Open Books Challenge 2026: By a Jewish Author

The Open Books Reading Challenge is a year-long reading challenge for people interested in pushing the boundaries of their reading. For full details of the program, please check-out our page at: https://www.rplmn.org/books-more/discover-more/open-books-reading-challenge

These are some ideas that fit the 2026 category "By a Jewish author."

Happy Reading!

Updated December 31, 2025
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My last innocent year : a novel
Alpert Florin, Daisy
Paper Book
An incisive, deeply resonant debut novel about a nonconsensual sexual encounter that propels one woman's final semester at an elite New England college into controversy and chaos--and into an ill-advised affair with a married professor. It's 1998 and Isabel Rosen, the only...
The blood years
Arnold, Elana K.
Paper Book
From Michael L. Printz honoree & National Book Award finalist Elana K. Arnold comes the harrowing story of a young girl's struggle to survive the Holocaust in Romania. Frederieke Teitler and her older sister, Astra, live in a house, in a city, in a world divided. Their father...
Ninth house
Bardugo, Leigh
Paper Book
"The best fantasy novel I've read in years, because it's about real people... Impossible to put down." --Stephen King Enter a mesmerizing world of power, privilege, and dark magic among the Ivy League elite in the first book in the Alex Stern series. ...
Lucky broken girl
Behar, Ruth
Paper Book
An unforgettable coming-of-age novel following a young Cuban-Jewish immigrant girl in 1960s New York City who must overcome the sudden derailment of her American Dream. WINNER OF THE PURA BELPRE AWARD * A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST MIDDLE GRADE BOOK OF THE CENTURY "A...
How to be Parisian wherever you are : love, style, and bad habits
Berest, Anne
Paper Book
From four stunning and accomplished French women--a charming bestseller about how to slip into your inner cool and be a Parisienne. In short, frisky sections, these Parisian women give you their very original views on style, beauty, culture, attitude and men. The authors--Anne...
The postcard
Berest, Anne
Paper Book
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR TIME Magazine・NPR・Library Journal・The Globe and Mail・Lilith・Forward Magazine・Toronto Star・The New Yorker Winner of the Choix Goncourt Prize, Anne Berest...
Those who save us
Blum, Jenna.
Paper Book
New York Times Bestseller * Winner of the Ribalow Prize, awarded by Hadassah Magazine An estranged mother and daughter reunite to confront their family's role in World War II in this harrowing, unforgettable novel about lost love and inherited shame from New York Times bestselling author...
Superfudge.
Blume, Judy
Paper Book
Sometimes life in the Hatcher household is enough to make twelve-year-old Peter think about running away. His worst problem is still his younger brother, Fudge, who hasn't changed a bit since his crazy capers in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. If you ask Peter, Fudge is just an older — and...
The echo chamber.
Boyne, John, 1971-
Paper Book
'The funniest book I've read in ages. Savage but compelling' Ian Rankin 'Funny, rumbustious, unstinting and wonderfully Hogarthian' The Observer 'His relish is infectious' Times _____________________________ What a thing...
Milk fed : a novel
Broder, Melissa
Paper Book
Named a Best Book of the Year by Entertainment Weekly, Vogue, Time, Esquire, BookPage, and more This darkly hilarious and "delicious new novel that ravishes with sex and food" (The Boston Globe) from the acclaimed...
Fleishman is in trouble
Brodesser-Akner, Taffy
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * NATIONAL BOOK AWARD LONGLIST * "A masterpiece" (NPR) about marriage, divorce, and the bewildering dynamics of ambition Now an Emmy Award-nominated FX limited series on Hulu, starring Claire Danes, Jesse Eisenberg, Lizzy Caplan, and...
Caleb's crossing.
Brooks, Geraldine
Paper Book
A richly imagined new novel from the author of the New York Times bestseller, People of the Book. Once again, Geraldine Brooks takes a remarkable shard of history and brings it to vivid life. In 1665, a young man from Martha's Vineyard became the first Native...
Hope and other punch lines. [online electronic book]
Buxbaum, Julie.
Ebook
The New York Times bestselling author of Tell Me Three Things and What to Say Next delivers a poignant and hopeful novel about resilience and reinvention, first love and lifelong friendship, the legacies of loss, and the stories we tell ourselves in order to survive.
The Yiddish policemen's union : a novel
Chabon, Michael.
Paper Book
For sixty years, Jewish refugees and their descendants have prospered in the Federal District of Sitka, a "temporary" safe haven created in the wake of revelations of the Holocaust and the shocking 1948 collapse of the fledgling state of Israel. Proud, grateful, and longing to be American, the...
The Boston girl : a novel
Diamant, Anita.
Paper Book
New York Times bestseller An unforgettable novel about a young Jewish woman growing up in Boston in the early twentieth century, told "with humor and optimism...through the eyes of an irresistible heroine" (People)--from the acclaimed author of The Red Tent<...
Fagin the thief : a novel
Epstein, Allison
Paper Book
