The Reading Room

Literary and Physical Journeys in South Africa. "Before it can ever be a repose for the senses, landscape is the work of the mind. Its scenery is built up as much from strata of memory as from layers of rock." – Simon Schama So starts a journey into the mind, not just yours or the author’s but into 9 South African writers and their characters and creations. Justin Fox, author of 24 books in varying genres takes a trip down many people’s memory lanes, as well as his own, in a book that visits and revisits places that are special to him, whether from experience of the Place, or from having visited in a novel. A bit-to-be-missed delight by those who love travelling, and love South Africa and its history - real or imagined. But be quick - the first release sold out in three weeks!

Has the Mining Industry in South Africa collapsed? In 1994, the South African mining industry was a world leader; in 2010 it had descended into a state of both anarchy and paralysis. This book tells the story of the disintegration of the South African mining industry over a period of more than a quarter of a century since the ANC's accession to power. Author and mining expert Dr Ian Robinson lays out the background to this calamity, as well as explains how things changed a once flourishing money machine - an industry that made money for the people, not money for those in power - into a floundering entity, and the factors that have led to this. Is there a way back? Listen here.

Sometimes cookery books aren't just about cooking, they're about a whole lot more; the ingredients and where they come from, the ancestors who hold the lore surrounding them, preserving wild foods (in nature, not just in jam jars), and the heritage of indigenous ingredients. It's about the stories that come with the 'lekkerness', the 'mnandi-ness' of the people and their culinary culture. Gregory Henderson is more than just a chef, he's been a global winner of the LUX Awards Most Sustainable Dining Experience and is an ardent promoter not only of living off the land but ensuring that our unique South African tales about food aren't lost in the mists of time. Gregory's books showcase these proudly South African values and they're on the menu for discussion in this tasty episode.

A guide to the best decade evah - The 80s! The 80s were a time of hope and frustration for teens and 20-somethings in South Africa, but there was a whole lot of boogying going on. Drummer (and wannabe frontman!) of such iconic SA bands, such as eVoid, Petit Cheval and Wonderboom, Danny de Wet takes us back on a memory trip through the fogs of time, to an era that not only those that lived through it will appreciate, but as a handy manual for the youngers who are locked into electronics and social media on just how the youth used to live their lives. For this (mostly) unadulterated look at one of the most prolific times in SA Rock history, #ListenHere for a bit of background - and then get the book to find out more.

“Sometimes I think that the point of birdwatching is not the actual seeing of the birds, but the cultivation of patience. Of course, each time we set out, there's a certain amount of expectation we'll see something, maybe even a species we've never seen before, and that it will fill us with light. But even if we don't see anything remarkable - and sometimes that happens - we come home filled with light anyway.” ― Lynn Thomson, Birding with Yeats: A Mother's Memoir And that's what it's about! Whether you be brand new to the birdwatching game, or a long-time, avid spotter, as one writer has it - “Birds will give you a window, if you allow them. They will show you secrets from another world– a fresh vision that, though it is avian, can accompany you home and alter your life. They will do this for you even if you don't know their names– though such knowledge is a thoughtful gesture. ” We find out more about Adam Riley's new book, commissioned by Helm Wildlife Guides, on Birds of South Africa, the portable concise must-have that will give you an entry into 'twitching', or a quick reference if you're travelling light. And more about how birds are so essential to not only the world at large but to the space surrounding you.

Social Media Musings and Going Viral. While people all over South Africa were hunkered down in their homes baking banana bread, coming up with ways to find gin, bemoaning the fact that they couldn't go for a walk, while finding new ways to navigate this strange new walk of Life, one Facebooker kept a host of other flounderers mentally intact with her pithy, insightful posts, not just about her journey, but on how well others were (or were not) faring in this weird world. From this, comes Hold The Line, a compilation of many of the posts from Kim Nicola Stephens that had us in hysterics with a bit of backstory to them - not a guide on how to weather a pandemic, not a self-help book, and not an autobiography - this is a book to remind you of no matter how different we may seem, so many of us go through the same things, a reminder that even in deepest darkest days, we're not alone. And there's always a story to be retold, a lesson to be learnt, a life to be lived. Fully.

Our Guest: Mike Nicol (Author: Poet: Writing Instructor) Getting the tips of the trade from the Crime Meister in half an hour is fairly speedy, but you won't want to miss the workings of the inner mind of one of South Africa's top authors. Whether it be his way of getting into the character of Mace Bishop or Fish Pescado, or into the lives of some of South Africa's top icons, Mike Nicol blurs the invisible line between fact and fantasy, in and out of rabbit holes real and imagined. Connect with Mike · Write Online Website

Making SA as Sexy as the Scandies! Deon Meyer (Storyteller / Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres) "It’s never good when your phone rings in a meeting you were never invited to." Happily we called, and Deon Meyer answered. The King of SA Crime-writing chats about his process, his ties to France, his inspirations and his flawed hero, Bennie Griessel ahead of news of more TV and film projects getting into full flow. If you have yet to read one of the master storyteller's novels, find out why you've been missing out. Connect with Deon

Let’s Unpack It. The time to be adaptable has come. Are you scared of moving forward? Are you having problems changing your mindset? “Amateurs hack systems, professionals hack people.” And professionals when it comes to asking the right questions, Hack It authors, Rinus Le Roux and Rikus Viljoen have put up the tools you need to get the right answers on how to give yourself a mental upgrade. Audiobook · Connect with Rinus · UCan Institute

