Why these stories matter
My bookshelves are arranged in a personal order, by an internal organizing system: Books I read at particular stages in my life are in one section. Books that changed me in specific ways are shelved together. Nowhere is this truer than the sections where I've shelved my Jewish literature—books that span time and place, and that engage with Jewishness in ways big and small, direct and tangential. When I look at these books, I see not just what I've read, but when I encountered them, what they meant to me at various points along the way, like trail markers to my own personal history. Now more than ever, to scan these books provides a form of comfort, but it's the kind that comes from being reminded that Jewish history is long, that the questions have always been fraught, that there was rarely a period without turbulence, complexities and dissent. These books are places to grapple with identity, history and belief, with stories of persecutions and migrations, with questions of belonging and longing and exile and home. In difficult times then and now, stories become more necessary, not less. Entering their worlds enables us to experience, wrestle, and most of all, empathize. Engaging with Jewish literature can help us feel less alone.
Tova Mirvis is the nationally best-selling author of four novels, The Ladies Auxiliary, The Outside World, Visible City, and We Would Never. She is also the author of the memoir The Book of Separation.
This year, as Jewish Book Council celebrates the 100th anniversary of Jewish Book Month, we’re launching something new: Nu Reads, a bi-monthly subscription series that brings remarkable Jewish literature straight to your home.
When you join Nu Reads, you’re stepping into a community brought together by a shared passion for Jewish storytelling. You’ll discover contemporary voices and timeless narratives that carry our culture forward, connect you to a shared history, and spark conversations that matter. These books—whether stacked on your nightstand, shared with a friend, or proudly displayed—are reminders that Jewish stories belong in our everyday lives.
By subscribing, you’re not only investing in your own library. You’re supporting Jewish writers and the publishers who bring these stories into the world. As a member of Nu Reads, you’re helping to harness the power of a community that is passionate about books and ensure the enduring power of Jewish storytelling.
Nu Reads is curated by the Jewish Book Council team—the same group behind the National Jewish Book Awards and Paper Brigade. Each year, we read hundreds of titles and select the most resonant, conversation-worthy works for this program.
We partner closely with Tova Mirvis, our writer-in-residence, as well as a broader network of editors, agents, and tastemakers. We seek out books by Jewish writers or on Jewish themes that feel vital and compelling, whether they're brand-new, overlooked gems, or beloved classics.
There is no set criteria for which books we consider, just as there's no exact way to define what makes a "Jewish book." We are planning to feature books by well-known writers as well as introduce new writers to our subscribers. Many of the selections will be newly published, while some may be recent books that readers might have missed when they first came out. And every once in a while, there will be a book from the past that we want to highlight and bring to readers.
If you're purchasing a Nu Reads subscription as a gift, you'll be given additional options during the checkout process.
For a subsidized student rate, email us at nureads@jewishbooks.org with a valid student ID.