Book Choice

In this Book Choice Short, Twanji Kalula chats to John van de Ruit about Spud’s Reunion.

In this Book Choice Short, John Hanks reviews Kirstenbosch, the most beautiful garden in Africa, by Brian J. Huntley.

Murder, Mystery, Music and much more! A big Spud interview - two books on music and more Murder, Mystery, Music and much more! Our team of reviewers share some fabulous finds for the holiday season.

Pan Macmillan brings us the new Spud by John van de Ruit, a new one by Trevor Noah and SO MUCH more.

Welcome to Book Choice Publishers Choice with Penguin Random House, Pan Macmillan and Jonathan Ball Publishers. Plus a review of A Library to Flee, by Etienne Van Heerden and a review of Grootbos Florilegium.

In this 10 minute short, Twanji Kalula chats to Zelda la Grange about her new memoir, What Nelson Mandela taught me.

In today’s Book Choice Publishers’ Choice show, the Jonathan Ball team interviews Sam Wilson on First Murder on Mars. The Penguin and Pan MacMillan team tells us what they’re bringing out this month and Twanji Kalula interviews Zelda la Grange on her new memoir.

A 10-minute Short: Vanessa Levenstein interviews show favourite, author Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, on her latest masterpiece, The Creation of Half Broken People. (Watch this title, we think it will feature at the Sunday Times Literary Awards 2025)

A brilliant review in 5 minutes. Twanji Kalula talks Breaking Bread by Jonathan Jansen.

A super diverse show. From the latest Tana French mystery, to lifestyle and cook books, the new memoir from Jonathan Jansen, and an interview with Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu.

Just because February is a shorter month than most, doesn’t mean we have any fewer books for you to read. Welcome to Book Choice on Fine Music Radio, with me, your host, Paige Nick, sponsored by Exclusive Books. This month we have 7 great reviewers joining us to tell us about what they’ve been reading. And we’ve got two big interviews. One with the author of a smash hit best seller Thrive, and the other about an exciting literary event taking place in Cape Town in March. All punctuated by wonderful music, curated and compiled by Rick Everett and Dave Wood.

A big hello from the Fine Music Radio studios, my name is Paige Nick, and you’re tuned into Book Choice our Publishers’ Choice Edition. The only book show in the country where the biggest names from behind the scenes in publishing join us to give us an insider’s eye into the books they’re bringing out right now. First on the show, we welcome the team from global publishing powerhouse, Pan Macmillan. To share some of their favourite new titles, both local and international. After that, we’re joined by Jonathan Ball Publishers. The team at Jonathan Ball, consistently publish a host of South Africa’s top non-fiction titles, as well as international fiction and non fiction. And they’re here to bring us up to speed with what they’ve got coming up.

During load-shedding whether you read with a head-torch or cell phone light, one thing is for sure, even though you're reading in the dark, books continue to illuminate our world! Book Choice is hosted by Paige Nick and brought to you by Exclusive Books.

A big hello from the Fine Music Radio studios, my name is Paige Nick, and you’re tuned into Book Choice our Publishers’ Choice Edition. The only book show in the country where the biggest names from behind the scenes in publishing join us for a full hour, to give us an insider’s eye into the books they’re bringing out right now. First on the show, we welcome the team from global publishing powerhouse, Pan Macmillan. To share some of their favourite current titles, both local and international. After that, we’ll be joined by Jonathan Ball Publishers. The team at Jonathan Ball, consistently publish a host of South Africa’s top non-fiction titles, as well as loads of great international fiction and non-fiction. And they’re here today to bring us up to speed with what they’ve got coming up. And after that, and a bit of music, last, but never least, we will be joined by our great, great friends at Exclusive Books, who come on the mic to add their important voice to the show, and share their top picks and very best reads for you, for the upcoming month. And each of these incredible publishers’ slots are bookended by some great music. All the music in our book shows every month, are carefully and thoughtfully selected by Rick Everett and compiled by Dave Wood. Thank you for the music you guys.

Welcome to our final Book Choice show for the year on Fine Music Radio, sponsored by Exclusive Books. My name is Paige Nick and for the next hour, we’ll be joined by our reviewers sharing the new books they’ve been reading, as well as reminiscing about some of their favourite reads from this last year. I hope this show finds you enjoying a great summer read, wherever you are. Whether that’s on a beach with a book in one hand and a cocktail in the other, on your couch with a kindle, or hiding from your family with your book, in the bathroom, or if you’re still working, burning the midnight oil, but also managing to get a few pages in here or there, even if you’re just dreaming of reading, here’s a shout out to all readers everywhere.

A big hello from the Fine Music Radio studios, my name is Paige Nick, and you’re tuned into Book Choice our Publisher’s Choice Edition. The only book show in the country where our biggest names from behind the scenes in publishing join us to give us an insider’s eye into the books they’re bringing out right now. And December is a HUGE month in the book trade. That’s when they lay out the very best ideas for you to stuff your stockings with. Because if a book isn’t the very best gift you could ever give anyone, then I don’t know what is. Books take us places, they help us escape, they teach us stuff, and every now and then, when they’re really, really good, they have that magic ability to get us off our screens for half a second, and transport us somewhere really really special. So, whether you’re listening with an ear today thinking about what you can buy for your tribe for the giving season, or whether you’re wondering what incredible read you’re going to line up for yourself next, you’ve come to the right place.

A big hello from the Fine Music Radio studios in Cape Town, from me, Paige Nick. You’re tuned into Book Choice, sponsored by Exclusive books. The show that has a million and one books to share, with some great music in between. To welcome in the silly season, we have a silly amount of books to tell you about today. So much so, that I’m not even going to have enough time to tell you what we’ll be reviewing in the next hour, we’re going to have to leap right in and get started. So you’ll have to trust me when I tell you that we have a ton of great reviews and interviews coming up over the next hour. With suggestions of a little perfect something to read for everyone. If you’ve got someone you need to buy a gift for and you have no idea what to get them, we’ve got something for you! If you’re a fiction fundi, we’ve got something for you. If you like a little non-fiction in your life, we’ve got something for you. And of course, if you like great fine music, we’ve got something for you. So stay tuned, we absolutely most definitely have got something for you!

Well hello on this beautiful bookie Tuesday morning. I’m excited to join you for this, our second ever Book Choice Publisher’s Choice Edition, here on Fine Music Radio. My name is Paige Nick, and I think we have a magnificent show lined up for you. Whether you’ve always got your nose in a book, or perhaps you like to give books as gifts, or maybe you’re a sometimes reader, or you have ‘read more, scroll less’ on your to-do list, if you fit any of those profiles, or even if you just like a bit of fine music punctuated by fine chat, you’re tuned into the right station at exactly the right time. On today’s show, we welcome a few big-name publishers, who will be joining us to give us a bit of insight into their behind the scenes lives, and the books they’re publishing right now. They’ll be bringing us reviews, interviews with authors, bloggers, vloggers and TikTokers, as well as info on upcoming launches and must reads.

How can this be, that it’s the first of November already? I feel like the end of the year has snuck up on us like a sneaky plot twist out of a Stephen King novel. But here’s hoping your November is more Romantic Comedy, than ghoulish horror novel. Welcome to Book Choice on Fine Music Radio, sponsored by Exclusive Books, with me, your host, Paige Nick, and a whole team of reviewers keen to whet your literary appetite with a host of new book reviews and interviews. Today, we’re opening the show with Beverley Roos Muller and the new John Boyne novel, the follow up to his Boy in the Striped Pajamas that has been a multi-million copy bestseller around the world. This new follow up is called All the Broken Places. Beverley also brings us news of the new Nobel prize winner. Shirley Gueller, reviews Mercury Pictures Presents, by Anthony Marra, this one looks like a blockbuster to me. After that, our best Anthony Fridjhon reviews Kruger Self-Drive. Routes, Roads and Ratings perfectly timed for anyone considering a trip to the Kruger these upcoming holidays. John Hanks read the latest Tony Park novel, called the Pride and he’ll be here to tell us about that. Then we have a new reviwer joining us, Rachel Van Der Vijfer is a grade 8 student at at Reddam, Durbanville. Vanessa Levenstein and I get chatting about the latest from Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu, we have both devoured these books, they are must reads And Beryl Eichenberger dips into some great crime, with a new novel from Irma Venter, called Red Tide. Twanji Kalula reports back on a book called Too Big to Jail, by Chris Blackhust and this book takes us inside HSBC, the Mexican drug cartels and the greatest banking scandal of the century. And we wrap the show up with an interview I was lucky enough to do with the author of the international bestseller, high concept novel, The Measure, by Nikki Erlich.

Hello and welcome to a brand new edition of Book Choice, on Fine Music Radio. My name is Paige Nick and I'm the host of both our regular Book Choice that you've hopefully come to know an love over the years, and now, an exciting new addition and edition of the show, which were calling Book Choice, Publishers' Choice. Every third Tuesday, at lunch time, well be welcoming a few big name publishers to join us on the show and tell us what great new books they've been working on. They'll bring us reviews, interviews with authors, behind the scenes looks at what goes into publishing some of your favorite books, as well as information on upcoming launches in your area, that you can hopefully add to your calendar. Lets just say, if you didn't have a massive-to-read pile before, you're sure to grow a fantastic book wishlist now. Over the weeks, well bring you something for everyone, from fiction, to non-fiction, young Adult books, something for the kids, cook books, and even hopefully some poetry and short stories. Whatever you like to read, or whoever you need to buy a gift for, we'll be sure to cover something for you. So stay tuned, your dial is in the right place on Fine Music Radio Book Choice, Publishers Choice. For our first ever Publishers Choice segment, were excited to welcome Penguin Random House to the show. Penguin is the worlds largest English language trade publisher, which if you think about is really impressive. So now, every few weeks, starting today, the Penguin Random House team will join us on Publishers Choice, to give into what they've got coming up on the shelves.

