Read Women discussion

This thread is the place to suggest, share and request recommendations for books pertaining to Israel and Palestine.

Recognizing that many of us lean-Palestine or lean -Israel and we want all group discussions to be respectful, please be mindful of the manner in which you frame your recommendations and express your beliefs. Having said that, disclosing the general perspective as you perceive it of a work or author is likely to be really helpful to other members in determining whether a book is one to explore.

What books, documentaries and online resources do you recommend, whether for news, history, culture or other?

In a Reddit thread (full transparency), the following 2 books were recommended: Side by Side: Parallel Histories of Israel-Palestine by Sami Adwan and The Israel-Arab Reader: A Documentary History of the Middle East Conflict by Walter Laqueur. "The first is literally a parallel history, with the Israeli account on one page and the Palestinian account on the facing page."

Another thread captured a list of recommendations from the Financial Times, including this book, described as follows:

Enemies and Neighbours: Arabs and Jews In Palestine and Israel, 1917-2017 by Ian BlackIan Black (2017) A history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, timed for the 100th anniversary of the Balfour declaration, that has achieved the rare distinction of being acclaimed by both Israeli and Palestinian historians for its rigour and impartiality.

Has anyone read any of these 3?

I highly recommend The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew-- Three Women Search for Understanding as a very introductory look. The authors started out wanting to write a book for children to try to explain 9/11. The path was emotional and eye opening. The result was this book. I'm not sure if they ever wrote the children's book. The Palestinian / Jewish conflict was raised several times in their discussions.

I have not read any of the books Carol mentions above. As with the books I researched yesterday I am getting myself tied up in knots with the 1 and 2 star comments.

I recommend any of the books by Ilan Pappe.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

For the entirety of Frankfurt Book Fair UK publisher Fitzcarraldo Editions have made the eBook of Palestinian author Adania Shibli's Minor Detail, translated by Elisabeth Jaquette, free to download on amazon, apple and kobo.

I spent some time in Bethlehem, Palestine and while I was there I read and appreciated Karen Armstrong's History of Jerusalem : One City@@ Three Faiths a mere 10 km down the road. I found it incredible after reading that book that there was anyone left living in Palestine. I said to my family "congratulations, you survived, but who are you?" because so much of the history of the area has involved wiping out populations.

I also bought a copy of Classic Palestinian Cuisine by local Bethlehem author Christiane Nasser, which I recommend.

I have read The Woman from Tantoura: A Palestinian Novel by Egyptian author Radwa Ashour, it is about the endless fleeing from conflict of a refugee and trying to find a place to call home.

Thank you for these - good additions to my TBR. @Claire - that cookbook is a surprise treat for this thread. I may gift myself a holiday present early.

The Middle East/North African Lit group is a reliable, deep resource for anyone interested in reading books authored by persons from, or descended from MENA countries. In my experience, its members are thoughtful and bring deep knowledge to their discussions. https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

This video on the Israel-Palestine conflict ("a brief, simple history") is linked at the MENA group's homepage. https://www.goodreads.com/videos/1623...

For an emotional (& historically accurate) account on Palestinians sent to refugee camps in the 40s (*and a book which honors the complexity of the situation)

- Highly recommend Mornings in Jenin.

My family is Jewish so I appreciated this novel written from a voice that I wouldn’t otherwise hear as readily.

Lindsey wrote: "For an emotional (& historically accurate) account on Palestinians sent to refugee camps in the 40s (*and a book which honors the complexity of the situation)

- Highly recommend Mornings in Jenin..."

I read this book 6 months ago and found it very engaging and informing. I also recommend it.