Up to no good.

The rational, intelligent, practical side of me knows that books aren't living, breathing, feeling things. Of course not, that's ridiculous!

But the other part of my brain, the part that loves books like my own family, refuses to believe that.

That's why when I see my book keeping company with some of my favourite author friend's books, in stores like Exclusives at Canal Walk, it makes me happy.

Looks like trouble to me

At least I know that when the lights go out at night and the store is closed, my little book will be well looked after, will have interesting conversations and will probably learn a thing or two.

Although I would imagine that this lot together would more than likely be up to no good at all.

If you haven't read any of these let me give you a heads up:

The Big Stick by Richard de Nooy is just out. It's heeee-fucking-larious and right up my alley. I loved it. It's dark and funny. It's set in Amsterdam, and it's about a rather naive South African mom from the Kalahari who goes to Amsterdam to dig a little deeper into the murky circumstances surrounding her son's death. 

The way De Nooy's written the South African accents is fantastic, and had me and my family saying 'Pliss man' a lot these holidays. I give it five stars and highly recommend it.

Young Blood, by Sifiso Mzobe is also fantastic, but you don't have to take my word for it. It won the Sunday Times Literary Award in 2011, among others. It's a highly acclaimed, dark and gritty tale of a young blood, growing up in a Durban township. One helluva read.

And certainly not to be left out, Bom Boy, to the right of me up there, by Yewande Omotose, is just astonishing. It's poetic, and lyrical and a truly beautiful African tale. Definitely in my top ten most favourite books of 2011. I fell in love with the main character Leke in a big way.

Thank you Exclusive Books, Canal Walk, for putting my baby in such wonderful company.