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Wednesday – 7th June 2017

Writing tips from John Grisham

Bestselling author John Grisham’s 30th novel, Camino Island, is out now from Jonathan Ball.

Bongani Madondo remembers Jozi’s Bassline in the latest issue of The JRB

In the latest issue of The Johannesburg Review of Books, Bongani Madondo reads a new book on the life and times of the Bassline, and throws his bones.

Listen to Mohale Mashigo chat to The Cheeky Natives about her book The Yearning

The Cheeky Natives sat down with Mohale Mashigo over a conversation filled with lightbulb moments, realisations and introspections delivered in the casual, easy manner which comes from someone whose magic is inherent.

Listen to Arundhati Roy read from her long-awaited second novel, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness

“How to tell a shattered story? By slowly becoming everybody. No. By slowly becoming everything .”

Monday – 5th June 2017

Karina M Szczurek chats about her life with Andre Brink and her new memoir The Fifth Mrs Brink

Ingrid Winterbach spoke to Karina M Szczurek at the Woordfees literary festival recently about her life with one of South Africa’s most celebrated novelists, André Brink, and her memoir, The Fifth Mrs Brink, forthcoming from Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Infidelity among MK comrades: Read an excerpt from Achmat Dangor’s celebrated novel Bitter Fruit

A new edition of Achmat Dangor’s acclaimed novel Bitter Fruit is out soon from Picador Africa, ahead of the publication of his new novel, Dikeledi, in August.

Friday – 2nd June 2017

Michelle Hattingh’s brave and powerful memoir I’m the Girl Who Was Raped sold to 4 continents

I’m the Girl Who Was Raped was published in April 2016 and we’ve already sold North American rights to Inanna in Canada and world English rights (excluding North America and Africa) to Spinifex – the feminist publishers in Australia.

Thursday – 1st June 2017

Buy local, read local: The 2017 Exclusive Books Homebru Selection

Exclusive Books has unveiled its selection of fiction, non-fiction, cookery and children’s books for its annual Homebru campaign.

First round of international authors announced for 2017 Open Book Festival

The Open Book Festival has announced the first round of authors for 2017 – including Paul Beatty, Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, Nathan Hill and Fiston Mwanza Mujila.

A library is not just a refuge for the intellect, but for the whole person

If a library is just where a society keeps its books, then it’s easy to see why many people no longer perceive libraries as relevant.

Wednesday – 31st May 2017

The Man Who Founded the ANC: A biography of the remarkable Pixley ka Isaka Seme

What is remarkable about Seme’s achievement in founding the ANC is the speed at which he did it.

Don’t miss the launch of No Longer Whispering to Power: The Story of Thuli Madonsela by Thandeka Gqubule

Exclusive Books and Jonathan Ball Publishers invite you to the book launch of No Longer Whispering to Power: The Story of Thuli Madonsela, by Thandeka Gqubule.

Read an extract from No Longer Whispering to Power: The Story of Thuli Madonsela

News24 has published an extract from No Longer Whispering to Power: The Story of Thuli Madonsela, an unauthorised biography written by Thandeka Gqubule, published by Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Tuesday – 30th May 2017

An economic masterclass: Get South Africa Growing by Brian Kantor

South Africans have been poorly served by the economic choices their governments have made. The consequences of these choices are everywhere to be seen but most importantly in unemployment and poverty.

Karl Ove Knausgaard wins 2017 Jerusalem Prize for literature

Norwegian author Karl Ove Knausgaard has been awarded the Jerusalem Prize for the Freedom of the Individual in Society.

New edition of Achmat Dangor’s acclaimed novel Bitter Fruit released

A new edition of Achmat Dangor’s acclaimed novel Bitter Fruit will be out in June from Pan Macmillan, ahead of the publication of his new novel, Dikeledi, in August.

The first read of Arundhati Roy’s new novel, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness

The Guardian has shared an exclusive excerpt from The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy.

Monday – 29th May 2017

Independent feminist publisher Modjaji Books turns 10 – read an interview with founder Colleen Higgs

How have things changed in the ten years that independent feminist publishing house Modjaji Books has been around?

Win a copy of The Republic of Gupta: A Story of State Capture by Pieter-Louis Myburgh

The Reading List and Penguin Random House South Africa have got three copies of The Republic of Gupta: A Story of State Capture by Pieter-Louis Myburgh to give away!

Philip Lymbery, author of Farmageddon: The True Cost of Cheap Meat, announces South Africa tour

Philip Lymbery, author of Farmageddon and Dead Zone, will be in South Africa in July.