Enter the Allaboutwriting monthly writing challenge. The best entry wins a R200(or equivalent) book voucher to be spent at the independent bookshop of your choice. The title of your short story is Ms Antoine’s Dark Encounter. Now write 250 words, deploying as many of your senses as you can both in your descriptions and your dialogue. Write … Continue reading »
Here is a wonderfully detailed and thought provoking Q an A with Geoff Klaas of Collectors Treasury – a blog post that straddles both our series on best-known and most loved independent book shops and our publishing series. Whether you are looking for a little inspiration for your reading list or some fierce debate on the state of the book … Continue reading »
Boekehuis, the Johannesburg bookshop that was always more than a bookshop, has finally closed its doors, despite the anguished protests of the city’s booklovers. We felt it would be wrong to delete Boekehuis from our list of independent book shops so instead here is a final blog post dedicated to Boekehuis, and to Corina van der Spoel … Continue reading »
We have got good news and bad news as far as books go in Johannesburg. As supporters of independent book shops we were saddened by the closure of Boekehuis, a wonderful bookstore to browse, peopled by knowledgable and helpful staff. We believe it to be a short-sighted decision. Boekehuis, in Auckland Park, has been a haven for … Continue reading »
New York psychologist, Christopher Bayer on the joys of living in a neighbourhood that boasts two wonderful bookstores. I live in a wonderful section of Manhattan in the heart of New York City’s Upper East Side known as Carnegie Hill, affectionately named after Andrew Carnegie, one of America’s leading 19th Century industrialists (steel) and philanthropists. The … Continue reading »
Margaret Renn stumbles upon a sanctuary while on a whirlwind trip to Lagos. The Jazzhole, oasis of calm in the crazy, crazy city that is Lagos. This is a music shop, book shop and cafe and distinctly good at all three. The music collection is vast, concentrating as the name suggests on jazz. It has … Continue reading »
The End of the Affair Here’s a real little challenge. Writing a clear and accurate description of action – particularly when it’s complex – is one of the more difficult challenges writers face. Before you begin, here are a few thoughts on the subject from one of the greatest writing teachers of the last half … Continue reading »
Image courtesy of Lizzy’s Literary Life – a wonderful blog about reading. Read Lizzy’s blog post about her Booker reading programme.
Raleen Bagg who recently won the R200 book voucher for the 250-word writing exercise chose to spend it at the Hospice Book Shop in Johannesburg. Here is a Q&A with bookshop manager Pippa Hughes. Where are you situated? We are situated at Hospice Corner on the corner of Louis Botha and 9th street, Orange Grove. We have a large and … Continue reading »
By Richard Beynon My favourite bookstore in all the world is one I’ve only visited once – and am unlikely ever to visit again. The store in question is Island Books, on Mercer Island, Washington – and my experience is this. I am a keen student of teen literature. Some of the most authentic writing … Continue reading »
