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Best Place on Earth: Stories
Best Place on Earth: Stories | Ayelet Tsabari
12 posts | 10 read | 19 to read
Reminiscent of the early work of Jhumpa Lahiri, Ayelet Tsabari s award-winning debut collection of stories is global in scope yet intimate in feel, beautifully written, and emotionally powerful. From Israel to India to Canada, Tsabari s indelible characters grapple with love, violence, faith, the slipperiness of identity, and the challenges of balancing old traditions with modern times. These eleven spellbinding stories often focus on Israel s Mizrahi Jews, featuring mothers and children, soldiers and bohemians, lovers and best friends, all searching for their place in the world. In Tikkun, a man crosses paths with his free-spirited ex-girlfriend now a married Orthodox Jew and minutes later barely escapes tragedy. In Brit Milah, a mother travels from Israel to visit her daughter in Canada and is stunned by her grandson s upbringing. A young medic in the Israeli army bends the rules to potentially dangerous consequence in Casualties. After her mom passes away, a teenage girl comes to live with her aunt outside Tel Aviv and has her first experience with unrequited love in Say It Again, Say Something Else. And in the moving title story, two estranged sisters one whose marriage is ending, the other whose relationship is just beginning try to recapture the close bond they had as kids. Absorbing, tender, and sharply observed, "The Best Place on Earth" infuses moments of sorrow with small moments of grace: a boy composes poetry in a bomb shelter, an old photo helps a girl make sense of her mother s rootless past. Tsabari s voice is gentle yet wise, illuminating the burdens of history, the strength of the heart, and our universal desire to belong. Praise for "The Best Place on Earth" It s impossible not to be awestruck by the depth and power rendered in Tsabari s stories. "Elle" Tsabari creates complex, conflicted, prickly people you'll want to get to know better. "Kirkus Reviews "(starred review) There s remarkable scope in Ayelet Tsabari s "The Best Place on Earth, " which interweaves stories of discrimination, loss, displacement, sex, death, religion, and a host of other issues. And yet, despite the range of viewpoints and the different facets of Israeli society explored, this is a collection that always stays intensely personal, the broader forces of history moving not merely across nations but within the souls of her beautifully conceived characters. Phil Klay, National Book Award winning author of "Redeployment" With incredible compassion and a delicate touch, Ayelet Tsabari explores the heartbreak inherent in forming bonds, whether with another person or with a whole country. "The Best Place on Earth, " a complicated love song to Israel, is a sure-footed and stunningly skillful debut. Shelly Oria, author of "New York 1, Tel Aviv 0" Powerful . . . brilliant . . . These stories . . . depict minorities so skillfully, with such a light and accurate touch. "The Daily Beast" Highly recommended . . . Compelling and compassionate; [Tsabari s stories] speak out from the heart of Israeli society and experiences. . . . The stories of "The Best Place on Earth" leave you wishing they wouldn t end. "The Times of Israel" This short story collection is a fiction debut for Tsabari, but it demonstrates that she is already a talented storyteller. . . . Her writing has an immediacy and power that invites readers into her characters psyches. " Publishers Weekly""
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blurb
BookishMe
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Set in different corners of the planet, the common factor among the various characters, predominantly Mizrahi Jews from Israel, is the 'search for their place in the world'.

#BiblioMAYnia Home

Cinfhen We read this in bookclub/ not usually a fan of short stories but this was good. I loved her memoir 4y
BookishMe @Cinfhen yes, I didnt expect to enjoy this debut as much as I had... Will look up her memoir ;D thanks! 4y
Cinfhen Her memoir and short stories are a little intertwined. It‘ll feel somewhat repetitive but I think her writing and storytelling really improved 4y
BookishMe @Cinfhen I noticed I had already wishlisted her memoir. I remember I really liked her writing in the short stories. Looking forward to better storytelling ;D 4y
48 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
Cinfhen
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Mehso-so

Finished this short story collection for my bookclub. The writing is strong and it‘s very obvious that Tsabari is a native; she captures the people, land, culture and nuances with absolute perfection. While all the stories are readable none are really memorable. Just so-so for me. I did love her memoir (which is available in May) , so maybe she‘s evolved. #FridayFlowers are back 🌈🌷💐🌹🌻

AmyG Ah, beautiful flowers! 6y
Cinfhen Thanks @AmyG soooo happy to see fresh flowers around the apartment 💞🌻💞 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 🌸🌸🌸 6y
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TrishB Friday flowers, they‘re lovely ❤️ I‘m ready for Friday wine. 6y
Cinfhen Ha! I‘ll drink to that @TrishB 🥂 6y
TNbookworm Love Friday flowers💐 6y
Cinfhen Thanks @TNbookworm 💕 6y
GatheringBooks aww. only a so-so. i own a copy of this book, and you are right it was the memoir that first caught my eye, but not yet available i think except as a pre-order on book dep? 🧚🏼‍♀️ 6y
116 likes8 comments
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Cinfhen
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Getting an early start on next month‘s IRL bookclub pick. It‘s the first time we are reading a short story collection. Completed first 3 stories, all picks ✅♥️😊

