superhero - Katherine Locke
5 out of 5 stars
9. He Who Revives The Dead - Ellie Lichtstein
3 out of 5 stars
10. Be Brave and All - Laura Silverman
5 out of 5 stars
11. Neilah - Hannah Moskowitz
4 out of 5 stars
12. Find the River - Matthue Roth
2 out of 5 stars
13. Ajshara - Adi Alsaid
2 out of 5 stars
14. Twelve Frames - Nova Ren Suma
3 out of 5 stars
A good collection of short stories, featuring a wide variety of Jewish teen protagonists. Recommended for grades 8 & up.
DNF at 11%
The first story gave me the worst kind of secondhand embarrassment and I just kind of cringed my way through it.
I got to the second story and it’s by an author who’s writing I haven’t enjoyed either and at that point decided to just DNF it.
It kind of kills me to do it to a Jewish YA collective of stories but I also don’t feel the need to make myself read anything I don’t enjoy.
The first story gave me the worst kind of secondhand embarrassment and I just kind of cringed my way through it.
I got to the second story and it’s by an author who’s writing I haven’t enjoyed either and at that point decided to just DNF it.
It kind of kills me to do it to a Jewish YA collective of stories but I also don’t feel the need to make myself read anything I don’t enjoy.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Death
I am truly grateful for this amazing Jewish anthology.
The quality of the stories included is outstanding. There were many that I absolutely loved. Several stories feature college-aged teens and a plethora of identities are included. Jewish teens will be grateful to see themselves on the page and the rest of us have much to learn from these stories. Sexual situations, drug/alcohol use, and language make this title appropriate for older teens.
Indoor Kids by Alex London 5 stars
“That’s the curse of the indoor kids. People are always trying to make us go outside and play. The bastards.” LOVED this adorable queer love story set at a summer camp populated with “indoor kids.”
Two Truths and an Oy by Dahlia Adler 4 stars
This story was short and sweet, but offered an insider’s view of life as an Orthodox Jew that I haven’t encountered before.
The Hold by David Levithan 4 stars
Ah, David Levithan, one of the greats. I loved this beautiful and vulnerable story.
Aftershocks by Rachel Lynn Solomon 4.5 stars
Sweet love story featuring two nerdy kids with bonus quality mental illness rep. (OCD and anxiety/panic disorders). Very cute.
Good Shabbos by Goldy Moldavsky 4 stars
Humorous story with excellent use of foot notes.
Jewbacca by Lance Rubin 4 stars
Cute story that explores what being Jewish really means.
El Al 328 by Dana Schwartz 4 stars
Utterly depressing and yet utterly relatable.
Some Days You’re the Sidekick; Some Days You’re the Superhero by Katherine Locke 4.5 stars
While not well-versed in the fan-fiction world myself, I really enjoyed this story. I ship Mab and Yael.
He Who Revives the Dead by Elie Lichtschein 4 stars
Second story in this collection about a Birthright trip, which I have never heard of before. Googling must be done.
Be Brave and All by Laura Silverman 5 stars
Great story about a socially awkward teen that drops some truth bombs about gun control. But...can anyone tell me if JZY is actually a thing? And if so, what it stands for? Google just thinks I’m talking about Jay-Z.
The quality of the stories included is outstanding. There were many that I absolutely loved. Several stories feature college-aged teens and a plethora of identities are included. Jewish teens will be grateful to see themselves on the page and the rest of us have much to learn from these stories. Sexual situations, drug/alcohol use, and language make this title appropriate for older teens.
Indoor Kids by Alex London 5 stars
“That’s the curse of the indoor kids. People are always trying to make us go outside and play. The bastards.” LOVED this adorable queer love story set at a summer camp populated with “indoor kids.”
Two Truths and an Oy by Dahlia Adler 4 stars
This story was short and sweet, but offered an insider’s view of life as an Orthodox Jew that I haven’t encountered before.
The Hold by David Levithan 4 stars
Ah, David Levithan, one of the greats. I loved this beautiful and vulnerable story.
Aftershocks by Rachel Lynn Solomon 4.5 stars
Sweet love story featuring two nerdy kids with bonus quality mental illness rep. (OCD and anxiety/panic disorders). Very cute.
Good Shabbos by Goldy Moldavsky 4 stars
Humorous story with excellent use of foot notes.
Jewbacca by Lance Rubin 4 stars
Cute story that explores what being Jewish really means.
El Al 328 by Dana Schwartz 4 stars
Utterly depressing and yet utterly relatable.
Some Days You’re the Sidekick; Some Days You’re the Superhero by Katherine Locke 4.5 stars
While not well-versed in the fan-fiction world myself, I really enjoyed this story. I ship Mab and Yael.
He Who Revives the Dead by Elie Lichtschein 4 stars
Second story in this collection about a Birthright trip, which I have never heard of before. Googling must be done.
Be Brave and All by Laura Silverman 5 stars
Great story about a socially awkward teen that drops some truth bombs about gun control. But...can anyone tell me if JZY is actually a thing? And if so, what it stands for? Google just thinks I’m talking about Jay-Z.