tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85756813162435499252024-03-14T05:13:41.351-07:00read - sleep - read - eat - repeatchildren's lit, African fiction, technology in SA publishing and rants about gender and basic educationAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-7602241998085170712016-05-10T12:36:00.004-07:002016-05-10T12:36:47.933-07:00Series review: The Lunar Chronicles<i>The Lunar Chronicles</i> by <b>Marissa Meyer</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388186881l/11235712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388186881l/11235712.jpg" /></a></div><b>So, what's it about?</b> (well, this is what the first book is about anyway)<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.<br />
<br />
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.</blockquote><br />
<b>In a word, it was...</b> a modern-day fairytale.<br />
<br />
It took me years and years to read the Lunar Chronicles series. I don't know why. I think it was a combo of the cover (I'm not a fan) and the name of the first book. Cinder. Cinder? Hmm, ok then. I'm also not particularly fond of fairytale retellings. But this wasn't what I expected.<br />
<br />
For one, Cinder is totally bad-ass. Don't get me wrong, she has her Mockingjay moments but she pulled her shit towards her shit and chose strength, friendship, and love over bullshit and tears. Prince Kai is also swoony AF. And Cinder has the best friends - eventually. <br />
<br />
Scarlet is so different from Cinder but her bravery and her commitment to her family in book 2 is winning. I felt things got a little sluggish in book 3 and Cress is not my fave. But Winter (in book 4) kind of makes up for it and as <a href="http://foreveryoungadult.com/2015/11/18/winter/">foveverya</a> puts it - all the characters (good and bad) get what the desserve.<br />
<br />
It's a great series. I read it all in like a week.<br />
<br />
And it really does a lot more with the basic premise that I expected. It borrows the bones, builds on the foundations, the feelings and sentiment, and makes a brand new story out of it. It's not the story of Cinderella - just of a girl who also had a kind-of evil step-mom and two step-sisters. It's not Little Red Riding Hood because Scarlet wants to be caught by Wolf - but I mean, I wouldn't mind being caught by Wolf either. It's the Lunar Chronicles - a modern-day fairytale.<br />
<br />
And there's a total revolution/political uprising in it too and who doesn't love a revolution?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-47954769900845192592016-05-10T11:56:00.003-07:002016-05-10T11:56:57.978-07:00A good ole fashioned YA love story<i>Scarred</i> by <b>Joanne McGregor</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYZSF0U8zKpjq3Pi8aZmHOokdS6bmYyf1ARhuGKLyTrOpLgG8WLMXHeAgdo_Kwxh9DwMuJRlNmw522lmgTVd8zHFEcpiTGhJOnrrnvBcWwowqyiXJrEQzYOb_7z51jJsiOuqEKiA4gVTv/s1600/26865813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYZSF0U8zKpjq3Pi8aZmHOokdS6bmYyf1ARhuGKLyTrOpLgG8WLMXHeAgdo_Kwxh9DwMuJRlNmw522lmgTVd8zHFEcpiTGhJOnrrnvBcWwowqyiXJrEQzYOb_7z51jJsiOuqEKiA4gVTv/s320/26865813.jpg" /></a></div><b>So, what's it about?</b><br />
<br />
<blockquote>Life leaves you scarred. Love can make you beautiful. <br />
<br />
Sloane Munster had the perfect life, until she didn’t. Now seventeen year-old Sloane is trying to reboot her life after a serious accident left her badly scarred and emotionally traumatized. <br />
<br />
Starting her senior year at a different school, she recognizes Luke Naughton, a swimmer whom she once had a crush on, in her new class. But when she smiles at him, he glares back with revulsion and she’s sure he’s disgusted by her ugly scar. No matter how hard she tries to keep out of his way, life keeps bringing them together and despite misunderstandings and guilty secrets, the chemistry between them sparks. Meanwhile, tensions are mounting at their school where bullying is rife and Sloane is not the most deeply scarred person. <br />
<br />
Sharp with bittersweet humor, Scarred is an intense, beautiful, compelling story of life, death, damage, and fighting for love against all the odds. <br />
<br />
A great read for fans of Sarah Dessen, Stephanie Perkins and Abbi Glines</blockquote><br />
<b>In a word, it was...</b> swoony.<br />
<br />
Pain can be a drug. There's an addictive quality to having a perfectly sympathetic reason for any range of behavior. Sloane and Luke certainly have good reason to hold on their pain. But over the course of Scarred, they find that there might be somethings worth letting go for...<br />
<br />
I devoured this book. I lost myself into their story and their pain and the very authentic complexity of falling in love with someone inappropriate. I loved their love. Mostly because it was messy and not the usual "insta-love" but instead grounded in mutual respect and compassion. But also because there-was-no-love-triangle (can I get an amen!).<br />
<br />
This book could have been written by Sarah Dessen; it was so believable and rich and "swoony". But it wasn't - it was written by Joanne Mcgregor and I think it firmly establishes her as one of the most talented YA writers working today. Go read it today. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-69230692623550490682014-12-31T11:36:00.000-08:002016-05-10T11:58:15.541-07:00My best, almost-best and never-that list of 2014<b>Favourite books of 2014</b><br />
<br />
All the feels, all the TEABS, all the books I enjoyed reading most this year<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346852168l/9943270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346852168l/9943270.jpg" /></a></div><i>Dark Triumph</i> by <b>Robin LaFevers</b><br />
<br />
I can't even talk about how much I am looking forward to the third installment of this trilogy. When I read Grave Mercy, I wasn't sure how Robs was going to get any better than that and then - ypu know what - she totally flipped the script on this bitch and did exactly that. <br />
<br />
It seems that each of this books in the His Fair Assassin series are focused on a different fair assassin. This time, it's Sybella - she's got a whole mess of secrets, a very dark childhood, a bucket load of trust issues and a love that's a little too strong for those mass-killing vibes. And you know what? I loved it. Because she isn't a character who is easy to understand but she is not the person she was before this book and by the end, she is not even the person she was in the start. She is not Katniss, not Tris - because she is not about to kill herself or President Snow at the first sign of mental instability. She's going to revel in her crazy and make it work for her. In a non-homicidal, non-suicidal way which, let's be real, is kind of refreshing in these times of Mockingjay and Allegiance.<br />
<br />
Sybella is the best, Beast is the best, love is the best, nun-assassins are the best. So, all in all, BEST. <br />
<br />
also:<br />
<br />
<i>Lagoon</i> by <b>Nnedi Okarafor</b><br />
<i>The Raven Boys</i> by <b>Maggie Stiefvater</b><br />
<i>A Sinless Season</i> by <b>Damon Galgut</b><br />
<i>Noughts & Crosses (Noughts & Crosses, #1)</i> by <b>Malorie Blackman</b> (The ending of this book though! OH NO, SHE DIDN'T! Oh yes, she did.)<br />
<i>Life After Life</i> by <b>Kate Atkinson</b><br />
<a href="http://booksloveyou.blogspot.co.za/2014/10/love-so-actually-tastes-like.html"><i>Love Tastes Likfe Strawberries</i> by <b>Ros Haden</b></a> <br />
<a href="http://booksloveyou.blogspot.co.za/2014/04/go-read-three-right-now.html"><i>The Three</i> by <b>Sarah Lotz</b></a><br />
<br />
<b>Merit awards for 2014</b><br />
<br />
I liked these books very, very much but they weren’t quite my favorites...<br />
<br />
<i>Girl With All The Gifts</i> by <b>M.R. Carey</b><br />
<br />
The less you know about this book the better so I'm going to be vague AF. It wasn't my fave but it legit deserved all the praise and buzz and, honestly, I liked it very much. It left me with questions months later. The end will haunt me for months still. Plus: loved the writing and the main character and the spin on something that has become so commonplace that it's a bit of a yawn.<br />
<br />
also:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://booksloveyou.blogspot.com/2013/08/dirty-wars-world-is-battlefield-review.html"><i>Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield</i> by <b>Jeremy Scahill</b></a><br />
<a href="http://booksloveyou.blogspot.co.za/2014/04/dark-dark-dark-whispers.html"><i>Dark Whispers</i> by <b>Joanne McGregor</b></a> (another wow-ser of an ending in this one... "wowser" isn't even a word, is it? It doesn't even really make sense. But, nevermind. It was a great book) <br />
<br />
<b>It’s not you, it’s me (no, really)</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUqNh5M-Sx7BFIVBm75K84J3rHtTCUmVdQg-MXanf-u7Yv_u_aokYumA23PUrU15jtFcZefOPFnzqs4XVBh91_uiMPNP_g8g7Z_8lUG-e8qHDC1PDp7Rd-0s-TFfOzlfHNTWDqQFdRTTm/s1600/50267601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUqNh5M-Sx7BFIVBm75K84J3rHtTCUmVdQg-MXanf-u7Yv_u_aokYumA23PUrU15jtFcZefOPFnzqs4XVBh91_uiMPNP_g8g7Z_8lUG-e8qHDC1PDp7Rd-0s-TFfOzlfHNTWDqQFdRTTm/s320/50267601.jpg" /></a></div><i>Try though I did, there were also some books this year that just didn’t quite hit the spot. There’s always some debate about whether reviewers should write negative reviews. I’m of the opinion that reviews should be fair, balanced but honest. If it wasn't for me, I've got to do me. What I do not have to do it tear apart a book or it’s author. So, in the spirit of transparency, sorry books: it’s not you, it’s me.</i><br />
<br />
<i>The Good Doctor</i> by <b>Damon Galgut</b> (who is legit my South African author bae so this was just a fluke and I'm sorry and kbye)<br />
<i>Purple Hibiscus</i> by <b>Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie</b><br />
<i>The Rehearsal</i> by <b>Eleanor Catton</b><br />
<i>Open City</i> by <b>Teju Cole</b> (sorry guy - that weekend in Congo-Brazzaville was every-thing but this was... well, nevermind, I like the other things you write)<br />
<br />
Bring on 2015!<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-49509200005056020152014-10-25T13:23:00.002-07:002014-10-25T13:23:51.637-07:00Love so actually tastes like strawberries!<i>Love Tastes Like Strawberries</i> by <b>Rosamund Haden</b><br />
<br />
<b>So what's it about?</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kwela.com/Books/Big//kwela_covers/2014/Love%20Tastes%20Like%20Strawberries%20(Final).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.kwela.com/Books/Big//kwela_covers/2014/Love%20Tastes%20Like%20Strawberries%20(Final).jpg" /></a></div><blockquote>Stella stares at the painting on the therapist’s wall. A road winds along a mountainside above an azure sea. The slopes of the mountain are covered in olive trees. Small white boats bob on the shimmering water at the foot of cliffs. <br />
<br />
