4 Must-Read Books by Israeli Authors

In a certain way, books are portals. Portals that can make us travel through a number of different realities and societies, without leaving the comfort of our bed or couch. If you are lucky enough to hold a book written by a talented author, you will be able to understand parts of the world and kinds of people you didn’t even know existed.

It is always a great time to recommend a breathtaking book, that is why in this same blog we already told you about the greatest Israeli books for children, and a few months ago we went over the best-selling Israeli authors of all time.

At this opportunity, we wanted to be even more specific, and bring you 4 extraordinary Israeli books you must read in the upcoming months. These Israeli books, written by some very talented Israeli authors, will enable you to understand a variety of things: from fictional books that will drive you directly into the tiny streets of Jerusalem, to amusing essays on how we should live in the current century.

Are you ready to see the next 4 books you are going to purchase from either your local store, or from Jeff Bezos’ platform? Sit back, relax, and enjoy the little summaries we are going to give you about these 4 jewels from Israeli literature.

Here we go!

Israeli books you have to read in the near future!

Do you love Israel? How do you feel about the different types of people you met on your last visit to Israel? Would you like to deeply understand the Israeli mindset, and how Israeli society works, thinks and interacts?

Well, the Israeli books we are going to recommend in just a few moments are here to inspire you, and give you all that knowledge you were looking for. We don’t take responsibility if it takes you only a few days till you finish each one of these books… they are good! Consider yourself warned…

1. Yuval Noah Harari: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century

All of the books written by Yuval Noah Harari are interesting, intriguing and amusing. He presents discoveries that can change the way in which we see the world, and the paths we decide to follow in our own lives. After reading “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind”, and “Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow”, you cannot miss his newest work.

Instead of focusing on how an ape became the ruler of the world, or on how human beings are going to live like “Gods” in the future, “21 Lessons for the 21st Century” focuses on current affairs, on a more immediate future of humankind. As the author says, “in a world full of irrelevant information, clarity is power”.

2. David Grossman: Someone to run with

The scenery: The streets of the lovely and ancient Jerusalem.

The main character: A sixteen-year-old Israeli kid called Assaf.

The story: A lost dog, the discovery of first love, and the life and struggles of street kids, criminals, and teenage drug addiction.

This book by the extraordinary writer David Grossman has received multiple awards, and has entered the hearts of numerous people from all over the world. It was originally published in the year 2000, and adapted to English about six years later.

This book is a great opportunity to meet a sometimes hidden part of the Jerusalem life. A part you, most likely, won’t see during your next vacation to the Land of Milk and Honey. This fictional novel is totally worth it!

3. Amos Oz: A Tale of Love and Darkness

Amos Oz has been a polemic figure in Israel for many years now, but putting all of his controversial thoughts aside, he is an extraordinary writer who has been representing Israeli literature in an exceptional way for decades.

His book “A tale of love and darkness” was originally published in 2002 and it has been translated to almost 30 languages. This amazing book documents a big portion of his early life, and includes a family history researched by one of his great-uncles.

Almost 15 years later, and directed by Natalie Portman, it was adapted into a film, receiving a very nice reception from the audience.

4. Ayelet Tsabari: The Best Place on Earth

Ayelet Tsabari is a young Israeli-Canadian writer. Her book “The Best Place on Earth” is a great piece that discusses sisterhood on a deep, intriguing level. It is about 2 sisters in different stages of their romantic lives, reuniting in British Columbia, and through some unexpected events, rediscovering their connection.

As she said herself, Ayelet “grew up in a suburb of Tel Aviv, served in the Israeli army, and traveled extensively throughout South East Asia, Europe and North America”.

Besides writing both in Hebrew and English, she studied film and photography in Canada, and she has directed two documentaries, winning an award at the Palm Spring International Short Film Festival with one of them.

You don’t want to miss this book, and the amazing opportunity of reading one of Tsabari’s creations.

Read the original. Learn some Hebrew.

It is always better to read the original. We all know that in the translation some details are missed, and there is some personal interpretation of the specific translator. Just like when you watch a movie before reading the book that inspired it…

If you want to read the originals and not miss anything, you should begin by learning some Hebrew in a dynamic, hands-on, inclusive space. The online, live Hebrew courses offered by the Rosen School of Hebrew are just amazing, and their well-trained instructors are ready to teach you the language of our ancestors in a breathtaking way you have never seen before.

Want to learn Hebrew? The time is now!