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Exclusive Books Recommends September: Some Books are Keepers

These are the books that, on closing the last page, the characters have become friends, and their stories part of your life. So much so, that you can’t bear to leave them just yet.  These are the books you shelve for rereading later, or even just to have the story and characters close for a little while longer.

Exclusive Books EBR features various titles that we think will become ‘keepers’:

There are Rivers in the Sky
Elif Shafak
Exclusive Books
Roelia ReadsElif Shafak’s There are Rivers in the Sky

From the Booker Prize finalist author of The Island of Missing Trees, an enchanting new tale about three characters living along two rivers, all under the shadow of one of the greatest epic poems of all time. Reminiscent of Abraham Verghese’s Covenant of Water, and also a simply dazzling feat of storytelling, There Are Rivers in the Sky entwines these outsiders with a single drop of water, a drop which remanifests across the centuries. Both a source of life and harbinger of death, rivers—the Tigris and the Thames—transcend history, transcend fate: “Water remembers. It is humans who forget.” This is likely to become a permanent treasure on your bookshelf.

Matt Haig’s The Life ImpossibleThe Life Impossible
Matt Haig Exclusive Books
Exclusive Books

This is definitely ‘something different’ which may not be for everyone, but it is another remarkable next novel from Matt Haig, the author of #1 New York Times bestseller The Midnight Library. Centred on Ibiza, the story features a retired Maths teacher Grace, her old friend Cristina, the beauty of the island, extra-terrestrials, goats, lizards and Christina’s family. Filled with wonder and wild adventure, this is a story of hope and the life-changing power of a new beginning. “What looks like magic is simply a part of life we don’t understand yet…”

The Dark WivesThe Dark Wives
Ann Cleeves
Exclusive Books is the next thrilling mystery in the Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling series from Ann Cleeves.

Who doesn’t love the large, shabby and curmudgeonly DI Vera Stanhope flexing her detective muscle in the wilds of atmospheric Northumberland? When a body is found on the common outside Rosebank, an isolated care home for troubled teens, DI Vera is called out to investigate. But besides just one murder, it seems that there are dark secrets in their community – ones that may be far more dangerous than she could ever have believed . . .

Jodi Picoult 
By Any Other Name
Exclusive BooksMany fans have swathes of Piccoult books on their shelves already, and this one is a worthy addition to the collection.

By Any Other Name is about two women, centuries apart—one of whom is the real author of Shakespeare’s plays—and who are both forced to hide behind another name to make their voices heard. In 1581, Emilia Bassano—like most young women of her day—is allowed no voice of her own. In the present, playwright Melina Green has just written a new work inspired by the life of her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano. Told in intertwining narratives, this sweeping tale of ambition, courage, and desire asks what price each woman is willing to pay to see their work live on—even if it means they will be forgotten. Powerful historical fiction from a master storyteller.

Amongst the non-fiction titles on Exclusive Books Recommends for September are numerous goodies you’ll want to save for at least another read (or two):

Beeld 50 – Erika de BeerBeeld 50 Erika de Beer Exclusive Books

Die afgelope halfeeu het meer as 15 000 uitgawes van Beeld verskyn met derduisende stories in woord en beeld. Regdeur hierdie 50 jaar is ’n mantra in die redaksie: “Slaan die groot storie hard.” In Beeld 50 vertel dié geliefde koerant se joernaliste hoe hulle juis dit gedoen het deur die dekades en wat hulle steeds bybly van daardie ervaring.

Bok to Bok by Mike GreenwayFour world champions. Three priceless points. Two cups back-to back. One phenomenal journey.

In this timely follow-up to The Fireside Springbok, Bok to Bok by Mike Greenway details the electrifying Springbok campaign at the 2024 Rugby World Cup. Featuring Mike Greenaway’s analysis as well as the words from various Springbok Team Players and Coaches, perfectly complemented by the images of Steve Haag and other photographers. Dive into the heart of a team that plays not just to win, but to unite and inspire a nation.

The Art of War and Peace, by David Kilcullen and Greg MillsThe Art of War and Peace, by David Kilcullen and Greg Mills
Exclusive Books

Can peace, mutual respect and democracy survive, or are we destined to a new permanent chaos in which authoritarians and populists thrive? Based on their decades of experience as policy advisors in conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Colombia and across Africa, and on recent fieldwork in Israel, Ukraine, Ethiopia and Taiwan, the authors analyse the nature of modern war, considering both large-scale, high-intensity state-on-state conflicts as well as limited-objective, irregular, low-intensity conflicts that often include both inter- and intra-state dimensions. Weighing up past lessons, present observations and predictions about the future, The Art of War and Peace explores how wars can be won on the battlefield and how that success can be translated into a stable and enduring peace.

From a children’s book perspective – there are so many worthy hold-onto-forever books for the 0–6-year-olds:

Once Upon a HippoAfrican Stories: Once Upon a Hippo
Ken Wilson-Max
Exclusive Books, written by the award-winning Ken Wilson-Max and illustrated by Zinelda McDonald is inspired by traditional African stories. Once upon a time, Hippo had lots and lots of hair. Until, one very hot day, a SPARK from the campfire catches the end of her hairy tail! Find out WHY Hippo has no fur in this vibrant animal adventure. A vibrant animal adventure perfect for curious little ones.

Also available in the African Stories series: Once Upon an Elephant, Once Upon a Lion, Once Upon a Giraffe and Once Upon a Zebra.

Mama’s Sleeping Scarf, by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieMama’s Sleeping Scarf, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Exclusive Books

The first children’s book from the best-selling author of We Should All Be Feminists and Americanah comes a tender story about a little girl’s love for her mother’s scarf, and the adventures she shares with it and her whole family. With stunning illustrations from Joelle Avelino, Mama’s Sleeping Scarf is a celebration of family, and a touching story about the everyday objects that remind us of the
ones we love.

My First Book of the Big Five

Do you know how a lioness picks up her cub? And have you seen a rhino’s sharp horn? Come and meet the Big Five. Toddlers and little ones learn about the famous SA Big Five in an appealing photographic board book. Also available in Afrikaans.

Stories for Seven Year Olds
Enid Blyton
Exclusive BooksFor slightly older readers, Stories for Seven Year Olds, by Enid Blyton is a collection of short stories perfect for children aged seven from one of the world’s best loved storytellers.

This exciting collection is brimming with adventure and magic. These traditional tales are ideal for younger children being read to and for newly confident readers to read alone. Each story stands alone and is the perfect length for reading at bedtime or in the classroom.

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This information was provided via Media Release from Exclusive Books