Stella is lost in the painting. She can smell the herbs in the bush, wild thyme and something sweeter. She is running down a steep path to a cove below. On holiday in Greece. Thirteen. Awkward, in between everything ...<br />
<br />
Ivor Woodall is dead. And, somehow, it’s all Stella’s fault. Because in Stella’s life the past is still very much alive. Her holiday in Greece. The young art student who charmed his way into her mother’s bed. What she saw that morning on the beach. <br />
<br />
It all adds up to Ivor’s death. And Timothy being lost. And Francoise and Luke. Luke being more lost than anyone ...</blockquote><br />
<b>In a word, it was...</b> Twisty<br />
<br />
<i>Love Tastes Like Strawberries</i> is a novel about art, betrayal, addiction, loss, redemption, and – at the centre of it all - love. In fact, much of the book is a meditation on love in its many forms – passionate, complicated, unrequited, enduring, inconvenient and stifling. Several characters’ dreams and lives collide in a weekly life drawing art class in present day Cape Town. But none of them can get away from the nightmares if their pasts – whether they play out during the early days of the Rwandan genocide or on a sensual coming-of-age Greek island holiday. You guys, the cover is so interesting, the book is so great - go read this. <i>Love Tastes Like Strawberries</i> is an unusual treat, a real delight actually, and a great way to lose yourself for an afternoon.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-10777773793281448562014-09-12T00:34:00.000-07:002014-09-12T00:43:48.807-07:00So, I'm on the longlist for the Golden BaobabI could not be more thrilled about making the longlist for the Golden Baobab Prize for African Children's Literature. It feels like a validation of many years of writing and writing and writing and I'm incredibly grateful to Golden Baobab for recognising me in this way. Also, ALL THE FEELS, ALL THE YAYS.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goldenbaobab.org/press/press-releases/107-longlist-for-the-prestigious-2014-golden-baobab-prizes-announced">Golden Baobab has announced the longlist on it's website here</a><br />
<br />
Incidentally, I already feel very much part of the Golden Baobab family as a media fellow (I've heard some jokes about the vote being rigged but I am sure it's a blind judging process and my writing for GB the Organisation had nothing to do with my writing for GB the Prize).<br />
<br />
Anyways, here are some of my musings as the 2014 media fellow:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>I wish my grandmother had told me stories.<br />
<br />
I was often left in the care of my paternal grandmother while both my parents worked full-time jobs. A former domestic worker, she was the kind of granny you see in movies and read about in books, down to her incredible homemade ginger biscuits. As a child, I was obsessed with reading. My parents did not buy me many books but I devoured the fiction section of my primary school library. After I had tired of Babysitters’ Club, Choose Your Own Adventure and Goosebumps, I made my way through Dickens, Austen and other authors who I’m not sure I would have the time or inclination to read now as an adult.<br />
<br />
A book was a preferable companion to me than any person or pet but I don’t remember ever reading a South African book outside of school setworks. And even then, our exposure to South African English fiction was limited Maru by Bessie Head who, though born in South Africa, perhaps belongs more fairly to Botswana. My school offered only Afrikaans as an additional language and we read many interesting, complex works in the language. While I enjoyed many of these books immensely, I could not do so without a bit of black middle-class guilt. My father had been among the children who risked their lives in the Soweto Uprising of 1976 protesting against Afrikaans as a language of instruction in their schools and there I was, some 25 years later, happily tucking into Skilpoppe and Vlerkdans. South Africa can be a weird place sometimes.</blockquote><br />
Read the complete article on BooksLive <a href="http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2014/09/08/my-lost-inheritance-the-stories-my-grandmother-never-told/">here</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote>Every few weeks, I meet people who tell me they want to be writers. Quite often they say they want to write for children or have started writing to give their children something more fun to read. They work in the evenings after long days behind desks and putting little ones to bed. They tell me they have been working on it for six months or six years. All of them want to know how to get published. Many of them imagine it will be much more glamorous and profitable than it’s really likely. Quite a few of them have multiple books they have abandoned half or a quarter way because they could not find inspiration or had run out of ideas. I must have met dozens of people with this story in the last five years or so. There must be thousands of these hopeful storytellers across Africa but where do all their stories go?</blockquote><br />
Read the complete article on ArtMatter <a href="http://artmatters.info/heritage-formerly-culture/2014/08/where-are-childrens-stories-in-africa/#sthash.ovnHniuV.dpuf">here</a><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-40349192805230907982014-08-26T02:57:00.000-07:002014-08-26T02:57:20.122-07:00WITS hosts Fine Lines FestivalI was quite bummed that I won't be able to go to Cape Town for the <a href="http://www.alliance-editeurs.org/-the-international-assembly-why-and-?lang=fr">International Assembly of Independent Publishers</a> meeting but it looks like I'll be representing Modjaji Books on a panel at next week's University of the Witwatersrand Fine Lines Festival so yay for small wins!<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Fine Lines aims to bring a unique perspective to contemporary literary debates, in particular through facilitating conversations between established and emerging writers. The name of the festival speaks to the cutting-edge, to the tenuous boundaries between people, between the literary and the real, between artists and between mediums, and to aesthetic and artistic beauty. It is all of this to which the festival aims to give space, allowing students and future writers to engage directly with those already in the literary world. <br />
<br />
One of the festival’s sessions will be devoted to South African fiction- entitled ‘Many voices in the deep.’ The session aims to explore the linguistic alternatives in the South African publishing landscape that is dominated by English. The discussion aims to answer the following question; how, if ever, will this landscape be changed in order to accommodate alternative voices?</blockquote><br />
See y'all on East Campus next week.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-25559661161208962202014-08-03T11:50:00.000-07:002014-08-04T12:14:10.664-07:00A Legend in the making?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4lnrHsBcpoFcyb9BSFcHQ4fkSLmfT1Rei3t014a8HFwlLcWi72SB2SHtU2ojFva4Rqx292elHPwd-v2zT6RoEK6-WzKZnzETKuRAj-Kj9ep4r3bbt0AQzj1LNp8F4k03DxiAyUSDir4_/s1600/Cover+-+The+Legacy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4lnrHsBcpoFcyb9BSFcHQ4fkSLmfT1Rei3t014a8HFwlLcWi72SB2SHtU2ojFva4Rqx292elHPwd-v2zT6RoEK6-WzKZnzETKuRAj-Kj9ep4r3bbt0AQzj1LNp8F4k03DxiAyUSDir4_/s320/Cover+-+The+Legacy.jpg" /></a></div><b>About the Book</b><br />
<br />
<blockquote><i>“World War Three lasted twelve days. Twelve days was all it took for mankind to devastate the planet and almost eradicate the human race. No victor emerged from the ashes and billions lost their lives. We survivors lived through the bleakest of winters. A primal existence became the new order, and the little that remained of our humanity hung in the balance. <br />
<br />
Then one man stood up and changed the world. I believed, as did everyone else, that he was the hero of our time, the man who had saved us from our own demise. His name is Eric Dane and he is the President of the New United States of America. He is also my husband, and my greatest enemy.<br />
<br />
I grew up oblivious to the truth, until my father found me when I was nineteen years old. He told me about the many horrifying facts that our new leader kept hidden from us. And he told me that beyond the borders the Resistance grew and fought for freedom from the oppression that Eric Dane had imposed on us.<br />
<br />
My name is Rebecca Davis. I am twenty-six years old, and in me the Resistance has found the ultimate weapon."<br />
</i><br />
A narrative of good and evil, love and passion, right and wrong – and at the centre of the story a strong woman who is prepared to sacrifice everything for the cause she believes in. The Legacy is an action-packed, adrenalin-inducing thrill ride which will leave you riveted long after you have turned the last page.</blockquote><br />
That sounds fun right? Fun but maybe like we've read this before? Yes, I was thinking likewise. But then, you know, Melissa, the South African author of YA dystopia Legacy, is so lovely and frank that I actually started to think but wait - maybe this is actually <i>not</i> like something we've read before. Rebecca definitely does not seem like the type to pull a Mockingjay either. So I feel encouraged by this and I am very keen on actually reading this book. So hopefully one day that will happen too,<br />
<br />
Until then, here's my interview with Melissa:<br />
<br />
<b>The Interview</b><br />
<br />
<b><br />
Every new author has to deal with rejections and setbacks before they get published: what was your journey like?</b> <br />
<br />
Much like every other author, I would imagine. An emotional rollercoaster, filled with highs and lows. Rejection letters are an occupational hazard, but you have to shrug them off. The day I received my publishing contract was certainly the highlight of my own journey, but I’m not done yet. I plan to keep writing, keep working, keep promoting. The only thing I have learned for certain is that writing is a marathon, it takes time. <br />
<br />
<b>Which author(s) do you most respect or admire?</b> <br />
<br />
I admire every single author that completes a novel and fulfils their dream. It is a massive achievement, and an incredible journey, and whether it ends in international success, or just another small tick on an eternal bucket list, I applaud them all. <br />
<br />
<b>As a South African author, why did you decide to set The Legacy in America? </b><br />
<br />
Firstly, let me say that I adore South African fiction - it is colourful and steeped in history and familiarity. I broke tradition in setting my book in America for two reasons: Firstly, to make it more believable. The trilogy begins with a speculative nuclear war. I needed a setting that would be in the midst of the chaos and very involved in the decision-making that led to this catastrophe. Logically, America being a super-power was a perfect fit. The other reason that I chose America as my setting was to appeal to an international audience, given that my concept is geared towards fiction readers, and our fiction market is relatively small.<br />