In this edition of Book Choice sponsored by Exclusive Books and hosted by Paige Nick there are great reviews and interviews: The Rose Code by Kate Quinn; an interview with Françoise Malby-Anthony on her latest book, The Elephants of Thula Thula; Isabel Allende’s novel Violeta; My Land, My Obsession, a memoir by Bulelwa Mabasa; an interview with Margie Orford, about her latest thriller The Eye of the Beholder and a review and interview on Notes on Falling, by Bronwen Law-Viljoen.

: Today is the first Monday in September, and you’re tuned into Book Choice on Fine Music Radio, sponsored by Exclusive Books, with me, your host Paige Nick. For our spring show, we have a great line up of book reviews and author interviews to help you add a new book or two, or three, to your pile. Here’s what you have to look forward to over the next hour, Beverley Roos Muller, will be reviewing Tunnel 29, by Helena Merriman. The extraordinary true story of escapees who tunnelled back under the Berlin Wall to help their contacts escape during the cold war. Then we chat to Vanessa Levenstein about Trust, by Hernan Diaz, which was just announced as a Booker Prize longlist nominee. And here’s a fun fact we’ll delve into further a little later in the show, all the music in today’s show, comes straight out of this incredible book. After that, John Hanks interviews Ashling McCarthy, about her first book, ‘Down at Jika Jika Tavern’. Then Shirley Gueller gives us the inside track on Attic Child, by Lola Jaye. A book that’s had great international press. After that, we welcome a new guest reviewer to the show. Twanji Kalula brings all his financial savvy to review Genius, the new offering from xxx Bruce Whitfield. In the second half of today’s show, we have a really exciting segment. Beryl Eichenberger interviews Internationally Bestselling author, Louisa Treger who was recently in South Africa to launch her new novel, Madwoman. And last but not least, another interview when Philip Todress chats to Professor June Bam-Hutchinson, who heads the San and Khoi Unit in the University of Cape Town’s Centre for African Studies.

August, the eighth month of the year, if you can believe that? But August is also a word that has another meaning too. It can mean, ‘marked by majestic dignity or grandeur, according to the Mirriam Webster Dictionary, or it can mean venerable, according to my dusty old Oxford Dictionary that I pulled off my bookshelf covered in cobwebs. And August can also mean respected and impressive according to Google. All appropriate, since today is the first of August, and you’re tuned into Book Choice on Fine Music Radio, sponsored by Exclusive Books. An hour of reviews of a big pile of majestic, dignified, grand, venerable, respected and hopefully impressive

: We are just heading for half way through our reading year. So, have you nabbed your best read of the year yet? That one book that when you close it, you think, it will be hard to find a better read this year. If not, no fear there are still six months to go, and we have a pile of great new book options to share with you today, that might help you dig up your best read for 2022 You’re tuned into Book Choice on Fine Music Radio, sponsored by Exclusive Books, and I’m your host Paige Nick. We’ll be spending the next hour chatting about books, reviewing books and listening to great author interviews

And just like that, it’s June, and you’re tuned into the sixth episode of Book Choice so far this year, here on Fine Music Radio sponsored by Exclusive Books. My name is Paige Nick and I’ll be your book host for the next hour. We’ll also be joined by all our regular reviewers, plus we have an interview with international bestselling author, Lionel Shriver, who recently visited our studio in Cape Town, and sat down to chat with us about her latest novel, and we top off the show with Rodney Trudgeon, our own person of note. So let’s get on with the books.

A big hello from the Fine Music Radio studio here in Cape Town, and welcome to Book Choice, sponsored by Exclusive Books, with me, your host, Paige Nick. This is your hour long feast of book reviews and interviews, to take you into lunch time on this first Monday of May. I’m super excited about today’s show. We’ve got a ton of incredible local fiction and non-fiction, with a few international books snuck in, to entertain you too. All punctuated by the most wonderful music to whet your whistle, selected by Rick Everett and compiled by Dave Woods. So there’s not a second to spare, we have too many books and not enough time, so let’s get on with the show.

: Welcome to chapter one, page one of the April edition of Book Choice, here on Fine Music Radio sponsored by Exclusive Books. My name is Paige Nick and for the next hour, we have 8 wonderful book segments, including 5 great book reviews, and 4 meaty interviews with authors, to share with you, so I hope you’ll stick around and discover some new gems for your book shelf. And since this station isn’t called Fine Book Radio, and it is called Fine Music Radio, we don’t only have books, we have plenty of fine music too. And to celebrate the month of April Fools, all the music tracks in our show today, selected and compiled by the wonderful Rick Everett and Dave Wood, are about fools.

Welcome to the March edition of Book Choice here on Fine Music Radio. We have a massive show lined up for you today. So pull up a seat, or pull up your steering wheel, and join us for a full hour of great recommendations for your next must-have fiction or non-fiction reads. We have two guest reviewers this month, with Helen Moffett, telling us about some very exciting new local fiction. And Nerine Dorman, joining us to fill John Hank’s hiking boots this month in our nature segment.

I have just one question for you? Will you be my book valentine? Well, technically I suppose that’s two questions. Welcome to the February edition of Book Choice here on Fine Music Radio. I’m your host Paige Nick, and for the next hour, we’ll be bringing you a whole lot of reviews of some great new books, and interviews with authors that I’m sure you are going to just love. All sponsored by our friends at Exclusive Books.

Happy New Year, and a big bookie welcome to our first Book Choice of 2022. And we are still so lucky and grateful to have Exclusive Books join us as our sponsorship partner for the show as we go into the new year. We love books, they love books AND sell books, it’s a match made in heaven!

At last, we made it to the final Book Choice show for 2021 here on Fine Music Radio! Welcome to the show, sponsored by Exclusive Books, and I’m your host, Paige Nick. We have some wonderful reads to recommend, and a whole lot of xmassy music to really get us all in the mood.

The second Book Choice Teen podcast took place at Herzlia High School on 13 October 2021. Grade 8 and 9 learners from Gardens Commercial and Herzlia in Cape Town met to discuss the novel 'Diamond Boy' by Michael Williams, this was facilitated by headmaster Marc Falconer. Thanks to everyone involved: Herzlia’s engineer David Watkyns and FMR’s sound engineer Ewan Inglis for post-production. The learners are Benjamin Lazarus, Cassidy Wilson, Leah Rodenacker, Mira Gibson, Shakira Maart, Taylar Pinn and Wangisani Mpotalinga. We are grateful that the author, Michael Williams, joined us for the discussion via Zoom. Thank you to Oxford University Press for sponsoring the books.

Welcome to Book Choice on Fine Music Radio, sponsored by Exclusive Books. I’m your host, Paige Nick. It’s election day, so I hope you’re out there making your mark. Hey if there are any politicians listening, how about we take VAT off the sale of all books? They are an important staple after all. We have a special tribute show this month. Not just a tribute to books, which is pretty much what we do every month anyway. But this month we’re paying tribute to a very special book about a very special man who made some very fine music that changed this country. October saw the launch of Scatterling of Africa, the new memoir by Johnny Clegg, published by Pan Macmillan. So, stay tuned. We have a review of this book at the end of the show. And all the music in this month’s show are great Johnny Clegg tracks

It’s the first Monday in October, which means you’re tuned into Book Choice on Fine Music Radio. We’ve got reviews, we’ve got interviews, we’ve got fine music, we’ve got everything you need to know about books for this month. I’m your host, Paige Nick, and Book Choice is sponsored by Exclusive Books.

Welcome to Book Choice, sponsored by Exclusive Books. I’m your host Paige Nick, and for the next hour we’ll be talking exclusively about books. Did you know that this year South Africa has not one, but TWO finalists in the Booker Prize Literary Awards. One of the world’s most prestigious literary awards, it’s essentially the Olympics of literature. To celebrate South Africa’s excellent showing, we have interviews with both of these long-listed authors in our special Booker Prize segment, at the end of the show.

South Africa is still offering us plenty of chilly weather, making this the perfect season to curl up with a good book. So good thing that you’re tuned into Book Choice on Fine Music Radio and I’m your host Paige Nick. For the next hour, we’ll be joined by reviewers and authors, sharing what’s on their to-read pile right now. So you can line up your perfect lock down entertainment for the next few weeks.

So, what have you been reading lately? A novel that made you laugh? A biography that made you cry? maybe you read something that comforted you? Or that changed the way you feel about the world, or reasserted something you’ve always felt. Or perhaps you’ve read something that made you furious! I have a friend who once threw the Brett Easton Ellis novel she was reading out the window, she couldn’t bear to have it in her home for one second longer. Or maybe all this Covid trauma has you unable to read anything longer than the back of a cereal box.

Here are a couple of questions for you: Are you unable to walk past a book shop without stepping inside for a quick browse? Do you sometimes smell your books? Do you buy books, even though you already have a pile of unread books? Do you chat about books with friends? Or are you always on the lookout for your next favourite read? If you answered yes to one or more of those questions then you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to Book Choice on Fine Music Radio, I’m your host Paige Nick and for the next hour.

The first Book Choice Teen podcast recording took place at Herzlia High School on 1 June. Grade 10 and 11 learners from Gardens Commercial High and Herzlia High met to discuss the novel An Imperfect Blessing by Nadia Davids. The discussion was facilitated by headmaster Marc Falconer Thank you to Herzlia’s audio engineer, David Watkyns and also to FMR’s sound engineer, Mawande Lobi for post-production. Thank you to learners Amisha Mallum, Benis Seolo, Ethan Myers, Leah Benjamin and Ra-eeza Jacobs; Penguin Random House; and of course, the wonderful author, Nadia Davids.

Today is the first Monday in May, and it’s 12 o clock, which means it’s time for Book Choice. The one hour a month where we get to talk about books. What we’re reading, what we want to read, and sometimes even what we wish we’d never read. My name is Paige Nick, and I’m your Book Choice host here on Fine Music Radio. We’ve got a great show for you this month. In fact, it’s so full that I’m going to get straight into it, with no dilly dallying.

