Space Station Mir

  Full disclosure, I'm related to the author, but I truly enjoyed this Israeli Indiana Jones-type adventure centered on a research group at Hebrew University: history grad student Yaeli, chemistry grad student Nathaniel, rappelling expert/desert guide Yoav, and Professor Reuveni, who discover a mysterious rebellion-era scroll that may lead them to the long-hidden treasures of the Second Temple. This is a Da Vinci Code with more relatable characters and more realistic history. Where it does diverge from history into action, and the requisite villainous secret society, the text remains humorously self-aware. There is a special starring role for Yaeli's Canaan dog, and this wouldn't be a book by my family if there weren't several recipes, including almost an entire chapter (two pages, to be fair) about cooking a chicken. My cousin's knowledge as a geologist and former tour guide shines brightly in a series of interspersed vignettes from various time periods detailing t...

 I definitely get a new rush of reading energy in with the new year. It helps that the nature of my work is often slow or nonexistent in January, so I have plenty of time for reading.  Books Read This Month The Babysitters' Coven by Kate M. Williams--extremely meta cross between The Babysitters' Club and Buffy the Vampire Slayer with a very Gen Z nonviolent code--much to love! The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer--the most amazing Jewish rep and the only chronic illness rep I've ever read wrapped up in one entertaining yet satisfyingly thoughtful Hanukkah romance story. Also, in case this is also you, even the Christmas content, which annoyed me reading the blurb and almost put me off reading it--because really, we need that even in a Hanukkah novel?--ended up making sense and not being annoying. The Leavers by Lisa Ko--very important story about children left behind when parents are deported; sensitively explores issues of ethics around adoption and immigration without being d...