Wordsetc the ground breaking South African Literary Journal has made its bow in the 2009 Cape Town Book fair.
It arrives having published five issues and the latest leading with an exclusive with Nadine Gordimer. There is a lot of intrest in the Journal as the quantity of sales have shown in the last day.
All five issues are still available. You can visit the stand at J8. look forward to your visit!!!
Wordsetc, LoVers oF Literature!!
www.wordsetc.co.za
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Sunday morning at the Cape Town Book Fair ....
and the crowds are pouring in. Lots of twittering going on about the fair so get on line and make your comments we want to hear what you think, what you're doing and what the highlight of your day was.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
There was this goat...
Authors Antjie Krog, Nosisi Mpolweni and Kopano Ratele met and decided on this project at UWC in the late 90s, and the result is a book that moves all who read it. It certainly had the audience at the Saturday morning session where this book was discussed, moved to tears.
"There was this goat" is the story of the TRC testimony of Notrose Nobomvu Konile, mother of Zabonke Konile, a young man killed in what has become known as the Guguletu Seven incident. Discussion moderator Duncan Brown rightly said of this book, "This book may prove to be one of the most significant texts of its time.”
I invite you to get hold of this book - it approaches Ms Konile's testimony from a range of angles. It makes sense of what was, according to the authors, sometimes a very incoherent testimony before the TRC which led to Ms Konile finding forgiveness for someone who did the unforgivable. It is a tribute to the (since deceased) Ms Konile and to what makes us all human. If I can paraphrase the book's ending tribute to Ms Konile, "You have spoken, and we have listened."
A copy of the book was symbolically handed over to Ms Konile's surviving daughter at the Cape Town Book Fair on Saturday morning.
"There was this goat" is the story of the TRC testimony of Notrose Nobomvu Konile, mother of Zabonke Konile, a young man killed in what has become known as the Guguletu Seven incident. Discussion moderator Duncan Brown rightly said of this book, "This book may prove to be one of the most significant texts of its time.”
I invite you to get hold of this book - it approaches Ms Konile's testimony from a range of angles. It makes sense of what was, according to the authors, sometimes a very incoherent testimony before the TRC which led to Ms Konile finding forgiveness for someone who did the unforgivable. It is a tribute to the (since deceased) Ms Konile and to what makes us all human. If I can paraphrase the book's ending tribute to Ms Konile, "You have spoken, and we have listened."
A copy of the book was symbolically handed over to Ms Konile's surviving daughter at the Cape Town Book Fair on Saturday morning.
Friday, June 12, 2009
It's official the book fair is open
Thursday evening saw the offical opening of the book fair which runs from 13 to 16 June. As I walked into the CTICC one of the doors to the exhibition floor was open and I caught a tantalizing glimpse of the stands out of the corner of my eye. It was tempting to move closer and get a good look in, but I decided against it. Rather wait for 10am this morning when the public start streaming in. The event was fun, lots of talk, old friends and colleagues to greet. Had a chat to Random House Struik boss Stephen Johnson fresh off helping to stock their stand. It's amazing that on one day a city of books arises in the exhibition hall. Today there will be the queues outside hall two at the stand where tickets for the talks on the first floor can be obtained. Amazing that for an entrance fee of just R50 (you get a discount if you are a member of Wordsworth or Exclusive books loyalty programmes), you are offered the richness of debate that will take place over the next four days. Just remember to get your tickets early. I love openings there's that sense of anticipation, trying to plan what you'll be able to fit in, and the thrill of knowing that for four days you can practically live in the world of books. Magic indeed. Now the big question is what shoes will work best for a small dash of style and maximum comfort?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The bookshelves are being stocked
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.
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.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Wola Nani at the CTBF: Vintage finds for book lovers with focus on Africana and Collectible Children's Authors
For its first year at the Cape Town Book Fair (CTBF), AIDS NGO Wola Nani will have a stand selling collectible books and popular contemporary reads.
“For our inaugural year as a guest of the CTBF, Wola Nani will focus on items of special interest to collectors of Africana and children’s books” says the charity’s chairman Marcus Brewster. “Africana lovers will find choice first editions of everything from Andre Brink to Lawrence van der Post”. Other collectible fiction stocked will include Nadine Gordimer, Doris Lessing, J M Coetzee, and Alan Paton as well as stalwarts like T V Bulpin and Lawrence Green.