<br />
<b>The blurb for The Legacy reads much like another version of Allegiant or the 5th Wave: how does one write dystopian fiction that stands out in a market that's flooded with dystopias right now? <br />
</b><br />
<br />
The same way you would write romance, or suspense – both of which are far more flooded than the dystopian genre. Authors will always try to capitalize on the rise in popularity of a specific genre. To stand out you must be original, have a novel concept, and you have to write your heart out. Readers will know all too quickly if you have simply retold and repackaged someone else’s story. In any genre there are good books and there are bad books, but the good will ultimately prevail. I think dystopias are taking a lot of heat because the market exploded fairly quickly, but they deserve their place on the shelves. I read across all genres, but I am a huge fan of dystopian fiction.<br />
<br />
<b>There's been a real surge of strong female leads in YA in recent year: what about Rebecca puts her in the league of Tris or Katnis? </b><br />
<br />
I am such a fan of Suzanne Collins and Veronica Roth, and their characters are remarkable. Rebecca is older and more mature, but she is a super-soldier, and unlike Katnis or Tris, she chooses her path - it is not foisted unwillingly upon her. She does not survive against all odds – in fact, just the opposite. She is exceptional – she has been trained and equipped with skills that allow her to not only survive but excel in the dystopian environment she grows up in. That being said, I wouldn’t want her caught in the crosshairs of Katnis’s bow!<br />
<br />
<b>If you could re-write Legacy tomorrow, what would you change?</b> <br />
<br />
You will always look back and think “If I wrote that book now, I would change this, or do that...” It’s part of growing older. Your own preferences change. That is why you should keep writing – you cannot go back, all you can do is move forward. Fiction has a shelf-life. A book that is popular now will not be in a year or two, so there is no point changing anything once you have reached the publication stage.<br />
<br />
<a href="www.thelegacytrilogy.com">Visit Melissa's blog</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrb3wFBVQylpJI3ZPSfFOhdsXhg_sQxR3YtO5TWhVWiFJKp-LnJ3_Z_T2dTat_YQCk-RE6i2qifxstjJG4K8673pEymTfAQy1sMeEFT6HstJsyJYZlgWrl6TXdvpnc2AftFyHdeMIMLnyG/s1600/Photo+-+Melissa+Delport+LR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrb3wFBVQylpJI3ZPSfFOhdsXhg_sQxR3YtO5TWhVWiFJKp-LnJ3_Z_T2dTat_YQCk-RE6i2qifxstjJG4K8673pEymTfAQy1sMeEFT6HstJsyJYZlgWrl6TXdvpnc2AftFyHdeMIMLnyG/s320/Photo+-+Melissa+Delport+LR.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-67853914587461723912014-06-20T12:15:00.000-07:002014-11-20T12:19:14.708-08:00"A uniquely Lagosian delight"<i>Lagoon</i> by <b>Nnedi Okarafor</b><br />
<br />
<b>So what's it about?</b><br />
<br />
<blockquote>When a massive object crashes into the ocean off the coast of Lagos, Nigeria’s most populous and legendary city, three people wandering along Bar Beach (Adaora, the marine biologist- Anthony, the rapper famous throughout Africa- Agu, the troubled soldier) find themselves running a race against time to save the country they love and the world itself… from itself. Lagoon expertly juggles multiple points of view and crisscrossing narratives with prose that is at once propulsive and poetic, combining everything from superhero comics to Nigerian mythology to tie together a story about a city consuming itself.<br />
<br />
At its heart a story about humanity at the crossroads between the past, present, and future, Lagoon touches on political and philosophical issues in the rich tradition of the very best science fiction, and ultimately asks us to consider the things that bind us together – and the things that make us human</blockquote><br />
<b>In a word, it was...</b> Original*<br />
<br />
It is difficult to imagine a different kind of alien invasion story when there are so many that have already been written but Nnedi Okarafor has created just that with Lagoon. Set in the ordinary chaos of Lagos, this sci-fi/magic realism epic tells the story of three extraordinary people and the aliens who descend on the waters of Lagos. Soon, the city is burning as friends turn against each other, monsters like Mami Wata walks among soldiers and street children, and the streets are more alive and dangerous then ever. Lagoon is the most original novel (African or not) that I have read in some time. A uniquely Lagosian delight.<br />
<br />
*<i>This review originally appeared on BooksLive <a href="http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2014/07/14/book-bites-13-july-2014/">here</a>.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-87338978310148111252014-04-30T09:00:00.001-07:002014-04-30T09:03:07.641-07:00Go read The Three right now<b>The book</b>: <i>The Three</i> by Sarah Lotz<br />
<br />
<b>And what's it about?</b><br />
<br />
<blockquote><i>They're here ... The boy. The boy watch the boy watch the dead people oh Lordy there's so many ... They're coming for me now. We're all going soon. All of us. Pastor Len warn them that the boy he's not to--</i><br />
<br />
The last words of Pamela May Donald (1961 - 2012)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1379897631l/18453110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1379897631l/18453110.jpg" /></a></div>Black Thursday. The day that will never be forgotten. The day that four passenger planes crash, at almost exactly the same moment, at four different points around the globe.<br />
<br />
There are only four survivors. Three are children, who emerge from the wreckage seemingly unhurt. But they are not unchanged.<br />
<br />
And the fourth is Pamela May Donald, who lives just long enough to record a voice message on her phone.<br />
<br />
A message that will change the world.<br />
<br />
The message is a warning.</blockquote><br />
<b>In a word, it was...</b> Exquisite<br />
<br />
There is little that I want to say about the actual plot of this book because the less you know, the better. I read it in a few hours. I would look down at my hands every few minutes and realise they were damp. I was scared and it was <i>weird</i>. I've seen The Three described by someone else on the interwebs as 'literary horror' and I'm inclined to agree with that label. It's literary in the sense that it's some very crafty storytelling that really tricks you into a false sense of thinking you know what's going down when really, you have no clue what the f is up.<br />
<br />
The style of the narrative is also really interesting (sorry, no spoilers) and while I thought I would get quite tired of it, I really didn't and quite enjoyed this unique approach.<br />
<br />
Those kids though... Those kids are the horror show at the centre of a mystery, a global tragedy, the ambitions of some crazy evangelists, a few imploding families and some just generally freaky shit. Lotz does a superb job of making them feel authentic and that makes what happens all the worse.<br />
<br />
Look, it's not perfect. There were some slow bits in three-quarters in and I was not wholly satiated by the ending. I actually liked the ending but I wanted more, I wanted to understand more, I wanted to really, really, really know how it ends.<br />
<br />
All of this considered, I haven't been this excited about a book since I read <a href="http://booksloveyou.blogspot.com/2012_12_01_archive.html">Tell the Wolves I'm Home</a> and, you guys, that was in December of 2012. I enjoyed this so much, I would actually say it's in my top 10 books that I have read. As in, in my whole life.*<br />
<br />
So the bottom line, really, is go pre-order this book now. It comes out in less than a month. This will be a no-regret purchase. For real.<br />
<br />
*<i>I actually made a list to confirm this. It's number 7.</i><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-9333258278905415992014-04-19T07:52:00.001-07:002014-04-19T07:52:51.144-07:00Dark, dark, Dark Whispers<b>The book:</b> <i>Dark Whispers</i> by Joanne Macgregor<br />
<br />
<b>And it's about?</b><br />
<br />
<blockquote>When a patient describes an experience of mental torture and sexual mutilation by a gynaecologist at the private hospital where she works, psychologist Megan Wright decides to investigate. Determined to find out the truth and stop the abuse, but bound to silence by the ethics of confidentiality, Megan must enter the dark mind of a dangerously disturbed man.<br />
<br />
Between the anaesthesia and the awakening, are the dark whispers.</blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1390921714l/20646594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1390921714l/20646594.jpg" /></a></div><b>In a word, it was...</b> Chilling<br />
<br />
<i>Dark Whispers</i> is really not the sort of book I ordinarily like to read because I am not much of a fan of crime fiction and/ thrillers but when Joanne mentioned it at book club, my interest was piqued. When the book arrived, I was swamped at work and it eyed my from my bedside table for a few months, I think. When I finally did sit down to start it, I hit it but couldn't quit it.<br />
<br />
The premise of <i>Dark Whispers</i> is disturbing enough to keep you away from your PAP smear for a <i>while</i>: a gynaecologist torturing his patients with no ramifications and few women willing (and able) to come forward about the truth. Psychologist Megan Wright, somewhat haphazardly trying to do the right thing and getting dragged down into the dark with all the others. So yeah, that happened. On the whole, the writing is solid, the pacing really clever and there are a few unexpected dark turns that left me chilled. Yaknow, good stuff. <br />
<br />
But for me, <i>Dark Whispers</i> stands out in its genre for two reasons: <br />
<br />
<i>Reason 1:</i><br />
Megan is the kind of character who you feel you know. But like, really, really know. Her family and their drama feels authentic and familiar. Her douchey boyfriend makes you want to roll your eyes and tell her 'you're dating this guy? seriously??' Her reactions to the mess she's put herself in are sometimes kind of annoying but not because they are unrealistic. On the contrary, they are annoying because Megan, seriously, have a little self-preservation gurl. There is a crazy gynae that could walk in at any moment and you have no apparent supernatural gifts to fight this guy off so maybe just stay out of it, ok? Granted, I did not like the gay best friend plot device not the sassy secretary but neither were deal breakers. And, more importantly, by the end, I really cared about what happened to Megan. I really felt like I understood her and that's kind of rare in a genre of archetypes and (sorry) cliches. <br />
<br />
<i>Reason 2:</i><br />
