Wondering what to get me for Chrismakkuh?

18 Responses

1. 1

   Amanda Marcotte 11.25.2006 at 11:33 pm | Permalink

   I’m reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma right now. Highly recommended.

2. 2

   Jill 11.25.2006 at 11:34 pm | Permalink *

   Nice. Absurdistan is first on my list, but now I will most certainly add The Ominvore’s Dilemma to it.

3. 3

   JackGoff 11.25.2006 at 11:39 pm | Permalink

   Against the Day is on the way to my apartment! :)

4. 4

   zuzu 11.25.2006 at 11:47 pm | Permalink

   Dear Law School: I hate you.

   HA! Just wait until you start practicing.

5. 5

   Linnaeus 11.26.2006 at 12:24 am | Permalink

   Dear Law School: I hate you.

   If you write my dissertation, I’ll take your law classes.

6. 6

   Isabel 11.26.2006 at 1:06 am | Permalink

   Ooh I read one of those! (Averno, by Louise Gluck. The only poet I’ve ever fangirled over to the point that I now own Averno in hardcover cuz I couldn’t wait to have it).

7. 7

   Alon Levy 11.26.2006 at 3:42 am | Permalink

   Is there any book about how Americans try to appear multicultural by talking about Hanuka, one of the least important Jewish holidays, whose sole significance is being celebrated around Christmas time? That would be something I’ll be willing to bulk-buy and send to all the bloggers who talk about multicultural holiday trees.

8. 8

   Arianna 11.26.2006 at 8:40 am | Permalink

   Sadly, I’ve only heard of a handful of those and haven’t read any of them.

   Somehow, getting an English Lit degree precludes reading any English Literature.

9. 9

   Jill 11.26.2006 at 10:36 am | Permalink *

   Is there any book about how Americans try to appear multicultural by talking about Hanuka, one of the least important Jewish holidays, whose sole significance is being celebrated around Christmas time? That would be something I’ll be willing to bulk-buy and send to all the bloggers who talk about multicultural holiday trees.

   Was this supposed to be a snarky comment about my post title?

   Look, I wrote “Chrismakkuh” because, even though Judaism may be a relatively small religion world-wide, where I live it’s pretty common. And since the majority of my friends here are either Jewish or Christian (with a handful of atheists and one or two Hindus thrown in there), around this time of year we have Chrismakkuh parties. Because where Iive, those are the dominant holidays. And Hanukkah may not be a super important Jewish holiday, but Christmas isn’t supposed to be the primary Christian holiday, either. But for a variety of reasons, December has become the principle holiday time in the United States, and even my friends who are Hindu celebrate with their families and exchange gifts. This isn’t me trying to sound “multicultural.” It’s a recognition of the reality of this season, at least where I live and in my social group.

   In other words, step off.

10. 10

    Frumious B. 11.26.2006 at 10:49 am | Permalink

    speaking of law school, please read this and share your opinion

    http://www.slate.com/id/2154218/?nav=tap3

11. 11

    norbizness 11.26.2006 at 4:21 pm | Permalink

    Actually, wait until Bar Exam preparation: you may forget how to use utensils.

12. 12

    randomliberal/Robert 11.26.2006 at 5:10 pm | Permalink

    Dear Law School: I hate you.

    Man…good to know i picked the right field of study for next year…

13. 13

    Scorpio 11.26.2006 at 5:38 pm | Permalink

    I’m not sure law school has much to do with it. I’ve read a hundred or more books this year, just not *those*.

14. 14

    Painini 11.26.2006 at 9:45 pm | Permalink

    Alon, it’s not the entire book’s focus, but Doubt: a history by Hecht mentions how and why Hanukkah was popularised – by secular Jews, who wanted to keep the culture (not the strict adherence) appealing by creating a sort of counter-Christmas. (And how that’s massively and a bit cruelly ironic, given the holiday’s roots.)

15. 15

    Roberta 11.26.2006 at 10:03 pm | Permalink

    shit I just got shit from my MIL for calling the holiday chrismakah. Glad I am not the only sinner out there…

16. 16

    Jake 11.27.2006 at 2:44 pm | Permalink

    I’m embaressed and some what suprised to say I haven’t read any of them either. I’m going with the Tom Ricks one as the first on my list of ones to check off.

17. 17

    Meredith 11.27.2006 at 4:58 pm | Permalink

    Well, the only book I’ve read on that list is Mayflower, for class. I’ve read a lot this year, just not those.

18. 18

    Regina 11.27.2006 at 4:59 pm | Permalink

    I’ve read exactly one: Fun Home. It’s fabulous.

    Stupid grad school.

Comments are closed.