Top Ten Tuesday

TTT – Chanukah Books

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Top Ten Tuesday used to be a weekly post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, but was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl. “It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.” This is definitely something I can understand and want to participate in.

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This week’s topic is a freebie, and since Chanukah starts at sundown on Thursday night this year, I figured I would use this week’s post to highlight ten of my favorite Chanukah stories. I figured it works because of the heavy emphasis on Christmas books, and the recent emergence of books featuring Chanukah. Also, can we stop referring to lists of books as “holiday lists” if they only feature one holiday? Yes, Christmas, I’m looking at you. I know you’ve had the spotlight all to yourself for a long time, but it’s time to share the spotlight with Chanukah and Diwali!

This is an ambitious undertaking, because I honestly don’t know if I’ve read ten stories centering Chanukah, so I’m going to give it my best, and supplement from my TBR as needed. Here we go:

  1. The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer. | Amazon | Goodreads | This was the first Chanukah book I ever read as an adult, and I was thrilled to see a Jewish holiday centered in a traditionally published book. I mean, I also loved the book too. 
  2. How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow. | Amazon | Goodreads | I loved this YA romance set during the Chanukah season, between two young women who don’t seem to have anything in common at first.
  3. Eight Nights of Flirting by Hannah Reynolds. | Amazon | Goodreads | This was the cutest YA holiday romance, and I especially loved that it was so inclusive. It not only featured Chanukah, but also Christmas and New Years.
  4. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel and Trina Schart Hyman. | Amazon | Goodreads | This is a children’s book, but it is absolutely delightful. I read it last year, and absolutely adored it.
  5. Recommended for You by Laura Silverman. | Amazon | Goodreads | Chanukah and a story about a bookstore plus a YA romance? I was completely sold just on that.
  6. It’s a Whole Spiel: Love, Latkes, and Other Stories edited by Katherine Locke and Laura Silverman. | Amazon | Goodreads | This collection of short YA stories crossed so much of the spectrum of the Jewish experience.
  7. The Golden Dreidel by Ellen Kushner. | Amazon | Goodreads | This middle grade fantasy sounds like one I would get pulled into so quickly—fantasy adventure with Jewish folklore and a dreidel that is actually a princess in disguise!
  8. Love and Latkes by Stacey Agdern. | Amazon | Goodreads | Stacey is one of the kindest people on social media, and with a title like this and an enemies to lovers dynamic, I am looking forward to reading this one.
  9. As If on Cue by Marisa Kanter. | Amazon | Goodreads | I have had this on my TBR forever, and now that I know it features a Chanukah celebration, I’ll be sure to move it up in priority!
  10. Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz. | Amazon | Goodreads | This one is right up my alley—two Jewish teens with chronic illness plus a Chanukah party and a YA romance. I’m sold.

I’ve read six of the ten on my list, so I’m considering that as pretty good. What are your favorite Chanukah books?

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38 replies »

    • Thank you!

      And yes, when people say holiday, I think more than just Christmas. But there’s nothing wrong with saying Christmas – you wouldn’t say “holiday tree,” it’s a Christmas tree! Why do people have to make things weird for no reason? And have a great week yourself!

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      • I have no idea. I get terribly confused 😂 it is also strange when you can buy cards to and from your pets on special occasions. It makes me laugh but also it wastes space because card choices are generally poor 😂

        Thank you 😊

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  10. I don’t read a lot of holiday-based books at all (not even Christmas-themed — I find that fairly gimmicky)… or I didn’t, until recently when the British Library Crime Classics series started bringing out themed anthologies and “Mysteries for Christmas” etc. I’m still not entirely sure I like it, even though I’ve enjoyed some of them. That said, I think it’s partly because I hate that it makes such a big deal of Christmas (which I celebrate! I just know not everyone does), and adds to the over-saturation of Christian-based holiday stuff out there. So your list looks great!

    Here’s my TTT!

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    • Well, thank you for the compliment, and I can honestly say that the last few years is the only time in my life that I’ve ever read any kind of holiday-based books! Only because there weren’t any available for me before that aside from picture books. But I’m enjoying the way more books featuring non-Christian holidays are popping up all over the place!

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