The biggest book event in sub-Saharan Africa kicks off on June 13 and runs until June 16. It is quite the place to be for book lovers, and you can’t afford to miss it.
I even know people, myself included, who have already sorted out what their book fair shoes are going to be, and no this nothing about being an extra in The Devil Wears Prada or Ugly Betty, it’s all about knowing that your feet will be alive at the end of every day that you spend at the fair.
The programme is filled with events from politics, to how to teach your toddler to read. You can find out how to “green-up” your life with Simon Gear, and meet best-selling chick-lit writer Adele Parks as she talks about the genre and signs books at the Penguin stand.
For teens there is plenty on offer, UK writer Kevin Brooks, will be there talking about writing for teens and answering questions on how to catch a teen and turn them into a reader in a panel discussion. His book Being is one of the darkest and most fascinating books I have read for teenagers in years, he has got the point that teenagers face some pretty dark stuff in life, and have to deal with it. A brilliant writer.
If you’re a student you’ll love Trinity Rising by Fiona Snyckers, actually you don’t have to be a student now, if you ever were one you’ll fall in love with Trinity Luhabe as she stumbles through her first year at Rhodes. It’s a really good book and you’ll be panting to get hold of the next one in the series.
Talking about panting for the next book John van der Ruit will be at the fair having just launched his new book in the Spud series: Spud – Learning to Fly. The Spud phenomenon has taken South Africa by storm so bring your Spud books along for Van der Ruit to sign.
The Cape Town Book Fair is pretty unique really in that it is a trade fair that has become an event that the public has really taken to heart. Last year more than 50 000 people went through the exhibition over the four days.
The some 10 000 children who also attended will find plenty to do in the kidzone where they can listen to stories, do art work, meet authors and watch out for giant characters from books walking around the floor of the exhibition.
All in all it should now be clear why you need to have the right shoes for the occasion. Get ready to be stunned by the range of books on offer from South Africa around the world, meet up with friends for coffee and discussions and most of all go and check out the programme at www.capetownbookfair.co.za to make sure that you don’t miss out on a discussion you really want to hear.
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The conventional wisdom these days is that readers seek out inspirational books during “hard times.” I saw evidence of this at a book fair, where the area dedicated to spirituality seemed pretty crowded. I was given a preview copy of C.J. Good’s – “Little Gifts of Sustainable Contentment,” -- One minute daily reflections for cultivating mental, emotional, physical and financial well-being – Available on Amazon August – 2010 – which contains encouraging, true and perhaps most importantly, heartfelt writing. I believe readers seeking guidance and solace during difficult times can not go wrong buying this book for themselves or as a gift for others. This is a book that is effective, wise and compassionate. It is a striking example of drawing strength from the natural reversals that we all face and using them to develop resilience.
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