Step out of Survival Mode with Erik Kruger Erik Kruger (Author / Founder - Modern Breed) It’s time to get out of your comfort zone - especially if it isn’t the most comfortable place to be. Being Dangerous doesn’t mean being reckless - it’s about posing a danger to those things that do not add to your life. Erik Kruger tells us about how even if threats about, you can do something about them. Take control and get your power back - the definitive how-to guide. Dangerous on Amazon · Connect with Erik

...and other stories Ted Botha grew up between Washington D.C. and Pretoria, and his writings are as diverse as his living circumstances over the years. He has written for numerous publications, including The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, and was an editor for Reuters in Manhattan. His books include 'The Girl with the Crooked Nose' and 'Flat/White,' about living in a crazy tenement in Manhattan. His latest book is a true story of murder and movie mayhem in the 1920s that takes place in Johannesburg, London, Paris and New York. Find out more about this intrepid traveller · Goodreads

The Beatles got the Beat. The Beatles have been a worldwide phenomenon for decades - and show no sign of slowing down. Although they were only a band for less than a decade, their imprint on the music industry will last many lifetimes. The TV documentary series, Get Back, and Paul McCartney’s double volumes - The Lyrics: 1956 to the present - gets behind the stories that went into the songs, and takes Gus Silber down memory (and Penny) lane, back to a time when songwriting told stories.

it's all about getting your Mind over Mountain.... Guest: Robby Kojetin (Author and Extreme Sports Motivator) From not landing on his feet, to landing up motivating others to get up on theirs, Robby Kotejin has gone from climbing the roof of the world, to wallowing in the depths of despair. But deciding to pull his two broken ankles up by his bootstraps, came back from the precipice to scale not only the world's highest mountains, but the seemingly insurmountable challenge of climbing out of the pits of depression. This inspirational story of perseverance has been told by Robby in his book, Mind Over Mountain, and here we get to grips with how when you feel you're at the end of your rope, there's always something there to hold you. Connect with Robby · Mind Over Mountain on Amazon

Actress, teacher, author - No longer an author in Waiting! Meet Rosie Fiore (Author and most fabulous Gurlfrend) Born in good old Joburg, Rosie Fiore left our sunny shores to follow a literary life in London some 21 years ago. Having studied drama and working as a writer in TV, theatre and comedy - pretty much anything you could write for, Rosie did! - the dream of being a Proper Author took hold. And eight novels later (with one under the pseudonym Cass Hunter - 'The After Wife'), I think we can safely say Mission Accomplished. But what goes into the process? Not just writing the novel, but getting it out to be read... Find out more about her books and her journey as Rosie takes us on her voyage, the ups and downs, and the joy of words. Connect with Rosie · Buy Wonder Women on Amazon now

The Anatomy of a Southern African 'Death' series Meet Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip (authors - co-writers under the pseudonym Michael Stanley) Critically acclaimed across the world for their series of original crime/mystery books, Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip are the writing duo, Michael Stanley. Featuring their African "Columbo", Detective 'Kubu' Bengu of the Botswana Criminal Investigation Department, their latest offering, 'Facets of Death' is a return to his past, and his introduction into the world of crimefighting. Both gentlemen were born in South Africa and met at university. Michael now lives in Knysna, Stanley in Minneapolis, where they find working collaboratively just as easy as it was back in the days of yore. Michael Stanley Website · Buy Now on Amazon

Female Thriller Writers Taking over the Murder/Mystery World Long kept in the shadows, female mystery and thriller writers are coming to the fore, not only worldwide, but here in South Africa. Sarah Key, author of 5 books in the genre, chats to Melanie about being a female in what many perceive to be a Man's Domain, how to come up with a great idea, the Theatre of the Mind and how we're getting back to that, and what it means not only to get a book published, but to keep the thrill going! Sarah Key on Facebook · Buy Veils of Smoke on Amazon

Adventurer and Mental coach Jo Rust circumnavigates Africa - SOLO Meet Jo Rust - World Record Holder. Author. Mental Health Activist. Jo Rust is the embodiment of the word 'gumption'! Which is what you'd need to ride around the whole African continent on 2 wheels - a woman alone with her motorsickle. Women over the decades have been blazing trails across the world, especially those women motorcycle riders. And now Adventure Travel queen Jo has put down her adventures of her record breaking circumnavigation of 45 000 kms through 28 countries - and the reasons why she tackles these mammoth treks - down in her first of hopefully many books, Woman Alone Around Africa. Buy the book today · Follow Jo on Facebook

Join Paige Nick (novelist, columnist and advertising copywriter) as we discuss what's worth reading and appreciating On South African authors, the art of short story writing, who's really who in the literary world, and what's worth listening to! Paige Nick has her finger on the pulse of words, how they're compiled and their meaning - and has piles to prove it! Share the joy on The Good Book Appreciation Society's Facebook page

How Heritage and the Past inform our Future In less than a century, the jumble of shabby tents and lean-tos that constituted Johannesburg's first settlement grew into a modern metropolis of towering office buildings and sprawling suburbs. This is the history of Johannesburg's rise compiled in one glorious picture book. Marc Latilla's research into the heritage of our strange City Of Gold brings new life to a city in transformation. Connect with Marc on LinkedIn

Pulp Non Fiction in Person — Highly effective reading habits of a Successful Reader Bronwyn Williams (Economist / Trend Analyst / Futurist) What insights can this voracious reader impart? Well - Listen Here! If you are at a loss as to what to read that can make your mind take a quantum leap into the future, Bronwyn Williams has a number of interesting insights that will yield quantifiable results! What is she reading? What is she writing about reading and books? Should one actually read...