Have I mentioned that I love reading? No? How remiss of me.
Books have been to blame for many a sleepless night as I force my eyelids open and coerce my eyes to focus so that I can read one more chapter… then just another chapter…one more….and so it goes until it is 3:00am and I have finished the book. Sound familiar? I bet it does.
As much as I enjoy reading all the great best-selling international novelists like Stieg Larsson, Dan Brown, Jodi Picoult, Dean Koontz etc – I do so love reading South African novels. It’s refreshing to be able to identify with the places, people, humour and idiosyncrasies that are uniquely South African.
South Africa has some great writers and here in Durban North, to compensate for the shocking drivers, we have Books & Books. A delightful book store which regularly host some of our South African authors.
I went there to listen to Jenny Hobbs, author of “Kitchen Boy”, whose talk was fascinating as she and guests alike shared details of what South Africans went through during World War 2. Kitchen Boy was an amazing read, made even more special with references to familiar spots within KwaZulu-Natal and Durban.
(Excuse the crappy photos. My Blackberry is lacking in that function)
I just loved the “Ants” books so jumped at the chance to meet Annica Foxcroft. She was promoting the 3rd in her Ants series namely “Ants in the Big Onion.” Her previous 2 books – “There are Ants in my Sugar” and “More Ants!” were books that one could easily read in a couple of days and which had you smiling the whole way through. Annica was an eloquent and amusing speaker whose love for the written word clearly extends to the spoken word.
Although I had already met Di Smith, I wanted to hear all about her new book – “You’re Awesome.” I purchased her book not for myself – but for The Alien. The positive messages in her book are just what a teenager needs to empower themselves to get through the unimaginably difficult world they live in.
I am looking forward to hearing Mandy Weiner whose book, “Killing Kebble”, has attracted a lot of publicity. It is definitely not a book that you can put down and pick up at whim. There are so many characters and story lines that it demands you pay attention. Mmm, I may have to borrow one of the Aliens Ritalin tablets.
Books & Books, Janine O’Conner and your entire team, thank you for promoting South African writers. Please can you invite some of my other favourite SA writers like Fiona Snyckers (Her Trinity books are a treat for all ages) and Ndumiso Ngcobo (Because it is cathartic to laugh about our diverse nation) and Paige Nick (still waiting for her books which I ordered but I love her column in the Sunday Times)
Any more South African writers you can recommend? My fellow Ama Glug- Glugger, Lesmarie, gave me the book “Mushy Peas on Toast” by Laurian Clemence. Looks like just the type of book I want to read. Loud and proud – it’s South African.
Thank you Alma for inviting me to the ANTS launch – I am now hooked on these book launches and I am loving the South Arican writers too! Enjoy Mushy Peas – it is a bit of a walk down memory lane from our youth too!
Thanks Les. I look forward to reading Mushy Peas. See you at Mandy Weiner's talk 🙂
I know I'm off topic but I like the makeover on your blog 😀
Thank you, SnowPony. I had fun recreating it.
Hi Alma
I've never been to Books and Books (I'm the other side of town) but I love book shops and especially love book stores which are not mega-franchises and are peopled entirely by people who read and love books – so I will definitely pop in there soon. Have you read Peter Harris's books? They're absolute treats. "In a different time" reads like such a punchy thriller you can't quite believe it's all true…and yes, you'll be up until 3am to finish it.
X
I know it is way across town for you but subscribe to their e-mail so you get to see what they are up to (shop@booksandbooks.co.za) I'll definitely get my hands on Peter Harris..err..I mean…his books 🙂 Thanks for the recommendation, Sioux.