A thrilling reimagining of the world of Charles Dickens, as seen through the eyes of the infamous Jacob Fagin, London's most gifted pickpocket, liar, and rogue. "Fagin the Thief takes one of literature's greatest rogues and gives him a soul, a backstory, and a spotlight....
Unorthodox : the scandalous rejection of my Hasidic roots /
Feldman, Deborah, 1986-
Paper Book
The instantNew York Times bestselling memoir of a young Jewish woman's escape from a religious sect, in the tradition of Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Infidel and Carolyn Jessop's Escape. The Satmar sect of Hasidic Judaism is as mysterious as it is intriguing to outsiders. In...
Everything is illuminated.
Foer, Jonathan Safran, 1977-
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER. Jonathan Safran Foer's debut--"a funny, moving...deeply felt novel about the dangers of confronting the past and the redemption that comes with laughing at it, even when that seems all but impossible." (Time) With only a yellowing photograph in...
The diary of a young girl : the definitive edition
Frank, Anne
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * Updated with enlightening new material, this is the complete, definitive edition of Anne Frank's diary, "the single most compelling personal account of the Holocaust" (The New York Times Book Review) Discovered in the attic where she spent the last...
Man's search for meaning
Frankl, Viktor E.
Paper Book
THIS EDITION IS NO LONGER IN PRINT. Please get the regular edition ISBN: 9780807014271. This edition is no longer in print. Please check ISBN: 9780807014271 for the most recent edition. Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl's memoir has riveted generations of readers...
Man Who Sold Air in the Holy Land : Stories
Paper Book
From "a marvelous new voice" (Rebecca Makkai), these "extraordinarily imaginative" (Sigrid Nunez), "revelatory" (Nicole Krauss), "superb" (Kiran Desai) stories transcend borders as they render the intimate lives of people striving for connection. WINNER OF THE...
Every wrinkle has a story
Grossman, David
Paper Book
Every Tuesday, Yotam's grandfather takes him to a coffee shop after kindergarten, where Grandpa Amnon drinks coffee and Yotam likes to draw. One day, Yotam has a question: "Grandpa, what's on your face?"  Grandpa Amnon explains that the lines on his face are wrinkles, and they are...
The thinking heart : essays on Israel and Palestine
Grossman, David
Searing essays from International Booker Prize-winning Israeli author and long-time peace activist David Grossman carry us up to and through the cataclysm of Oct 7th and what followed We know David Grossman's voice of ringing moral clarity from way back: since the late 1980s and...
Closing time
Heller, Joseph.
Paper Book
A darkly comic and ambitious sequel to the American classicCatch-22. Joseph Heller revisits the unforgettable characters of Catch-22, now facing the twilight of their lives and the end of the century. The generation that fought in World War II--Yossarian, Milo...
The marriage of opposites
Hoffman, Alice.
Paper Book
"[A] luminous, Marquez-esque tale." -O, The Oprah Magazine From the New York Times bestselling author of The Dovekeepers and The Museum of Extraordinary Things: a forbidden love story set on the tropical island of St. Thomas about the extraordinary woman who...
We were the lucky ones.
NULL
Paper Book
The New York Times bestseller with more than 1 million copies sold worldwide | Now a Hulu limited series starring Joey King and Logan Lerman Inspired by the incredible true story of one Jewish family separated at the start of World War II, determined to survive--and to reunite...
The weight of ink
Kadish, Rachel
Paper Book
WINNER OF A NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD AUSA TODAY BESTSELLER An intellectual and emotional jigsaw puzzle of a novel for readers of A. S. Byatt'sPossessionand Geraldine Brooks'sPeople of the Book ...
The snowy day
Keats, Ezra Jack.
Paper Book
CALDECOTT MEDAL WINNER * #1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER * The magic and wonder of winter's first snowfall is perfectly captured in this classic seasonal board book celebrated by generations of readers--a beautiful gift for the holiday season! New York Public Library's #1 book on the...
The latecomer
Korelitz, Jean Hanff
Paper Book
*A New York Times Notable Book of 2022* *A Washington Post Notable Work of Fiction* *An NPR Best Book of the Year* *A New Yorker Best Book of 2022* From the New York Times bestselling author of The...
The history of love.
Krauss, Nicole
Paper Book
Leo Gursky taps his radiator each evening to let his upstairs neighbor know he's still alive. But it wasn't always like this: in the Polish village of his youth, he fell in love and wrote a book...Sixty years later and half a world away, fourteen-year-old Alma, who was named after a character in...
Becoming Brianna.
Libenson, Terri
Paper Book
New York Times bestseller! Terri Libenson returns with another endearing, relatable story of friendship and finding confidence. Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jennifer L. Holm. Middle school is full of challenges. Everyone knows how...
The giver.
Lowry, Lois
Paper Book
Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. When Jonas turns 12 he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and...
Kissing Kosher : A Novel.
Meltzer, Jean
Paper Book
