Buy the book - 10 million books are sold in Jerusalem annually.

By RON FRIEDMAN writing in The Jerusalem Post

When Abraham Mapu published the first Hebrew novel, Ahavat Zion, in 1853, he laid the foundations of modern Hebrew literature. A romance set in biblical days, it was the first time the Hebrew language was used to tell a secular story. The book went on to become the first Hebrew "best-seller," printing 16 editions and translated into five languages. It is also said to have been a major influence on the early Zionist movement.

Photo: Ariel Jerozolimski

Writing in 19th century Lithuania, Mapu had no reason to believe that a century and a half later, a thriving Hebrew publishing industry would be operating in an independent Jewish state. But in today's hyper-competitive publishing environment, chances are good that Mapu would never get read.
Hebrew books have had a strong influence on Jews ever since the Book, but it was only after the Haskala period, in the latter half of the 18th century, that Hebrew literature as we know it came into being. Today, more than 5,000 new titles are published every year, most of them in Israel. Ironically, this abundance may actually be harming the Israeli book business.
Israel is home to a rich and diverse book publishing industry. Despite a limited number of readers, it boasts hundreds of publishing houses of all sizes, dedicated to putting out all manner of books, from religious works to experimental erotica.

It's estimated that roughly 10 million books are sold annually. This week, annual Hebrew Book Week is marked, and all across the country publishers, distributors and bookstores are setting up stalls in city streets and public squares in a mass celebration of the written Hebrew word. But while on the surface things couldn't be rosier, behind the scenes people are grumbling. Concerned over vertical expansion by dominant publishing houses, smaller publishers worry that they may soon be forced to close.

Read Friedman's full story here.