April always makes me happy. It’s my birthday month, and if I’m lucky and my friends and family know what’s good for them, then it’s a month filled with books as gifts. If there is a better gift than a book, I haven’t discovered it yet. I’m Paige Nick and welcome to Book Choice on your favourite station, Fine Music Radio. We’re going to spend the next blissful hour talking about books and listening to music. We’ve got a bumper show filled with interviews and reviews, and as always, lots of views. In our guest review spot this month, we welcome Jabulani Sigege, who will be reviewing Bruce Fordyce’s latest book, Winged Messenger, as well as ten year old Yusuf Asvat, and his latest favourite read by Bear Grylls. And let’s not forget the rest of our regular wonderful reviewers. So let’s get reading.

Wait. What? It’s March. Already! Shew, that happened quickly. Well, I hope your reading year has gotten off to a great start. The world may be in a rather precarious spot right now, but fortunately we can still travel and escape into stories and worlds and lives when we sink into books. My name is Paige Nick and you’re listening to Book Choice on Fine Music Radio. I’m looking forward to spending the next hour with you, and all our reviewers, talking about some of the latest books to hit our shelves this March. Right, so marching on…

Thanks Cindy, and hello to you, our dedicated Bookchoice listeners. We’ve reached the end of this memorable year, it’s the festive season, and we are adamant to find ways to be joyful after the challenges 2020 has brought. As mentioned.

We’ve reached the end of this memorable year, it’s the festive season, and we are adamant to find ways to be joyful after the challenges 2020 has brought. As mentioned, I’m Paige Nick, and I look forward to spending the next hour with you.

It’s midday on the first Monday of November, and we’ve apparently entered into the season of summer in 2020. I’m Cindy Moritz. This month the FMR Bookchoice team has gone all out to bring you their best suggestions, so we’re going to get straight into it. I’m joined in the studio by MZUKISI MAKETA and we look forward to spending the next hour with you.

Book Choice is broadcast every alternating Tuesday of each month presented by Paige Nick. While you’re munching your lunch or driving the myriad motorways, you’ll hear all that’s best in books. Cape Town’s top book reviewers will entertain and inform you as they cheerfully chat about the newest and nicest fiction and non-fiction on current book shelves. You love author interviews? Well, we line up those for your pleasure and leisure too. You want an easy-peasy competition each month with good prizes? All there, prettily planned for your lovely listening. Do join us for your delectation… for your entertainment… for your information.

It’s the first Monday of the month, and we are somewhat gobsmacked to admit that it’s already the Spring edition of Bookchoice. The months have certainly merged into each other this strange year, but if you’re listening I think we can all agree that our constant has been that we’ve been able to turn to a reliable book, whether hard copy, e-book or audio version, to broaden our world when it has often seemed rather frustratingly restricted and small. Happily, here in South Africa we are emerging into warmer weather, fewer rules and regulations and hopefully better health.

We begin with a memoir, reviewed by Vanessa Levenstein, titled Undeniable – Memoirs of a covert war, written by Phillippa Garson. It’s her riveting account of working as a journalist during the early 1990s in South Africa. Melvyn Minnaar found the world of art worth a detailed visit in William Feaver’s The Lives of Lucien Freud: Youth 1922-1968, and Leanne Voysey regales us with her thoughts on Felicity McLean’s debut novel, The van Apfel Girls are Gone. Beverley Roos-Muller remains loyal to one of her favourite writers, Martin Cruz Smith and gives us her take on The Siberian Dilemma, and Philp Todres brings rhinos centre stage with Remembering Rhinos, part of the Remembering Wildlife series of four books by Margot Ragget. Seasoned ornithologist Rob Little recommends Rupert Watson’s Peacocks & Picathartes, Reflections on Africa’s birdlife, for those who’d like to stay in touch with the wonders of our truly rich African bird diversity, and Beryl Eichenberger spoke to Hedi Lampert, author of The Trouble with my Aunt, uncovering family secrets discovered during a real life journey with Fragile X syndrome. Finishing our monthly offering, Lesley Beake encourages us to look where the books for the very young are found for something to delight, and suggests four of author and illustrator Chris Houghton’s very best.

Vanessa Levenstein could not contain her excitement at getting her hands on Hamnet, by one of her favourite authors, Maggie O’ Farrell. Melvyn Minnaar calls The Lost Pianos of Siberia by Sophy Roberts, “a glorious travelogue with a difference”, and Beryl Eichenberger reviewed A Daughter’s Tale by Arnando Lucas Correa, in which seven decades of secrets unravel with the arrival of a box of letters from the distant past. Beverley Roos-Muller grappled with her views on the much anticipated third in trilogy The Mirror and the Light, by Hilary Mantel, and Philp Todres was impressed with Jonathan Safran Foer’s ability to give a personal and emotive voice to climate change in his latest offering, We are the Weather. John Hanks calls Warwick and Michele Tartboton’s A guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa, “one of the best illustrated field guides anywhere in the world”, and Lesley Beake suggests two good reads for the 10-12 year old age group, Tiger Heart by Penny Chrimes and Mirror Magic by Claire Fayers.

Beverley Roos-Muller gave considerable thought to her choice of books this month, and has even themed her contribution. No prizes for guessing the topical theme, but there may well be a prize for listening closely to her reviews of The Body: a guide for occupants, by Bill Bryson and Plague, Pox and Pandemics by Howard Phillips. Vanessa Levenstein was duly impressed by Chanel Miller’s Know my name, the memoir of the woman previously known as Emily Doe, who was at the centre of a much publicized rape case in the US. Melvyn Minnaar highly recommends Apeirogon by Colm McCann which he describes as “truly uplifting”, giving “hope amid our and all division”, while Penny Lorimer provides our monthly dose of thrillers with Blood Will Be Born by Gary Donnelly and Three hours by Rosamund Lupton. John Hanks gives his sweeping view of Birds of Southern Africa and their tracks and signs, by Lee Gutteridge, and Beryl Eichenberger stays with flying things but takes us across continents with The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri. Prepare to fasten your seat belts for Philp Todres’ interview with Damian Barr as they discuss the author’s latest novel You will be safe here. Philip calls it a “rough but riveting ride”, that transports the reader back to Boer War era South Africa. Lesley Beake brings to the table her inspired choice for younger readers, both Tiger themed: The tiger who came to tea, written and illustrated by Judith Kerr, republished in 2018, and Tiger Walk by Dianne Hofmeyr, illustrated by Jesse Hodgson.

Book Choice - March 2020

It’s time for another edition of Bookchoice on Fine Music Radio, it being the first Monday of the month of love, and we’re broadcasting from the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town. I’m Cindy Moritz, and as usual we have a diverse and interesting selection of reading for booklovers around Cape Town, or if you’re streaming online, wherever it is you’re listening. Melvyn Minnaar fell under the influence of acclaimed Nigerian author Chigozie Obioma’s An Orchestra of Minorities. Beverley Roos-Muller applauds Sir Salman Rushdie's latest novel, Quichotte (pronounced Key-Shot), loosely based on the classic Don Quixote story, and which was shortlisted for the Booker last year. Philip Todres spoke to John Matisonn about his new book, released in December, titled Cyril’s Choices, Lessons From 25 Years of Freedom in South Africa, and Penny Lorimer discovered Canadian author Louise Penny with her most recent, A Better Man, and also read A Death In The Medina by James Von Leyden. John Hanks found value in Grant Fowld and Graham Spence’s Saving the last Rhino and Beryl Eichenberger regales us with her views on Fiona Niell’s Beneath the surface as well as Kate Furnivall’s Guardian of Lies. Phillippa Cheifitz delved into the Africa Cookbook by owner of The Africa Café’s Portia Mbau and Lesley Beake perceives the shift in teen reading with The choice between us by Edyth Bullbring, Singing down the Stars by Nerine Dorman and, The Music Box by Toby Bennett.

It’s time for Bookchoice on Fine Music Radio, coming to you from the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town. I’m Cindy Moritz, and we’re ringing in the new year with a stack of exciting and interesting reads handpicked by our team of reviewers.

Beverley Roos-Muller delved into the world of spies in John le Carre’s latest Agent Running in the Field as well as Jonathan Ancer’s Betrayal: The secret lives of Apartheid spies. Melvyn Minnaar rocked into December with Elton John’s autobiography, Me; and Vanessa Levenstein spoke to Heidi Brauer of Hollard Insurance about a project that uses social media to get parents and children reading together. Nicole Smith interviewed Deon Meyer about his latest book, The Last Hunt and Beryl Eichenberger gives a thumbs up to Death on the Limpopo: A Tannie Maria Mystery by Sally Andrew as well as A Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes for holiday entertainment. Solly Moeng, in his first review for Bookchoice, gives us his thoughts on Crispian Olver’s A City Divided. Lesley Beake recommends two delightful children’s books, It’s Jamela, the complete collection by Nicky Daly, and A Moon Girl stole my best friend, by Rebecca Patterson and Phillippa Cheifitz leaves us with a taste of a vegan Xmas.

Beverley Roos-Muller waded into Booker controversy territory and read both The Testaments by Margaret Atwood and Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo, joint winners for 2019. Melvyn Minnaar devoured Furious Hours, Casey Cep’s literary true crime thriller about Harper Lee’s non-fiction novel that never saw the light of day. John Hanks strongly recommends Gary Goldman & Marieka Gryzenhout’s superbly illustrated Field Guide to Mushrooms & other Fungi of South Africa. Debut reviewer Chegofatso Modika explored what it means to be queer in South Africa in They Called Me Queer compiled by Kim Windvogel and Kelly-Eve Koopman. Lesley Beake could not resist master of language Philip Pullman’s latest, The Book of Dust volume 2. Beryl Eichenberger discovered a sensitive approach to grief in Melina Lewis’s After you Died. The novel, in which four young women go for an early run, and only three return is set in Fish Hoek. Vanessa Levenstein found much that was familiar in Finoula Dowling’s Okay, Okay, Okay. Penny Lorimer brings us her views on The Second Sleep by Robert Harris and A Walk at Midnight by Alex van Tonder. Fred Khumalo’s The Longest March, took Philip Todres back 120 years, when 7000 Zulu mine workers marched from the gold mines of Johannesburg to Natal covering a distance of five hundred kilometres over ten days, and Vanessa Levenstein spoke to Andrew Newman about his conscious bedtime stories for children.

