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Thursday – 20th July 2017

African perspectives on gender, social justice and sexuality: Africa in Dialogue interviews the Gerald Kraak Award shortlist

Africa in Dialogue has published an online collection of interviews with all the writers and artists shortlisted for the 2016 Gerald Kraak Award.

Jonathan Jansen to launch book writing initiative for budding black writers

Professor Jonathan Jansen has announced plans for a series of book-writing workshops in ‘major townships’ across South Africa.

Don’t miss the launch of The Fifth Mrs Brink by Karina Szczurek at The Book Lounge

Jonathan Ball Publishers and The Book Lounge invite you to the Cape Town launch of Karina M Szczurek’s new soul-baring memoir, The Fifth Mrs Brink.

Dying Before Your Time

Whatever you believe in God, Allah, Buda, or the Singular Universal Oneness that binds us all, by having faith, you can learn to understand that nothing is impossible.

Wednesday – 19th July 2017

Bank of England unveils new £10 note to commemorate 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death

‘Austen’s novels have a universal appeal and speak as powerfully today as they did when they were first published.’

Michael Crichton on top form with new, recently discovered novel Dragon Teeth

Michael Crichton, the bestselling author of Jurassic Park, returns to the world of paleontology in a recently discovered novel, Dragon Teeth,

‘What is the acceptable amount of blood for good literature?’ Arundhati Roy’s new novel The Ministry of Utmost Happiness reviewed

In the latest issue of the newly launched Johannesburg Review of Books, Panashe Chigumadzi reviews Arundhati Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness.

How to use The Reading List

The Reading List is a new place to find and share the best in books. Hooray!

Good mothers and shocking secrets: Gail Schimmel chats about her novel The Park

Gail Schimmel’s latest novel, The Park, is the story of three women, new mothers, who become close friends.

Read an excerpt from Lesley Pearse’s new novel The Woman in the Wood

Read an extract from the enthralling new novel from Lesley Pearse, the 10-million-copy, no. 1 bestselling author – now available online and at bookstores countrywide!

Tuesday – 18th July 2017

[Video and podcast] Sisonke Msimang on whiteness, multiculturalism and Jacob Zuma

CBC/Radio-Canada has published a multimedia feature on journalist and activist Sisonke Msimang as part of a global series titled ‘Us and Them: …

First look at Angela Makholwa’s new book The Blessed Girl

Pan Macmillan recently revealed the cover for Angela Makholwa’s new novel, The Blessed Girl, and now we can reveal a little of what the book will be about!

2017 Writivism Prize shortlists announced – with stories from South Africa, Cameroon, Malawi and Nigeria

The shortlists for the 2017 Writivism Short Story Prize and the Koffi Addo Prize for Creative Non-fiction have been announced!

Monday – 17th July 2017

Watch MR Carey read Chapter 1 of The Girl With All the Gifts prequel The Boy on the Bridge

MR Carey has shared an excerpt from his new book The Boy on the Bridge, the prequel to his phenomenal word-of-mouth bestseller The Girl With All the Gifts.

Nathan Hill will be at Open Book this year – find out more about his debut hit The Nix

The Open Book Festival will take place in Cape Town from 6 to 10 September this year, featuring a number of exciting international authors including Nathan Hill!

One for the kids: New book brings dinosaurs back to life with Augmented Reality!

Unleash a T-Rex on the breakfast table, or take a photo of your friends as a mighty Pteranodon swoops through the air before their eyes …

Friday – 14th July 2017

Charlie English chats about his new book, The Book Smugglers of Timbuktu

Charlie English’s new book, The Book Smugglers of Timbuktu, tells the story of the librarians who saved hundreds of thousands of priceless manuscripts from Al Qaeda in 2013.

Etisalat Prize for Literature call for entries and judging panel announced

The new judging panel for the Pan-African Etisalat Prize for Literature has been announced.

Robert Marawa on why you need to read Being a Black Springbok: ‘I don’t talk up things that I don’t believe in’

Being a Black Springbok: The Thando Manana Story, written by Sibusiso Mjikeliso, was launched in Port Elizabeth recently with Robert Marawa.

Listen to an excerpt from Two Nights, the new standalone thriller from Kathy Reichs

Number one New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs steps beyond her classic Temperance Brennan series in a new standalone thriller, featuring a smart, tough, talented heroine whose thirst for justice stems from her own dark past.