March at Exclusive Books opens with two powerful South African stories at its heart – the much anticipated in-store appearances by Benni on the 4th of March at the Mall of Africa and the 5th of March at Cavendish Square, plus the release of Rachel Kolisi’s deeply personal new memoir, Falling Forward, on the 12th of March 2026.
As one of South Africa’s most celebrated sporting figures, Benni McCarthy’s presence in stores this month is set to draw fans and readers alike. His enduring impact on South African football, combined with his inspiring leadership journey, makes this a standout literary and cultural moment for March. Exclusive Books is proud to host this significant event, celebrating resilience, excellence and the power of personal narrative.
Closely following this milestone is the release of Falling Forward by Rachel Kolisi (on sale 12 March 2026). In this intimate and motivational memoir, Rachel reflects on identity, reinvention and the courage required to move forward when life shifts unexpectedly. Honest and heartfelt, Falling Forward speaks to readers navigating change, growth and self-discovery – offering encouragement to embrace new chapters with confidence.
Beyond these headline moments, the Exclusive Books Recommends list for March features a rich and diverse selection of fiction and non-fiction:
Three Summers by Karen Swan – the Exclusive Books Feature Book of the Month – is a sweeping, emotionally layered story of love and life-changing decisions. Swan, an internationally bestselling author renowned for her evocative settings and compelling relationship-driven narratives, has built a loyal global readership through her richly atmospheric novels and much-loved seasonal backlist. With Three Summers, she once again delivers an immersive, heartfelt read that blends romance, family secrets and personal reinvention, making it a standout choice for readers seeking both escapism and emotional depth this March.
You & Me and You & Me and You & Me by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees is a sharp, contemporary exploration of relationships and connection, blending music, nostalgia and time travel into a poignant love story. The novel follows a long-married couple who discover that playing the mixtape cassettes they exchanged when they first fell in love transports them back to pivotal moments in their past, forcing them to confront the choices that shaped their lives – and the temptation to change them. As they revisit key turning points across decades of shared history, the story becomes a moving reflection on memory, regret and enduring love, with the cassette on the cover symbolising both the soundtrack of their relationship and the fragile thread linking past decisions to future possibilities.
Hooked by Asako Yuzuki – an atmospheric and unsettling novel examining ambition, appetite and obsession – comes from the internationally acclaimed author of the cult bestseller Butter. That earlier novel, inspired by a real-life Japanese murder case involving a woman who seduced men with her cooking, became a major critical and commercial success and was named Waterstones Book of the Year 2024, praised for its sharp social commentary and exploration of gender, consumption and desire. In Hooked, Yuzuki again delves into complex female relationships and the psychology of fixation, following a seemingly perfect woman whose life begins to unravel when an intense friendship turns dangerously obsessive. Building on the thematic concerns that made Butter such a global sensation – including loneliness, appetite and the pressures placed on modern women – this taut, provocative novel confirms Yuzuki’s reputation for incisive, unsettling literary fiction that lingers long after the final page.
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi is a warm, quietly powerful novel set in a small Southern town, centred on an ageing doctor who begins secretly leaving small paintings around the community, each one offering hope, reflection or healing to those who find them. As the anonymous artworks start to transform the lives of the town’s residents, the story unfolds as a deeply moving meditation on kindness, creativity and the unseen ways in which one person’s actions can ripple outward. Gentle yet profound, Levi’s novel celebrates community, compassion and the restorative power of art, making it a thoughtful and uplifting counterpoint to this month’s more high-intensity titles.
Mona’s Eyes by Thomas Schlesser – a moving meditation on beauty, memory and the transformative power of art – is a luminous literary novel that follows a young girl gradually losing her sight as she is introduced, painting by painting, to some of the greatest masterpieces in Western art. Guided by her grandfather, she embarks on an emotional journey through museums and galleries, where each artwork becomes a lens through which she learns to understand love, loss and the fragility of perception. Blending storytelling with reflections on art history, Schlesser creates an intimate, philosophical narrative about how art helps us see more deeply, even in the face of darkness, making this both a tender coming-of-age story and a profound tribute to the enduring human need for beauty and meaning.
Digging Deep by Jade Davenport – a powerful South African memoir of discipline, resilience and personal growth – offers a gripping inside look at the demanding world of professional cycling and the relentless mental and physical endurance required to compete at the highest level. Davenport chronicles her journey from determined young athlete to international competitor, sharing the sacrifices, setbacks and hard-won victories that shaped her career. Honest and deeply motivational, the memoir goes beyond sport to explore themes of perseverance, self-belief and reinvention, giving readers an inspiring portrait of what it truly takes to keep pushing forward when the road gets tough.
The Story of 702 by David Williams and Chris Gibbons with David Sak is a compelling chronicle of one of the country’s most influential radio stations and its place in South Africa’s democratic evolution.
In addition, Exclusive Books will celebrate a beloved children’s literary moment this March. On the 20th of March, Exclusive Books will host activities around The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day, celebrating Eric Carle’s classic tale that continues to delight children while nurturing early literacy and a lifelong love of books.
Throughout March, Exclusive Books will also run a special promotion on bestselling author Frieda McFadden’s backlist, with selected thriller titles available at R225 each. Known for her addictive, twist filled psychological suspense, McFadden’s novels have captivated readers worldwide, and with several of her most popular titles currently being developed for screen adaptation, she is firmly trending in
the Book-to-Screen space. This makes the promotion a timely opportunity for fans and new readers alike to discover — or revisit — the gripping stories that are generating buzz beyond the page.
With Easter approaching, Exclusive Books will also place a special focus on its range of books of faith throughout March. This curated selection will include inspirational devotionals, reflective spiritual reads and meaningful gift books, offering readers thoughtful resources for the season of renewal and reflection leading up to Easter.
To close off the month – Exclusive Books are highlighting books that are moving from page to screen or gaining new life through adaptations and wider media buzz – turns to three much-loved titles making waves beyond the page: Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, and the enduring children’s favourite The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen. From emotionally resonant contemporary fiction to big-concept science fiction and beloved picture-book storytelling, these selections celebrate stories that continue to capture readers’ imaginations across multiple formats and audiences.
March’s selection reflects Exclusive Books’ continued commitment to championing meaningful South African voices alongside outstanding international storytelling. These titles are available in-store and online at Exclusive Books nationwide. From transformative non fiction to award-winning storytelling, these books invite readers to build their reading superpower, deepening insight, sparking curiosity, and inspiring meaningful change.
Exclusive Books Recommends – Exclusive Books Online
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