Central Library, Cape Town
Welcome to Central Library, Cape Town. We discuss the books we love (and hate). Here we highlight the fiction and non-fiction titles that we think deserve to be in the spotlight. Also check out our events! Central Library - books and so much more.
Wednesday, 30 March 2016
Book Review by Nomalungelo "Kufundwa Ngamava" Minazana Dana
This is a novel happening in the rural areas in the Eastern Cape in Qumbu. The two boys raised in one family are lucky to be educated as teachers but only one gets the job and the other goes to the army overseas. The novel talks of their experiences in their different careers. At the end they both quit teaching and the army and become business men who help the whole community.
Book Review by Nonkqubela "Good Morning Mr Mandela" by Zelda la Grange
It is a book about how Mandela was ill-treated by his own family. It reflects how his family didn’t recognise Graca’s marriage with him. It is full of untold stories about Mandela.
Book Review by Clayton D "An Imperfect Blessing" by Nadia Davids
The book is written by a Capetonian living in London. Didn’t enjoy
the book. Too much information written in a squatter style. Recommended to historical readers.
Book Review by Rouvaun "Thirteen Cents" by Sello K Duiker
Very short story but difficult to read. It is written
from the perspective of a 12 year old boy. Heart-breaking and graphic scenes.
The book gives a good insight of people living on the streets and how they
survive.
Book Review by Michelle "The Mall" by S.L Grey
Science Fiction horror, written by Sarah Lutz and Louis Greenberg. Part of a trilogy. Two narrators tell their stories. Rhoda, a junkie who loses a child at the mall – and Dan who works at the bookshop. While looking for the child they stumble into a parallel universe under the mall. Highly recommended.
Monday, 21 March 2016
21 MARCH - HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
Human Rights Day officially declared a public holiday in 1994
Picture by SABC |
THE SHARPEVILLE MASSACRE
On Monday, 21 March in 1960 police opened fire, without order, on a crowd that had gathered at the Sharpeville station to protest pass laws, stipulations that required Africans to carry books and produce them for law enforcement officials on request; 69 unarmed people were killed and another 180 were injured.
While little is known about what really sparked this tragic event, Joe Tlholoe, one of the nation's most acclaimed journalists who was a high school pupil at the time, recalled that the Pan Africanist Congress – under the leadership of Robert Sobukwe – appealed to all African men to take a stand against such a humiliating law, leave their pass books (also known as the dompas) at home, go to their nearest police station and demand to be incarcerated for not carrying the demeaning document. The police then, upon seeing the masses of people marching, opened fire on the crowd in a state of fear.
Today, the South African constitution protects individual rights, like the right to move freely without a pass book, with its inclusion of the Bill of Rights (only a supermajority of Parliament can influence any changes to the bill), and citizens are entitled to basic human dignity and more in the country’s current democracy.
BY CAPETOWNMAGAZINE.COM
Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Book Review by Elsa
Six
friends attend a music festival in the Cederberg. Only five come back. For her
seventeenth birthday Demi Crowley invites her five closest friends to join her
at a music festival for a party to end all parties. But what was supposed to be
the night of their lives soon becomes a nightmare none of them will ever
forget.
Monday, 14 March 2016
Book Review by Craig V "The Shining Girls" by Lauren Beukes
The Shining Girls is a sci-fi/thriller novel set in Chicago, following a time-travelling serial killer and his next supposed victim. He fails to kill her, and as he closes in to finish his job, she investigates him and hunts him back.
Saturday, 12 March 2016
Book Review by Chris "A Man of Good Hope" by Jonny Steinberg
The story of Asad Abdullahi from Somalia as told by the author. Asad’s escape during unrest in the 1990’s from his hometown, Mogadishu and ultimately settling in Blikkiesdorp in Cape Town. “What an adventure!” That’s how I would rephrase the title.
Friday, 11 March 2016
Wednesday, 9 March 2016
Book Review by Lindikhaya "Nervous Conditions" by Tsitsi Dangarembga
The story is told through the young lady, called
Tambu. What the writer is trying to do is to tell and narrate the suffering
that this young lady goes through. Cultural and racial oppression are some of
the problems she is faced with.
