An Africa Day Collective

Today is (was) Africa Day. My favourite way of celebrating Africa is by celebrating her literature – and by implication, her narratives. I have loads of posts about South African books, but not one about the continent. Here is a handful of my favourite pan-African books. There are many more. I am shamefully missing a

South African Books To Read This Heritage Day

I continue to have a love affair with South African books.

Ten More South African Books To Devour

1. Kwezi by Loyiso Mkize

A new South African superhero comic, starring authentically South African characters. Such an important step in having representative books, but also a really fun comic that I would recommend widely. I intend on buying every issue, and buying some to donate to the children’s wards at my hospital too.

The Translation of Love [Book Review]

I think that post-war novels deserve as much attention as war-time novels. In fact, post-war novels may even be more important. War-time novels show us the atrocities, and the indomitable human spirit that survives it; but post-war novels show us what happens when those down-trodden spirits have to rebuild, often under the boot of the victors.

Learning Through Fiction: Fiji in “Kalyana” [+Infographic]

Kalyana is a story of womanhood, and the invisible bonds thereof. Trigger warning for themes of abuse, which Khelawan handles with candour and sensitivity. I won’t say too much more of this in an effort not to spoil it for future readers.

Fifteen Lanes by S.J. Laidlaw [Book Review]

Here’s what I love about Fifteen Lanes: Grace and Noor aren’t pitted against each other. At no point are Grace’s issues made to seem petty compared to Noor’s. At no point is Grace made out to be a savior; and at no point is Noor the girl who “gives Grace perspective.” Because there is nothing as annoying as someone who says, “Wow, look at her struggles, I’m so lucky to have my life” – and then they carry on with their privileged life, thinking that a day spent playing pat-a-cake with some impoverished children absolves them.

Book Review: Cambodia Noir

If Cambodia Noir were just another crime thriller, it would disappear back into the woodwork among the millions of other sex-drugs-rock-and-roll thrillers with fallible heroes and sultry women that could be turned into a generic B-grade action film.

Reading Lumikki Andersson, the Finnish girl-sleuth

Lumikki is a Finnish-Swedish high school student with a propensity for landing in the middle of trouble that has nothing to do with her. She is independent, talented, and a little bit of a BAMF.