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Friday – 27th October 2023
Why politics matters to prosperity – Greg Mills examines why some countries succeed while others fail in Rich State, Poor State
Africans are half as wealthy today compared to their global peers than they were at independence. There is a persistent default to economic crisis, and the appetite to carry out reforms never matches the rhetoric, says Dr Greg Mills. The reason Africa fails is … politics.
Footnotes, October 2023: Book links from around the web
At The Reading List, we’re trainspotters when it comes to interesting book links, and here are a number that caught our eye.
Wednesday – 25th October 2023
Five minutes with Lauren Beukes on her new novel Bridge
Bursting with humour, action and reality-bending experiences, Bridge is Lauren Beukes at her finest.
‘Appearances can be deceiving’ – Worthy, a deeply introspective autobiography by Jada Pinkett Smith
Worthy – the gripping, painfully honest and ultimately inspirational memoir from Hollywood star and talk show host Jada Pinkett Smith – is out now from Jonathan Ball Publishers.
Tuesday – 24th October 2023
Don’t miss the launch of Penny Haw’s new novel The Woman at the Wheel at Liberty Books (31 Oct)
Penguin Random House invite you to the launch of The Woman at the Wheel by the brilliant Penny Haw!
The new episode of Pagecast is out now! Farai Mudzingwa chats about his brash and confident debut novel Avenues by Train with Mphuthumi Ntabeni
In this week’s episode of Pagecast, Mphuthumi Ntabeni interviews Farai Mudzingwa about his new book Avenues by Train!
Monday – 23rd October 2023
Coming 31 October! The Race to Be Myself by Caster Semenya – the coming-of-age story of an iconic athlete
Caster Semenya’s biography The Race to Be Myself will be published on 31 October 2023 by Jonathan Ball Publishers.
Trouble in paradise – Sara Ochs on writing her debut novel, The Dive
Sara Ochs’s The Dive is an unputdownable thriller about the dark side of paradise.
Friday – 13th October 2023
‘It takes a lawyer, an activist and a storyteller to change the world’ – Find out more about The Revolution Will Not Be Litigated
The Revolution Will Not Be Litigated: People Power and Legal Power in the 21st Century, edited by Katie Redford and Mark Gevisser, is out now from Jonathan Ball Publishers.
‘The doctor’s bedside manner is one of the coldest, most violent experiences of my life’ – Read an excerpt from Hot Water by Nadine Dirks
Jacana Media has shared an excerpt from Hot Water by Nadine Dirks – an intimate and daring look into the life of a young African woman from the Cape Flats with a chronic illness.
Dianne Stewart on how to journal your way to a novel
Journaling is an accessible way for writers to hone their craft and keep track of details while writing a book, says Dianne Stewart, author and recipient of SA Children’s Laureate Award for her lifelong contribution to children’s literature.
‘Regret belongs to the past’ – Mikki Brammer on the ideas behind her novel The Collected Regrets of Clover
Mikki Brammer’s The Collected Regrets of Clover is a big-hearted and life-affirming debut about a death doula who, in caring for others at the end of their life, has forgotten how to live her own.
Don’t miss the launch of Breaking the Bombers: How the Hunt for Pagad Created a Crack Police Unit by Mark Shaw in Cape Town (9 Oct)
Jonathan Ball Publishers and Exclusive Books invite you to the launch of Breaking the Bombers: How the Hunt for Pagad Created a Crack Police Unit by Mark Shaw.
Thursday – 5th October 2023
Are you feeling stuck and limited in your profession? Join Shea Karssing for the launch of Freelance Like a Boss in Cape Town (16 Oct)
Are you waiting for the next bonus, the next promotion, the next public holiday, the next best thing?
Listen to the new episode of Pagecast! Sam Beckbessinger chats to Jenna Berkowitz about her new book Moving to the UK: A Concise Guide for South Africans
In this week’s episode of Pagecast, the podcast from Jonathan Ball Publishers, Jenna Berkowitz chats to Sam Beckbessinger about her new book Moving to the UK: A Concise Guide for South Africans.
Monday – 2nd October 2023
New book alert! Pigcasso: The Painting Pig That Saved a Sanctuary
Pigcasso: The Painting Pig that Saved a Sanctuary by Joanne Lefson is out now from Jonathan Ball Publishers!
Don’t miss the launch of Zanele van Zyl’s new book Senidlile Kodwa? Have You Eaten Yet? (14 Oct)
Penguin Random House and the Mall of Africa invite you to the launch of Senidlile Kodwa? Have You Eaten Yet? by Zanele van Zyl.
Saturday – 30th September 2023
Footnotes, September 2023: Book links from around the web
At The Reading List, we’re trainspotters when it comes to interesting book links, and here are a number that caught our eye. …
Thursday – 28th September 2023
Join Matthew Blackman and Nick Dall for the Cape Town launch of Legends: People Who Changed South Africa for the Better (28 Sep)
Penguin Random House and Exclusive Books invite you to the launch of Legends: People Who Changed South Africa for the Better by Matthew Blackman and Nick Dall.
Thicker Than Water by Kerry Washington – a deeply moving, bravely intimate memoir
Thicker Than Water by Kerry Washington is out now from Jonathan Ball Publishers.