The ending was deeply rewarding. Without giving too much away, I found it intellectually challenging because it did not sit easily with Megan or with anyone who would like to think that in a really tough situation, they would ultimately do the right thing. It made me think: what would I do, really? Could I stand up for those women if the cost was my own life? Could I live with the choice not to? These were not superficial moral questions but I feel they actually speak to the heart of the tension between who you are and who you want to be, what happens to you and what you do to yourself.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the point is, even though it seems pretty heavy and quite uncomfortable, it is possible to push through that discomfort and find a book that is greatly satisfying at an emotional and intellectual level, starring a strong-ish and authentic female lead dealing with a very twisted, super-creepy situation. Go buy it. <br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-74505053772776274492014-02-14T08:03:00.000-08:002014-04-19T08:03:51.574-07:00My latest story for FunDza is available in English and Xhosa!FunDza makes my heart happy! <a href="http://live.fundza.mobi/home/library/fiction-short-stories/in-the-shadows-of-my-dreams/">In the Shadow of My Dreams</a> is available now.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Bambatha is desperate for Nomfundo’s help. The crops in his village are dying and he is convinced that only a scientist with her expertise can help him figure out why. What neither of them counts on is how hard some of the villagers will fight to hold on to the ways of their ancestors. The tug of war between progress and traditions could tear Nomfundo and Bambatha apart – forever.<br />
<br />
This story is also available in isiXhosa: Kwiimfihlo zamaphupha am</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-77385263739528139562013-12-30T05:33:00.001-08:002014-04-19T07:50:15.112-07:00My best, almost-best and worst of 2013<b>Favourite books of 2013</b><br />
<br />
All the feels, all the TEABS, all the books I enjoyed reading most this year<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.writersbloq.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/tumblr_m4qftvMKn81rwcc6bo1_400.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.writersbloq.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/tumblr_m4qftvMKn81rwcc6bo1_400.gif" /></a></div><br />
<i>Stone against the mirror</i> by <b>Hugh Lewis</b><br />
<br />
I have been telling everyone I know to go read this book. This is a rich and unsentimental account of a group of youngish white kids, trying to do what they could to put a dent in the Apartheid regime. It does not pretend that their contribution, though well meaning and not without success, was particularly significant in the greater scheme of things. Nor does it overblow their place in history or have any delusions about what they achieved. Instead, Lewis takes an earnest and honest look at his actions and those of his friends’. He tells the story of the personal and political betrayal by his closest friend, a man he considered practically a brother. As he charts the events that led to an 8 year imprisonment all those years ago, he is in the present time travelling to London to meet his old friend after not speaking for some 40 year. This is some deep shit. But it’s wonderful. Go read this book. <br />
<br />
also:<br />
<br />
<i>Life After Life</i> by <b>Kate Atkinson</b><br />
<a href="http://booksloveyou.blogspot.com/2013/08/reviews-of-tempest-vortex-and-anna.html"><i>Vortex</i> by <b>Julie Cross</b></a><br />
<a href="http://booksloveyou.blogspot.com/2013/06/incredible-forgettable-preventable-ya.html">Becoming Chloe by <b>Catherine Ryan Hyde</b></a><br />
<a href="http://booksloveyou.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-review-of-explosive-way-back-home.html">Way Back Home by <b>Niq Mhlongo</b></a><br />
<i>The Fault in Our Stars</i> by <b>John Green</b><br />
<i>Sharp Edges</i> by <b>SA Partridge</b><br />
<i>Grave Mercy</i> by <b>Robin LaFevers</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Merit awards for 2013</b><br />
<br />
I liked these books very, very much but they weren’t quite my favorites...<br />
<br />
<i>The Mall</i> by <b>SL Grey</b><br />
<br />
I did not really expect to be scarred by this. I have not been frightened by a book since Goosebumps in the second grade. But. The Mall is scary in ways that you do not imagine it will scare you. It is a thinking man’s horror because so much of what is scary about it is only frightening when you really, really think it through. It’s clever and wicked and mischievous but it’s pretty difficult to talk about it in any detail without giving away too much. I’d hate to spoil the fun so I’ll say this: if you’re into a book with a bite, push on through a very slow start and prepare to see your local mall (and actually the whole way we live these days) in a whole new, much creepier light.<br />
<br />
<i>South Africa’s Suspended Revolution</i> by <b>Adam Habib</b><br />
<br />
South Africa’s Suspended Revolution is an unaffected but serious work that examines the challenges of our times while charting a way forward. Habib explores a range of topics including institutional design and human agency, affirmative action and conservative macroeconomic policies and the balance of power between corporates and unions. The result is a book that goes to the core of our social context, not shying away from controversial ideas, but instead dealing with them evenly and accessibly. In the midst of strike season, Habib’s fresh perspective on the crisis of service delivery and widespread deficiencies in political accountability are particularly timely. As an introduction to contemporary South Africa, South Africa’s Suspended Revolution is a compelling snapshot of our complex socio-political and economic landscape.<br />
<br />
also:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://booksloveyou.blogspot.com/2013/08/dirty-wars-world-is-battlefield-review.html"><i>Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield</i> by <b>Jeremy Scahill</b></a><br />
<i>The Imposter</i> by <b>Damon Galgut</b><br />
<i>Go Tell the Sun</i> by <b>Wame Molefhe</b><br />
<a href="http://booksloveyou.blogspot.com/2013/06/incredible-forgettable-preventable-ya.html">Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>It’s not you, it’s me</b><br />
<br />
<i>Try though I did, there were also some books this year that just didn’t quite hit the spot. There’s always some debate about whether reviewers should write negative reviews. I’m of the opinion that reviews should be fair, balanced but honest. If it was bad, I have to say so. What I do not have to do it tear apart a book or it’s author. So, in the spirit of transparency, sorry books: it’s not you, it’s me.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock</i> by <b>Matthew Quick</b><br />
<a href="http://bookslive.co.za/blog/2013/12/09/book-bites-8-december-2013/"><i>Passion for Freedom</i> by <b>Mamphela Ramphele</b></a><br />
<i>The Road</i> by <b>Cormac McCarthy</b><br />
<i>Less than Zero</i> by <b>Brett Easton Ellis</b><br />
<i>The Great Gatsby</i> by <b>F Scott Fitzgerald</b><br />
<i>Sweethearts</i> by <b>Sara Zarr</b><br />
<i>Pretty Bad Things</i> by <b>CJ Skuse</b><br />
<a href="http://booksloveyou.blogspot.com/2013/04/incredible-forgettable-preventable-my.html"><i>The Smell of Apples</i> by <b>Mark Behr</b></a><br />
<i>The Book Thief</i> by <b>Markus Zusak</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-79111955447265104532013-12-30T04:30:00.002-08:002013-12-30T04:30:58.343-08:00Selected YA reviews for 2013I’ve been pretty lax about blogging over the last few months. In part, because I left my day job at Puku and started a new career. In part, because I have spent a lot more time reviewing books and writing stories than I did even when I was at Puku. In any case, that has not meant that I haven’t been reading. So now, as I recover from the Christmas turkey, let’s talk about some of what I read this year:<br />
<br />
<i>Thirteen Reasons Why</i> by <b>Jay Asher</b><br />
<br />
In a word, it was... Thoughtful<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1333822506l/1217100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1333822506l/1217100.jpg" /></a></div>Started this book with high expectations and found that for the first half of the book, I was thoroughly enthralled and could really relate to Hannah’s situation. I think the misogyny and objectification I put up with at 13, at 19, at 21 is very much of the flavor that she’s dealing with. But as the reasons started to get a little darker, I also started to feel some skepticism creeping in. Would these reasons really be enough to kill yourself? Some of these things didn’t even happen to you, Hannah. They happened to other people and, yes, they affected you deeply, but it seems a little self-obsessed to turn someone else’s pain inwards when you don’t even know the person or particularly care about them. We’d all be offing ourselves after the evening news if we did that, wouldn’t we? I appreciated the story, I really liked the main character and it is totally worth reading but the format of Hannah says something on the tapes, Clay responds to what Hannah just said got old and I am still not entirely sure why Hannah killed herself.<br />
<br />
<i>The Girl in the Wall</i> by <b>Daphne Benedis-Grab</b><br />
<br />
In a word, it was... Action-packed<br />
<br />
When I first read this book, I quickly dismissed it as fun but insubstantial. It’s only now, months later that I realize how much of the story stayed with me and seems to have resonated on some level. It’s a tale of two girls, stuck in a house where the shit has seriously hit the fan. Peeps be dying, peeps be lying and bitches be taking none of that. So yeah, girls rule in this one. There’s intrigue, mystery (though, to be fair, it wasn’t that hard to work out if you really thought about it) and even a little romance. It’s a great weekend/beach read, I really enjoyed it and think it’s an awesome substitute for the Friday night action movie you can’t bring yourself to turn on.<br />
<br />
<i>The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight</i> by <b>Jennifer E Smith</b><br />
<br />
<b>In a word, it was...</b> Lite<br />
<br />
I’m not gonna be a hater about this book. I enjoyed it, not immensely but certainly enough to keep reading. It was sweet, very cute but a little heavy on the insta-love. If you’re into a good romcom of The Holiday/Love Actually variety, this will do it for you. Bonus: dark, mysterious, broody guy with posh British accent <i>swoon</i><br />
<br />
<i>Antigoddess</i> by <b>Kendare Blake</b><br />
<br />
