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BC_Dittemore
Part of My Soul Went with Him | Winnie Mandela, Anne Benjamin, Mary Benson
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Halfway through Long Walk to Freedom I considered how hard Winnie Mandela‘s life must have been and how I would like to hear the story from her perspective.

It wasn‘t that long ago where I might not have gave Winnie much thought. But I have worked very hard to break the chains that have been put in place to imprison our curiosity and concern for ALL people‘s stories; work we all need to do. Unfortunately, I haven‘t found a copy of this yet.

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BC_Dittemore
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Pickpick

I was just 10 when Mandela was released from prison, so he‘s always been a name in the background for me. I was surprised to find that he was not above political violence if necessary, or working with communists. In many ways he seems a bit of an anomaly in the ‘Revered Figure Dept.‘

The storytelling is compelling, told simply, but engagingly. I particularly enjoyed the early sections about his childhood. And the language.

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Enchanted_Bibliophile
7 Days | Deon Meyer
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review
TorieStorieS
Blood Safari | Deon Meyer
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Mehso-so

Set in #SouthAfrica, this bodyguard thriller starts off a series with plenty of action. Lemmer‘s client recognized her brother on a TV but he‘s been presumed dead for 20 years. And soon it seems someone is after Emma as they start uncovering hidden truths. Abrupt transitions make the audio feel a little convoluted at times, & some of the relationship details feel rough… I couldn‘t connect with the characters enough to want to continue the series!

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Enchanted_Bibliophile
7 Days | Deon Meyer
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Pickpick

I read this in my native language, and really enjoyed it! Can't remember the last time I read Afrikaans.
Meyer has this gripping writing style with a lot of tension, drama and politics. Combined with very broken characters, only ever trying their best.
Adding to that; all of his books are set in one of my favourite places: Cape Town.
My only complaint is the fowl language.

45 likes2 comments
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Graywacke
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Pickpick

I love Deborah Levy. She's always a little absurd and it's always entertaining. This is her first of several memoirs, covering mainly her time in South Africa while her father was imprisoned for about five years for speaking against Apartheid, and then some of her time in England.

I want to read her other memoirs, but this will be the only one I listen to (free on audible). I didn‘t like the reader.

sarahbarnes I love her fiction. I now want to read her memoirs, too. 3w
youneverarrived Glad you liked it! I haven‘t read the 3rd of her memoirs yet but I liked the 2nd even more than this. 3w
Graywacke @sarahbarnes she‘s a favorite living author for me. @youneverarrived ooh! Good good! I‘m excited to read all of them. But no more audio. Hated the reader. 3w
sarahbarnes Same for me - she‘s definitely on my shortlist. 2w
55 likes1 stack add4 comments
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BC_Dittemore
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Normally, I don‘t pay particular attention to History Months, but this year I want to engage in some way with Black HM. So I perused my TBR and I think I have found the best way I can personally engage: Mandela‘s autobiography.

Already a few chapters in and I know it was the right choice. Perhaps (don‘t hold me to this) I will make it a theme for this year.

Funny how tr**mp‘s attempts to stifle history has made me want to do the opposite 🤔

LoverOfLearning It's important! I'm currently reading this one. 3w
BC_Dittemore @LoverOfLearning thanks for the rec! Looks like one that will fit right in on my TBR. 3w
LoverOfLearning @BC_Dittemore Yes, it's well done so far! 3w
12 likes3 comments
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Graywacke
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My new audio. This is the 1st of several memoirs - and it‘s free on audible. Writing is fun. (Reader is crappy - but not so bad that I can‘t tolerate her. I think Juliette Stephenson reads an edition. Maybe find that)

Deborah Levy writes about growing up in South Africa, her father imprisoned for speaking against Apartheid.

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BiblioLitten
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Pickpick

My dad passed on his love of coffee table books to me, especially the ones about food, homes, and travel. This one beautifully sums up all three.
This is on my to-buy list now! 🥙

Tamra I love this cookbook! 💙 1mo
BiblioLitten @Tamra I have already started gathering ingredients for Somalian Digaag Qumbe! The pictures are so inviting! 💙 1mo
Tamra @BiblioLitten if you have an international or African grocery nearby you can buy the Xawassh spice. If not, you can order it to. 😁 1mo
See All 6 Comments
BiblioLitten @Tamra The Xawassh spice is similar to a South Indian meat masala that I have. Berbere spice is what I couldn‘t find. I‘ll have to try it online. 1mo
Tamra @BiblioLitten yes, berbere is worth buying online if you can‘t access an East African grocery. I recommend storing it in the freezer - it will definitely keep longer. I buy it by the bag and you can use for multiple foods, not just for Ethiopian! 😋😋 1mo
BiblioLitten Nice! That‘s good to know!! Thank you 😊 1mo
42 likes6 comments
review
Kristy_K
Heavy is the Head | Sumaya Enyegue
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Pickpick

Powerful and moving. A great book of contemporary poetry.

#southafrica #readtheworld2025