Category Archives: Books

Sky Guide Africa South 2019

Posted on October 31, 2018 by moirads

There are probably few astronomy books which are as suitable for me as the annual Sky Guide Africa South.  This little annual, now in its 73rd incarnation, covers every astronomical event which will be taking place in the coming year … Continue reading →

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The Woman in the Blue Cloak

Posted on October 15, 2018 by moirads

The latest offering from Deon Meyer is a novella, The Woman in the Blue Cloak. Set, as usual, in Cape Town, our hero, Captain Benny Griessel, takes on a top-priority murder of an American/English tourist. The storyline spans the centuries, … Continue reading →

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Succulents (Book Reveiw)

Posted on August 18, 2018 by moirads

Title: Field Guide to Succulents in Southern Africa Authors: Gideon F Smith(Author), Neil R Crouch(Author), Estrela Figueiredo(Author) Photographers: Mostly authors Cartographers: Authors Publisher: Struik Nature, imprint of PenguinRandomHouse Year: 2017 Format: Paperback 464 pages Genre: Non-fiction:  Flora ISBN: 9781775843672 With … Continue reading →

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Ratels on the Lomba (book review)

Posted on August 17, 2018 by moirads

In the words of Lewis Carrol in 1865: ’You are old, Father William’, the young man said … I feel old, at least as old as Father William, when I read or hear stories of the war fought on the … Continue reading →

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Monkey tales, Nicko by Penny Haw

Posted on December 14, 2017 by moirads

I have a fairly strong preference for books set in South Africa, about South African things.  I was raised on an almost exclusive diet of British books and am so glad that young people today have so many local stories … Continue reading →

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Wonder, a story of hope and triumph

Posted on December 13, 2017 by moirads

Wonder is a children’s novel by R J Palacio, the pen name of Raquel Jaramillo.  It was originally published in 2012, but has been re-released in 2017 to coincide with the release of the movie of the same name based … Continue reading →

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A kid calendar which might tempt adults to keep it

Posted on December 5, 2017 by moirads

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid book written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney for young people in the later years of primary and the first year of high school has spawned a whole range of sequels and other products, one … Continue reading →

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Landy’s New Home

Posted on November 29, 2017 by moirads

While Veronica Lamond was born in Durban, South Africa, she lives in Cornwell in England, where Land Rover vehicles are made.  Land Rover owner/drivers are usually fiercely fond of their vehicles and it is almost more a lifestyle than transport.  … Continue reading →

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I Wonder Who?

Posted on November 29, 2017 by moirads

I Wonder Who? is a nature book for very young children.  It is available in both English and Afrikaans (pity not in any other South African languages yet). Written and illustrated by Kerryn Ponter, a mother and freelance artist, this … Continue reading →

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Field Guide to Succulents – review

Posted on October 24, 2017 by moirads

Title: Field Guide to Succulents in Southern Africa Authors: Gideon F. Smith, Neil R. Crouch, Estrela Figueiredo Publisher: Struik Nature Year: May 2017 Format: Paperback Pages: 464 Recommended Selling Price: R350 ISBN 978 1775843672 Those of us who were born … Continue reading →

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