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Artwork for The Five Books: Jewish Authors on the Books That Shaped Them

The Five Books: Jewish Authors on the Books That Shaped Them

Tali Rosenblatt Cohen
Jewish Identity
Cancer
Loss
Humor
The Safekeep
Community Support
Marjorie Morningstar
Holocaust
Literature
Cultural Understanding
Viktor Frankl
The Little Prince
Jackpot Summer
Antisemitism
Anti-Semitism
Empathy
Magical Meet Cute
Jewish Romance
Zionism
Ely Wiesel's Night

The Five Books celebrates the role of books in our lives. Each week we’ll talk with a Jewish author about five books in five categories. We’ll hear about: two Jewish books that have impacted the author’s Jewish identity; one book (not necessarily Jewish) that they think everyone should read - a book that changed their worldview. We’ll get a peek into what book they're reading now, and we’ll hear t... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes37Founded10 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsReligion & SpiritualityJudaism

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Artwork for The Five Books: Jewish Authors on the Books That Shaped Them

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Allison Epstein
Author of historical novels including Fagin the Thief
Episode: Allison Epstein on Taking on One of Literature’s Most Notoriously Antisemitic Characters
Jennifer Weiner
Bestselling author known for weaving Jewish characters into her narratives.
Episode: Jennifer Weiner on Pushing Back Against De-Jewified Last Names, “Women’s Fiction,” and Activism in the Face of Despair
Dara Horn
Dara Horn is the award-winning author of six books, including the novels The World to Come and All Other Nights.
Author
Episode: Dara Horn on Being the Lorax at Her Seder Table
Georgia Hunter
Author of One Good Thing and We Were the Lucky Ones
Penguin Random House
Episode: Georgia Hunter on Discovering her Family’s Jewish History and Kindness as Resistance
Rob Kutner
An Emmy, Peabody, Grammy, and TCA-winning writer for Late Night TV and author of The Jews, 5000 Years and Counting.
Author
Episode: Rob Kutner on Writing for The Daily Show, Conan, and How Comedy and Judaism Overlap
Allegra Goodman
Author of Isola and numerous other novels and short stories
Episode: Allegra Goodman on Making the Exotic Familiar, and Finding the Modern in Ancient Words
Tova Mirvis
Author of the memoir The Book of Separation and several novels including We Would Never
Episode: Tova Mirvis on Community, Belonging, and Forgiveness
Bonny Reichert
Author of the memoir How to Share an Egg
Episode: Bonny Reichert on Food, Fear, and Finding Beauty
Jessica Elisheva Emerson
Author of Olive Days
Episode: Jessica Elisheva Emerson on Belief, Identity, and Women’s Desire

Host

Tali Rosenblatt Cohen
Host of the show, facilitating discussions with authors about their works and Jewish identity.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 55 ratings
  • Wonderful conversations and book recommendations!

    I’ve added so many books to my to-read list because of this podcast… And I hope one day to be a guest myself and join the ranks of these incredible Jewish writers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ohthewhomanity
    United States2 months ago
  • SheReaders Book Club

    This is so informative! The authors always feel so comfortable that they really open up and share. I love this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Allbymyselfalone
    United States4 months ago
  • Thoughtful and approachable

    Love this podcast. It’s intellectual and thoughtful without being wonky or unnecessarily highfalutin.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DeisCane
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Fascinating Podcast!

    I’m so happy I found this podcast. From its unique approach to talking about books to the interviewing skills of host Tali Rosenblatt Cohen, the show is a delight. The podcast has introduced me to many more Jewish themed books than I could have found noodling around the internet. The mix of cozy and intellect is flawlessly done.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Valleestein
    United States7 months ago
  • The Podcast I Didn’t Know I needed

    Smart, insightful, entertaining and thought provoking. I come away from each episode with a deep and whole new understanding of some of my favorite books as well as a list of must-read titles. It’s like my own personal, well curated book club. More than anything, The Five Books is a warm and inviting place for readers looking for authentic, multifaceted Jewishness in literature.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Mom Who Knew Too Much
    United Kingdom10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the enlightening discussions, often gaining new perspectives on Jewish literature and identity.
Many express a continued interest in the guest authors and their recommendations, enriching their personal reading lists.
The show is often praised for its thoughtful approach, balancing intellectual dialogue with accessibility for all audiences.

Top Books Podcasts

The Book Review
The Book ReviewThe New York Times
Myths and Legends
Myths and LegendsJason Weiser, Carissa Weiser, Nextpod
Selected Shorts
Selected ShortsSymphony Space
Catholic Bible Study
Catholic Bible StudyAugustine Institute
The New Yorker: Fiction
The New Yorker: FictionWNYC Studios and The New Yorker
Fantasy Fangirls
Fantasy FangirlsFantasy Fangirls
Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club
Bookmarked by Reese's Book ClubiHeartPodcasts and Hello Sunshine

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Introducing Chutzpod!
Q: Is there any pressure or law to give your child a Jewish name?
There is no law mandating that a child must have a Jewish name, but culturally it is common and may be strongly encouraged in certain Jewish contexts.
Introducing Chutzpod!
Q: What makes a name Jewish?
Names often have meanings rooted in Hebrew tradition and can reflect the circumstances of a person's birth or family history, connecting them to Jewish culture.
Tova Mirvis on Community, Belonging, and Forgiveness
Q: What does the title We Would Never signify for you?
The title captures both the family's denial about their potential actions and poses a question to the reader about the true limits of their moral compass.
Tova Mirvis on Community, Belonging, and Forgiveness
Q: Can you tell me about your new novel, We Would Never?
We Would Never is set around a Florida family dealing with the aftermath of their daughter's contentious divorce, exploring themes of loyalty, family love, and the escalation of conflict leading to extreme actions.
Jessica Elisheva Emerson on Belief, Identity, and Women’s Desire
Q: What was it about the issue of agunot that you wanted to bring into this novel?
Emerson wanted to highlight the ongoing struggles of women in the community while showcasing Rina's evolving thoughts on social justice, particularly regarding the plight of agunot.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Interests
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast engages listeners by featuring in-depth conversations with Jewish authors about the five books that have significantly influenced their lives and identities. Each episode combines discussions of Jewish literature with broader themes, exploring how these books shaped the author's worldview, particularly within the context of Jewish identity and experience. A notable feature is the way it highlights both classic and contemporary works, providing listeners with a diverse range of perspectives while fostering a deeper understanding of what it means to navigate life as a Jewish American today. By intertwining personal narratives with literary insights, it creates a welcoming space for reflection and exploration of Jewish culture and... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Identity/Crisis
2. Israel Story
3. Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam
4. Chutzpod!
5. Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

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this podcast launched 10 months ago and published 37 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Allison Epstein
2. Jennifer Weiner
3. Dara Horn
4. Georgia Hunter
5. Rob Kutner
6. Allegra Goodman
7. Tova Mirvis
8. Bonny Reichert

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