<b>In a word, it was...</b> Curious<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1354541364l/13246736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1354541364l/13246736.jpg" /></a></div>I was looking forward to this one for some time. I mean, add Greek mythology to high school drama and I’m there like the Harry Potter book 8, you know. It was quite slow to start but once it got going, it did take me on a ride and I did find myself rooting for the semi-good gods to beat out the no-good gods in a fight for their immortal lives. That being said, it didn’t blow me away and I probably won’t be reading any more books in this series, Perhaps it was because I had just finished reading the Anna Dressed in Blood books (which I really loved) and the mannerisms and voices of all the characters I’d grown to love in Anna seemed to just be cut and pasted into Antigoddess. This may be ungenerous but honestly, while the plots could not be more different, Blake could have used an editor’s wise hand to remove the tones and echoes of the Anna books in Antigoddess. Still would recommend it if you’re into mythology and YA though.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-41386047338643364042013-12-23T04:50:00.000-08:002013-12-30T04:51:13.321-08:00Forgive me, Matthew Quick<b>The book:</b> <i>Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock</i> by <b>Matthew Quick</b><br />
<br />
<b>And it's about?</b><br />
<br />
<blockquote>Today is Leonard Peacock's birthday. It is also the day he hides a gun in his backpack. Because today is the day he will kill his former best friend, and then himself, with his grandfather's P-38 pistol.<br />
<br />
But first he must say good-bye to the four people who matter most to him: his Humphrey Bogart-obsessed next-door neighbour, Walt; his classmate Baback, a violin virtuoso; Lauren, the Christian homeschooler he has a crush on; and Herr Silverman, who teaches the high school's class on the Holocaust. Speaking to each in turn, Leonard slowly reveals his secrets as the hours tick by and the moment of truth approaches.<br />
<br />
In this riveting book, acclaimed author Matthew Quick unflinchingly examines the impossible choices that must be made—and the light in us all that never goes out.</blockquote><br />
<b>In a word, it was...</b> Frustrating<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1370282544l/13477676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1370282544l/13477676.jpg" /></a></div>I should have known better. I read Silver Linings Playbook and was deeply underwhelmed: so underwhelmed, in fact, that I could not even bring myself to tweet about it, let along blog about it. But I thought, hey, this new one looks good. People seem to like it. Why not?<br />
<br />
Here's why not:<br />
<br />
The thing I love about great novels, and indeed great novelists, is that they are fearless. They go to dark places and force us to follow into something unknown and sometimes unknowable. And we go. We could go back but onwards we push because the novel challenges us, forces us to think and allows us to feel. At the end, we are not guaranteed a happy ending or even one that makes sense but, end it must. This book has an ending and I guess it was sort of happy and even sort of made sense but I was left with a feeling that nothing really happened. My reward for attempting to wade through the half-hearted darkness was not worth the effort to read the damn book. Because this book does not have the courage to give us anything but dark-lite: it says 'it's bad but don't worry, you don't have to read about it or its implications in any detail at all. It's as bad as I suggest. I think?'. And that was not good enough for me.<br />
<br />
I think Matthew Quick has another hit on his hands. And, lucky for him, it already reads just like a Hollywood screenplay. But I didn't want all of the lights. I just wanted something real and something fearless. This wasn't it. So never, ever again. I will not be fooled again, Jodi Picoult-style, Mathew Quick (please don't get me started on My Sister's Keeper, the blurb made it sound like hard-hitting not emotionally-manipulative). No silver linings here.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-66621470321805737712013-10-16T14:14:00.001-07:002013-10-16T14:14:38.344-07:00My new story is up at FunDza!I have been deathly quiet on the blog, in part because I've started a new job not in publishing and in part because I was prepping for Frankfurt Book Fair where I spoke about my job at Puku and (what else) children's books.<br />
<br />
The other thing I did recently was write a story for FunDza Literary Trust, an organisation that I really admire and love. It was so much fun getting to write for them and it has been amazing to see so many of the FunDza fans get genuinely caught up in the story. I'm saving all those lovely comments for a rainy day...<br />
<br />
Anyway, if you want to read my story, you can find it <a href="http://live.fundza.mobi/home/books/fiction-short-stories/what-the-water-gave-us/">here</a>. It's called 'What the Water Gave Us' - a reference to my story but also to a Florence and the Machine song because why not?<br />
<br />
<blockquote><b>What the Water Gave Us</b><br />
<br />
Author: Bontle Senne<br />
Genre: Human Drama<br />
Publisher: FunDza Literacy Trust<br />
<br />
<i>Lindi is a normal teenage girl, except for one thing: she can see ghosts. She’s been secretly hunting down evil spirits and saving people for as long as she can remember. But now someone knows her secret. Lindi has to find out who is threatening to expose her – before it’s too late.</i><br />
<br />
</blockquote><br />
Happy reading kids!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-27950642847107837712013-08-15T14:44:00.003-07:002013-08-15T14:44:56.652-07:0016 Aug: Twitter debate on African kid litI've always been a big fan of the work of Golden Baobab so I'm really please that they have scheduled a Twitter conference of sorts to discuss the issues of African children's literature. Realistically, there's no real other forum to take up the conversation and someone has to ask why a great opportunity like Golden Baobab only received 180 submissions this year. Where are all the writers at? And why didn't they submit they stories? <br />
<br />
In the context of my own life, moving out of my career in African children's literature because of a systematic lack of investment and support in the sector, I definitely have a vested interest in this discussion. And I really really wish that just one of the people I see on Twitter asking for books in Zulu or Sesotho or Xhosa for their kids could use this as a platform to explain why they care enough to ask but seemingly don't care enough to buy these books or support the organisations that do. I'm not even being facetious. Seriously. I want to know.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>On July 26 2013, there was a press release from Golden Baobab announcing the end of its call for submissions for the 2013 Golden Baobab Prize. Golden Baobab has undoubtedly established itself in the literary sphere as the voice of African children’s literature. As the Executive Director, Deborah Ahenkorah says, “African children deserve to grow up surrounded by stories that reflect their cultures and experiences.” This statement has been the driving force in the Golden Baobab key objective of pushing African stories to the forefront of the literary world.<br />
<br />
Considering the number of stories received this year, 180 stories from 13 African countries, is it untoward to ask, “Does Africa not care for the intellectual growth of its future citizens?” A continent with 54 countries and 1 billion people (as at 2009) and only 180 stories from 13 countries! Stories are the repositories of culture. In my opinion, I think we can do better than this. It is true that all the 1 billion people cannot write stories for children and are doing other worthy things but I still think we can expect more.<br />
<br />
True, our continent has been beleaguered with circumstances (low literacy rate, coups, etc )hat have stunted our growth and development but how long are we going to pull up this card anytime the issue of not doing enough is raised? The Golden Baobab Prize was established to inspire the creation of enthralling African children’s stories by gifted African writers. Currently In its 5th year, the Prize has received a little over a thousand submitted stories. A little over a thousand stories in 5 years, in the world’s second largest continent with its over 1 billion people scattered all over the world. This is not good enough.<br />
<br />
I am not in anyway discounting the invaluable contribution to African Children’s Literature other organizations have made. The Junior African Writers Series (JAWS) by Heinnemann and the Pacesetters books by Macmillan may be mentioned as the stimulant of African writing for children. The bustling publishing industry of South Africa and Nigeria is something to be proud of. However, Africa is more than just these 2 countries ; there is so much we can do.<br />
<br />
It is about time we had a serious conversation about the African children’s literature industry and space that Golden Baobab occupies with other well-meaning organizations on our continent. The children’s book publishing in India is estimated to be worth $1.15 billion growing at the rate of 25% per annum.<br />
<br />
According to IBIS World’s Market Research on the Children’s Book Publishing Industry over a period of 5 years (2007 to 2012), the industry (in the US) accounted for:<br />
<br />
487 businesses<br />
$3 billion in revenue<br />
9, 307 people employed and<br />
An annual growth of 0.7%<br />
These are positive statistics that should set investors on a scrambling spree yet you and I know that is not the case. This is a billion dollar industry waiting to be taken over by writers, illustrators, publishers, marketers and anyone you can think of within this space. South Africa may be considered as the hub of African children’s literature. To paraphrase the title of NoViolet Bulawayo’s famous book, “We need new countries.” We need new countries to be known for African children’s literature so that Africa can have a fair representation in the sphere of children’s literature. We need new names, new authors, new illustrators, new readers.<br />
<br />
So why aren’t our African writers writing for children?<br />
<br />
</blockquote><br />
Read more about tomorrow's virtual meetup or just follow @GoldenBaobab or Facebook.com/GoldenBaobab tomorrow at 16:00 GMT.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-67258849643622008142013-08-07T01:57:00.000-07:002013-08-07T01:57:16.080-07:00Reviews of Tempest, Vortex and Anna Dress in Blood<i>Tempest</i> by <b>Juile Cross</b><br />
<br />
Verdict: (I feel like I need to add a new category here) Likeable<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327878364l/11455096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327878364l/11455096.jpg" /></a></div><blockquote>The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.<br />
<br />
That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.</blockquote><br />
