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Atlanta’s Jewish Book Festival
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The 16th Annual Book Festival of the Marcus Jewish Community Center is upon us, as of Saturday. From the big opener, Alan Dershowitz, to the pretty cool A.J. Jacobs and his book “The Year of Living Biblically,” on through the AJC’s own Pulitzer Prize-winning “The Race Beat” and hot new literati Nathan Englander, there’s a little something for everyone.
Unlike the Decatur Book Fest, the MJCC’s is not all in one place or over one weekend. It’s here, it’s there, it’s two weeks long. It’s more a series of interesting author appearances. But if you care about books, and/or interesting author events in Atlanta, here is a guide to some highlights.
Alan Dershowitz. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Zaban Park. The noted, and to some controversial, lawyer will talk about his book “Blasphemy: How the Religious Right is Hijacking our Declaration of Independence.” And given the setting, perhaps he will mention his book “What Israel Means to Me.”
Dalia Sofer and Gina Nahai. 11:45 a.m. Nov. 7 at Zaban Park. Sofer’s debut novel is “The Septembers of Shiraz,” and Nahai’s novel is “Caspian Rain.” Both deal with Jewish life in Iran.
Melissa Fay Greene. 11:45 a.m. Nov. 8 at Zaban Park. I’ve already gone on at length on the greatness of Greene’s non-fiction skills. She’ll be talking about “There Is No Me Without You,”” her book about AIDS in Africa.
A.J. Jacobs. 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at Sweetwater Brewery. In his funny and moving new book, “The Year of Living Biblically,” Jacobs writes that he is Jewish in the same way that Olive Garden is an Italian restaurant. Nevertheless, the agnostic spent one year following every single law in the Bible. He even tried to stone people. I’ll have more on Jacobs and his book later.
Dr. Sherwin Nuland. 8 p.m. Nov. 10 at Zaban Park. The physician-author of “The Art of Aging” gives tips on doing it well.
Markus Zusak. 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at Zaban Park. Zusak’s “The Book Thief” has gained a big reputation as a Young Adult novel about the Holocaust that adults pass around as well.
Hank Klibanoff. 6:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at Zaban Park. Klibanoff, a managing editor here at the AJC, talks about his Pulitzer Prize-winning book “The Race Beat,” about press coverage of the civil rights movement, which he co-authored with Gene Roberts.
Nathan Englunder. 8 p.m. Nov. 14 at Zaban Park. Englunder’s novel “The Ministry of Special Cases” has attracted attention for the power of its theme of erasing Jewish identity.
There’s more. Check out their website and get even more info.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Categories: Atlanta Events
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By Kate
October 31, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this
A.J. Jacobs at Sweetwater sounds too good to pass up. Any excuse for Sweetwater. Sounds like a good place for Blog Party!
By Jeff
October 31, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this
Ever take one of those tests in school where the teacher told you to read all the directions first and the questions told you to do some pretty wild stuff - like get under your desk and bark like a dog - before finally the last question says “Write your name on the test and turn it in” and the direction before that question is to ignore all questions before it?
That is what living the Bible the way this author did is.
The New Testament essentially says “Write your name on the test and turn it in. Anything before this that isn’t mentioned here is no longer binding.”
He went through and did all the “get under your desk and bark like a dog” stuff.
And he looks just as idiotic.
Other than that though, I’m with Kate. Any day where I get to go to Sweetwater is a great day!
By Phil Kloer
October 31, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
Jeff, have you read the book you’re criticizing? Do you understand his reasoning, why he did this, how he started out and how he ended up? Cause I’m thinking from your comment, maybe that is not not case.
By Jeff
October 31, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this
Phil:
Honestly, I have not. Simply making a point on the premise.
I would not read this book for the same reason I wouldn’t read a Ann Coulter or John Stewart book: faulty reasoning from the get go.
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November 2, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
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By uuigk
November 2, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
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By uuigk
November 2, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
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By uuigk
November 2, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
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