» Bookstores

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

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

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

Tobias at 84 – still sharp, witty and engaging

liz — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:51:28 +0000

Chris Thurman enagaged in conversation with Prof Philip Tobias world-renowned paleo-anthroplogist at the Boekehuis this Saturday. In addition to his ground breaking work with hominids, Tobias has also been very influential as an anatomist, a geneticist, is an expert on medic-legal ethics and … is a keen lover of cricket! With a twinking eye and a razor sharp sense of humour and irony, Tobias spoke about the background to a book on his life published in 2008: Tobias in Converstion Genes Fossils and Anthropology . The first part of Tobias’ autobiography Into the Past A Memoir was published in 2005. Tobias is currently working on the 2nd part of his life .. from the age of 40 onwards. A remarkable record of a remarkable man.

Joburg’s best kept secret: Boekehuis

liz — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:07:18 +0000

A visiting academic who is staying here at Liz at Lancaster referred this morning to Boekehuis as ‘Johannesburg’s Best Kept Secret’. What a shame not to spread the word about such a gem of a store. The title of Lucille Davie’s article (www.joburg.org. za 7 June 2006): ‘Boekehuis one of the world’s 50 unique bookshops’, says it all. The International Booksellers Federation chose Boekehuis from 734 submissions, to feature on its 2 year calendar of the world’s 50 unique bookshops (2007 and 2008). Davie writes: ‘Opened in 2000, the shop is located in a 100-year-old house once belonging to the daughter of lawyer and anti-apartheid campaigner Braam Fischer. It retains the cosiness of the old house, with an adjoining coffee shop set in a delightful garden. The house still has its gleaming Oregon floors, pressed-steel ceilings and fireplaces.’ In addition to its wide range of Afrikaans books, there are books for the discerning reader which cover topics from cultural studies to history to literature, and much more besides. There is a section of children’s books; and story telling and reading sessions are held to encourage reading among young people. Boekehuis is also a great public space. People can meet over a glass of wine and a snack to exchange ideas when they attend the book launches, author readings and discussion groups which all form part of Boekehuis’ literary programme. So go along to Boekehuis at corner Lothbury and Fawley Streets Auckland Park or contact them on 011 482 3609 or boekehuis@boekehuis.co.za to be put onto their mailing list.