So, all in all pretty awks for Jackson, right? He's stuck in 2007 while his gf is dying in 2009 and he can't get back to her. So what's the logical thing do to when you're stuck in 2007 with not a lot to do? Find your future gf and make her fall in love with you all over again, for the first time. It's a solid plan until the Enemies of Time that tried to kill her the first time, in the future, follow Jackson to 2007 to do it all over again. Luckily, Jackson is also spending 2007 learning more about his abilities, his family and the future so he's not going down without a fight.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed <i>Tempest</i>. I mean, it wasn't life changing but it was fun and I enjoyed it. The sequel was a lot better and totally made <i>Tempest</i> worth reading. Which brings me to:<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Vortex</i> by <b>Julie Cross</b><br />
<br />
Verdict: Incredible<br />
<br />
LOVED IT. As this is a sequel, I'll refrain for adding any spoilers not already in the blurb of the book. What you need to know is this: Jackson managed to quit Holly 2007/2009 - it's hard to keep up. Even after getting her away from the Enemies of Time, Holly managed to get herself into even more trouble by basically just being alive. I kind of feel bad for Holly but I feel worse for Jackson because even though he's got this whole time travel thing sort of figured out now and he's in the CIA, the same peeps that tried to kill him and/ Holly last time are back and they are <i>really</i> working at it now.<br />
<br />
More time travel, more love-vibes, more CIA conspiracy - what's not to love?<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Anna Dressed in Blood</i> by <b>Anna Kendrick</b><br />
<br />
Verdict: Incredible <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1317793801l/9378297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1317793801l/9378297.jpg" /></a></div>I meant to read this book ages ago but it kind of kept getting away from me. I'm really glad I did get to it though because it was great. Cas Lowood hunts ghosts and saves people. Like his father before him, he's travelling through North America with a knife and a burning desire for vengeance. He may still be a teenager but Cas has got this ghost hunter thing down - no friends, no distractions and in no time, he'll have killed enough practise ghosts to take on the real prize: the ghost that killed his dad. It's all very Supernatural-esque which, as a HUGE fan of seasons 2-5, I really loved. Cas IS Dean Winchestor. Broody, good-looking, charming and ready to kick some otherworldly ass.<br />
<br />
He arrives in Thunder Bay to kill a powerful ghost named Anna who is, as the title suggests, dressed in her own blood. But what he does instead is make friends, get some people killed, solve a mystery and do a little personal growth on the side. It was a good mix of funny, sort-of-scary and sad. Really enjoyed it and looking forward to diving into the sequel soon.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-84524998561246965172013-08-05T02:42:00.001-07:002013-08-05T02:42:28.595-07:00New award for SA writers announced: WGSA Muse Awards!There's a new writers award for South African writers!<br />
<br />
<blockquote>The Writers’ Guild of South Africa (WGSA) honours, celebrates and promotes the creativity, quality and writing excellence of local writers with the introduction and launching of the WGSA Muse Awards.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.writersguildsa.org/images/logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.writersguildsa.org/images/logo.png" /></a></div><br />
There are six categories for which entries will be accepted for the 2013 WGSA Muse Awards: <br />
• Feature Film <br />
• TV Drama <br />
• TV Comedy <br />
• Documentary <br />
• Stage Plays, and <br />
• Unproduced Script in any genre. <br />
<br />
A panel of independent judges will be looking for excellence in writing style, story, characterisation, dialogue, and impact. Every nominee will receive a personalised Nomination Certificate, and each winner will receive a personalised Winner’s Certificate and a beautiful and specially designed WGSA Muse Trophy. <br />
<br />
The WGSA is a registered Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) and a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) which replaced SASWA, The South African Scriptwriters Association that was formed in 1974. It remains the only association in South Africa with the sole purpose of protecting, developing and empowering performance writers in the local film, television, radio, stage, animation and new media (internet – mobile and digital distribution, and gaming) industries. The WGSA is a key member of SASFED (The South African Screen Federation), and one of the founding members of LAMP (Language and Media Practitioners). <br />
<br />
The judging process will take place during November and December 2013, with the nominees announced in January 2014. This will be followed by the award ceremony, which will take place early next year. <br />
<br />
Entries open on 1 August 2013. The deadline for entries in the 2013 WGSA Muse Awards is at midnight on the 31st October 2013, and they must be submitted online. The online entry system and competition details can be found on the <a href="www.wgsamuseawards.co.za">WGSA Muse Awards website</a>.</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-40843301239509216092013-07-31T12:05:00.002-07:002013-07-31T12:06:32.947-07:00Counting my (literary) blessingsI've had a really good year. Yes, it has had its challenges. Working in the education sector was never going to be easy. But it has also been richly rewarding in ways I thought only existed for people who go to India to find themselves. I almost can't believe that in a month from now I'll be starting a whole new adventure, in a completely different sector. Maybe it's the start of this one month's notice that is making me feel the need to take stock...<br />
<br />
I got into this introspective mood yesterday when I was talking to Sowetan Education about (among other things) my career and my love for my work. It's sounds weird but I only realised fairly recently how totally nerdy I am. I love books. Not in a superficial, romcom kind of way. It's a weak-at-the-knees, love-of-my-life kind of feeling. I've had it since I was five years old and books have been the only I ever wanted or needed for my sanity. If I could read and write, I was happy. I didn't need other people, I didn't need friends or food or outside. I had books.<br />
<br />
I'm meant to be talking at Read Educational Trust's book clubs' forum on Saturday morning. I'm meant to be (again) talking about my career and my love of my work. I'm meant to be talking about 'girl power' and how girls should read. But all I want to talk about are the five books I've read in the last week and a half. That and how I came to need people as much as I need books.<br />
<br />
Also: I feel really blessed to have had some awesome people behind me and my work this year. There's no real way to thank them without being chessy because the truth is, they have given me a life of books and that was, honestly, all I ever wanted. I'm going into another long-held dream job now and I'm feeling so so grateful. Not many people get to have all their dreams come true before they're even 25.<br />
<br />
Like the saying I've seen on so many Tumblrs goes: you don't find yourself, you make yourself. So today, inspired by Jason from 'The Truth About Forever', I'm making a list of everyone who has helped me make my(professional)self*:<br />
<br />
1. Colleen, Ben, Peter and Elinor. No one could ask for better mentors. You're all the bomb.com but Elinor is honestly one of the kindest, most lovely people I have ever met.<br />
2. Stéphan-Eloïse Gras. She is a kick-ass human being and somehow she conned Institut Francais into buying me a ticket to Brazzaville. Best. Weekend. Ever.<br />
3. Sefi Atta. So much wisdom is such a short space of time.<br />
4. Nangamso Koza, Craig Wattrus, Jayne Southern and Lynn Joffe (!) who have Stéphan-Eloïse levels of faith in me and/ have let me suck them in for hours of debate about the education crisis we're in. So thanks for that.<br />
5. Awesome volunteer super-people who should be paid so much for all they have given to this sector: Dani Favis, Madelein du Toit and Nikki Mcdiarmid. So much love.<br />
<br />
I've got to start writing what I've got to say on Saturday. Now that I have procrastinated on the interwebs and felt happy and blessed, and totally forgotten to eat dinner or go to the gym. I've got to start writing but I feel like, if the last year is anything to go by, I'm probably just going to go read instead...<br />
<br />
*<i>I have a feeling that friends and family should already know how I feel about them. If they don't, I'm doing so many things wrong with my life.</i> <br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-6587304961102196792013-07-26T02:43:00.002-07:002014-04-30T08:41:49.673-07:00It sounds bad but it's good! I think? My review of Bodyguard: Hostage<b>The Book:</b> <i>Bodyguard: Hostage</i> by <b>Chris Bradford</b><br />
<br />
<b>And It's About?</b><br />
<br />
<blockquote>ASSESS THE THREAT.<br />
COUNTER THE DANGER.<br />
ESCAPE THE KILLZONE.<br />
<br />
In a dangerous world, everyone needs protection. <br />
<br />
No one suspects that a teenager could protect someone – but Connor Reeves is no ordinary 14 year old. He’s a professional bodyguard trained in surveillance, anti-ambush techniques, hostage survival and unarmed combat. When he’s summoned to protect the President’s daughter, his protection skills face the ultimate test.<br />
<br />
Alicia doesn’t want to be guarded. She just wants to have fun. With no clue that Connor is her bodyguard, she tries to escape the Secret Service and lead him astray. But unknown to her and Connor, a terrorist sleeper cell has been activated. <br />
<br />
Its mission: to take the President’s daughter HOSTAGE.</blockquote><br />
<b>In a word, it was...</b> Unlikely<br />
<br />
I read the blurb. I think: <i>How am I supposed to take that seriously?</i> First, I am meant to believe that a 14 year old is a bodyguard. I have met 14 year olds boys. I ain't trusting my life in their prepubescent hands. Even with mad kickboxing skills and putting aside my scepticism of their upper body strength aside, the full development of the parts of the brain that manages rational and mature behaviour is a real thing. And that shizz is just not working correctly until you are like 20. I should know (see all bad decisions made in high school). <br />
<br />
Then, I am meant to believe that the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA would be totally cool with letting this kid protect his kid. Can I see Obezzy letting Conor Reeeves protect Sasha and... the other very pretty, probably also smart one? Not really. But it's supposed to make sense in <i>Bodyguard</i> because Conor's dad protected the President once and now Conor will protect the President's daughter Alicia because... that would be things coming full circle, I guess? The Secret service in the book is not amused. The Secret Service in real life would definitely not be down for that. (Case in point: <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/video/news/sky-news/3785417/Gaddafi-teen-bodyguard-held.html">Gaddaffi had a teen bodyguard and look how that ended</a>.)<br />
