And here they are: the National Book Award Winners of 2019:

Fiction: Trust Exercise — Susan Choi
Non-fiction: The Yellow House — Sarah M. Broom
Poetry: Sight Lines — Arthur Sze
Translated Literature: Baron Wenckheim’s Homecoming — Ottilie Mulzet & László         Krasznahorkai
Young People’s Literature: 1919 The Year That Changed America — Martin W. Sandler

Based on the novel by Penelope Fitzgerald, the movie stars Emily Mortimer as Florence Green, a widow with a desire to open a bookshop in a small coastal town in England in 1959. She faces opposition from the town matriarch, Violet, played by Patricia Clarkson, who does everything she can to thwart Florence, but the Old House bookshop opens successfully. But Violet is a schemer, and she refuses to give in. Bill Nighy is wonderful as Edmund Brundish, an town recluse who gallantly comes to Emily’s aid to combat Violet. It was a very entertaining film, but have a box of tissues nearby, for there are some sad scenes. The film ends with a twist; one I did not see coming…

 

If you are looking for a funny – but informative! – Jewish “encyclopedia” then look no further. This book includes religious terms and fun pop-culture references as well. This book would make a great coffee table book!

“Deeply knowing, highly entertaining, and just a little bit irreverent, this unputdownable encyclopedia of all things Jewish and Jew-ish covers culture, religion, history, habits, language, and more. Readers will refresh their knowledge of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, the artistry of Barbra Streisand, the significance of the Oslo Accords, the meaning of words like balaboosta,balagan, bashert, and bageling. Understand all the major and minor holidays. Learn how the Jews invented Hollywood. Remind themselves why they need to read Hannah Arendt, watch Seinfeld, listen to Leonard Cohen. Even discover the secret of happiness (see “Latkes”). Includes hundreds of photos, charts, infographics, and illustrations. It’s a lot.”

  As the decade wraps up, the ‘best of’ lists are starting to appear. Make sure to check out this best of children’s books list from the American Library Association.  The Notable list has categories of Younger Child, Middle and Older.  A great resource for quality titles to prepare for January’s Newbery announcement just around the corner.