Farewell Boekehuis
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 … Read more
Book News
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 … Read more
Enriching Contrasts…..Opportunities
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 … Read more
The Jazzhole – Lagos, Nigeria
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 … Read more
250 Word Writing Challenge
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 … Read more
Love Books Booker Evening
Image courtesy of Lizzy’s Literary Life – a wonderful blog about reading. Read Lizzy’s blog post about her Booker reading programme.
Hospice Bookshop, Orange Grove, Johannesburg
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 … Read more
Island Books, Mercer Island, Washington
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 … Read more
Winner of the 250 word writing exercise
We had a fabulous response to our most recent writing exercise. Thank you everyone for all the entries and congratulations to Raleen Bagg who wins the R200 book voucher which she has chosen to spend at the Hospice Book Shop in Johannesburg. Read the winning entry below as well as in no particular order some … Read more
Midland Book Shop, New Delhi
by Christine Pemberton in New Delhi Books are one of my passions, and are one of India’s great bargains. When you combine all that into a book-shop that is crammed with all the latest books and gives a great discount – what more could you ask? Midland Book Shop in New Delhi’s Aurobindo Place has … Read more