Penny Lorimer shares the drama of Louise Candlish’s Those People and revisits private detective Jackson Brodie in Kate Atkinson’s latest, Big Sky. John Hanks describes the Field Guide to the Frogs and other Amphibians of Africa by Alan Channing and Mark-Oliver Rödel as an ambitious undertaking that he highly recommends, and then he credits Madkadikgadi Pans: A travellers guite to the salt flats of Botswana for his decision on where to travel next. Beryl Eichenberger was transfixed by Elif Shafak’s Ten minutes 38 seconds in this strange world, in which the reader is exposed to the captivating last moments of Leila’s life under the skies of Istanbul. Phillippa Cheifitz tosses in a bit of culinary sass with a review of Zola Nene’s Simply Zola, and Lesley Beake returns with her choice of children’s books, the delightful “What’s Up Thoko!” written and illustrated by Niki Daly, and Raj and the Best Day Ever by Seb Brown. And Vanessa Levenstein, deeply moved by the passing of American icon Toni Morrison, compares Remembered by Yvonne Battle-Felton to Morrison’s Beloved in a sensitive and perceptive way. In studio with me today is the author of the already much-discussed Zephany, Joanne Jowell, who will share some of her insights around telling this multi-layered story.

Penny Lorimer shares the drama of Louise Candlish’s Those People and revisits private detective Jackson Brodie in Kate Atkinson’s latest, Big Sky. John Hanks describes the Field Guide to the Frogs and other Amphibians of Africa by Alan Channing and Mark-Oliver Rödel as an ambitious undertaking that he highly recommends, and then he credits Madkadikgadi Pans: A travellers guite to the salt flats of Botswana for his decision on where to travel next. Beryl Eichenberger was transfixed by Elif Shafak’s Ten minutes 38 seconds in this strange world, in which the reader is exposed to the captivating last moments of Leila’s life under the skies of Istanbul. Phillippa Cheifitz tosses in a bit of culinary sass with a review of Zola Nene’s Simply Zola, and Lesley Beake returns with her choice of children’s books, the delightful “What’s Up Thoko!” written and illustrated by Niki Daly, and Raj and the Best Day Ever by Seb Brown. And Vanessa Levenstein, deeply moved by the passing of American icon Toni Morrison, compares Remembered by Yvonne Battle-Felton to Morrison’s Beloved in a sensitive and perceptive way. In studio with me today is the author of the already much-discussed Zephany, Joanne Jowell, who will share some of her insights around telling this multi-layered story.

It’s midday on the first Monday of Women’s month and what better time to put up your feet and join us for Bookchoice on Fine Music Radio, coming to you from the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town. I’m Cindy Moritz, and I’m delighted to bring you this month’s choice of good books from our switched-on team of readers. Penny Lorimer reviews two unusual thrillers, one by a seasoned British writer and the other by a novice American writer. Joe Country by Mick Herron and Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips “Haunting, poetic and page turning”, is how Vanessa Levenstein describes the much hyped Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, set in a small town in North Carolina in the 1960s. Philip Todres chatted with Getaway Magazine editor Justin Fox about The 30-Year Safari - A celebration of Getaway Photography, published by Jacana. He called it “A very handsome coffee-table book with an impressive range of stunning photographs selected from the past decade of travel images featured in Getaway.” Beverley Roos-Muller read Cari Mora, for which she suggests a strong stomach is required. It is written by Thomas Harris, best remembered for his "Hannibal the Cannibal" books. John Hanks believes Stuarts’ Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern, Central and East African Wildlife is a must-have for every wildlife enthusiast and anyone involved with environmental education. Beryl Eichenberger reviewed The Wall by Max Annas, set in an upmarket suburb where the homeowners feel safe and secure. When someone comes in to find help he doesn’t feel the same. Melvyn Minnaar indulged in two wonderful hardcover books of American origin which are miles apart content-wise: A Lucky Man by Jamel Brinkley and Dreyer’s English by Benjamin Dreyer. Peter Soal takes us into a tumultuous White House in Siege: Trump Under Fire by veteran journalist and media commentator Michael Wolff. It documents a White House driven by vicious infighting and a president who is described as erratic, irrational a

Beverley Roos Muller delves into the complex world of Artificial Intelligence in Ian McEwan’s Machines Like Me, calling it elegant as well as disturbing. Andrew Brown feels like Alice in Wonderland reading William Boyd’s Love is Blind, which is now out in paperback. Vanessa Levenstein calls Fiona Snycker’s Lacuna “an articulate response to JM Coetzee’s novel Disgrace, finally giving Lucy Lurie a voice, and Philip Todres speaks to Samantha Smirin, author of Life Interrupted: A Bipolar Memoir. He describes it as a “heartbreakingly honest biography of a person confronting bipolar disorder”. From the human condition to the call of the wild, John Hanks flew through African Raptors by William Clark and Rob Davies, and calls it a must-have for dedicated ornithologists. Back down to earth, Beryl Eichenberger explores a dream come true… or a nightmare waiting to happen in Michelle Sacks’s dark fiction, You Were Made for This. Penny Lorimer has discovered a new historical series with Philip Kerr’s Metroplis, featuring an interesting and attractive protagonist. And I’ll tell you all about Sarah Blake’s The Guest Book, a powerful exploration of whether history is the memory we carry in our bodies and how one privileged American family grappled with their own “things better left unsaid’.

Beverley Roos Muller explores memory and the discovery of home in Julia Martin’s beautifully written memoir Blackridge House. Vanessa Levenstein gets on the line to Evan Ratliff, author of The Mastermind: Drugs, Empire, Murder, Revenge to find out what drove one cyber-genius to choose honour over crime. From crime to culture as Philip Todres turns the spotlight to professional dancer, teacher and choreographer Richard Glasstone and his latest publications and Cindy Moritz welcomed the chance to scratch further beneath the surface in a conversation with Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Written in History: Letters that changed the world, reviewed here last month. Bringing the topical cyber-crime theme home, Beryl Eichenberger entered the web’s dark underbelly in Peter Church’s page-turning thriller, Crackerjack, set here in Cape Town, and Michael Avery spoke to financial journalist TJ Strydom, author of Christo Wiese: Risk and Riches, the day after an eventful book launch.

Beverley Roos Muller gives joyful voice to Vox by Christina Dalcher which she found very readable. Committed conservationist John Hanks wonders whether The Last Elephants by Don Pinnock and Colin Bell really are the last elephants. From last to the next as Vanessa Levenstein so joyfully chats to Mitch Albom about his sequel to The five people you meet in heaven: The Next Person You Meet in Heaven. And Nicky Farrelly comes up with a joyful bundle of great reads. Just right for the fireside or the electric blanket. Melvyn Minnaar chooses two very different books for those of us who thrill to language charm. MR: And Cindy Moritz reviews Written in History – Letters that changed the World, a book for those of us who are in for a feast of history.

Philip Todres takes you into glorious views of an old family estate Constantia Glen with owner Alexander Waiver as they leaf through Constantia Glen - A Timeless Vision by Clare O’Donaghue, with Craign Fraser’s stunning photographs. And it’s one of today’s Giveaways. Cruel as ever, Michael Roche-Kelly hopes to keep us awake at night with three gripping thrillers, one of which – The Senior Advisor by Edmund-George King is also one of today’s Giveaways. Cindy Moritz takes you to a hard-to-find little village in Korea in Karin Cronje’s memoir of her teaching time there in There Goes English Teacher. Vanessa Levenstein munches her way through Have You Eaten Grandma, Gyles Brandreth’s often hilarious take on commas, apostrophes and others of today’s grammar glops. Go game viewing with zoologistT John Hanks via Stuart’s Field Guide to National Parks & Game Reserves of East Africa. rememberingto pack into your pocket Jonathan Leeming’s Scorpions of Southern Africa. Beverley Roos Muller pronounces Washington Black by Esu Edugyan a powerful, pacy and remarkable novel. Lesley Beake almost dances to The Rhythm of the Rain by Graham Baker Smith, but changes her tune with Barak Obama’s love letter to his daughters: Of Thee I Sing. If we’ve time Peter Soal persuasively praises Her Man Gilliome’s The Rise and Demise of the Afrikaaners for its fine writing and meticulous research.

Sad news this month then plenty of good books. Andrew Marjoribanks, MD Wordsworth Books, so very heartregood news aboutndingly died on February 16. He and I started FMR BOOK CHOICE 19 years ago and worked together for all that time. Andrew’s monthly reviews were like him – calm, conversational, intelligent, enthusiastic. In loving and grateful memory of Andrew, Mark Jennings, FMR Station Manager has made a Fine Music Radio donation to Shine Literacy. The good news is that Nicky Farrelly, Manager at Wordsworth Books, Longbeach Mall will be with us each month, as suggested by Andrew. This month Nicky picks four fascinating fiction titles. Michael Roche-Kelly, mean as ever, gives us three thrillers to curl our toes.. has kindly chosen one as one of today’s Giveaways. Beverley Roos Muller pays tribute to the delicacy of award-winning Irish writer Sebastian Barry for the brilliance of his third novel to mine the McNully family history: The Temporary Gentleman. Sally-Ann Creed talks the toxins in our food, personal care products and household cleaners, and reassures us that it’s just 63 days to Optimum Health - the title of her vibrant and vital book. Also one of today’s Giveaways. Lesley Beake brings us up to date on childhood’s chilling dragons, while Vanessa Levenstein, with roughly the same young age in mind, talks to about the launch of a fashion app in The New Girl Code. Melvyn Minnaar is much moved by Andrew Marshall’s Dissecting Wobblies, his brave, sometimes dark, often hilarious take on living with hi genetic neuro muscular degenerative disease - Fredrick’s Ataxia.

