Movies and books

You can spend years looking for something that gets you all fired up, or you can watch these take-charge films or read these female-written novels.

MOVIES

PEPPERMINT Proving she has bigger cojones than most men, Jennifer Garner takes revenge on the cartel that murdered her family. De nitely worth watching just to see ‘normally nice’ Jen do gritty.

JULIET, NAKED Rose Byrne stars as Annie, the long-suffering girlfriend of Duncan (Chris O’dowd) who rediscovers her purpose when she meets his musical obsession: the reclusive singer Tucker Crowe (Ethan Hawke). A British gem.

BABY MAMAS Salamina Mosese puts her producer skills to use in this tale of four single women coming to terms with being single moms. Starring Dineo Ranaka, Thembisa Mdoda, Pamela Nomvete and Renate Stuurman, this local drama is already garnering international interest.

BOOKS

IF YOU LEAVE ME By Crystal Hana Kim (Harper Collins; R456) When the communist army invade 16-year-old Haemi’s Korean village, she and her mother flee to seek refuge. At the same time, Haemi is forced into an arranged marriage with the wealthy older cousin of her childhood love.

SHE WOULD BE KING By Wayétu Moore

(Graywolf Press; R439) Magic and history combine in a tale set in Liberia’s early years through three characters, Gbessa, June and Norman, who develop powers that allow them to cheat death.

SURPRISE ME By Sophie Kinsella

(Penguin; R290) When Sylvie and Dan realise they have to stay married longer than expected, panic sets in, mistakes arise and secrets are uncovered that threaten to shake their bond.

A JIGSAW OF FIRE AND STARS By Yaba

Badoe (Head of Zeus; R252) Rich in African folklore and hard-hitting themes, this isn’t your average young adult novel. It begins with a sinking ship, and only gets darker and revealing from there.