ENTERTAINMENT
THIS MOURNABLE BODY by Tsitsi Dangarembga, Jacana, R240 Dangarembga is known for her acclaimed breakthrough novel Nervous Conditions. This Mournable Body picks up the story of the protagonist, Tambudzai, who still lives in her hometown, Harare, as she tries to navigate adulthood and make ends meet. Dangarembga highlights the struggles of many people still living in impoverished Zimbabwe. – SL
BLACK TWITTER, BLITZ AND A BOERIE AS LONG AS YOUR LEG by Hagen Engler, Jacana, R145 A light, humorous read that will certainly help you contribute to conversations about all things uniquely South African. With topics ranging from Twitter rants to things that bring us together as a nation, you’ll definitely see yourself or someone you know in some of the moments the author highlights. – SL
HELP ME! By Marianne Power, Picador, R311 Get highlights from some of the best selfhelp books the author has read through the years. From Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne to Get The Guy by Matthew Hussey and You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay, there are gems of knowledge and takeaway lessons scattered throughout the book to help you heal yourself. Expect some laughs too. – SL
BEATEN BUT NOT BROKEN by Vanessa Govender, Jacana, R240 Everybody has a story and while Govender focused on telling the stories of others, this former award-winning journalist hid a shocking one of her own. This is a testimony of Govender’s resilience following five years of physical and verbal abuse. She had to draw on her fighting spirit to overcome, and had to break ranks with a close-knit conservative community. Her story inspires and offers hope to women suffering in silence. – VL
BEAUTY’S GIFT by Sindiwe Magona, Picador Africa, R180 The author exercises her HIV/AIDS activism with this moving story of how Beauty’s death affects those left behind. Her four best friends, Amanda, Edith, Cordelia and Doris battle to navigate life without their late friend. Many lessons unfold on how townships view HIV/AIDS — especially in Khayelitsha, where the story takes place. – SL
A SPARK OF LIGHT by Jodi Picoult, Jonathan Ball, R270 Picoult is known for her emotive writing and this novel isn’t any different. It revolves around The Centre, the last standing abortion clinic in Mississippi. A hostage drama ensues at The Centre, leading us to follow the lives of those affected and, in turn, highlighting the community’s views when it comes to pro-life or anti-abortion rights. – SL
SEA PRAYER by Khaled Hosseini, Jonathan Ball, R305 This heart-wrenching novel was inspired by the 3-year-old Syrian refugee who died at sea while attempting to reach Greece in 2015. In this letter from a father to his son, we see the hardships many go through due to war and politics. Describing the grandmother’s house, plus the dangers of leaving home to seek refuge elsewhere, this moving story is a cry for comfort. – SL
I’M ABSOLUTELY FINE! by Annabel Rivkin & Emilie McMeekanin, Jonathan Ball, R315 This is an authentic portrayal of what it means to be a woman – it’s packed with practical advice on how to navigate life’s many challenges. Relationships, sex, friendships and self-image are some of the topics that are explored in a humorous way. It celebrates the flaws of women and leaves you feeling lighter and stronger. – BM