This week I was asked to be an official blogger of Jewish Book Week. From the 27th February through the 7th March, London will be hosting its largest literary festival of the year. This year some very big names will be participating, such as Jonathan Safran Foer, Lionel Shriver, George Szirtes and Anne Fine. There will be a day devoted to the literary life of Poland, both past and present, and everything from children’s hours to cooking demonstrations to master classes. What has always delighted me about this event is that, although Judaism and Jewish writers are the may pole around which the festival dances, this is in no way an event for Jews alone. The fact that it is so widely attended year after year attests to that.
This year they are starting a new approach to spreading the word and reviewing the proceedings, namely by asking selected bloggers to cover a set of events and blog about them. I’m thrilled to be one of them. You’ll be hearing more about it over the next few weeks, but in the meantime I urge you to check out the schedule of events here, and book to go if at all possible. It really is a great resource for all writers and readers.
And while I have your undivided attention, let me wish you all a happy Valentines Day. Some have complained that this holiday is just a way for the greeting card companies to make more money. Well, maybe so. But as Hallmark has surely said sometime over the decades, “it’s always time to tell someone you care.” Love to you all! (thanks to valsartdiary for this):
Fantastic news Sue, congratulations. I wish I was in London to come along to some events.
Absolutely! Me too – that looks like some festival, and you’re part of it. (Can I have your autograph?)
I love Lionel Shriver, the book We need to Talk about Kevin took forever to leave me alone. Haunting. Lucky you and congrats!
What a wonderful honour – congratulations, Sue!
And hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Love Chaim Potok and The Joys of Yiddish by Leo Rosten. Jewish humour has to be the best.
Thanks all. Not sure how much congratulations are due, but the person in charge did read my blog and decide I, among others, was a good choice. So that’s nice. Haven’t had much good news on the writing-front lately, so I think I’ll take the congrats, regardless 🙂
Congratulations Sue. That’s wonderful!
I’ve added the JBW blog to my feeder to keep up to date.