» Interesting books

A new guide book on Gauteng

liz — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 09:40:13 +0000

Sean Fraser who has written several travel and guide books, has just published one which covers Johannesburg, Soweto, Pretoria and surrounds. I have not seen it yet so am looking forward to browsing through it. I still think that Nechama Brodie’s book on Johannesburg : The Joburg Book published in 2008, is excellent. For more on Fraser’s Gauteng A-Z , see : http://struiktravel.bookslive.co.za/blog/2011/11/10/sean-frasers-new-indispensable-travel-guide-gauteng-a-z/

Caught the last day of Life of Bone – great exhibition of art meeting science at The Origins Centre, Wits

liz — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 10:12:37 +0000

The Taung skull – 2/5 million years old and very rarely displayed to the public, was on view at the Life of Bone exhibition which I just caught on the closing day last Tuesday 31st May. I had seen the tiny skull of the 3 year old displayed in its 3 parts at one if its rare public showings also at Wits, some 8 or so years ago. But this time it was displayed with the acutley honed aesthetic eye of two artists Karel Nel and Joni Brenner who curated the Life of Bone exhibition. As a result the impact of this tiny skull which is neither monkey, nor human, was quite extraordinary – it had a real presence: beautiful, poignant and humbling. Only the teeth are still classed as bone, the rest has turned to stone . The crystallized interior of the skull and the imprint of the brain left on the exterior of the once fossil, are both visually seductive and scientifically fascinating. The theme of the entire exhibition .. art meets science .. seemed to be encapsulated in this tiny Australopithecus Africanus skull, displayed with such senstivity to its powerful visual impact. If you missed the exhibition the accompanying book is available – it sells for R300 at the Origins Shop which is R50 less than it is selling for at Exclusive books. So get yourself a copy and now.

Spoilt for choice with new books on the shelves

liz — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:06:07 +0000

Jenny Hobbs co-founder of the Franschhoek Literary Festival and author of at least 8 books will be talling about here new book Kitchen Boy at the Morningside branch of the Exlcusive Books at 11 am on Tuesday 12th. You can have a day of book launches as in the evening Mandy Wiener will talk to David O’Sullivan about here book on Kebble and the Joburg Underworld at Villa Arcadia, Hollard Campus 22 Oxford Road, Parktown. But you’ll have to RSVP camillatwigg@iburst,co.za and cough up R130 for drinks and snacks. On Saturday 9th April at 12.30 my favourite bookshop Boekehuis will be host their Saturday Voices when Hugh Lewin will talk about his new book Stones against the Mirror – his memoir on friendship in the time of the South African struggle. Boekehuis is on the corner of Lothbury and Fawley streets, Auckland Park RSVP 011 482 3609 or Boekehuis@boekehuis.co.za

Launch of the Novel: THE LANDSCAPE PAINTER by Craig Higginson

liz — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:34:12 +0000

WHAT: Launch of Craig Higginson’s new novel The Landscape Painter WHO: Craig Higginson is a writer, theatre director and university lecturer. His plays as a writer include Dream of the Dog, The Girl in the Yellow Dress and Little Foot L. His other novels include The Hill and Last Summer . Craig is currently the Literary Manager of the Market Theatre and teaches Creative Writing at Wits. His writing has won several awards in the UK and South Africa
WHERE: Market Theatre Newtown WHEN: 18h30 for 19h00 Thursday, 24 March RSVP: Tarryn Talbot at tarryn@panmacmillan.co.za

Book launch of Wally Serote’s Revelations

liz — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 05:59:10 +0000

Sophia Town-born novelist and poet, Mongane Wally Serote will be in discussion with Maureen Isaacson, book editor of the The Sunday Independent, 19 feb 12 for 12.30 Boekehuis cr Lothbury and Fawley Ave Auckland Park RSVP 011 482-3609; boekehuis@boekehuis.co.za

It looks as though this will be another page turner: Peter Harris’ new book ‘Birth’

liz — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:46:39 +0000

I posted a blog on Peter Harris In a Different Time’ : http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/a-south-african-page-turner-and-its-all-true and now his new book about the conspiracy to destabilize the 1994 elections, is to be released shortly. The book will be launched at Exclusive Books Hyde Park at 6 for 6.30 on Tuesday 9th Nov. RSVP to hydepark@exclisvebooks.co.za or 011 325-4298

