The Local Lit Scene

celebrating South African Literature beyond our past

Sep 27

Give away coming up

by imsonotablogger

Yes, you read right! I have joined in The Literary Blog hop coming up at the end of October. But, I would love to know what type of books you would like to see as a give away. I could, of course, do the choosing myself, but I thought, well, it would be great to actually see what people want to read so your assistance will be required to help out and let me know…!

And while we are on the topic of what to read, who is keen to read the new JK Rowling book The Casual Vacancy?

I have a mixed feeling, the synopsis of the book doesn’t really appeal BUT this is the lady who gave us Harry Potter and I LOVED Harry Potter. Luckily I didn’t have to wait in queues to buy my copies when I bought them in the UK and I wouldn’t have to wait in a queue for the latest offering but to read it or not to read it that is the question.

You know what the answer is don’t you? Of course, I am going to read it!

And you?

Tell us in the comments what your thoughts are, and don’t forget to mention what you would love as a give away…

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Sep 26

Top ten series I haven’t finished…

by imsonotablogger

One of the book blogs that I have recently discovered is The Broke and The Bookish and they had a great Top Ten Tuesday post yesterday, and even though today is Wednesday, I thought it would be great to be part of it.

This week’s topic discusses series that you have not finished for one reason or another. I had to have a good think and I may not manage to make ten, but lets see shall we?

GAME OF THRONES – George RR Martin

I loved the TV series, so thought I would try the books, but I just could not get into it. I have only read about a quarter of the first book. Not sure if I will ever read the entire series, think I may just watch TV instead!

THE WHEEL OF TIME – Robert Jordan

I have read the first three in the series, I enjoyed the first two and found the third one tough going for some reason. Considering that there are 12 in the entire series, I don’t think I am going to get much further but it is always a possibility…

THE LIGHTENING THIEF – Percy Jackson

I started the first book, read about half way, discovered something else I wanted to read and never went back.  Will I go back? I don’t know. Has anyone else read it? Is it worth going back to?

INHERITANCE – Christopher Paolini

I read Eragon, half of Eldest and I haven’t read the last two. My niece LOVED the series, so really think I should finish them, eventually! Will definitely have to start at the beginning again though as I have forgotten the story line.

A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS  – Lemony Snicket

I read the first one after watching the movie, I enjoyed it, so not really sure why I haven’t read the rest of them.

THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO – Patrick Ness

I read the first one. I did enjoy it too, wasn’t the best book I have read but it was easy reading. I don’t think I will read the rest of the series though.

SEPTIMUS HEAP BOOKS – Angie Sage

I have read the first four of this series but again, just never carried on reading. I should, they were nice easy reading books, though I think better suited to the younger generation to read…

THURSDAY NEXT SERIES – Jasper Fforde

I LOVE his books! I still need to read the last Thursday next novel as I heard through the grapevine that his next one is due out soon! Ah, Christmas is coming, may have to put them both on my wish list!

CONFESSIONS OF GEORGIA NICHOLSON – Louise Rennison

I LOVED Angus, thongs and full frontal snogging! But I never realised that it was part of a series, guess what I am going to be reading soon!

THE SECRET SEVEN –  Enid Blyton

I think I only read a few of these, can’t even remember how far I got, but I preferred The Famous Five! Loved it, read all of them, but secret seven, not so much…!

Ok, so I really had to dig deep for that last one! And you, fancy joining in on the meme, if so, let us know in the comments, maybe one of us will find a new author or series to read…

 

 

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Sep 24

How do you read?

by imsonotablogger

I found a list of questions sitting in my drafts in my email as I was clearing out clutter and decided to jot them down here. Please feel free to join in and do a blog post on how you read. I think it would be interesting to share!

 

How do you organize your books?

Hmm, I normally organise books by author, then theme. I have a shelf of cookery books, a shelf of Calvin and Hobbes (my MOST favorite), a shelf of Pilates and Massage books and a shelf of fiction. I then have a stack of books next to my bed which are currently in process, TBR, read and library books.

 
Do you prefer series books or stand alone books?

I like both. Some of my favourite books have been series, which is great because you get longer with characters that you really like. And stand alone books are also great, but what I really dislike is when I discover an awesome book only to discover that it is the only book by them and they haven’t written any others! Or when you start reading a series and then have to wait for each book to come out, I would rather wait and then read them all in a row.

