The weather’s chilly. The curfew’s 10pm. And we can’t go out and drink wine. Yay … let’s read. Here are 25 fabulous reads – non-fiction, fiction, young adult and children’s titles – to enjoy this month. They’re all from Exclusive Books, and you can obviously buy instore, but if you’re feeling lazy, order online, by phone or via Uber Eats (snacks and books … woo hoo)!
IN THE NON-FICTION CATEGORY, HERE ARE NINE TITLES FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BOOKS TEAM RECOMMEND.
From leading forensic pathologist Ryan Blumenthal’s chief goal is to bring perpetrators to justice in Autopsy, to a daring mission to salvage the ghosts of those who were thought to have been eternally dissolved by apartheid Special Forces in Death Flight by Michael Schmidt, these are all superb reads. Leading Without Authority by Keith Ferrazzi is breaking new ground in defining what leadership can mean in the emerging world of work and In Sermons of Soul, Iman Rappetti shares the voices that play in her ear – ones that compel her to keep her light burning consistently in a tumultuous world. Recession, Recovery & Reform, edited by Raymond Parsons, offers compelling new insights into how South Africa can unlock its potential in the years ahead.
These are Not Gentle People by Andrew Harding is a gripping and painful read, told with empathy and nuance is an uncomfortable reminder that the past is not over. Two Minutes to Midnight by Oscar van Heerden describes factional infighting, money in bags exchanging hands in the dead of night, spies on duty and a political party in the clutches of state capture. in Undeniable, Philippa Garson evokes a deeply personal, honest and moving account of the ordinary people who, away from the media spotlight, paid a heavy price to bring us democracy. And as ford Greg Arde’s War Party … ‘Beautifully written and impeccably researched. This book is so good, so important and so relevant that it left me speechless, ’ said Jacques Pauw.
Onto fiction and an afternoon on the sofa
The recommended fiction titles range from Bare III: Ego by Jackie Phamotse (be prepared to cry and exult … Jackie is a magnificent deep storyteller) to Into the Sun – a new exciting South African romance novel author by Thakalani M. Tony Park’s latest Last Survivor begins with a bang, hovers for a while and then finishes with an improbable conflagration between trained Jihadists and the armed but doting members of PCFAS. Coming-of-age novel Love and Miracles of Pistola by Hilary Prendini Toffoli pays homage to the 110 young Italian men who were recruited to work on the South African Railways and introduced Italian cuisine to the nation.
Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce is a beautifully written, extraordinary quest in which two ordinary, overlooked women embark on an unlikely scientific expedition to the South Seas. Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan is a deliciously modern book … all drama and diamonds, and satire galore. Eve Chase’s novels are about glamorous families with tragic pasts, set in wonderful locations and her writing is rich and her stories are full of dreamy mystery and The Glass House wont disappoint. The House on Fripp Island by Rebecca Kauffman is powerful and delicate … the action builds to an event as inevitable as it was unpredictable. Gripping!
The Phone Box at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina is absolutely breathtaking . . . a story of universal loss and the power of love, while in The Vanishing Half, Brit Bennett allows her characters to follow their worst impulses, and she handles provocative issues with intelligence, empathy and dark humour. Last up is Wild … one of Kristin Hannah’s most compelling and riveting novels.
The children’s young adult tiles for August include Burn by Patrick Ness – who is a literary giant in young adult fiction, and his books remain gloriously original and unpredictable … mind-bending in the best possible way.
The Betrothed features a headstrong heroine, whom Kiera Cass’s loyal following will champion. Another blockbuster from Philip Pullman is The Secret Commonwealth (The Book of Dust Volume Two), that elegantly weaves in live issues, from Europe’s refugee crisis to facts in the post-truth era. In The Strangeworlds Travel Agency by L. D. Lapinski, the characters are very likeable (even catty and sarcastic Jonathan – who is a lot of fun to read). And we loved Die Knorrige Kwêvoël by Julia Donaldson’s The Go-Away Bird, translated into Afrikaans by South African children’s book author Jaco Jacobs.
More for readers … Exclusive Books are hosting authors on webinars and everyone who is signed up for fanatics will receive news about events; alternatively follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ExclusiveBooks/ , Instagram https://www.instagram.com/exclusivebooks/ , Twitter http://www.twitter.com/exclusivebooks or www.exclusivebooks.co.za
Oh … and back to that Uber Eats deal.
You can order your book on the Uber-Eats platform – you will find them as one of the vendors along with your favourite restaurant, order your book as you normally would for food, and get it delivered (still hot) within an hour. Exclusive to Exclusive Books, and available in all SA towns and cities, where there is an Exclusive Books, except Botswana, Namibia and Nelspruit.
You can also take advantage of the brand new Phone-in option. Simply phone your local Exclusive Books and complete your transaction over the phone. Your order will be delivered to your doorstep in 36 hours.
And obviously the stores are open, and you can buy online via the website.
