Books/movies

What we’re craving now: stories that thrill, inspire and prove that we can survive anything.

BOOKS

BECOMING By Michelle Obama (Penguin; R211) In this honest memoir, Michelle Obama opens up about her childhood and the experiences that shaped her, including being the first black woman to hold the title of First Lady in the US.

THE LAND IS OURS By Tembeka Ngcukaitobi (Penguin; R280) This is the story of Henry Sylvester-williams, Alfred Mangena, Richard Msimang, Pixley ka Isaka Seme, Ngcubu Poswayo and George Montsioa, SA’S first black lawyers, and the cases they took on in colonial SA.

THE TERRIBLE By Yrsa Daley-ward (Penguin; R198) The resilience of the female spirit is evident in Yrsa Daley-ward’s four-part memoir. Each section, which explore stages of her life, will blow your mind and touch your soul.

SORRY TO DISRUPT THE PEACE By Patty Yumi Cottrell (And Other Stories; R210) Determined to find out how her brother died, Helen Moran returns home to uncover whether her brother’s death was truly suicide or murder.

MOVIES

A SIMPLE FAVOUR Mismatched friends Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) and Emily (Blake Lively) connect over martinis and play dates. But when Emily vanishes, her new BFF is determined to nd her. This thriller’s got more twists than a chignon.

LEAVE NO TRACE From the lmmakers of Winter’s Bone comes this superb drama about Tom (Thomasin Mckenzie) and her father, Will (Ben Foster), an emotionally-scarred Army veteran, who have been living in the wild for years until Social Services insists they conform. Absolutely brilliant.

A STAR IS BORN Lady Gaga dazzles in this role as Ally, an up-and-coming singer guided by musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper). Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand made these characters famous in ’ 76 and this updated version doesn’t disappoint.