From mighty memoirs to cool cookbooks, look no further for the perfect Christmas gift for the bookworms in your life.
No Plan B by Lee Child and Andrew Child
One tragic event. Two witnesses. Two conflicting accounts. One witness sees a woman throw herself in front of a bus – clearly suicide. The other witness is Jack Reacher. And he sees what really happened – a man in grey hoodie and jeans, swift and silent as a shadow, pushed the victim to her death, before grabbing her bag and sauntering away. Reacher follows the killer, not knowing that this was no random act of violence. A pulse-pounding read.
The Perfect Assassin by James Patterson & Brian Sitts
Dr Brandt Savage’s plans for his sabbatical from the University of Chicago change drastically when he is enrolled in a school where he is the sole pupil. At this school, the first lesson is survival. His professor is relentless in her lessons. She’s also his captor. Savage has idea why he was chosen or what is expected of him. But as he learns more about his abductor, Savage discovers just how deeply entwined their lives are. A fast-paced thriller.
The Romantic by William Boyd
Set in the 19th century, the novel follows the roller-coaster fortunes of a man as he tries to negotiate the random stages, adventures and vicissitudes of his life. He is variously a soldier, a farmer, a pawnbroker, a bankrupt, a jailbird, a writer, a gigolo – and many other manifestations – and, finally, a minor diplomat, based in Trieste (then in Austria-Hungary) where he sees out the end of his days. An intimate yet panoramic novel.
Triple Cross by James Patterson
Detective Alex Cross is hunting a killer who targets families around Washington, DC. But Cross isn’t the only one investigating. A charismatic true-crime author has spotted patterns in the actions of ‘The Family Man’ that others have missed. They strike under cover of darkness, trigger no alarms, and leave no evidence behind. It’s up to Cross to determine whether the writer’s theories are fact or fiction. Filled with edge-of-the-seat suspense.
Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout
In March 2020 Lucy’s ex-husband William pleads with her to leave New York and escape to a coastal house he has rented in Maine. Lucy reluctantly agrees, leaving the washing-up in the sink, expecting to be back in a week or two. Weeks turn into months, and it’s just Lucy, William, and their complex past together in a little house nestled against the sea. Rich with empathy and a searing clarity.
Deception by Lesley Pearse
After the funeral of her mother, Sally, Alice is approached by a man who claims to be her father. What does he hope to gain telling her this now, 30 years on? How can her adored Ralph not be her true father? And why did her mother betray her so badly? Enthralling historic fiction.
Listen to Me by Tess Gerritsen
As Detective Jane Rizzoli and Forensic Pathologist Maura Isles investigate the baffling murder of Sofia Suarez, a well-respected nurse, they discover that Sofia was guarding a dangerous secret – one that may have led the killer straight to her door. Meanwhile, Jane’s watchful mother Angela Rizzoli is conducting an investigation of her own into some strange, and possibly even dangerous, new neighbours. A nail-biting thriller.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Nora is a cut-throat literary agent at the top of her game. Charlie is an editor with a gift for creating bestsellers. And he’s Nora’s work nemesis. When Nora swaps out her desk in the city for a month’s holiday in small-town Sunshine Falls, North Carolina, she’s hoping for a whirlwind romance with a sexy lumberjack, a handsome doctor or a cute bartender, but Nora keeps bumping into … Charlie. A hilarious rom-com.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Scientist, single mother – and the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show, Supper at Six, Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. Her unusual approach to cooking (‘combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride’) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook; she’s daring them to change the status quo. Laugh-out-loud funny and shrewdly observant.
Air-fryer Cookbook by Jenny Tschiesche
An air-fryer is the latest kitchen must have and this is the recipe book to go with it! Nutritionist Jenny Tschiesche has developed 101 tried-and-tested recipes to help you get the very best out of your air-fryer. Her appealing ideas take their inspiration from all styles of world cuisine, and there is something here to suit every occasion, from snacks and sides, to complete meals and sweet treats.
Living the Ultimate Keto Lifestyle by Hendrik Marais
This informative read incorporates a comprehensive introduction that sets out the Keto Lifestyle South Africa founder’s principles and practices for following a keto diet, and explains how to achieve your weight-loss goals. This is followed by a selection of delicious, healthy recipes, as well as sample meal plans and ideas for effortless entertaining.
No Retreat, No Surrender by Oscar Chalupsky
In this book, the sporting legend relives some of his most exhilarating and nail-biting races, and shares the lessons he has learnt from winning on the international surf lifesaving, kayak and surfski circuits as well as running several successful businesses. The final chapters recount his courageous battle against cancer, and his refusal to let the deadly disease dictate his life. An uplifting account of grit, perseverance, talent and attitude.
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
In the stirring first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency – a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil.
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson
The acclaimed clinical psychologist provides twelve profound and practical principles for how to live a meaningful life, from setting your house in order before criticising others to comparing yourself to who you were yesterday, not someone else today. Drawing on vivid examples from the author’s clinical practice and personal life, cutting edge psychology and philosophy, and lessons from humanity’s oldest myths and stories, 12 Rules for Life offers eternal truths applied to our modern problems.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
People think when you want to change your life, you need to think big. But world-renowned habits expert James Clear has discovered another way. He knows that real change comes from the compound effect of hundreds of small decisions – doing two push-ups a day, waking up five minutes early, or holding a single short phone call. He calls them atomic habits. These small changes will have a revolutionary effect on your career, your relationships, and your life.
Koos Bekker’s Billions by TJ Strydom
Financial journalist T.J. Strydom delves into the life of the man who has amassed one of the largest fortunes ever by a South African. Just how did he do it? In the book, TJ identifies 15 winning strategies, each calculated and effective, that catapulted a Heidelberg boerseun into unfathomable wealth. This is a captivating look into the life of a very private billionaire.
The Profiler Diaries 2: From Crime Scene to Courtroom by Gérard Labuschagne
In this second instalment of The Profiler Diaries, former South African Police Service (SAPS) head profiler Dr Gérard Labuschagne, successor to the legendary Micki Pistorius, recalls more of the 110 murder series and countless other bizarre crimes he analysed during his career. As Labuschagne says, catching a killer is one thing; getting them convicted in a court of law is an entirely different ball game. This book shows how it is done in fascinating detail.
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa 5th Ed.
Now in its fifth edition, Sasol Birds has been brought fully up to date by its expert author panel, with additional contributions from two new birding experts. Greatly enhanced, this comprehensive, best-selling guide is sure to maintain its place as one of Africa’s most trusted field guides. Key features include more than 800 new illustrations and access to a free downloadable app to scan and play bird calls. Ook in Afrikaans.
Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa
Southern Africa has a rich variety of tree species, with an estimated 2 100 indigenous species and more than 100 naturalised aliens. This comprehensive and fully updated field guide describes and illustrates more than 1 000 of these, focusing on trees that are the most common and most likely to be encountered. Species are logically arranged in 43 groups based on easy-to-observe leaf and stem features, and each account is illustrated by full-colour photographs of the plant’s diagnostic parts. The text also touches on the practical uses of the plants.
WIN! Two lucky readers could each win a foodie hamper that consists of a Christmas Cake straight out of Chef Mynhardt Joubert’s kitchen, along with a bottle of KWV 12-year-old brandy, and a copy of Mynhardt’s cookbook valued at R1 310. To enter, visit www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za/competitions. Ts & Cs apply.
Entries close 08 January 2023.
Details: www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za