Melvyn Minnaar is delightfully set alight by Leonard Cohen’s The Flame. Cindy Moritz finds John Boyne’s A Ladder to the Sky deliciously dark and satisfying. John Hanks journeys through Ian Glenn’s The First Safari – Searching for Francois Levaillant, an account of South Africa’s first and perhaps the greatest ever birder. Lesley Beake brings us a dystopian teen novel and a South African story for younger readers. Briony Chisholm chats about her delightully titled One Night Only, her debut novel that’s a fun and flirty take on the romantic dongs of 33 year old Sarah Trafford. Philip Todres talks to Jay Pather co-editor with Catherine Boulle of Acts of Transgression - Contemporary Live Art in South Africa a wonderfully informative, and accessible book, with some excellent photographs to add to the treat. Peter Soal takes on two local stalwarts in The Indepence Factor by Dennis Worrall, and Graham Viney’s The Last Hurrah – South Africa and the Royal tour of 1947 Vanessa Levenstein takes a delightful trip around the Cape via Around the Cape in 80 Ways compiled and edited by Gabriel & Louise Athiros. Finally, if Matabataba finds the time we’ve a pre-record of Rodeny Trudgeon

Book Choice - December 2018

This happy hour Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books brings us great ideas for gifting and getting, Rodney Trudgeon falls hook, line and sinker for Mike Bruton’s The Fishy Smiths – The biographjy of JLB and Margaret Smith. Cindy Moritz much enjoyed Vanessa Raphaely’s beach umbrella thriller Plus One, while Peter Soal takes on two non-fiction books on opposite poles of the political centre: Across Boundaries. A memoir by the brilliantTon Vosloo, Nasionale Per boss, and Truths, Lies and Alibis – A Winnie Mandela Story by Fred Bridgeland. It was World Mental Healtrh Day last month, Vanessa Levenstein chats to Moira Fisher, author of The Enumerations a beguiling and helpful book on the effects of a mental conditions on a family. There’s a Gioveaway copy in today’s easy-peasy competition. Phillippa Cheifitz is enthusiastic about new trends, new tastes in The South African Vegan Cookbook where food is plant-based, using no animal products. We’ve a pre-recorded chat with Zimbabwean writer, Jill Baker, about the first in her sizzling Zambezi trilogy, The Horns, with a Giveaway copy in today’s easy-peasy completion. Finally Lesley Beake speaks of the joys and delights of non-fiction for young readers.

It’s noon on the first Monday of the month, so it’s BOOK CHOICE on Fine Music radio, and it’s a warm welcome from me, Gorry Bowes Taylor Matabata . . . .. This happy hour Andrew Marjoribank, Wordsworth Books brings you a bagful about his knees and his Passion for Opera, and his book is one of today’s Giveaways. Cindy Moritz spies a grand thriller in Daniel Silva’s The Other Woman. More spine chillers from Mike Fitzjames, including the new Tony Park, which is also one of today’s Giveaways. The 10th of October is World Mental Health Day. The Enumerations is a novel about the effects of a mental condition on a family. Vanessa Levenstein spoke to author, Máire (pronounced Moira) Fisher. John Hanks hopes that adults, too, will read Kids’ Snakes of Southern Africa by Johan Marais, and keep snakes alive, and Lesley Beake talks teenage fantasy, in other words, other worlds and two good books for the young. Peter Soal gives us the up-beat on the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa, Louis Botha by Richard Steyn. Philip Todres takes on a remarkable tome - Belonging - The story of the Jews 1492 - 1900’ by Simon Schama. If Matabataba finds the time, but I doubt it, we’ve a pre-recorded chat with Zimbabwean writer, Jill Baker, about the first in her sizzling Zambezi trilogy, The Horns.

Book Choice - September 2018

Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books, gives us a bagful of the best in fiction and non-fiction. Peter Soal ponders Ramaphosa’s Turn by Ralph Mathekga who wonders whether Ramaphosa can pull South Africa out of our current quatmire. Yes, says Mathekga. Melvyn Minnaar finds happiness in his latest favourite novel Happiness by Aminatta Forma, while Vanessa Levenstein reviews two novels by lauded and applauded South African writers: Craig Higgonson’s The White House and Maya Fowler’s Patagonia – A Fugue. John Hanks, happiest holidaying in the vast spaces of the Karoo, finds a superproduction in Mitch Reardon’s Wild Karoo - A Journey Through History, Change and Revival in an ancient lan. Lesley Beaker, cautious about animal stories for children, praises Gareth Patterson’s beautiful Born to be Free, a true tale of three lion cubs. Cindy Moritz declares The Death of Truth a little gem written by Pulitzer prize-winner Michiko Kakutani, while balletomnane Sheila Chisholm is kept on her tippy-toes by the biography David Poole – A Life Blighted by Apartheid.

This happy hour Andrew Marjoribanks. Wordsworth Books, brings us a cosy collection of fine fireside reading, Lesley Beake, an author deeply involved with children’s literature, suggests a comic series by the Kwezi team that will hit the spot with young South African readers, and is stunned by Jess Bosworth Smith’s brave and marvellous The Straw Giant and the Crow. Ardent conservationist John Hanks dives deep into Living Shores by George and Margo Branch, a masterpiece on our marine ecosystem, he declares. Vanessa Levenstein chatted to British historical novelist Kate Furnival about her latest, her ninth, steamy romance The Betrayal: twin sisters in Paris 1938 on the cusp of war. Peter Soal suggests that Who Will Rule in 2019 by Jan-Jan Joubert is required reading for all who want to understand coalition politics. Mike Fitzjames, so cruelly in this cold weather, puts ice in our veins with three chilling thrillers, while I wiled away winter with a quartet of non-fiction crime books, not all of them new – Jonny Steinberg’s The Number, Andrew Brown’s Good cop Bad cop, Exposing South Africa’s Underworld by Mark Shaw, and Killing Goldfinger by Wesley Clarke. Finally fine cook and cookery writer Phillippa Cheifitz reminds us that Prince Harry and Meghan dished up whole bowls of wholesome and healthy poke food at their wedding, tuck into Melissa Delport’s Whole – bowl food for balance. Yum

This cheerful hour Andrew Marjoribanks cheers us with great choices in Wordsworth Books fiction and non-fiction. And, for the first time, we review an app as John Hanks is cheerfully aflutter about Steve Woodhall’s Butterflies of South Africa. This beautiful and engaging app is also one of our Giveaways today. Vanessa Levenstein is cheered by her chat with Mick Herron about his dark, politically incorrect, poetic and hysterically funny, London Rules, the latest spy thriller in the Slough House series. Legal eagle, police reservist and writer Andrew Brown found William Boyd’s The Dreams of Bethan Mellmouth searingly clever – and humorous. Phillippa Cheifitz raises a cheer for Any Time Ile de Pain’s celebrity cook Liesi Mulder’s new cookbook from that famed café emporium in Knysna. Mike Fitjames, mean as ever, unsettles your nerves with three new thrillers, and Philip Todres takes on art mover and shaker Natalie Knight’s biography – The Big Picture – an Art-O-Biography. It’s both a personal memoir and an overview of Natalie’s contribution to the South African arts and culture landscape. Cindy Moritz was much moved by the beautiful and illuminating tale of the Holocaust tattooist and the woman he loved in The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and finally Peter Soal was cheerfully shocked by Robin Renwick’s How to Steal a Country - which describes the vertiginously rapid descent of political leadership in South Africa.

This happy hour Andrew Marjoribanks, with, as always, a bagful of the best in fiction and non-fiction from Wordsworth Books. Philip Todres talks to Jeremy Maggs, one of ENca’s brightest and best presenters, who says very nice things about FMR and whose book Compelling Conversations with 20 Successful South Africans is indeed compelling. Cindy Moritz holds her breath over AJ Finn’s The Woman in the Window, a psychological thriller for anyone who loved Gone Girl or Girl on the Train. Conservationist John Hanks flightily reviews Featherings – True Stories in Search of Birds edited by twitcher Vernon RL Head while Melvyn Minnaar rekindles his pleasure in Peter Carey in his 14th novel A Long Way from Home. Jay Heale has deserted us for the delights of Napier, author Lesley Beake, involved with reading, writing and children all her life, has stepped in with The Skin We Are In by storyteller Sindiwe Magona. Lesley is also the Director of Children’s Book Network: www.childrensbook.co.za. Peter Soal was most moved by Helen Joseph’s most moving memoir If this be Treason of the longest political trial in South African history, and Coalition Country by Leon Schreiber who writes: We are on the cusp of a momentous change. Celebrity cook Phillippa Cheifitz wields her wooden spoon through two very different cookbooks - The Gourmet Cookbook by Bernadette le Roux and Something’s Cooking by J’Something, one elegant with recipes for the finest dining, the other real robust fare. The 2018 Jewish Literary Festival takes place on June 17 with more than 80 authors involved in workshops and talks. Booking is open now: www.jewishliteraryfestival.co.za.

It’s the first Monday of the month, so it’s BOOK CHOICE on Fine Music Radio 101.3 - I‘m Gorry Bowes Taylor: This happy hour Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Bools, brings you an inspiring bagful of the best in fiction and non-fiction. John Hanks finds cardinal imperatives and some omissions in James Clarke’s Overkill – The race to save Africa’s wildlife, while Phillippa Cheifitz finds gorgeous food for the gluten-intolerant in Jenny Kay’s The South African Gluten-free Cookbook, and more munhies in Olami, Nirit Saban’s gluten-free cookbook. Melvyn Minnaar finds Dictatorland. The Men Who Stole Africa by Paul Kenyon a fast and his most super engaging read in recent times, while Mike Fitzjames, cruel as ever, hopes to crack our minds with three dead dangerous thrillers. Vanessa Levenstein suggests that while most university students are juggling their part-time jobs and studying, Evan Spiegel had bigger plans, as she reviews How to turn down a billion dollars – The Snapchat story by Billy Gallagher. Finally Paul Duncan and Alain Proust have done it again with their new book Inside Kimberley, another stunning heritage book. Philip Todres talks to Paul Duncan.

