Israel Today’s Bestseller List for תשפ”ה: A Quiet Preference for Non-fiction
Israel Today’s yearly snapshot of the country’s bestselling original titles offers a clear, and arguably surprising, view of contemporary Israeli reading habits. Across the top 10, fiction is largely absent, and the spotlight shines on non-fiction, economic guides, and intellectual essays. The pattern echoes a broader cultural preference: education, information, and topical analysis often win out over pure entertainment.
What the Top 10 Reveals
The list of the year’s bestsellers (ספרי המקור) includes titles such as Chutaf by Ali Sharabi and Sela Meir, Investments for the Lazy by Tamir Mandelovsky, and Transparent Threads by Noam Horovitz (self-published poetry). Also present are analytically minded works like In Surprises, Do You Make War? by Yossi Cohen and You Said This Was Jihad by Tzvi Yehuda (Tzvi Yehieli), which blend current events with personal reflection. A notable feature is the strong showing of practical, self-improvement and macroeconomic titles such as Investments for the Lazy and Money Well (both tied to accessible financial guidance).
In the mix, a few non-fiction powerhouses stand out: Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari—the translated edition drawing readers into a broad, big-picture analysis; a graphic novel entry, Carmel Comics 4: A Circus Adventure from Ma’ira Ben-Nahum-Goldberg; and a contemporary Hebrew title like If You Are Reading These Words by Shlomo Kwas and Rachel Plant-Rosen. The content spectrum is wide, but the throughline is consistent: readers appear drawn to understanding the world, whether through historical context, economic guidance, or current affairs commentary.
Fiction in the Mix: The Exceptions
Two notable departures from the general trend are The Blue Diamond Trilogy (a romantic-urban trilogy that leans into fiction) and Carmel Comics 4 (a children’s/young adult graphic novel). These titles break the non-fiction dominance and remind us that there is still appetite for prose and illustrated storytelling—especially when the work sits at the intersection of popular culture and accessible narrative. Still, they are in the minority within the year’s top-tier bestsellers.
Why Non-fiction Dominates: Reading Habits or Social Signals?
Several factors may explain the pronounced tilt toward non-fiction. Non-fiction titles often serve as practical guides—helping readers navigate finances, security considerations, and civic life—while essays and analysis feed a culture of discourse and debate. In a country with a dynamic security landscape and a robust entrepreneurial scene, books that offer tools, frameworks, and context can have broad appeal beyond pure leisure reading. The presence of a prominent figure like Harari also signals a global curiosity about big ideas, history, and future-facing thinking, which resonates with a wide readership in Israel as elsewhere.
Are These Books Read or Just Displayed?
The question behind the numbers is genuine: do these bestsellers reflect actual daily reading or are they bought to showcase prestige on a shelf? The data, drawn from booksellers and market trackers, points to a mixture. A portion of sales likely represents genuine ongoing reading—people who finish these titles and discuss them in clubs or classrooms. Yet the visibility of some titles—especially self-published works or controversial topics—also suggests a cultural moment where owning a book is part of being informed, even if publication alone doesn’t guarantee sustained reading.
What This Means for Readers and Publishers
For readers, the lists underline the value of accessible, solution-oriented content—guides on investments, personal development, and informed civic life. For publishers and authors, the takeaway is clear: there remains strong demand for thoughtful non-fiction that demystifies complex subjects, even in an era of quick digital content. The occasional blip of fiction demonstrates that compelling storytelling still has a place, but it appears readers increasingly seek practical insight blended with clear, accessible prose.
Bottom Line
Israel Today’s תשפ”ה bestseller lineup confirms a cultural inclination toward knowledge, analysis, and practical guidance. While fiction isn’t entirely absent, the dominant trend is clear: readers value books that illuminate, explain, and equip them to navigate a complicated world. For cultural observers, educators, and curious minds, this is a meaningful snapshot of what Israelis choose to own, read, and discuss in 2024.
