Liz Between The Lines

I’m not even being hyperbolic when I say this is the best book emhlabeni (this year). Kin is a thoughtfully written narrative that follows the lives of Annie and Vernice (Niecy) as they navigate through their lives as black children turned young adults, moving into adulthood in 1950s/60s America. The book is one of friendship, which is precisely what God brought us onto this earth for, if you ask me. Niecy herself, in convincing Annie that there is a God, uses the fact that they were placed in the same cradle as kids as evidence.  Annie and Niecy follow completely different paths after leaving their hometown but their bond, thicker than blood, holds them together no matter how far apart. In one of her letters, Niecy apologises for sharing Annie’s business but explains that she simply could not explain who she was without explaining who Niecy was and that’s — KIN!!!! One of my favourite things about Kin is the unwavering nature of all the characters, no matter the consequence. ...

September has been the busiest month in a while in the SA bookish industry and let me tell you, I am having a time! The first event was Lola Akinmade Akerstrom's evening at Exclusive Books in Hyde Park where we discussed Bitter Honey with the ever so talented Cheeky Natives. I've actually never read any of her books but when an acclaimed international author with credentials from my trusted reviewers is in town, I have no choice but to honour the invite. The event was basically clash of the book clubs, and I love any excuse to see my Prose & Icons girlies. Immediately   on the day after, we sat intimately at Love Books in Melville with Yewande Omotoso launching Krystle Zara Appiah's Half Lives. Krystle is a well of talent and I cannot wait to get into her latest!  My favourite of the three nights has to be Selali Fiamanya's evening at Artistry on the 8th. Dr. Alma and Adv. Letlhogonolo yet again blessed us with a Cheeky eve ning, discussing one of the best debuts I ...

  When I think Historical Fiction, I’m afraid my immediate thoughts jump to the  Kirstin Hannahs Rating: 4 🌟  and Kate Quinns of this world, which while I have read a few (heavy on the few), I cannot say I quite enjoy. It then goes without saying that when Homegoing was winning all the awards in the latter half of the 2010s, I did not feel the nudge to engage. Though I must add that my genre of choice was primarily psychological thrillers at the time. Now I’m not sure if it’s age or whatever they say about the cerebral cortex developing, but I’ve been gravitating a lot towards historical fiction lately. Tebs gifted me a copy of Homegoing as a parting gift when I changed jobs and I am rather ashamed to only discover now, how well Yaa Gyasi’s coat of accolades fits - not that I had any doubts before. I also cower when I realise how little I know on African History beyond the little borders of South Africa, so I am grateful for the pieces I can pick up in fiction. (Unrelat...