This sunny hour: Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books, brings a bagful of the best in fiction and non-fiction. Beveley Roos Muller finds 'Head Case' by Ross Armstrong unforgettable, an absolute one-off; smart, cheeky, with the oddest and most original detective character. John Hanks takes a trip down the 'River of Gold – Narratives and exploration of the Great Limpopo' by Peter Norton, Mike Gardiner and Clive Walker much, much more than Kipling’s ‘great, grey, green, greasy Limpopo all set about with fever trees’. Philip Todres talks to Sylvia Brunders who has just published 'Parading Respectability – The cultural and moral aesthetics of the Christmas Bands Movement in the Western Cape'. Vanessa Levenstein loved Clare Robertson’s 'Under Glass', and do bear in mind that Clare is the winner of the 2014 Sunday Times Fiction Prize. And the good news is that Under Glass is one of our prizes today. Melvyn Minnaar talks delightedly to poet Karin Schimke about her inspiring new book 'Navigate' and Cindy Moritz much enjoyed the fanciful 'The Immortalists' by Chloe Benjamin, where four siblings go to a fortune teller in their childhood and find out the dates they’re going to die. How do they choose to live their lives?

This happy hour Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books gives a bundle of the best in fiction and non-fiction. Melvyn Minnaar chats to Rehana Rossouw about New Times with her exquisite verve and trademark attention to language. Beverley Roos Muller maintains that (Sir) Salman Rushdie’s new novel The Golden House is one of Rushdie’s greatest works, a marvellous literary accomplishment. Vanessa Levenstein suggests that “Waiting for Godot” is Samuel Beckett’s timeless masterpiece, brought to life in Jo Baker’s A Country Road, a tree . Peter Soal lingered long over Dare Not Linger: The Presidential Years by Nelson Mandela and Mandla Langa. Sheila Chisholm is kept on her toes by My Dancing Life: Spanish and Ballet Across Three Continents, Marina Gruit’s frank and funny autobiography. Phillippa Cheifitz slips into the kitchen with Butter & Love Boerekow by Anna Carolina Albert, and Curry – Stories and Recipes from across South Africa by Ishay Govender-Ypma. Mike Fitzjames, cruel as ever, stiffens our spines with three gripping thrillers. Cindy Moritz sings the praises of Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing – which brings the archetypal road trip into 21st century America.

Welcome to BOOK CHOICE on the first Monday of the month and to a bright, bookish New Year! I’m Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books with a big bundle of good books on which to spend your book vouchers. Beverley Roos Muller finds Chris Barnard as beautiful and brilliant as she remembers him in Heartbreaker: Christiaan Barnard and the first heart transplant by James Brent Styan. Philip Todres is gobsmacked by Ballenesque, the long-awaited restrospective from one of the world’s most important photographers – Roger Ballon, who, for the first time, reveals his compelling and particular vision. Vanessa Levenstein loved Dear World – A Syrian Girl’s story of War and plea for peace by Bana Alabed. John Hanks holds Sir David Attenboroough in high esteem and thus was pleased to read David Attenborough – Adventures of a young Naturalist. The Zoo Quest Expeditions. Mike Fitzjames, mean as always, shreds our nerves with truly good new crime novels. We chat to Lyndall Gordon about Outsiders – Five Women Writers Who Changed the World, wonderfully written with Lyndall’s usual passionate intelligence. Good laughs from Melvyn Minnaar who chuckled his way through 50 People Who Stuffed Up The World by Alexancer Parker and Tim Richman. Finally Cindy Moritz is deeply moved by Hunger — A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay, an American writer, professor, editor, and commentator who addresses the experience of living in what she calls an ‘undisciplined’ body.

Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books has pleasant present ideas in fiction and non-fiction. Even the politically well-connected Peter Soal is gobsmacked by the strong stuff we thought we knew – but didn’t - in The President’s Keepers by Jacques Pauw. Beverley Roos Muller is thunderstruck by The Third Reef by SJ Naude, while Jay Heale suggests that surely one of his book selections would make the ideal Christmas present, and Cindy Moritz was inflamed by Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ing. Philip Todres chats to Anne Emslie as she leads us on a guided tour through the rooms of the Owl House in Nieu Bethseda and along the paths of the sculpture garden in Anne’s exquisite book: A Journey Through the Owl House. A tour, too, from John Hanks as he travels through The Garden Route guide: The Definitive Guide to the Garden Route. Which was wonderfully proclaimed the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve in June this year by UNESCO. And Melvyn Minnaar takes a trip to ancient Greece for his holiday reading in two books: Mythos by Stephen Fry and Colm Toibin’s House of Names. Finally Phillippa Cheifitz stirs her wooden spoon into the culinary wonders of Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson.. Do stay tuned for all the music in this programme is composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber in celebration of Pieter Toerien’s new production of ‘Evita’ right here at Artscape for the festive season, and do stay with us, too, for our easy peasy competition question to win one of two R250 Wordsworth Books vouchers. Andrew Marjoribnks, Santa’s sack full of Wordsworth’s best in fiction and non-fiction.

It’s the first Monday of the month so it’s welcome to BOOK CHOICE on Fine Music Radio 101.3, various other frequencies and on the web: www.fmr.co.za. I’m Gorry Bowes Taylor. This very happy hour Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books, brings us a bagful of the best in fiction and non-fiction. Cindy Moritz suggests that you read and reread Forest Dark by Nicole Krauss and Beverley Roos Muller endorses George Saunder's Lincoln in the Bardo, as this year's brilliant winner of the Booker prize, as she takes a larger look at the Booker and its successes and controversies. Mike Fitzjames tries, as always to shred our nerves with three nerve-wracking crime stores. Vanessa Levenstein wonders how you live when your life is reduced to waiting for death as she reviews Asylum by Marcus Low and shares her thoughts on the powerful book, Khwezi - The Remarkable Story Of Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo by Redi Thlabi. Melvin Minnaar suggests that you underestimate the clout of the brilliant short story –try What it Means When a Man Falls from the Sky by Lesley Nneka Ariman and The Accusation by Bandi, and Philip Todres offers us more short stories in a collection by the winners of the Caine Prize for African Writing, in The Goddess of Mtwara and other stories. Do stay awake –theres’s our easy-peasy competition question to win one of two R250 vouchers from Wordsworth Books. Andrew Marjoribanks, a bagful of the best in fiction and non-fiction from Wordsworth Books.

This happy hour: Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books, bags the best in fiction and non-fiction for us, Beverley Roos Muller is shocked by the damage that the self-absorbed inflict in relationships in Dawn Garisch’s unputdownable Accident. Peter Soal reviews Peaceful Revolution Where Niel Barnard with Tobie Wiese sets out how he, Niel, as then head of National Intelligence, was central to the secret negotiations between Nelson Mandela and the National Party govenrment. Phillipa Cheiftz liked Andy Fenner’s Meat Manifesto – Proper and Delicious for its proper take on ethically raised animals and Fenner’s delicious recipes for making the best of the cheaper cuts. Mike Fitzjames finds that economic signals are everywhere in Signals – The Breakdown of the Social Contract and Rise of Geopolitics by Dr Pippa Malgrem, which sounds an indegestible book but isn’t. Cindy Moritz finds a good easy read in Gail Honeyman’s amusingly titled Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. Philip Todres finds hilarity and heartbreak in The Dog’s Last Walk (and Other Pieces) by Howard Jacobson, Man Booker Prize-winner author of The Finkler Question. Finally, with Spring in our stepit’s time to plan a waterwise garden we chat to Glennice Ebedes about her inspiringly beuaitfil little book: Gardener’s Guide to Indigenous Garden Plants of Southern Africa.

This happy hour Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books, gives us awesome fiction and non-fiction reads for the still chilly days of August. Beverley Roos Muller re-reads with glee Gerald Durrell’s The Corfu Trilogy, which includes the delightful My Family and Other Animals. More animals, though not so happily in John Hanks’ richly rewarding review of Philip Limbery’s Dead Zone – Where the Wild Things Were. Vanessa Levenstein is happily engrossed in The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, Arandhati Roy’s first work of fiction since she won the Booker Prize 20 years ago for The God of Small Things, and Jay Heale takes a close look at three locally produced picture books for young readers. Melvyn Minnnar talks to art historian Anna Tietze about her A History of the Iziko South African National Gallery – Reflections on Art and National Identity - the first comprehensive history of the 150 year old South African National Gallery. As always, the mean Mike Fitzjames sets your nerves ajangle with three terrifying crime novels - The Thirst by Jo Nesbo, The Caller by Chris Carter and A Game of Ghosts by John Connolly. Peter Soal takes a hard look at two very different busnessmen – Harry Oppenheimer and Brett Kebble. Finally Ina Paarman, perfectionist, praises Phillippa Cheifitz’s brand new, grand new cookbook: Make it Easy, a collection of her truly tasteful recipes from Woolies Taste magazine.

Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books, brings you a bagful of the best, while Peter Soal gets your political pulse racing with The Republic of Gupta – a story of State Capture by Pieter-Louis Myburgh, and No longer whispering to power – the story of Thuli Madonsela by Thandeka Gqubule. We chat to million-dollar romantic writer Lesley Pearce about, well, her and her nuanced romantic novel: Dead to Me. Cindy Moritz finds Elizaeth Strout’s Anything is Possible a masterful book by a master chronicler. Philip Todres finds two inspiring reads in Song for Sarah - Lessons From My Mother by Jonathan Jansen with Naomi Jansen, and in Bending the Rules - From de Klerk to Mandela: stories of a pioneering diplomat by Rafique Gangat, both books reflecting on the impact of apartheid and the courage and determination to deal with those harsh realities and still be able to forge ahead. Two of South Africa’s best loved cooks, Ina Paarman and Phillippa Cheifitz come together as Ina discusses Phillippa’s new cookbook Make it Easy. As always, Mike Fitzjames meanly sets your nerves ajangle with three thrilling novels, while Beverley Roos Muller survived recent trains and aeroplanes by packing good old standbys: reliable, absorbing short stories by . W. Somerset Maugham, George Sanders and Roald Dahl. Finally Vanessa Levenstein was moved to tears as she read Raymond Suttner’s Inside Apartheid’s Prison, when she saw that one of Suttner’s letters was addressed to her parents. Do stay with us, we’ve an easy-peasy competition to win one of two R200 Wordsworth Books vouchers or a copy of Lesley Pearse’s Dead to Me. Andrew Marjoribanks, a bundle of good cold-weather reads!