"An unflinchingly honest romance." --Kirkus, starred review From the author of THE MATZAH BALL and MR. PERFECT ON PAPER comes this hilarious and emotional rivals-to-lovers romance. Step 1: Get the secret recipe. Step 2: Don't fall in love......
Cilka's journey
Morris, Heather (Screenwriter)
Paper Book
From the author of the multi-million copy bestseller The Tattooist of Auschwitz comes a new novel based on a riveting true story of love and resilience. Her beauty saved her -- and condemned her. Cilka is just sixteen years old when she is taken to...
A deadly education.
Novik, Naomi
Paper Book
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * From the author of Uprooted and Spinning Silver comes the first book of the Scholomance trilogy, the story of an unwilling dark sorceress who is destined to rewrite the rules of magic. FINALIST FOR THE LODESTAR AWARD * "The dark...
The invisible bridge.
Orringer, Julie
Paper Book
Julie Orringer's astonishing first novel, eagerly awaited since the publication of her heralded best-selling short-story collection, How to Breathe Underwater ("fiercely beautiful"--The New York Times; "unbelievably good"--Monica Ali), is a grand love story set against the backdrop of...
The altruists.
Ridker, Andrew
Paper Book
A New York Times Editors' Choice "[An] intelligent, funny, and remarkably assured first novel. . . . [Andrew Ridker establishes] himself as a big, promising talent. . . . Hilarious. . . . Astute and highly entertaining. . . . Outstanding." --The New York Times Book...
Camp
Rosen, Lev AC
Paper Book
A Lambda Award Finalist, A Today Show Best Book, A Forbes Best Book, and an ALA Rainbow List Top Ten selection Set in a summer camp, this sweet and sharp screwball comedy set in a summer camp for queer teens examines the nature of toxic masculinity and self...
We're going on a bear hunt.
Rosen, Michael, 1946-
Paper Book
Go on a bear hunt and do the actions with this award-winning picture book classic. Follow and join in the family's excitement as they wade through the grass, splash through the river and squelch through the mud in search of a bear. What a surprise awaits them in the cave on the...
The rain watcher [sound recording (CD)] /
Rosnay, Tatiana de, 1961-
Audiobook
The first new audiobook in four years from the beloved superstar author of Sarah's Key, a heartbreaking and uplifting story of family secrets and devastating disaster, set against a Paris backdrop, fraught with revelations, and resolutions. "Hypnotic, passionate,...
American pastoral
Roth, Philip
Paper Book
PULITZER PRIZE WINNER * NATIONAL BESTSELLER * From one of the most acclaimed writers of the twentieth century--a compulsively readable elegy for America's promises of prosperity, civic order, and domestic bliss, and "one of Roth's most powerful novels ever" (The New York Times)....
Where the wild things are.
Sendak, Maurice
Paper Book
Maurice Sendak's Caldecott Medal-winning picture book has become one of the most highly acclaimed and best-loved children's books of all time. A must for every child's bookshelf. This iconic story has inspired a movie, an opera, and the imagination of generations. When Max dresses in his...
All kinds of other. [online electronic book]
Sie, James.
Ebook
In this tender, nuanced coming-of-age love story, two boys--one who is cis, and one who is trans--have been guarding their hearts, until their feelings for each other give them a reason to stand up to their fears. Two boys are starting over at a new high school. Jules is still...
This is a love story : a novel
Soffer, Jessica
Paper Book
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | READ WITH JENNA BOOK CLUB PICK AS FEATURED ON TODAY "This may be the most epic love story I've ever, ever read."--Jenna Bush Hager on TODAY An intimate and lyrical celebration of great love, great art, and the...
See you yesterday. [online electronic book]
Solomon, Rachel Lynn.
Ebook
A New York Times bestseller! From the author of Today Tonight Tomorrow comes a magical, "emotionally savvy[,] and genuinely romantic" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) story in the vein of Groundhog Day about a girl forced to relive her disastrous...
This is where I leave you.
Tropper, Jonathan.
Paper Book
The death of Judd Foxman's father marks the first time that the entire Foxman family--including Judd's mother, brothers, and sister--have been together in years. Conspicuously absent: Judd's wife, Jen, whose fourteen-month affair with Judd's radio-shock-jock boss has recently become...
Golem and the Jinni.
Wecker, Helene
Paper Book
?In The Golem and the Jinni, a chance meeting between mythical beings takes readers on a dazzling journey through cultures in turn-of-the-century New York. Chava is a golem, a creature made of clay, brought to life to by a disgraced rabbi who dabbles in dark Kabbalistic magic and dies at...
Night
Wiesel, Elie
Paper Book
A new translation from the French by Marion Wiesel. Night is Elie Wiesel's masterpiece, a candid, horrific, and deeply poignant autobiographical account of his survival as a teenager in the Nazi death camps. This new translation by Marion Wiesel, Elie's wife and frequent...
The book thief
Zusak, Markus.
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME * A NEW YORK TIMES READER TOP 100 PICK FOR BEST BOOKS OF THE 21ST CENTURY * A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF THE CENTURY The extraordinary, beloved novel about the...

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