Karina Author, Book, Event

The launch of GOOD HOPE by Nick Clelland

One month before our elections, on 29 April 2024, we are launching Good Hope. Nick Clelland‘s daring debut novel takes us on an imaginative journey to the heart of an unsettling alternative reality where the Western Cape is an independent country. The Good Hope Territory is entering its next elections cycle which could potentially unseat the governing party and see a new First Minister voted into power. On the surface of things, this is a well-functioning state with a booming economy. But at what cost? And what are the people vying for power prepared to sweep under the Mother City’s table cloth to achieve their goals?

Please join us for the launch of this fast-paced, intriguing novel that will make you see the present in a new light.

Nick will be in conversation with Refilwe Moloto.

Please note the venue: 6 Spin Street 

THE WESTERN CAPE IS NOW AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY.
SUCCESSFUL, SAFE,
MURDEROUS

Lisa Robinson has moved from Durban to Cape Town to be with Grant, the prospective next First Minister of the Good Hope Territory. The GHT is the safest and most prosperous country in the southern hemisphere – at a price. Citizens contract to be tracked by drones, executions are synchronised to the Noon Gun and only those with qualifications are permitted to vote in the Qualified Franchise system. Life here is picture-perfect. The Mother City is pristine. Everyone has a job. Tourism is booming. But this shiny new state has decided that Lisa is a problem, and problems here disappear quickly and quietly.

‘A riveting read and a scary glimpse into what happens when liberty is traded for order. Unputdownable.’ — GEORDIN HILL-LEWIS

Karina Author, Book, Event

The Algebra of Insignificance by Stephen Symons launched at Wordsworth Books Gardens

Being in a bookshop always makes me happy. Being in a bookshop while a poet is reading his work and discussing it with insight and care makes me extra happy. So when we gathered at Wordsworth Books Gardens at the end of a long, windy day to celebrate the launch of The Algebra of Insignificance by Stephen Symons the world immediately felt like a better place.

Stephen is one of the finest poets I know, and it is a great joy to work with him and to share his writing with other readers. He was in conversation with John Maytham, who asked all the right questions to allow the audience to get a real taste of what lies at the heart of Stephen’s creative process.

An audience member shared how he always marvels at Stephen’s ability to not only remain accessible, but to allow nearly each line of his poems to shine as a poetic gem in its own right. And so it is …

Half the city is drunk on the black liquor of February heat.

A wad of forgotten letters from which a type of longing germinates.

Two lovers inhale the scene
and unfurl their white flags of surrender
over each other’s salt-sticky flesh.

Day will eventually
beat its wings and become flight …

Thank you to Wordsworth Books Gardens for hosting the evening and for being so supportive of Stephen’s work and of so many other local writers! Thank you to Stephen and John for the conversation. And thank you to all who attended!

Far beyond the rummage of whitewater
the sail of a yacht argues with the wind,
rolling and pitching in hesitancy
as if about to make
a life-changing decision.

Happy poetry reading, Everyone!

Karina Author, Book, Event

Love, ghosts, stories, death and rooibos at The Book Lounge

Alex Latimer launched his brilliant short story collection, Love Stories for Ghosts, at The Book Lounge last night. Sam Wilson asked the questions, and there was no doubt how much the stories had moved him. The two authors spoke about the inspirations, facts and fictions behind the collection, and asked us to see the world in a different light, making us laugh in the process. We all face and fear death, but in his stories, Alex shows us that there are ways of thinking about death and grief that are astounding and life-affirming.

Thank you to Alex and Sam, to Guy Neveling whose stunning photographs illustrate the stories, to The Book Lounge, and to all humans and ghosts who attended!

Karina Author, Book, Event

Bad Luck Penny by Amy Heydenrych to be launched at The Book Lounge

Amy Heydenrych is visiting our beautiful Cape later this month, and we will be launching her latest novel, Bad Luck Penny, at The Book Lounge on 18 April. Amy will be in conversation with one of her Chasing Marian co-authors, Qarnita Loxton. A literary celebration awaits!

About the book:

IN THE WAKE OF HER beloved grandfather’s death, Lou and her family gather at their coastal family home for a long-awaited family reunion. The windswept and wild surroundings remind Lou of who she was before being a mother, a wife, and a professional failure. They bring back memories of Michael, her toxic first love and, according to the family, her ‘bad luck penny’. A shocking crisis in the country disrupts the funeral arrangements and forces the family together for longer than planned. As secrets rise to the surface, the threads of Lou’s life unravel and she faces a difficult choice – after all, it’s only a bad luck penny if you pick it up.

Karina Author, Book, Event

‘The Algebra of Insignificance’ by Stephen Symons to be launched at Wordsworth Books Gardens

“This poet is a gem,” says David Keplinger, and anyone who has ever encountered Stephen Symons’s poetry will understand the sentiment. The Algebra of Insignificance is as beautiful and intriguing as its title. Don’t miss this special launch at Wordsworth Books Gardens. Stephen will be in conversation with John Maytham. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Karina Author, Book, Event

Love Stories for Ghosts by Alex Latimer to be launched at The Book Lounge

Alex says: “If you’re in Cape Town on the 4th of April, come along to the launch of my first ever short story collection – Love Stories for Ghosts. (I normally make books for children, but this one isn’t.) I’ll be chatting to Sam Wilson and there’ll be wine for free and books for sale. I’m really very proud of this collection – I’ve been writing these stories over the past eight years and they’re fun and weird and sincere and often Death shows up with a cup of rooibos tea. Plus the stories are accompanied by some truly incredible photographs by Guy Neveling. Hope to see you there!”

Love Stories for Ghosts will make you think about the mystery of death, and it will make you delight in the beauty of life. Can’t wait to listen to Alex and Sam talk about this remarkable collection and its ghosts!

Karina Author, Book, Event

The Bitterness of Olives launched at Liberty Books

We launched The Bitterness of Olives by Andrew Brown at Liberty Books last night. Andrew always knew that it would be difficult to talk about his latest novel which is set at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but no one could have predicted just how topical the book would become. It was published in time for the Open Book Festival in early September, almost exactly a month before the 7th of October. Since then, the world the novel is set in has once again been completely shattered by violence and suffering. It has become even more fraught to discuss the novel in the context of our tragic present, but the way Christy Weyer and Andrew spoke about it last night was soul-restoring. Thank you both for your kindness, integrity and courage! Thank you for offering insight and gentleness at a time when both are deeply needed.

Thank you to all who attended, but especially to Karavan Press authors Lester Walbrugh and Joanne Hichens for your continued support!

Lester also baked fresh bread (best in the country!) for the occasion, and fittingly, we enjoyed it with olives. Thank you, Lester!

Lester also shared the good news with us that one of his stories from Let It Fall Where It Will has been turned into a short film which will premier in the new year, and that he has finished editing the first Afrikaans book that Karavan Press will publish, a memoir by Erika Viljoen!

Launching The Bitterness of Olives at Liberty Books was the perfect way to end a year of exciting book events. Thank you to Christy for being a champion of local literature, for inviting us to share our stories with the wonderful readers of Elgin and for leading the conversations that make us believe that what we do is meaningful to others.

Dear festive season travellers! If you are on the N2 in Grabouw, stop at Liberty Books for your holiday read fix. You will not regret it!