Andrew Marjoribanks of Wordsworth Books gives us the very best in fiction and non-fiction. Philip Todres talks to Paul Weinberg about Traces and Tracks, a beautiful book tracing Paul’s thirty year journey with the San. Beverley Roos Muller found Irish author John Boyne’s book: The Heart’s Invisible Furies profoundly moving, disturbing and compellingly readable. Jay Heale thinks his way into two new picture books – one by Jude Daly and one by Niki Daly. Phillippa Cheifitz tucks happily into A bite of Latin America – a culinary diary

It’s the first Monday of the month, so it’s BOOK CHOICE on Fine Music Radio 101.3, various other frequencies and on our web: www.fmr.co.za. I’m Gorry Bowes Taylor. This happy hour: Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books gives us choice reading in fiction and non-fiction for these early autumn days. Philip Todres chats to internationally acclaimed photographer Roger Ballen about his new, intriguingly named monograph: The Theatre of Apparitions, a copy of which publisher Thames & Hudson is giving away in our easy-peasy competition. Beverley Roos Muller highly recommends the spellbindingly brilliant The Iceberg – A Memoir by Marion Coutts, while Mike Fitzjames so wickedly whacks our nerves with two spellbinding thrillers. Vanessa Levenstein escaped into non-fiction No Wall Too High: One man’s extraordinary escape from Mao’s Darkest Prison by Xu Hongci. Melvyn Minnaar turns his embedded gaze to two art books: Hanging on a Wire, photographs by Sophia Klaase and 1994 with photographs by Pieter Hugo. We chat to entomologist Erik Holm about the amazingly sophisticated and technological world of southern African insects detailed in his unputdownable Insectopedia. Publisher Struik is giving away a copy to a lucky winner. Phillippa Cheifitz hauntingly finds District Six Huis Kombuis more than a cookbook, it’s a social history of a community displaced, while Cindy Moritz is moved by the tale and the stylish telling in The Park by local writer Gail Schimmel. Do listen up for our easy-peasy competition question to win one of two R200 Wordsworth Books vouchers, or Roger Ballen’s The Theatre of Apparitions or Erik Holm’s Insectopedia. Andrew Marjoribanks, a beguiling bundle of books, fiction and non-fiction, from Wordsworth Books.

"This sunny summer hour: Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books, comes up with the very best in fiction and non-fiction on that bookshop’s shelves. We chat to world renowned wino Hugh Johnson about his engaging and elegant new book: On Wine - Good Bits from 55 Years of Scribbling, and he verbally shares a bottle of Chateau Lafitte 1985 with us! A Thousand Tales of Johannesburg by Harry Kalmer reminds Melvyn Minnaar of the juicy sweep of Armistead Maupin’s chirpy books. Cindy Moritz found Maria Semple’s Today will be Different seriously funny yet surprisingly serious. Philip Todres chats artfully to Brenda Schmamhann about her book The Keiskamma Art Project – Restoring Hope and Livelihoods. March is the month that commemorates the opening 117 years ago of the Yeomanry Hospital at Deelfontien, and Mynra Robins finds fine future Africana in Yeomen of the Karoo: The Story of the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital at Deelfontein by Rose Willis, Arnold van Wyk and JC ‘Kay” de Villiers. Mike Fitzjames cruelly sends us stir-crazy with three thrillers, one – Red Notice by Bill Browder – is non-fiction and non-put-downable. Finally, Melvyn Minnaar finds pastoral elegance and delicate writing in Midwinter by Fiona Melrose."

"This happy hour: Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books, gives us a bagful of the best in fiction and non-fiction. Beverley Roos Muller and Mike Fitzjames have Ireland in mind, Beverley with Emma Donaghue’s novel The Wonder, and Mike with John Banville’s Time Piece – A Dublin Memoir and Pete McCarthy’s hilarious McCarthy’s Bar. As always, Mike Fitzjames sets our nerves ajangle with thrillers, two this month by Karen Rose and Ian Rankin. Melvyn Minnaar reviews Historian Hermann Giliomee – An Autobiography. This is Giliomee’s colourful, controversial and feisty career in local history and politics. Jane Raphaely finds Petina Guppah’s The Book of Memory memorable. Jay Heale considers two very different books about human relationships, which he recommends as excellent reading for young adults. Vanessa Levenstein found more good reading for young adults in Alice Hoffman’s Faithful. Myrna Robins finds fine Africana in Yeomen of the Karoo: The Story of the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital at Deelfontein by Rose Willis, Arnold van Wyk and JC ‘Kay” de Villiers. Phillippa Cheifitz finds well seasoned reasons to rush to the kitchen in Reuben Riffel’s fourth cookbook – Reuben at Home, while Philip Todres finds joyfulness in The Book of Joy – Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso the 14th Dalai Lama and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, with Douglas Carlton. Do stay with us for our easy-peasy competition to win one of two R200 Wordsworth Books vouchers. Andrew Marjoribanks, a bagful of good books here!"

"This finest hour: Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books, brings us his usual inspiring collection of the best of the new books, and you’ll listen with amazement and amusement to Jonathan Shapiro aka Zapiro chatting to Philip Todres. Terribly there were the fires, perhaps be reassured by Myrna Robins leafing through "FIRE TO FLOWER: A Chronology after a Wildfire in Fynbos", by Ruth Garland and Greg Nicolson. Cindy Moritz was delighted with "Here I am", Jonathan Saffran Foer’s first novel in 11 years, tough subject, terrific read. We chat to Michael du Preez about his alluring and enriching biography written with Jeremy Dronfield - "Dr James Barry – A Woman Ahead of her Time", the triumphs and tragedies of James Barry’s life in the early 1800s, much of it in Cape Town. Mike Fitzjames sets out to jangle our festively fragile nerves with three chilling thrillers by Tony Park, Lee Child and James Patterson, while Beverley Roos Muller ups the ante with Shari Lapena’s debut novel, "The Couple Next Door" - an unexpectedly successful thriller. Melvyn Minnaar delights in Tim Peake’s wonderful "Hello is This Planet Earth", and finally Vanessa Levenstein is beguiled by Bernard Schlink’s "The Woman on the Stairs".

"It’s the first Monday of the last month of the year, and it’s a warm welcome to Book Choice on Fine Music Radio 101.3. This happy hour: good book choices for Christmas giving – and getting! Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books gives us that chain’s best in festive fiction and non-fiction, Beverley Roos Muller relishes John le Carre’s autobiography 'The Pigeon Tunnel' and wonders how much of it may be fiction! Jay Heale happily suggests sort of classical Christmas reading for children, while Cindy Moritz escaped into the frenzied world of moneyed Manhattan with Jay McInerey’s 'Bright, Precious Days'. Philip Todres talks to Bronwyn Law-Viljoen about 'The Printmaker' which gives her impeccable background to conjure a story that is in fact her first novel. Vanessa Levenstein swings into 'Swing Time' by Zadie Smith who explores how the shadows of childhood friendships outline our future. Melvyn Minnaar throbs to the thrill of a new discovery in 'His Bloody Project' by Graeme Macrae Burnet, and Phillippa Cheifitz chomps through three great cookbooks ending with Zita Steyn’s 'Good Better Green', thus more grand greens in 'Plentiful – The Big Book of Buddha Food' as you’ll hear from three of the four imaginative chefs. If we’ve time there’s Peter Soal’s timely take on Paul Hoffman’s 'Confronting the Corrupt'."

"I’m Andrew Marjoribanks. This sunny hour: I’ll give you Wordsworth Books brightest and best in fiction and non-fiction. Philip Todres talks to Marianne Thamm about her memoir of sorts – 'Hitler, Verwoerd, Mandela and Me', while Beverley Roos Muller muses on the niceties of the Nobel Prize for Literature with Bob Dylan as this year’s winner. Melvyn Minnaar finds fine literature in Colson Whitehead’s 'The Underground Railroad.' "Who is the Dad?", Vanessa Levenstein wonders as she reads Bridget Jones Baby – 'The Diaries' by Helen Fielding. Peter Soal suggests that Helen Zille’s autobiography 'Not Without a Fight' is one of the most fascinating political stories of our time, while Cindy Moritz happily finds humour in Sam Cowen’s memoir 'From Whiskey to Water' – the talk show host’s addiction to drink, food and ultimately long-distance swimming. Finally we chat to Wilbur Smith about his wife, Mokiniso, caviar and his newest novel 'Pharoah'."

"This warm-hearted hour: Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books chooses the best of October’s fiction and non-fiction for you. We chat to five-star, multi-award winning writer and film-maker Sylvia Vollenhoven about her revealing and richly rewarding memoir 'The Keeper of the Kumm – Ancestral Longing and Belonging of a Boesmankind'. Phillippa Cheifitz with great gusto tucks into Jamie Oliver’s 'Super Food Family Classics', while rather more quietly Philip Todres discusses the quirky 'Hidden Johannesburg' with author Paul Duncan. Cindy Moritz mangles our nerve ends with 'The Black Widow' by prolific espionage and thriller writer Daniel Silva. Jay Heale cheerfully looks at the concept of a Children’s Book Laureate, while Beverley Roos Muller brightens America’s bleak political scene with 'Presidential Wit & Wisdom: 250 Classic Quotes from America’s Greatest Leaders' edited by Charlotte Lee Gross. Shingai Darangwa, too, found political fun in Fred Khumalos’s entertaining '#ZuptasMustFall'. Finally, the review you’ve been waiting for as Vanessa Levenstein wonders when a novel is not a novel as she reviews JM Coetzee’s 'The Schooldays of Jesus'. Needless to say Jesus doesn’t come into it. "

"This happy hour: Andrew Marjoribanks has a bagful of good books to welcome the warmth of Spring, Beverley Roos Muller turns her landlubbers eye to the world’s greatest ocean in 'Pacific by Simon Winchester. Vanessa Levenstein with her daughter Safra Bella Musikanth, and others play deliciously with 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child', a two-part West End stage play written by Jack Thorne based on an original new story by Thorne, JK Rowling and John Tiffany. Wednesday sees the start of the Open Book Festival at The Fugard Theatre until Sunday, September 11. We chat to Bongani Madondo, author of 'Sigh The Beloved Country', who’ll be in lively conversation with Sindiwe Magona and Bongani Kona at the Guga S’thebe Cultural Centre in Langa on Sunday, September 11. Melvyn Minnaar found fiction that entertains page by page in the delightful 'Diary of a Body' by Daniel Pennac, and there’s the fabulous feast of 'The Great South African Cookbook'. Peter Soal was delighted by the elegance and grace of 'The relatively public life of Jules Browde' by his grandson Daniel Browde, and finally Mike Fitzjames is up to his usual tricks of the mind with three thrilling spine chillers."