 
Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read?

I can read anytime of day or night;-) but usually end up reading at night time before bed, sometimes until late at night, which is not condusive to joyful moods in the morning… and normally in bed. I do, however, love having a hot bubble bath and reading till the water needs topping up, again(and again). I also read in the car, or queue’s while waiting.

 
Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can
you read more than one at a time?

I read more than one at a time, unless the one I am currently reading takes preference and I don’t want to put it down!

 
What is the last book you bought?

Spud by John van der Ruit

 
What are you currently reading?

Dragonspell by Donita K Paul

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away?

I don’t, I know I should, but I don’t.

Do you snack while you read? If so, favorite reading snack?

Not usually, but if I do, it would more than likely be chocolate. Any type will do, but Lindt chilli is my favourite reading companion.

and you, how do you read? Leave a link in the comments so we can all have a read:-)

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Sep 23

Book Review – Chez Moi by Agnes Desarthe

by imsonotablogger

translated into English by Adriana Hunter

I read this book in a weekend, this weekend to be precise, and last night I only went to sleep at about 12am because I did not want to put it down.

The writing is lyrical, sentences flow from one to another like linking thoughts. It is philosophical without being over the top and explores adult themes of adultery, not loving your child, success and the anxiety and fear that can cripple one if not dealt with.

At times you can feel the exhaustion, the joy, the claustrophobia, the fear. The food tantalises and teases as you read and the words are like soft caramel melting in the mouth.

So, whats it about:

Forty-three years old, trailing secrets and extravagant lies, Myriam has just convinced a bank to give her a loan to open a small restaurant in the Eleventh Arrondissement of Paris. Too poor to rent an apartment, Myriam must live in the restaurant, her Paris flat after being in self imposed exile for 6 years. In exile from her reserved husband and son she has found herself unable to love. But little by little the people start arriving, eating and finding solace in her restaurant and slowly as the restaurant sizzles towards success,figures and feelings from her past begin to emerge, re-awakening her appetite for life, both the bitter and the sweet.

I thought this book was quirky but still very real, dealing with issues that are common though some would hate to admit it. In a way, it sort of made me think of ‘The Elegance of the Hedgehog’ but better. Much better.

Read it, go on, do!

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Sep 21

Book review – Peaches for Monsieur Le Cure -Joanne Harris

by imsonotablogger

I have itching to read this book ever since I found it on the ‘new fiction’ shelves of Exclusive Books and I am glad to say that I now have.

Peaches is the third installment of the Chocolat series and just as enjoyable as both the first and the second novels. I would recommend reading Lollipop Shoes again, if you, like me read it ages ago. It would just re-immerse you in the lives of the characters. Though saying that, Peaches can almost be a stand alone book.

What is it about:

Four years have passed since The Lollipop Shoes. Vianne and Roux are still living in Paris on their houseboat-chocolaterie. Anouk is fifteen, on the cusp of young womanhood. Rosette is eight, facing challenges of her own. Then, on a changing summer wind, comes a letter from the dead, calling them back to Lansquenet…

But in eight years, Lansquenet has changed. The cobbled streets, the whitewashed church, the disused tanneries along the river – all are just as they always were. But in Les Marauds, a community of Moroccans has arisen, with women veiled in black, the scent of incense, spices, kif and mint tea, and facing the church, on the far side of the Tannes, a minaret….

This book tells the story of Vianne and how she goes back to Lansquenet and the changes she finds there. It also shares with us some of Vianne’s fears about her relationship with Roux and the change in her relationship with Monsier Le Cure. The difference I think between this story and the two before this, is that it shows us how Vianne is more connected to Lansquenet than what she thought and how though she vowed never to go back, she did and the calling for her to stay there is strong.

The cast of characters are strong and I think the story also contrasts the differences between two religions and how one needs to be more accepting of ones beliefs but yet shows us again how very similar we all are as humans.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more about Vianne and her family as they carry on travelling with the wind.

For more background info on the stories straight from the author herself, go here, makes for fascinating reading!

Also, if you would like to chat to Joanne Harris, she can be found at the Open Book Festival in Cape Town this weekend at The Fugard Theatre between 10h00 – 11h00.

