The bestselling books in South Africa – August 2019
This list represents the bestselling books in South Africa from the previous four weeks to 31 July 2019, and combines fiction and non-fiction bestsellers.
Originally published on the Daily Maverick as part of a collaboration with The Reading List.
#1. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
by Mark Manson
Months on the list: 4
Previous rank: 1
Zen and the art of running out of f*cks to give, on purpose, as quickly as possible. People aren’t just born not giving a f*ck, after all: you’ve got to learn it. Start here.
#2. The Stellenbosch Mafia: Inside the Billionaires’ Club
by Pieter du Toit
New on the list
Pieter du Toit is back with a new blockbuster. Released mid-month, it’s already charting in the top 5. The author examines South Africa’s “club” of winelands billionaires to determine whether the town has an outsized influence on business and society.
#3. The 5am Club
by Robin Sharma
Months on the list: 4
Previous rank: 3
Own your mornings, master your life – and try not to think too hard about the book two spots above this one in the rankings, lest you stop giving a f*ck about being an early riser and conquering all challenges in your path.
#4. Everything is F*cked: A Book About Hope
by Mark Manson
Months on the list: 3
Previous rank: 2
It’s a bit f*cking unfair that Manson has two titles in the Top Ten, but his formula is irresistible. He tackles the question of how to be an optimist in a world going to sh*t.
#5. Knife: A Harry Hole Novel
by Jo Nesbo
New on the list
Harry Hole is back! And facing a deadly foe: the first killer he put behind bars, the notorious Svein Finne.
#6. Manage Your Money like a F*cking Grownup
by Sam Beckbessinger
Months on the list: 4
Previous rank: 9
You don’t know how to budget for your lunch breaks, much less your life. You haven’t asked for a raise in years and you have too many credit cards in your wallet. This book will sort you out. This book is the book to f*cking get. Great to see it back in the top 10.
#7. Becoming
by Michelle Obama
New on the list
Obama returns to the bestseller list after a few months away. We’re still hoping this is the first book in a trilogy that’s followed by Becoming President and Becoming President Again.
#8. The World’s Worst Teachers
by David Walliams
New on the list
Walliams’ delightfully dreadful collection of the most gruesome grown-ups ever, the worst teachers in the world. Illustrated, as always, by the superb Tony Ross.
#9. City of Girls
by Elizabeth Gilbert
Months on the list: 2
Previous rank: 6
The author of Eat, Pray, Love has delivered a novel of glamour, sex, and adventure in 1940s New York that, according to one critic, pairs well with a cocktail or two.
#10. Living Coloured (Because Black & White Were Already Taken)
by Yusuf Daniels
New on the list
Daniels’ funny, poignant memoir, written as a series of vignettes on Coloured life on the Cape Flats and surrounds. Online reviews have gushed with praise.
Categories Fiction International Non-fiction South Africa South African Current Affairs
Tags Becoming Bestsellers City of Girls Daily Maverick David Walliams Elizabeth Gilbert Everything is F*cked Jo Nesbo Knife Living Coloured Living Coloured (Because Black and White were Already Taken) Manage Your Money like a F*cking Grownup Mark Manson Michelle Obama Pieter du Toit Robin Sharma Sam Beckbessinger South African bestselling books The 5am Club The Stellenbosch Mafia The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck The World’s Worst Teachers Yusuf Daniels
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