MARBLEHEAD — Susan Steigman believes in sharing her love of books.
She has been organizing the annual Jewish Book Month events at the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore for eight years, and the series kicks off its 15th season on Sunday.
"Since I was a little girl, I've always been an avid reader," Steigman said. "I found myself spending hours reading and collecting books. It just took me to a different place."
Steigman selected seven authors who will speak at Jewish Book Month events throughout November. Genres run the gamut from fiction to politics to humor and more.
A "girls night out" dinner on Nov. 11 will feature a talk by Beth Teitell, author of "Drinking Problems at the Fountain of Youth," and a cocktails and hors d'oeuvres opening night soiree on Sunday will feature a talk by author Louis Ferrante, who left a life of mafia crime and converted to Judaism in prison, a story he tells in "Unlocked: A Journey From Prison to Proust."
"There are prominent authors from around the country and emerging authors," said Steigman, who lives in Marblehead, "It's not just a JCC event — it's a community event."
All of the books are either written by Jewish authors or the subject of the book is Jewish.
"People are really blown away by the quality of the authors we have come," said Steigman, who was director of development events at the JCC of the North Shore for eight years until she was laid off in August.
How long does it take to plan Jewish Book Month?
It's in the planning stages throughout the year. I have a very involved and dedicated volunteer committee.
How do you select authors?
Throughout the year I'll go to Cornerstone, Brookline Booksmith and Spirit of '76 to hear authors. I also go to the annual Jewish Book Council meeting. There are over 200 authors, and they each get two minutes.
What's that like?
It's like speed dating for authors. I love it.
Why?
I have a passion for this. I've always been an avid reader, and I love to expose people to books.
Your favorite genre?
I love historical fiction.
Your favorite book of all time?
"Anna Karenina." I like historical books, and it was very well-written, and it just takes you to another place in time.
How do you know if an author will be a good speaker?
You can figure out in two minutes whether an author is a good speaker.
What do you look for?
There is nothing worse than someone reading from their book. People want to know your process and when you came up with the idea. That's what really interests people.
Has Jewish Book Month changed since you took over eight years ago?
It has always been a signature event, but I have grown it through the years. We get larger audiences, from beyond Marblehead and Swampscott.
Anything new this year?
We're having the first Jewish Book Month beauty bar with demonstrations of fitness, skin care and makeup (for "Drinking Problems at the Fountain of Youth"). Her book is about how we all want to present our best selves whether we're in our 30s or our 70s. The whole focus is on well-being and wellness.
Do you have a favorite "Book Month" book this year?
I think the opening night will be very interesting: "Unlocked" by Lou Ferrante. He grew up Catholic. He was a member of the Gambino crime family in New York. He had never read a book. He was sent to jail for armed robbery, and he started reading and studying religion and converted to Judaism, and he's an Orthodox Jew. It's a great story.
Catchiest title this year?
"Larry's Kidney."
Why is Jewish Book Month so popular?
I think it's unique. There is something for everyone: men, women; fiction, nonfiction; established authors and new and emerging authors. At every author event, there is the opportunity for questions and answers.
Jewish Book Month
When: Events from Nov. 1 to 22
Tickets and information: To buy tickets online for any of the author events or to read book descriptions, visit www.jccns.org and look under "Upcoming Events" for Jewish Book Month, or call JCC at 781-631-8330.
Presenting sponsor: Grosvenor Park Nursing Center in Salem
Schedule of events
Sunday, Nov. 1, 5 p.m., Louis Ferrante, author of "Unlocked: A Journey from Prison to Proust," cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, Jewish Community Center, $25.
Wednesday, Nov. 4, noon, Daniel Asa Rose, author of "Larry's Kidney: Being the True Story of How I Found Myself in China with My Black-Sheep Cousin and His Mail-Order Bride, Skirting the Law to Get Him a Transplant," luncheon at Grosvenor Park (very limited seating), $10.
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 5:30 p.m., Beth Teitell, author of "Drinking Problems at the Fountain of Youth," Girls Night Out, dinner and beauty bar, Kernwood Country Club, $55 (includes valet parking).
Thursday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m., Noah Alper, author of "Business Mensch: Timeless Wisdom for Today's Entrepreneur," dessert and coffee, Cohen Hillel Academy, $12.
Monday, Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m., Maggie Anton, author of "Rashi's Daughters," dessert and coffee, Congregation Shirat Hayam, $15.
Thursday, Nov. 19, 7 p.m., Chris Bohjalian, author of "Skeletons at the Feast," dessert and coffee, Jewish Community Center, $15.
Sunday, Nov. 22, 10:30 a.m., Joe Kahn, co-author of "Last Lion: The Fall and Rise of Ted Kennedy," brunch, Jewish Community Center, $18.