Reviewsbylola I feel like a short story collection would be difficult to discuss. 6y
Cinfhen Yeah, I‘m wondering how that will work @Reviewsbylola although each story is set in Israel and touches on certain aspects of daily life which I think might lead to interesting discussions for our group. 6y
CarolynM My IRL book group has done a few short story collections over the years. Most of them have provided plenty of fuel for discussion. 6y
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Cathythoughts We did Sarah Halls Short story book Madame Zero ( I‘m not a short story fan .... loved this one though .... great for Bookclub too 6y
Cinfhen Glad to hear that short story collection can spark interesting discussion @CarolynM @Cathythoughts 6y
BarbaraBB What does IRL stand for? 6y
Cinfhen In Real Life @BarbaraBB 😘 6y
BarbaraBB ☺️ Stupid me! 6y
Cinfhen Not stupid at all @BarbaraBB 😘😘😘 6y
arubabookwoman Is that an Israeli writer? I‘m interested in reading more from Israel. 6y
Cinfhen She is @arubabookwoman and her writing is really beautiful. I can send you my copy but it won‘t be until mid/late April. Also the author has a memoir coming out that I read via NetGalley. It was very powerful 6y
GatheringBooks i just received this book as part of my birthday book loot and super looking forward to reading it!!! 6y
107 likes1 stack add12 comments
blurb
Cinfhen
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After reading and LOVING Ayelet Tsabari‘s intimate memoir I knew I wanted to read her short story collection. I convinced my IRL book club to make it one of our upcoming reads 😁 I‘m tagging her memoir in the comments below!!!

Leftcoastzen Love the bookmark. 6y
Cinfhen Me too @Leftcoastzen ♥️ 6y
GlassAsDiamonds Oooohh.... I still need a 2019 release for #Booked2019 ! That memoir could work! 😊😊😊 6y
117 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
Cinfhen
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#ReadJanuary #setinyourcitycountry My current "home" is the country of Israel. It's an amazing land full of history, rich in culture and home to many religions but man, this place is COMPLICATED. However, my "home home "is The Main Line...suburban Philadelphia, where I lived for nearly 50 years! So I'm offering books that are set in both of my hometowns. Loved The Dovekeepers and Ayelet Tsabari's short story collection. Luckiest Girl Alive~ meh

BkClubCare My parents are in Israel right now. 8y
KarenUK This is such a fun prompt.... I love seeing everyone's 'home'... 💕 8y
jessberk13 I now live near that area of PA - Lafayette Hill! 8y
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Cinfhen @BkClubCare Hope they are enjoying 😊 8y
Cinfhen I love the shops in Lafayette Hill @jessica 8y
Cinfhen I agree @KarenUK 😍 8y
Alicia Thanks for the recs! My brother lives in Israel too! He is visiting then States for the first time in two years in a little! 😊 8y
Cinfhen @Alicia Enjoy his visit and the books as well 💙📚 8y
TrishB Loved The Dovekeepers 😀 and one of my favourite book covers. 8y
Captivatedbybooks Im from philly! 8y
Cinfhen @Captivatedbybooks yay for Philly girls 💗💗💗there are LOTS of us on Litsy😊 8y
Cinfhen @TrishB it took me two tries to read THE DOVEKEEPERS, but once I got into it, I was totally hooked! Definitely in my all time favorites📚❤️📚 (edited) 8y
Captivatedbybooks I had no idea there where alot of us! 8y
Oftencantdecide I lived on the Main Line for a few years as a teenager. I lived in Bryn Mawr, but my high school was in Merion. 8y
Cinfhen That's funny @Oftencantdecide because my kids went to high school in Bryn Mawr even though we lived in Merion. Did you go to LMHS? (edited) 8y
Oftencantdecide No, I went to a private school (Akiba Hebrew Academy) that has actually now changed its name and moved to Bryn Mawr 8y
Cinfhen That's hysterical 😂😂😂my kids went to Barrack @Oftencantdecide My son started middle school when it was still Akiba and I grew up on Old Lancaster Rd!!! (edited) 8y
Oftencantdecide Wow, small world! 🌎😀 8y
129 likes3 stack adds18 comments
review
Misanthropester
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Mehso-so

Heavy prose, not dense necessarily, just thick. Each story feels it could, should be more, and then there's also a feeling of distance rather than closeness in the tellings

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ViridianGirl
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One of the BEST books I have ever read. A great collection of stories told by an author who is also a master of storytelling. Everyone needs to read this book.

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chavalah
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Pickpick

Not officially finished with this 2015 Sami Rohr winner, but I've been loving it! She writes nuanced characters, mostly of Yemeni Jewish descent, grappling with various aspects of Israeli life. A rare and necessary portrait.

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Lindy

She had inherited her father's temper, his intensity and his charm. This temper, her contempt for authority, had made her army service insufferable: a series of trials, detentions and reassignments.

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BookishFeminist
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Pickpick

Gorgeous collection of short stories that focus on Israeli life and citizens. Tsabari is Israeli with Yemeni descent and writes truthfully & vividly to give her characters life. These stories are emotional and heartfelt as she explores identity, family, heritage, romance, and war/conflict. #ReadWomen

Megabooks Definitely want to read this one! Thanks for the rec. 9y
BookishFeminist @Ebooksandcooks No prob- hope you enjoy! 9y
26 likes7 stack adds2 comments
review
Rhondareads
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Pickpick

A gorgeous book of short stories.Tikkun first story former lovers meet by chance at a cafe in Israel the events of the day a horrific act will have them reconnecting in a surprising way.We meet Israelis Yemenis female soldiers tradition .