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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.
Margie Orford steps down from PEN South Africa presidency, welcomes Nadia Davids to the role
Margie Orford is standing down from the presidency of PEN South Africa, with Nadia Davids set to take over.
Thursday – 13th July 2017
First look at Nelson Mandela’s unfinished memoir – Dare Not Linger: The Presidential Years
Drawing on Nelson Mandela’s own unfinished memoir, Dare Not Linger is the remarkable story of his presidency told in his own words and those of distinguished South African writer Mandla Langa.
South African youngsters beat world’s best at ‘the Olympics of reading’
A team of four South African boys has won the World Final of the global Kids Lit Quiz in Toronto, Canada – an event widely known as ‘the Olympics of reading’.
Thandeka Gqubule talks about using African proverbs and history in her biography of Thuli Madonsela
Thandekqa Gqubule explains the use of proverbs and stories in her new biography of the former Public Protector, No Longer Whispering to Power: The Story of Thuli Madonsela.