Saturday morning Voices at Boekehuis one of Jozi’s indi Bookshops Sat 23rd Oct 10.30 for 11

liz — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:27:13 +0000

Boekehuis holds its Saturday morning Voices: A discussion with M&G investigative journalist, Adriaan Basson & political journalist and writer, William Gumede on Basson’s book Finish & klaar Selebi’s fall from Interpol to the underworld. Boekehuis’ outline of the issues: ‘From top cop to corrupt crook in six years – Jackie Selebi’s fall from grace came fast. What damage was caused to the country’s rule of law in an effort to save one deeply compromised man’s career? And what is the wider meaning of the Selebi saga for South Africa’s democratic state?’
Where: BOEKEHUIS Bookshop, Cnr. Lothbury and Fawley streets, Auckland Park
(Parking available)
When: Saturday 23 October, 11:00
RSVP by Friday 22/10 at 011 482 3609 or Boekehuis@boekehuis.co.za

Maid in three mediums – conversations on the politics of the domestic worker at Women’s Jail, Constitution Hill Wednesday 22nd Sept

liz — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 11:24:00 +0000

Novelist and author of The Madams Zukis wa Wanner, artist Mary Sibande whose excellent exhibition Long Live the Dead Queen showed in July at Gallery Momo in Parktown North, and academic Shireen Ally who wrote Servants to Workers, comment on each others work tonight at the Women’s Jail at Constitution Hill. Hosted by Wits University, it will be an evening of conversation across fiction, art and non-fiction on the poetics and politics of paid domestic work. Jacklyn Cock, Wits Sociology Professor, and author of Maids and Madams will make some comments in closing off the evening. For more on Mary Sibande’s fascinating work see http://www.jhblive.com/live/kultcha_view.jsp?kultcha_id=18143

Literary Festival 3-5 September at 44 Stanley Ave

liz — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:52:18 +0000

Mail & Guardian Literary Festival 2010 3-5 September@ 44 STANLEY Avenue, Milpark, Johannesburg in partnership with BOEKEHUIS at Fawley street, Auckland Park on 011 482 3609
Opening address (free event): Friday night 3rd Sept at 7pm, by Nic Dawes, editor of the Mail &Guardian – celebrate 25 years of the M&G with a glass of wine, RSVP: tamarinm@mg.co.za Find the full programme at http://www.mg.co.za/specialreport/mg-jhb-literary-festival-2010

FiftyTwo:30 Collector’s Treasury

liz — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:40:39 +0000

With thanks to Adi@fiftytwo.co.za yet again. Collector’s Treasury is one of my FAVOURITE places BUT be warned … take a ball of string with you because like Theseus in the minotaur’s cave, you might get lost in the maze of book-lined passages !!

Genre: Book store bizarre
What: Paperbacks, hard copies, leather bounds and titles from 1800s – this mystically rare book dealer has the edge. Doors swung open in 1974 and over its 36 years the collection has matured – there’s an accumulated mass of literary wealth and some 2 million books are shelved here. Astounding. The Collectors Treasury doesn’t just horde books, it carriers collectable vinyls (The Beatles, The Jackson Five), sheet music, mathematical journals, framed artworks, porcelain everything, medium format cameras and family photo albums probably from a different chapter. Spilling over four floors – there’s a rich world waiting for you.
FiftyTwo review: Books are stacked in piles everywhere (up staircases, blocking the entrance, above and below book shelves). Collectors Treasury is the most phenomenal maze to loose yourself in. Scan the shelves for titles, you’ll find volumes and volumes to read from cover to cover. Words can’t capture the wonder that this aged bookstore conjures up. Meet fascinating people while you browse, from the academic scholar wishing he were in Boston to muso hippie types, everyone speaks the same language in a space such as this – a great opportunity to not judge a book by its cover. This gallery isn’t cheap but the experience is worth the buck. Whoever thought atlases from the Ice Age would lose value, you’re wrong. FiftyTwo say, “Stay the day.”
Tip: First edition books make quite the gift so the next time you’re looking for something unique and feel mainstream bookstores offer the unadventurous, head to Collectors Treasury. Secondly, look intently as there are remarkable things on sale, very recently an original South African Parliamentary photograph from 1936 (with signatures of all parliament members) was found. Own your page of South African history.
Interesting fact: This legend store has claims of being the Southern Hemisphere’s largest bookstore of its kind.
Where: CTP House, 244 Commissioner Street, Johannesburg – call 011 334 6556 if you need help with directions.
Book: No booking necessary – it’s open from Mondays to Fridays 09:00-17:00 & Saturdays 10:00-13:00