Book Review by Nabeweya "Thirteen Cents" by Sello K Duiker
Through
the eyes of Azure, a thirteen year old, Cape Town (The Real City) is
experienced quite graphically. Destruction is the order of the day!
Book Review by Deirdre "Cry the beloved country" by Alan Paton
A deeply moving, poignant and lyrical story of
forgiveness and hope that leaves a lasting impression. A worldwide success
since its publication in 1948, the novel has been filmed twice and turned into
a successful Broadway musical.
Book Review by Mario "Bidsprinkaan" by Andre Brink
A deceptively easy read. The novel focuses on a clash of cultures and the gradual oppression of a nation. It focuses on religion as a tool utilised to supress native populations. A deceptive biography. Awesome and highly recommended for adults.
Tuesday, 8 March 2016
Book Review by Craig F "Vatmaar" by A.M.H Scholtz
An
earthy, to the point tale of life in a coloured township in the early
1920’s. It has tragedy, some happiness
and feels true to life.
Book Review by Tania "The Mall" by S.L. Grey
The Mall, set in contemporary Johannesburg, is a disturbing adventure set in a shopping centre with a rotten secret. Rhoda has lost a child – literally misplaced him while she went to see her dealer. Dan may be the last person who has seen the boy. After closing time these two characters are drawn into a dangerous game that will change their lives forever. Warnings for profanity and a general feeling of, “okay…what just happened?”
Book Review by Kaylene "Apocalypse Now Now" by Charlie Human
Apocalypse Now Now, is set in modern day Cape Town, as well as a magical underground version of Cape Town. The book is about 16 year old Baxter, who is the leader of a pornography distribution ring at his school. The story starts with Baxter’s girlfriend, Esme, going missing. It goes on to explore the magical world, where time travel, being a Seer, and monsters are real. The book is very dark and fast paced.
Monday, 29 February 2016
Book Review by Mandla "The Xhosa" by Aubrey Elliott
This is about my culture. It reminds me of how I was raised in Transkei and the happy days of my childhood.
Friday, 26 February 2016
Book Review by Angela " Who next a guide to children's authors"
This is really a good book about children’s authors. It gives lists of
writers who write in a similar way. It’s easy to read and suitable for
14-year-olds.
Wednesday, 24 February 2016
Book Review by Nomalungelo "Turning trash into treasure" by Donve Lee
It’s a good book for art students when they are given a task to choose
from recycling material.
This book is available in the Reference Library
This book is available in the Reference Library
Tuesday, 23 February 2016
Monday, 22 February 2016
Book Review by Nonkqubela "Vanishing cultures of South Africa" by Peter Magubane
A very good book introducing anyone who is willing to know, to different cultures. I like the glossy pictures showing the beauty and the colours mixed/blended.
Friday, 19 February 2016
Book Review by Mariam " Afrikaans handbook & Study guide: an English student's guide to Afrikaans" by Beryl Lutrin
This is a fantastic book for the English student. It teaches you everything from how to write an essay to “modeling” etc. This book was a major help in my high school years and it is highly recommended.
Thursday, 18 February 2016
Book Review by Clayton D " Wild about Cape Town" by Duncan Butchart
A very good variety of animals and plants occur on and around the Cape Peninsula. This is a very easy colour-coded all-in-one guide depicting the commonly encountered wildlife of various habitats, including mountains, wetlands and beaches, and is very useful for hiking on Table Mountain and ambling along the shore. The animal and plant species are colour-coded so it’s easy to use and find what you are looking for. I recommend this book to all nature lovers.
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
Book Review by Aziza " New complete guide to sewing" by Reader's Digest
A never-fail Reader’s Digest offering; ideal for students doing fashion design and wanting to explore and experience the garment manufacture process.
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
Book Review by Aziza "Metric pattern cutting" by Winifred Aldrich
Ideal for students of fashion design. They get to make pattern drafts and then go on to style as desired.
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