South Africa has a rich literary history, but it hasn't always been representative. I feel very lucky to be editing a literary magazine at this point in South Africa's story. While we still have a long way to go, it's undeniably an exciting time to be in books. Our publishing industry is becoming more inclusive, … Continue reading South African Womxn Writers – Day 3: The Johannesburg Review of Books editor, Jennifer Malec, reflects
South African Womxn Writers – Day 2: Makhosazana Xaba – Writing on Black South African Women Poets, 2000 – 2018
ISBN: 9781869144128 Revisiting Our Words, Our Worlds: Writing on Black South African Women Poets, 2000 – 2018 edited by Makhosazana Xaba (GoodReads) I cannot myself To come to this country, my body must assemble itself into photographs and signatures. Among them they will search for me. I must leave behind all uncertainties. I cannot myself … Continue reading South African Womxn Writers – Day 2: Makhosazana Xaba – Writing on Black South African Women Poets, 2000 – 2018
A month of South African womxn writers – Day 1: Meet Jen Thorpe, this month’s editor
Hello! I'm Jen Thorpe, a South African novelist and feminist non-fiction writer. My First Time: Stories of Sex and Sexuality from Women Like You: GoodReads.The Peculiars: GoodReads.Feminism Is ISBN: 9780795708275. GoodReads.Living While Feminist ISBN: 9780795709418. GoodReads.The Fall ISBN: 9780795709579. GoodReads.The Peculiars and My First Time are currently out of print, but The Peculiars can be … Continue reading A month of South African womxn writers – Day 1: Meet Jen Thorpe, this month’s editor
Literature of Exile: Saying Farewell
I can't believe how quickly this month has passed! When I took on my guest editorship, I worried that I wouldn't find enough books and authors to promote, and I'm ending this month longing to promote dozens more. Thanks to all my readers for your comments and your enthusiasm. It is gratifying to know that … Continue reading Literature of Exile: Saying Farewell
#WorldKidLit Wednesday: A Winter’s Promise/ The Missing of Clairdelune
Set in a post-Rupture steampunk world, A Winter’s Promise and The Missing of Clairdelune by Christelle Dabos tell the story of Ophelia, a member of the Anima ark who can animate objects. Unassuming, clumsy, and shy, Ophelia has two major talents and life passions. First, she is a superb object “reader,” i.e., she can view … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: A Winter’s Promise/ The Missing of Clairdelune
Literature of Exile: Viet Thanh Nguyen and the Vietnamese Refugee Experience
Unlike some of the other exiles mentioned on this blog, the story of the Vietnamese refugees is generally well- known in the United States, since the US was so directly involved in creating the crisis. After the fall of Saigon, over 130,000 Vietnamese with ties to the South Vietnamese government or the United States, escaped … Continue reading Literature of Exile: Viet Thanh Nguyen and the Vietnamese Refugee Experience
Literature of Exile: Burundi’s Gaël Faye
I used to think I was exiled from my country. But, in retracing the steps of my past, I have understood that I was exiled from my childhood. Which seems so much crueler. Exile is always a profoundly traumatic experience. But what of those exiled twice? While the world is largely aware of the Rwandan genocide … Continue reading Literature of Exile: Burundi’s Gaël Faye
#WorldKidLitWednesday: The Sages of Chelm and the Moon
There was once a town filled with people so wise that a body of Jewish folklore developed around their wisdom. Except, of course, they weren’t wise at all. Indeed, they were absolutely, thigh-slappingly, heart-stoppingly foolish—which is where much of the fun lies in the Chelm stories.* In The Sages of Chelm and the Moon**, Shlomo … Continue reading #WorldKidLitWednesday: The Sages of Chelm and the Moon
#WorldKidLitWednesday: The Visitor
Elise is scared of everything, even trees, so she never ventures out. Her house is spotless and totally devoid of color until the day a pale blue paper airplane flies through an open window, bringing with it a shaft of light from the outside world. Then Emil, a young boy dressed in bright red and … Continue reading #WorldKidLitWednesday: The Visitor
#WorldKidLitWednesday: Do Fish Sleep?
Originally an award-winning play for children, Do Fish Sleep? is a heartbreakingly matter-of-fact look at death for middle grade readers from the perspective of Jette, a 10-year-old whose little brother, Emil, dies during the course of the book. Unsurprisingly, she and Emil are both puzzled about what happens to people after they die—animals, too. When … Continue reading #WorldKidLitWednesday: Do Fish Sleep?
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 