For poet Yehoshua November, the division of the secular and sacred was once a discordant one. After receiving his MFA at the University of Pittsburgh, the poet moved deep into his Orthodox Jewish faith, replacing his creative writing with intensive yeshiva. Two years later, at the behest of his rabbi, November once again put pen to paper. God’s Optimism, his first collection of poetry, earned November the Main Street Rag Book Award and nominations for nearly a dozen additional accolades. His second collection, Two Worlds Exist, explores the intersections of faith and modernity in America through accessible ponderings and quiet, rhythmic stanzas. November will read from his new collection at Malaprop’s on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 3 p.m. orisonbooks.com. Photos courtesy of Orison Books
Smart bets: Yehoshua November
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