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South African books to add to your reading list this festive season - part 1

Hiya book lovers With Christmas being just around the corner, I thought I’d highlight some South African reads that should go on your TBR pile. We have so many phenomenal SA authors that deserve to be celebrated , and because this list will be an extensive one, I am splitting this post and making it a series. I know it won’t be possible to include every single South African author, but I am going to try to  highlight books from every genre and make it as diverse as possible (so, with respect, please don’t ask me why so and so isn’t on the list – there’s more to come).  First up:  1. Sing Down the Stars by Nerine Dorman A book I recently received for review ( thanks you NB publishers ) and am super excited about diving into is Sing Down the Stars. I was first introduced to Nerine’s writing years ago, when I read one of her first books, What Sweet Music They Make (Would 100% still love to see more of that). Over the years, I ’ve come to know Nerine as well and she’s not ...

The Secret

Book review: I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

This is the story of twins coming together, falling apart and rebuilding what is left when the planet they’ve been circling has thrown them both out of orbit.

Disclaimer: Review originally appeared on Women24. A copy of the book can be purchased via Raru.co.za.


I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (first published in 2015 by Walker Books)
Jandy Nelson has been a favourite of mine ever since she first wrote The Sky is Everywhere. She casts a spell with words, weaves them together and paints a world mired in linguistic art.

The years between Jandy writing The Sky is Everywhere and I’ll Give You the Sun was interminably long; Jandy certainly seemed content to keep her fans waiting while she churned out yet another masterpiece.

You know what though? The wait was completely worth it.

I’ll Give You the Sun is an exquisitely written novel with a seemingly simple premise.

Jude and Noah are twins who’ve always been close. From sharing the sun, the planet and the stars (metaphorically speaking), to having a telepathic bond and being able to feel each other’s emotions (as some twins are wont to do), these two have always been orbiting around the same planet since they’ve been in their mother’s womb.

When their mother dies in a car accident, the world around them changes and everything they’ve lived for and loved dies with her.

Exploring themes of grief, loss, familial relationships, I’ll Give You the Sun is not so much a novel about death than it is about a journey to re-finding the beauty in living again following the pain that death brings.

It’s a book that’s hard to review because not only is it an encompassing treatise on art and using it as a medium for self-expression but it’s also a novel that explores what happens when the impact of grief destroys that creative outlet.

It’s a little purple prose heavy, but once you get used to the writing style, you’re quickly swept into a novel that is filled with moments of philosophical beauty and searing heartbreak.

It’s about beauty and tragedy, art and chaos, harmony and dissonance, all rolled into one.

Read it for the beautiful characters and read it because it explores teenage sexuality, love and finding your place in society even if you feel as if you’re living on the fringe.

Mostly though, read it because it’s an unforgettable novel that reminds you that it’s okay to fight, flail and fall through the unbearable agony of grief, all before you find your feet again. 

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Book talk: 10 books I’m planning to read before I buy more new books

Ah, the plight(s) of a book lover. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who is guilty of this, but at the moment, there are tons of books sitting in my shelves still waiting to be read. In the past month or so, I’ve made many a verbal agreement about self-imposed book buying bans, but to no avail. I’ve even roped in one of my fabulous book blogging friends, but the lovely Urbanised Geek was just as bad at upholding her end of the bargain as I was (and am). In light of this, I’ve decided the next best thing would be to make a list of 10 books I’m going to read next before I buy any additional books. At this rate, the books that I’ve been buying will never be read, so I’m considering this an intervention of sorts. Without further ado, these are the books I’ll be reading before rewarding myself with new books. *grins* 1. After the Woods by Kim Savage Would you risk your life to save your best friend? Julia did. When a paroled predator attacked Liv in the woods, Julia fought back and got...

Cover reveal: Spark by Holly Schindler

Today, thanks to HarperTeen and YA author Holly Schindler , I’m excited to be part of the cover reveal for Holly’s forthcoming book, Spark. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been a fan of books about star-crossed lovers and Spark is a book that, well, has that in spades. Or so it certainly seems to me.  Also, the theatre (we use UK spelling here in SA by the way) as a setting? Oh yes please. Without further ado, behold the gorgeous cover! Be sure to scroll down for more info about the book and more about Holly. About the book: When the right hearts come to the Avery Theater—at the right time—the magic will return. The Avery will come back from the dead. Or so Quin’s great-grandmother predicted many years ago on Verona, Missouri’s most tragic night, when Nick and Emma, two star-crossed teenage lovers, died on the stage. It was the night that the Avery’s marquee lights went out forever. It sounds like urban legend, but one that high school senior Quin is now starting to believ...

Mini book review: Banished by Liz de Jager

Welcome to another mini book reviews edition of my blog. In today’s mini reviews feature, I share my brief thoughts on Liz de Jager’s Banished.   Summary from Goodreads (published by TorUK in 2014)   Kit is proud to be a Blackhart, now she’s encountered her unorthodox cousins and their strange lives. And her home-schooling now includes spells, fighting enemy fae and using ancient weapons. But it’s not until she rescues a rather handsome fae prince, fighting for his life on the edge of Blackhart Manor, that her training really kicks in. With her family away on various missions, Kit must protect Prince Thorn, rely on new friends and use her own unfamiliar magic to stay ahead of Thorn’s enemies. As things go from bad to apocalyptic, fae battle fae in a war that threatens to spill into the human world. Then Kit pits herself against the Elder Gods themselves – it’s that or lose everyone she’s learnt to love. You can purchase a copy of the book on Raru.co.za My thoughts: What a fun...

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