<br />
But the thing that for me was too much were the terrorists. Islamic terrorists would not want to take the President's daughter hostage to secure the release of ALL Islamic 'prisoners of war' or 'enemy combatants' or whatever, nor to force America troops out of all Islamic countries immediately. They would not want this not because it isn't something that they would theoretically like. Sure, it would be nice. But, they are much much more intelligent than that and no fundamentalist group would honestly believe that capturing the President's daughter would cause him to unilaterally end a multibillion dollar campaign against millions of people in dozens of countries working within, in collaboration with or in support of dozens of Islamic and other extremist groups. That would just not happen. If anything, they might want to assassinate members of the First Family to terrorise Americans in the same way as 9/11. Or maybe kidnap members of said family and render them to Islamic countries for a live execution on YouTube. Maybe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g196/tggrplasm/GIFs/Margotdisbelief.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g196/tggrplasm/GIFs/Margotdisbelief.gif" /></a></div><br />
These three ideas (14 year old as bodyguard, POTUS totally ok with this and terrorist dumb enough to think their plan will work) make up the bulk of this novel. If you cannot suspend your disbelief about these and ignore the real misunderstanding of international relations or the global war or terror, then this is not a book for you.<br />
<br />
Luckily, I was reviewing the book for a news publication and had to suspend my disbelief. I'm glad I did. Besides it's naivety, it was a actually good book. It is YA fiction and it does not promise to be realistic or truthful and it is unfair and punitive to impose that burden of responsibility on the genre. Bodyguard was fast-paced, fun, well-written, full of action and great for young teens who might be more intrigued by this original idea than they are bothered by its implausibility.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-69683091372868401182013-07-22T01:30:00.000-07:002013-07-22T01:30:02.209-07:00Buddyguards, time travel and Glee!I went a bit cray at the Exclusive Books sale at Melrose Arch this weekend and bought many books. I also have a book from The Times that I'm meant to be reviewing for work vibes and at this weekend's Skoobs book blogger's event, I picked up an advanced review copy of something that sounds fun. Of this impressive 8 book stack of books I'll be reading in the next two weeks, these sound the most interesting:<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i>Bodyguard: Hostage</i> by <b>Chris Bradford</b><br />
<br />
ASSESS THE THREAT.<br />
COUNTER THE DANGER.<br />
ESCAPE THE KILLZONE.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1365946706l/17797635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1365946706l/17797635.jpg" /></a></div>In a dangerous world, everyone needs protection. <br />
<br />
No one suspects that a teenager could protect someone – but Connor Reeves is no ordinary 14 year old. He’s a professional bodyguard trained in surveillance, anti-ambush techniques, hostage survival and unarmed combat. When he’s summoned to protect the President’s daughter, his protection skills face the ultimate test.<br />
<br />
Alicia doesn’t want to be guarded. She just wants to have fun. With no clue that Connor is her bodyguard, she tries to escape the Secret Service and lead him astray. But unknown to her and Connor, a terrorist sleeper cell has been activated. <br />
<br />
Its mission: to take the President’s daughter HOSTAGE </blockquote><br />
I'm not going to lie. I'm about half-way through this book and while it is entertaining, it's also kind of ridiculous and totally implausible. I'm surprised that it's doing so well on Goodreads. I mean, it's well-written and it's fun but a 14 year old bodyguard? I would not sign up for that shizz.<br />
<br />
Unless of course said teenager could time-travel...<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i>Vortex</i> by <b>Julie Cross</b> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1351482316l/13364300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1351482316l/13364300.jpg" /></a></div>Julie Cross's Vortex is the thrilling second installment of the Tempest series, in which the world hangs in the balance as a lovelorn Jackson must choose who to save<br />
<br />
Jackson Meyer has thrown himself into his role as an agent for Tempest, the shadowy division of the CIA that handles all time-travel-related threats. Despite his heartbreak at losing the love of his life, Jackson has proved himself to be an excellent agent. However, after an accidental run in with Holly — the girl he altered history to save — Jackson is once again reminded of what he's lost. And when Eyewall, an opposing division of the CIA, emerges, Jackson and his fellow agents not only find themselves under attack, but Jackson begins to discover that the world around him has changed and someone knows about his erased relationship with Holly, putting both their lives at risk all over again.</blockquote><br />
I read the first instalment of the series, Tempest, last week ands it was quite good. I mean, it wasn't Divergent but it was good stuff and I was digging the love-vibes between Jackson and Holly. However, the love-vibes can only justify altering the past/future so long before you're just being silly. I'm hoping this sequel is not silly.<br />
<br />
Which finally brings me to a book that I wholly expect to be silly. I am a mucho Glee fan and was pleasantly surprised to see Kurt's debut novel on the YA shelf at EB:<br />
<br />
<blockquote><i>Struck By Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal</i> by <b>Chris Colfer</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347699317l/15789823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347699317l/15789823.jpg" /></a></div>Struck By Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal follows the story of outcast high school senior Carson Phillips, who blackmails the most popular students in his school into contributing to his literary journal to bolster his college application; his goal in life is to get into Northwestern and eventually become the editor of The New Yorker. At once laugh-out-loud funny, deliciously dark, and remarkably smart, Struck By Lightning unearths the dirt that lies just below the surface of high school. At a time when bullying torments so many young people today, this unique and important novel sheds light with humour and wit on an issue that deeply resonates with countless teens and readers.<br />
</blockquote><br />
I'll also be reading <i>Wool</i> by Hugh Howey, <i>Acid</i> by Emma Pass and <i>Anna Dressed in Blood</i> by Kendare Blake. Wish me luck.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-25622413682878764032013-07-22T01:01:00.000-07:002013-07-22T01:08:34.583-07:00Mmatladi le Dingwe and me: a return to the old storiesI interviewed Damaria Senne a while ago for the Puku Presents series and her interview is up today. Damaria is interesting to me because she represents a different kind of children's book writer than those I usually meet. For one, she has self-published her books with no apologies or plans to try get published by a 'real' publisher soon and that's kinda brave and kinda cool. For another, Damaria represents an oft not well-represented demographic of published authors in South Africa: the writers who didn't have books to read. When asked what he favourite children's book was as a child, she says:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>I didn’t read children’s books as a child. I didn’t have access to them. But I loved the story of Mmatladi le Dingwe, a story that was included in Primary School learner’s book. Then there was the story of Worsie (in my Afrikaans learner’s book), which my siblings and I found extremely funny. Even today, we still make reference to the character of Worsie when we talk about someone running from problems.</blockquote><br />
I tried to find the story Mmatladi le Dingwe online to no avail. I'd never heard of it before Damaria's reference to it. I suspect that perhaps were my grandmother still alive, she might have been able to tell it to me. Why does it seem that grandmothers are the only ones who still tell the old stories?<br />
<br />
Our oral heritage seems to have all but lost its place in our education system, especially for children below the school-going age. As a child, I had books but all of them were in English. The grown-ups (probably rightly in SA circa 1990) thought it was a better idea for me to build competency in English than to even attempt to acquire stories or concepts in my home language. I was lucky: I took to English quickly, discovered I actually had a talent for the language and read everything I could get my hands on. Most other kids aren't so lucky.<br />
<br />
With no access to home language children’s books outside of those ordered by schools and parents who are often not equipped to help with their children’s literacy and learning, we should never have abandoned oral storytelling as a vehicle to impart knowledge and linguistic skills. We should never have pushed the angle that you have to read to your children and that that is the only way to contribute to their improved literacy. What if you can't afford books? What if you can't read? Why can't you tell them the stories of your childhood and your parents' childhood? <a href="http://www.wordworks.org.za/downloads/ww-materials/Narrowing-the-literacy-gap.pdf">Loss of this practise (or rather, institutional praise and support of this practise)</a> has disadvantaged many local children in their acquisition of of complex concepts in their home language and fundamentals of their first additional language. <a href="http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/2008/2/08.02.01.x.html">True story</a>.<br />
<br />
Neither traditional nor self-published non-English, non-Afrikaans books are getting to kids. A writer's home language is X but publishers don't think there's a market for X books and booksellers don't think X books sell so they don't get adequately published or distributed. The writer realises this and does not attempt to write in X because if you can't find a publisher or a bookseller to stock it, there's not much of a point is there? Self-publishing still carries a stigma and, sorry, but Exclusive Books probably isn't going to be putting that kind of book on their shelves anytime soon either. And then people complain that there aren't any books in X available and how will we keep X alive for their children - while simultaneously <i>not</i> buying and promoting the books that do get published by the likes of Jacana Media, online or through NGOs like <a href="http://www.biblionefsa.org.za">Biblionef</a>. <br />
