I’m here to interrupt Yiddish week with more reviews from my pile o’ books. I have three for you this week, so without further ado, let’s get this party started.

If You Awaken Love by Emuna Elon

This novel takes place in Israel in the years between the Six Day War and the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, and tells the story of Shlomtzion, whose heart was broken by her former fiance when he broke off the engagement and who has to confront him, finally, years later and also come to terms with herself and the life and choices she made. Not really my kind of book, but even so, I must admit that it’s written in very lovely prose, and could certainly strike chords with people whose kind of book this is.

The Curse of the Holy Pail by Sue Ann Jaffarian

Paralegal/sleuth Odelia Grey gets into the middle of the trouble surrounding the centerpiece of a millionaire’s lunchbox collection in The Curse of the Holy Pail. Yeah, you read that right. This is written in a light tone and has memorable characters. Odelia Gray is sassy and fun and a welcome addition to the mystery genre, which is usually full of cynical men characters who can only wish they were written by Raymond Chandler. This is summer beach reading, which is a good time, since, you know, sometimes books are just supposed to be entertaining.

Rogues, Writers & Whores: Dining With the Rich & Infamous by Daniel Rogov

This is a foodie’s journey through history: stopping among the timeline of years to find out about interesting historical figures and the food that was part of their lives. Each section contains a recipe, so when you get to James Joyce you’ll find stuffed mutton kidneys and Irish blood sausages, and with the Marquis de Sade? Truffled Oysters. Of course. Louis XIV? Crab Louis and Curried Shrimps Louis. Queen Elizabeth I? Lamb with cucumbers and apple cream. And so on. Full of fascinating information that you’d probably never think to look up on your own, Rogues, Writers & Whores is like the literary Food Network with entertaining, knowledgeable writing by Daniel Rogov. If you’re interested in food or history or food and history, then this book is definitely worth your time.