I unfortunately won’t be able to make it, I take solace in the fact that I have met her once before at a book signing but if you go, do tell us all about it!

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Sep 21

Open Book Festival in Cape Town this weekend!

by imsonotablogger

What is Open Book Festival?

Open Book Cape Town is an annual literary festival, the first of which happened in 2011. Round two will take place from the 20 – 24 September at the Fugard Theatre and The Book Lounge.

When Mervyn Sloman and Ben Williams started talking creating a festival, they had in mind around 60 literary events over 5 days featuring about 15 top international as well as some of the best South Africans writing today. Due to the incredible support Open Book received, that quickly grew into a festival with over 100 events, featuring almost 100 authors.

There are three major elements to the Open Book vision.

(1) A truly international festival that attracts top writers and an audience from around the world.

(2) A fantastic showcase of the best of South African writing.

(3) Making a significant and sustainable contribution to our future by building a love of reading and books among the youth of Cape Town.

(exerpt taken from here )

I have taken a look through the program and am excited to see that Lionel Shriver, Joanne Harris and Emily Gravatt are amongst many other  authors who will be at the event. Depending on work, I will be going to see who I can see this weekend!

For a full program of the festival, you can go here which will tell you all the details that you need to know. Who to see, where to see them and what time to see them!

Who rather tickles your fancy to meet?

 

 

 

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Sep 20

Penguin Books and Kalk Bay Books invite you…

by imsonotablogger

 

After an unexpected request from his father, Henry Knott returns to the Karoo farm on which he spent a fractured childhood. Painful memories force him to revisit a tragedy in which he was fatefully implicated. Henry has to come to terms with how this event has shaped his adult life, his marriage and the conflicted emotions he feels towards the place of his birth.

The Land Within traces the deep connections between tragedy and love, regret and longing.

Alistair Morgan was born in Johannesburg in 1971. In 2009 he became the first non-American to win the Plimpton Prize for Fiction. Alistair’s highly acclaimed debut novel Sleeper’s Wake was published in 2009 and was the winner of the SALA 2012 First-Time Published Author Award. In 2012 it was adapted into a feature film. He currently lives in Cape Town.

 

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Sep 19

Launch of Simple and Delicious Recipes from the Heart

by imsonotablogger

If you are anything like me and have a love of recipe books then this one is for you!

About the book:

Simple & Delicious is a collection of recipes from the heart. These are dishes which Alida Ryder – a food stylist, photographer, blogger and busy mother of twins – serves to her family. Sometimes it’s something fancy and a little tricky, but most often it’s simple, honest food created with a big dose of love and enthusiasm and a pinch or two of creativity and curiosity. Recipes from the heart.

 

Alida Ryder won the 2012 South African Food Blog of the Year Award for her blog Simply Delicious (simply-delicious.co.za) and if you haven’t yet visited her blog, I would highly recommend it, it is awesome! I have in fact, tried out a few of her recipes and they were indeed simple and delicious.

I am pleased to announce the Alida will be launching her book on Thursday 27 October and YOU are invited!

Where: The Bay Bookshop, Cape Quarter, 27 Somerset Rd, Green Point

When: Thursday 27 September 2012

Time: 18h00 for 18h30

RSVP: capequarter@baybookshop.co.za or 021 421 1301 by Tuesday 25 September

Visit Alida Ryder’s blog, like the Simply Delicious Food Blog on Facebook, follow her on twitter or follow her on Pinterest.

See you there?

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Sep 13

Happy Roald Dahl Day!

by imsonotablogger

Today is Roald Dahl’s birthday! He would of turned 96 if he was still alive. But wow, to those just discovering Roald Dahl’s writings or those of us, who have already been aquainted with with them, we know that there are many more years left of Roald Dahl to enjoy!

Check out the website here to read all about him and find out facts which you may not have known before…

When did you discover Roald Dahl and what is your favourite book or story by him? Mine is ‘The Wonderful story of Henry Sugar, and I remember it vividly. It was all about a man who could see through cards to the pattern and won games like that. It required sitting and staring into a candle flame until the mind had switched off, and I remember trying that once! I guess, now I would call it meditating but at the age of 11, I didn’t quite know that then.

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, tell me what is your most memorable or favourite Roald Dahl??

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