The Penguin Post

What would you do? Brooke Robinson on the origins of her debut novel The Interpreter

Brooke Robinson’s enthralling debut The Interpreter explores what a criminal interpreter would do when faced with the moral dilemma of letting the wrong man go free.

The Penguin Post Magazine celebrates three years of publishing (PLUS: Win prizes worth a total of R16,000)

To celebrate its third anniversary, The Penguin Post is giving away hampers to the collective value of R16,000!

‘Can it kill me?’ Scorpions of South Africa: What to look out for!

It’s probably an understatement to say that scorpions are not everyone’s favourite animals. After all, they sting, and some species are dangerous enough to kill humans. But for Dr Ian Engelbrecht, leading expert on southern African scorpions, these creatures are simply fascinating.

Words of wisdom from 102-year-old practising doctor Gladys McGarey on how to live a satisfying life

Dr Gladys McGarey is over one hundred years old and a still-practising doctor. She currently has a life coaching practice, maintains a healthy diet, and still enjoys a good piece of cake every now and then.

Eyes wide open: realism as a way of seeing the world – Michiel Heyns chats about his latest book, Each Mortal Thing

Michiel Heyns is well-known as author, translator and academic. Here he tells more about his latest book, Each Mortal Thing.

‘The way to be an expert is to become a master of small ideas’ – Siya Metane

If you have a vision, starting with your small idea and connecting with the right people can help give your idea wings, says Siya Metane.

‘We all see the world slightly differently, and that’s a glorious thing’ – In conversation with Holly Smale on her new novel The Cassandra Complex

Holly Smale’s adult debut novel, The Cassandra Complex, is a unique, heartwarming and life-affirming novel about one woman’s unlikely journey through love, again and again …

Five minutes with Eben Venter on his new novel Decima

He wanted to show that rhinos are sentient beings, says Eben Venter about his latest novel, Decima, which will be published in both English and Afrikaans.

‘Onwards is more than just a cookbook: it tells the story of my journey since closing The Kitchen, and having to redefine my life without it.’

After closing her beloved Cape Town restaurant, The Kitchen, Karen Dudley embarked on a journey to rediscover her love for the alchemy of food, and cooking for her family. It was a journey that helped her redefine herself after being a restauranteur for eleven years, and has come together in her beautiful new cookbook, Onwards.

‘I put a little bit of myself into every character’ – Emily Henry chats about her new novel Happy Place

Set over one sizzling summer, Happy Place is the new chemistry-filled ‘second chance love’ romcom from Tiktok sensation, Emily Henry.

‘This book began for me when I was out camping alone’ – Shelley Read on the genesis of her debut novel Go as a River

Go as a River is a heart-wrenching coming-of-age story and a drama of enthralling power. Combining unforgettable characters and a breathtaking natural setting, it is a sweeping story of survival and becoming, of the deepest mysteries of love, truth and fate.

On living with polite ghosts and experiencing miracles – Sven Axelrad chats about writing his debut novel Buried Treasure

Magic happens in the space between. For author Sven Axelrad, this lies somewhere between accounting and writing.

Crisp Packets and Stolen Keys, Bottlecaps and Broken Glass – Stuart MacBride on writing

Why go through the wringer if you aren’t going to put it in a book? Stuart MacBride writes about how an idea he’d sat with for 13 years finally found legs in the dark humour of the Scottish weather system.

Black Tax: A Fearful Endeavour – Ndumi Hadebe shares what’s on her mind

Requests for money by parents, siblings and other relatives carry a mental and emotional price, affecting our relationships with our loved ones and with money itself.

Venture into the Kruger National Park with the new Nature Now series from Struik Nature

Struik Nature publisher Pippa Parker shares the origins of an exciting new series of books on the Kruger National Park, perfect for nature and wildlife enthusiasts.

Five minutes with author Sihle Khumalo – ‘We are getting closer and closer to the abyss …’

Sihle Khumalo has travelled all over Africa getting to know the people. But it’s South Africa’s history that bewitches him, and for his latest book, Milk the Beloved Country, he started off by looking into the history of place names – but ended with a lot more stories to tell.

In conversation with Jenny Jackson on her debut novel Pineapple Street – a witty exploration of family, money, love and heartbreak

Pineapple Street is an unputdownable debut, following three women in an old Brooklyn Heights clan: one who was born with money, one who married into it, and one who wants to give it all away.

Grace Adams is mad as hell and she’s not taking it anymore …

‘Grace is on a quest to demonstrate some fierce mother love, and no thing or person is going to stop her.’

Author Costanza Casati on bringing to life a Greek legend in her novel Clytemnestra

A thrilling tale of power and prophecies, of hatred, love, and of an unforgettable Queen who fiercely dealt out death to those who wronged her.

Where there’s Smoak, there’s fire – Gregg Hurwitz chats about his bestselling Orphan X series

Author Gregg Hurwitz on the formidable Evan Smoak, a trained government assassin who’s on a personal mission to help those with nowhere to turn, and the bad-ass hero of the Orphan X series.