Friday, November 5, 2010

A literary window-frame

It is so hot today that I haven't actually left the air-conditioned apartment yet, this weather is typical of August rather than November. My nephew's bar-mitzvah festivities start tonight and continue until Sunday night so I need to conserve my energy. I would have offered to help with the last minute preparations but I am well aware that sometimes she who waits also serves. My father brought me back the newspapers and some chocolate babke. Chocolate babke, my old friend, we meet again on the eve of the Sabbath. How Eurolush would love to meet you, but alas, she is far away in a cold land. Oh well, more for me.

Last night I watched the Israeli version of Masterchef, their task was to make a pavlova and I was reduced to hysterical laughter. Apparently the Israeli take on the pav is to cover it in STEWED fruits. How Kim from Allconsuming would have loved to witness their ridiculous concoctions.

So I'm lying here on my comfortable sofa, reading through the paper and I come across the list of the ten top-selling books in the country. Thought you might be interested that out of the ten are three Israeli books, and then translations - two from the English (Harlan Coben and Aleksandar Hemon), German ("Alone in Berlin"), Norway ("Red Breast"), Italian ("The Lonliness of Prime Numbers"), Spanish (Mario Vargas Llosa) and Swedish ("The Girl...Fire"). That list fascinates me.

One of the Hebrew books which stands at number six this week and has remained on the list for the past 17 weeks is written by Sayed Kashua and is called "Second Person", I'm reading it now and really enjoying it. I looked him up to see what else he's written and discovered that he wrote a television show called "Arabic Work" which has been quite popular.

I'm having a wonderful time here in Israel, and now I'm off to shower and get dressed and celebrate my nephew's special day. I shall try to include you in the festivities dear friends.

E x

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am sitting here in my 56˚ house (that's 13˚ in C) (heat is off, for some reason I have not yet investigated) and trying to absorb Israeli warmth via the internets. Sorry, not working, my fingers are cold.

Paola said...

You know, it's very weird but it's HOT here as well. Like really HOT, swimming an dlying in the sun HOT.
Anyway.
I can't wait to hear about the Bar Mitzvah.
Mazel Tov!!!

eurolush said...

Sitting here in a cold land imagining the babke, stomach rumbling. I may be coming down with "chocolate-babke-fever"--a very dangerous sickness caused by lack of sweets. Send help.

As for your book list, in Israel it's called "Alone in Berlin." In the U.S. the same book is called, "Every Man Dies Alone." I read it as "Alone..." Don't think I'd have reached for it as "Every Man..." Too depressing.

Can't wait for more posts from Israel. I live for them. No pressure.

Mary said...

ברכות ואיחולים לחתן בר המצווה


Maryxxxxx

And if that didn't work...mazel tov

trash said...

Rooly trooly? Stewed fruit? Well that won't taste very nice w a grated Peppermint Crisp now will it!