"Thank you for joining us, it’s good to be with you. This joyful hour: Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books, gives us a grand bag of good books, Peter Soal declares his support for the DA and Mmusi Maimane as he reviews 'Mmusi Maimane – Prophet or Puppet by S’Thembiso Msomi', and Beverley Roos Muller was riveted by Raoul Wallenberg’s incredible rescue expedition which saved the lives of tens of thousands of Jews in Hungary during the last months of World War Two in 'Raoul Wallenberg: The Biography by Ingrid Carlberg'. Shangai Darangwa, Lifestyle Feature Writer for The Sunday Independent, takes an up close and critical look at Bongani Madondo’s 'Sigh the Beloved Country', Cindy Moritz found 'The Girls' by Emma Cline just fabulous. Philip Todres reviews two books which deal with Jewish immigrants to South Africa - 'The Reb and the Rebel' edited by Carmel Schrire and Gqynne Schrire, and 'Married to Medicine – Doctor Mary Gordon, Pioneer Woman Physician and Humanist' by Jack Metz and Gordon Metz. In December it will 20 years since Alison Botha was raped, disembowelled and left for dead. In twelve days the movie “I Have Life” will be premiered around the country. Vanessa Levenstein reviews Alison’s story as told to Marianne Thamm: "I Have Life", then Vanessa reviews two novels, one by well-known, well-loved author, Maggie O’Farrell, 'This Must Be the Place', the other by debut writer Kit de Wall: 'My Name is Leon'. Cape Town cookbook writer Phillippa Cheifitz munches her way through 'Eat Ting' by Mpho Tshukudu & Anna Trapido, a good book that looks at diet, weight and health for modern black South Africans. Mike Fitzjames, as always, scares us out of our wits with three chilling thrillers, and, if we have time, leading conservationist and author, John Hanks walks us through elephants’ 'Giant Steps' by Richard Peirce."

"To cheer you this chilly hour Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books, brings a bagful of good reads. With Downing Street much in the news right now, we chat to the brilliant social historian and biographer Anne de Courcy about her latest: 'Margot at War - Love and Betrayal in Downing Street 1912 – 1916'. Equally topical with Oscar Pistorius’s sentencing in two days’ time, Vanessa Levenstein looks at the unanswered questions in 'Oscar vs the Truth by Thomas Mollett and Calvin Mollett'. Sheila Chisholm keeps us on our tippy toes with 'Recollections of a Life in Dance' by Cape Town born, international Spanish dance authority, Dame Mavis Becker, while Beverley Roos Muller brings us back to earth with 'Promise and Despair: The First Struggle for a Non-racial South Africa' by former BBC journalist Martin Plaut. Philip Todres gives us a gorgeous glimpse into the first comprehensive history of fine art potteries in 'Scorched Earth – 100 years of southern African potteries' by Wendy Gers, where you’ll see even some of Philip’s original collection. Jay Heale links children to the unique sounds of Africa in 'The African Orchestra' by Wendy Hartmann and Joan Rankin. Peter Soal takes us to FIFA’s financial fixings behind the 2010 World Cup in 'The Big Fix' by Ray Hartley, editor of the Rand Daily Mail online. Finally, and not for the faint hearted, Cindy Moritz reviews the psychological crime thriller, 'The Teacher' by Katarina Diamond."

"This cheerful hour: Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books, has a bagful of good books to cheer us through the chill. We talk to John Hanks, conservation expert and head of WWF in Africa about his passionate and deeply persuasive book 'Operation Lock and the war on rhino poaching'. Vanessa Levenstein reviews two books, very different in style and genre, both exploring the quest for love and belonging: 'The Course of Love – A novel', written by philosopher, writer and television presenter Alain De Botton, and 'Finding Martha Lost' by Caroline Wallace, the pseudonym for Caroline Smailes. Philip Todres chats to Man Booker Prize winner, the South African novelist Christopher Hope about his caustic new satirical novel 'Jimfish', while Phillippa Cheifitz finds comfort food in 'My Cape Malay Kitchen' by Cariema Isaacs. Little comfort in heart-stopping, chart-topping thrillers chosen by Mike Fitzjames. Beverley Roos Muller finds Joyce Carol Oates’s 'The Sacrifice' powerful and gripping."

"This happy hour: Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books, has a bumper bag of books, Beverley Roos Muller finds Yann Martel’s 'The High Mountains of Portugal' a marvellous but challenging read, and Philip Todres was disappointed in many ways by the telling of an important story in 'Letters of Stone' by Steven Robins. Cindy Moritz goes 'Inside the O'Briens', the new novel by 'Still Alice' author Lisa Genova, which promises to do for Huntington's disease, what 'Still Alice' did for Alzheimers. Peter Soal pens a paean of praise to 'The Sword and the Pen – Six decades on the political frontier' by Allister Sparks. Alexander Fuller’s marriage takes her from the beautiful yet brutal Zambezi, to the mountains and relative suburban existence of Wyoming. Vanessa Levenstein reviews Fuller’s memoir, 'Leaving before the Rains Come'. Then, From Wyoming to Mexico, John Irving’s 'Avenue of Mysteries' is a novel about how both fate and memories shape our lives, and finally something for the younger generation to nibble on, Cathy Cassidy’s 'Fortune Cookie, The Chocolate Box Boy'. Melvyn Minnaar unearths buried treasure in 'SPQR – A History of Ancient Rome' by luminary historian Mary Beard. Finally, Ann Donald Director of the Franschhoek Literary Festival gives us the low down on some FLF highlights this weekend."

"This happy hour: Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books has a high pile of uber super reads for you. Et voila we chat to Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, the farmer’s lad from Limpopo, the first South African chef to receive a Michelin star for his eponymous restaurant in Nice! Felicitation, Jan! Pair Jan’s famed food with wine as the splendid John Platter tastes and tells of Caro Feely’s new book 'Wine'. Beverley Roos Muller was much moved by 'The Boys in the Boat by Daniel Brown', the USA rowing eight that won the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany. Jay Heale reminds us of the richness of Africa in four fine children’s books - 'The Rainbow’s Heart', 'Fynbos Fairies', 'Stories of Africa' and 'Our Story Magic'. More of Africa as photographer Lisa King and essayist Sean Christie portray the old ways and the new of the Zimbabwean Stock Exchange in 'Sometimes I make money one day of the Week', Melvyn Minnaar was entranced. Mike Fitzjames has his wicked way with three crime novels to chill your heart, while a kinder Cindy Moritz finds magic in the ordinary in Mitch Albom’s 'The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto'."

This happy hour: Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books, finds fine reads for fine minds, while we raise our glasses to two connoisseusr du vin – the great and glorious John Platter on his new book 'My Kind of Wine', and Caro Feely who tells of the Feely family’s ultimately successful venture into a French vineyard in 'Grape Expectations' and 'Saving Our Skins'. Peter Soal finds provocation and stimulation in Ferrial Haffajee’s 'What if There Were no Whites in South Africa?' while Philip Todres finds a new monograph Sue Williamson – 'Life and Work' edited by Mark Gevisser a seriously handsome overview of Sue’s work. In 'The Secret Chord' by Geraldine Brooks, Cindy Moritz finds a biblical King David ecstatic, visceral and virile. Beverley Roos Muller checks Churchillian financial facts and figures in 'No More Champagne – Churchill and his money' by David Lough. RC Sturgis writes rivetingly and revealingly on 'The Mammals that Moved Mankind – A History of the Beasts of Burden'. If we've time, Jon Geidt reviews David Byrne’s multi-headed, prolific and reflective discourse 'How Music Works'.

"This happy hour Andrew Marjoribanks, Wordsworth Books picks perfect summer reading, fiction and non-fiction. Lynda Gilfillan, down-the-line from down under reviews 'Flame in the Snow – The Love Letters of Andre Brink & Ingrid Jonker', of which she, Lynda, was the copy-editor for the English translation. Cindy Moritz gives us good reason to read Anne Tyler’s gentle unwinding of 'A Spool of Blue Thread' with its deceptively small details of ordinary family life. Peter Soal wonders, with Ferial Haffajee and with some alarm 'What if there were no whites in South Africa?'. Beverley Roos Muller spies revelations in 'John le Carre – the biography by Adam Sisman', and Mike Fitzjames takes the thriller genre further with three cracking crime novels. Phillippa Cheifitz keeps her cool - and suggests we keep ours – with 'Ice Kitchen: 50 Lolly Recipes' by Cesar and Nadia Roden. Finally Vanessa Levenstein reviews Santa Montefiore’s 'Songs of Love and War', an epic romance with strong archetypal themes of land, love and war."

3 of South Africa’s top publishers; Penguin Random House, Pan Macmillan and Jonathan Ball Publishers, and South Africa’s favourite bookseller, Exclusive Books, join us to tell us what great reads you can expect on their shelves this October.

A 10-minute podcast of books full of hope and healing for World Mental Health Day, brought to you by Mpumi Mgidlana, publicist at Jonathan Ball Publishers.