Those looking to find something memorable for Dad on Father’s Day in June or those men wanting to recapture their lost youth will find a treasure trove of vintage boy’s fiction at the Wola Nani stall. Finds include dust-jacketed hard cover editions of Biggles, The Hardy Boys, Arthur Ransome’s “Swallows and Amazons” books and Richmal Crompton’s “Just William” series. There will also be paperback reading copies of these hard-to-find titles.
For all readers there will be a large selection of modern classics in lightly-read condition from cult authors including Paulo Coelho, Terry Pratchett and Ayn Rand that offer a chance to catch up on seminal reads.
As Tuesday 16 June is Youth Day, Wola Nani will be offering books to delight children, tweens and teens by popular authors like JK Rowling, Meg Cabot and Jacqueline Wilson.
Proceeds will go to Wola Nani, a non-profit organisation striving to improve the quality of life of those living with HIV and AIDS, especially women, orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). “Wola Nani focuses on education, counselling and support, and assists with the financial strains brought about by HIV and AIDS” says Project Director Moira Jones. “We encourage book lovers and collectors to support the work of Wola Nani by visiting our stand at the CTBF”.
The CTBF takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from Saturday 13 to Tuesday 16 June.
“For our inaugural year as a guest of the CTBF, Wola Nani will focus on items of special interest to collectors of Africana and children’s books” says the charity’s chairman Marcus Brewster. “Africana lovers will find choice first editions of everything from Andre Brink to Lawrence van der Post”. Other collectible fiction stocked will include Nadine Gordimer, Doris Lessing, J M Coetzee, and Alan Paton as well as stalwarts like T V Bulpin and Lawrence Green.
Those looking to find something memorable for Dad on Father’s Day in June or those men wanting to recapture their lost youth will find a treasure trove of vintage boy’s fiction at the Wola Nani stall. Finds include dust-jacketed hard cover editions of Biggles, The Hardy Boys, Arthur Ransome’s “Swallows and Amazons” books and Richmal Crompton’s “Just William” series. There will also be paperback reading copies of these hard-to-find titles.
For all readers there will be a large selection of modern classics in lightly-read condition from cult authors including Paulo Coelho, Terry Pratchett and Ayn Rand that offer a chance to catch up on seminal reads.
As Tuesday 16 June is Youth Day, Wola Nani will be offering books to delight children, tweens and teens by popular authors like JK Rowling, Meg Cabot and Jacqueline Wilson.
Proceeds will go to Wola Nani, a non-profit organisation striving to improve the quality of life of those living with HIV and AIDS, especially women, orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). “Wola Nani focuses on education, counselling and support, and assists with the financial strains brought about by HIV and AIDS” says Project Director Moira Jones. “We encourage book lovers and collectors to support the work of Wola Nani by visiting our stand at the CTBF”.
The CTBF takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from Saturday 13 to Tuesday 16 June.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Is Chick-lit just about getting through the night?
Adele Parks, best-selling novelist, will be one of the International writers visiting the Cape Town Book Fair from 13 to 16 June. She writes what I like to call intelligent page-turners about the lives of women, and sometimes their loves as well. But the question is does she belong in the category of chick-lit, you know those books with the stylised covers and the pictures of beautiful young woman desporting themselves on beaches. The books we buy with a degree of guilty pleasure at the airport book shop when we know we should really be firing up the laptop and going over our presentations for our meeting at the other end of the flight. And why do we feel the need to give books written about the lives of women a ghetto of their own anyway? We don't call books about men having midlife crises "Harley-lit" or young blokes on the pull "lad-lit", in fact sometimes we call pretty ordinary books about men's lives literary fiction when they really aren't. It's one of the topics that will be debated at the fair and we hope you will join in, or at least I do or a whole panel of people will be sitting looking at empty chairs and then we will be very miffed. One of South Africa's new stars will join the panel Fiona Snyckers and she likes being in the chick-lit genre, Rob Turrell will also be joining us to give a blokes perspective, should be interesting (wonder what he is reading at the moment). I read all of Parks' novels to prepare for meeting her and loved them all, they are real, witty, and well-written and there is much in them that I could identify with, but I do wonder why we feel such a need to categorise books why not just enjoy them. Come along and join in the debate, and feel free to join it early on this blog. Jennifer Crocker (who is not off to read War and Peace in bed).
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