Title: The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible
Author: Warren Kozak
Genre: Non-Fiction

I am incredibly pleased to have met my goal of reading 40 books during 2008. I cut it quite close to the wire but I did it and am so happy to have done so. I’m raising the bar and setting a goal of 45 books for next year. Wish me well on that endeavor.

I’m very pleased that my last book of 2008 was The Year of Living Biblically. It is a fascinating look at the book(s) that has influenced so much of our world’s culture and development. It’s also really funny. It echoes some tenets that I’ve found to be true as I’ve become more “religious” (not the right word, observant is better). Namely if you pretend like you’re a better person, that is to say you start taking the actions that “better people” take, you will slowly become a better person. If you hold your tongue and don’t gossip you’ll slowly become a person who doesn’t gossip and doesn’t want to gossip. If you focus on making the world a better place each day you’ll do your part to do just that.

And did I mention that it’s funny?

Title: The Rabbi of 84th Street
Author: Warren Kozak
Genre: Non-Fiction

This book was, of all things, a Christmas present from my stepmother. My family has been incredibly supportive of my conversion process. While I still participate in their Christmas celebration (with the full blessing of my rabbi) it warms my heart to receive Jewish themed gifts from them (my brother bought me a Star of David charm).

This was a short book about the very interesting life of a Poland born rabbi who fled the Holocaust, raised a family, had an interesting life and became a very prominent hasidic rabbi in New York City. The book is the religious equivalent of “chick lit.” Meaning it was kind of fluffy and quick reading. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.