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This is an oversimplification. There are good reasons for the actions of all the players in this situation to act as they do. And many of these factors limit the number of English and Afrikaans books available to English and Afrikaans kids too. Don't get me wrong, I empathise. I just long for a different way.<br />
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I think a return to orality is that different way. I think we need to work out how to mainstream the production and distribution of oral storytelling in our languages. I think we need to figure out how to monetize it - whether through public-private partnerships or development of Freemium platforms, whatever. Because if people can't make a living from it, how can we expect them to give up pension and medical aid for the uncertainty of vaguely doing good things? It's not fair. They should be rewarded for doing work that is worthwhile (and that goes for authors, illustrators and editors too).<br />
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It's easy for me to complain from my little corner of the interwebs. Doing something concrete about it is something entirely different. Which means the only thing we really need to do is figure out <i>how</i>.<br />
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<a href="http://puku.co.za/News/2881">Read the full interview with Damaria Senne</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-67369939402665726032013-07-15T02:02:00.000-07:002013-08-07T02:02:31.436-07:00Dirty Wars: The World Is A Battlefield ReviewMy quick review of Dirty Wars for Sunday Times books. It may or may not be published and it isn't really in the style of this blog but I really enjoyed the book so I'm giving it a little shine here anyway.<br />
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<i>Dirty Wars: The World Is A Battlefield</i> by <b>Jeremy Scahill</b><br />
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The product of years of research by dozens of individuals, 'Dirty Wars' is a work of investigative journalism with breathtaking scope and depth. The book traces over 15 years of United States foreign policy from the dangerous rise of Cheney-era death squads in Afghanistan after 9/11 to the US-funded Somali warlords that would eventually tear that country apart. Scahill exposes the routine capture, torture and assassination of foreign and US nationals by various groups within the US intelligence apparatus operating with full impunity and money to burn. In 'Dirty Wars', no one with real, suspected or even fabricated links to al Queda is safe. The bleak reality uncovered is that, to the US, the world really is a battlefield.<br />
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‘Dirty Wars’ is likely one of the most important reference books on the Global War on Terror written in recent years. It is not an easy or quick read but it is certainly a worthy one.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-52680338805933928272013-07-10T03:21:00.000-07:002013-07-10T03:21:14.772-07:00Events for writers in DurbanI happened across some events for writers in Durban the other day. I think things are so often focussed on Gauteng and the Western Cape that it's hard to find events and support for writers outside Joburg, Pretoria and CT. Luckily, there's organisations like SA Writers' circle. The stated purpose of the South African Writers’ circle is to "encourage and assist all writers, new and experienced, and to promote the art of creative writing in general". That sounds like my kind of party!<br />
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And if I lived in Durban, I would be there:"<br />
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<blockquote>Join us at our next meeting, Saturday July 20th, and hear from FRED FELTON on the topic BLOGGING & WRITING.<br />
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11h00, Westville Library, R15 for non-members, R5 for members. Please bring and share if you are staying for lunch and the workshop thereafter.</blockquote><br />
The group apparently meets on the third Saturday of each month at Westville Library at 11h00. I'd love some feedback on how their events go.<br />
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This other event looks a little too good to be true. Experience in publishing has taught me anyone who markets their event with "Discover how easy it is to publish and market your book on the internet" is overselling in a big way. But I think if participants go in with their eyes wide open, if nothing else it could be a good networking opportunity?<br />
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<blockquote>Richard Mulvey and Charlotte Kemp have written and published 30 books between them and they will be sharing their expertise at the 90 minute presentation to celebrate the launch of their new book “The Working Title”<br />
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- Learn how to overcome writers block<br />
- Discover how easy it is to publish and market your book on the internet<br />
- Find out how to self publish, get an ISBN number and choose the right printer<br />
- Become an author and be admired as the authority on your subject<br />
- Uncover the secrets of earning a passive income from your writing<br />
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Writing, Publishing and Marketing your book is a lot easier than you think and is this presentation Richard and Charlotte will guide you through a set of simple steps that will get you on the bookshelves and influencing other people’s lives.<br />
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Date: 18 July<br />
Time: Refreshments, networking and library – 5:30 – 6pm / Meeting 6 – 9pm<br />
Venue: The Hellenic Centre, 5 High Grove, Umgeni Park, Durban<br />
Cost: Free for PSASA members; R200 for non-members<br />
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(Tea, coffee, biscuits & snacks included. Cash bar available).<br />
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Booking through PSASA Administrator – Simone: admin@psasouthernafrica.co.za / +27 79 680 2573</blockquote><br />
Again, I'd really like to know how this goes so hit me up with some feedback if you attend.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575681316243549925.post-74751077147564774062013-07-09T02:10:00.000-07:002013-07-09T02:12:58.345-07:00Open Book, NBW2013 and a Xhosa Kids' FestivalLiterary festivals seem to be what's up this September in South Africa but I am full of the sads because I am missing ALL of them. This is because I am taking a day job outside of publishing in September.<br />
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First up is Open Book Festival: 7 - 11 September. There's a lot of writers I wouldn't mind kicking it with who are on the programme and even a few YA writers invited. With Andre, Niq, Teju and Kgebetli there it's gonna be a little Saint-Malo/Brazzaville reunion and I wish I could be there for the shenanigans.<br />
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The other 2013 <a href="http://openbookfestival.co.za/author-page/">authors at Open Book</a> are:<br />
Alex Latimer, Andrew Brown, Andy Mason, Angela Makholwa, Anton Kannemeyer, Arthur Attwell, Clinton Osbourne, Conrad Botes, Damien Brown, David Tyfield, Dawn Garisch, Deon Meyer, Diane Awerbuck, Dianne Hofmeyr, Fiona Snyckers, Frank Westerman, Gail Schimmel, Gillian Slovo, Haidee Kruger, Henrietta Rose-Innes, Ian Rankin, Imraan Coovadia, Jacob Sam-La Rose, Joe Vaz, Kamila Shamsie, Khadija Heeger, Khosi Xaba, Lauren Beukes, Malika Ndlovu, Margie Orford, Marli Roode, Michael Grant, Mukesh Kapila, Mukoma wa Ngugi, Nadia Davids, NoViolet Bulawayo, Patrick deWitt, Polly Dunbar, Pumla Gqola, Rachel Holmes, Reneilwe Malatji, Rico, Sally Partridge, Sarah Lotz, Sindiwe Magona, Songeziwe Mahlangu, Toni Stuart, Will Storr and Zapiro.<br />
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Looking forward to seeing the programme, especially the youth programme. There is also a <a href="http://openbookfestival.co.za/comics/">Comics Fest</a> happening at Open Book and who the hells could say no to that shizz?<br />
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The other literary shindig in September (which arguably should be a bigger deal) is National Book Week 2013. NBW takes place every first week of September and is run by South African Book Development Council (SABDC) in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Culture. The week is meant to coincides with <a href="http://www.info.gov.za/events/un/literacy.htm">International Literacy Day</a> on 8 September. I wish that National Book Week would move around the country more to give more people the opportunity to be a part of it. Their book ambassadors include peeps other peeps seem to care about like Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Zonke, Aaron Moloisi, Jafta Mamabolo, DJ Sbu, Kabomo and others so maybe NBW/DAC could take them to Durban, Kimberly, Bloemfontein, Mafikeng, Polokwane and other major cities in the coming years? Hell, maybe have events throughout the year to celebrate book readers and book writers? Just thinking out loud here.<br />
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And the last and littlest literary event in September is (disclaimer) a project of my current employer, Puku Children's Literature Foundation. Puku, the National Arts Festival and Rhodes University are hosting the first-ever isiXhosa Children’s Story Festival from 6 – 8 Sept in Grahamstown. We didn't call it a book fair or a literary festival because we don't want to scare anyone off with titles that may be perceived as being elitist or might intimidate those who do not think they 'belong' at the literary festival. Instead, we want to bring the Xhosa community, where-ever they may be, together to share their stories in print or otherwise. Keeping local stories alive for this generation and many after that means that we need events like this festival to bring storytelling, song, dance and books together in a joyous celebrate of the language. At least, that's the idea.<br />
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I may not actually get to go to any of these <i>but</i> things are happening, more people are reading or at least superficially interested enough in the idea of reading to support festivals that celebrate literature and languages and that's kind of great just by itself. <br />
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<a href="http://openbookfestival.co.za/">Find out more about Open Book</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NationalBookWeekSouthAfrica?fref=ts">Find out more about NBW</a><br />
<a href="http://puku.co.za/Pages/Details/289">Find out more about the Xhosa Festival</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01596080797572787654noreply@blogger.com0