Here is a selection of quick reviews to help with your holiday reading or book gift choices.
For adults only
Book: Mate
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Hazelwood’s first novel is headed for the big screen next year but the spicy writer has diverged a long way from her STEMinist roots with this offering.
This is the follow-up to Bride, Hazelwood’s vampire romance novel. In Mate, Serena, the half-werewolf best friend of vampyre (yes, that’s how she spells it) Misery, tangles with her unexpected mate.
If you like brawny, brooding alpha-male romance heroes, who treat their soulmates like vermin to hide their pesky unwanted emotions, then you may like this book.
Spice level: Habanero
Book: Merry Christmas You Filthy Animal
Author: Meghan Quinn
This book has a bit of quirk and is on the cutesy side. If you like your rom with lots of corny com, you may enjoy this book.
Spice level: Habanero
Book: Holiday Ever After
Author: Hannah Grace
She of original Wattpad fame, Hannah Grace, moves away from her university hockey staple and heads into small town romance with this topsy turvy serving. Holiday Ever After is a misunderstood Goliath falls for David scenario, but Goliath is a woman called Clara this time around and she represents big greedy corporate who have screwed over small business. Not like Grace’s usual fair but it delivers all the genre’s expected tropes.
Spice level: Habanero
MORE ROMANCE REVIEWS: Local authors publish SA-flavoured romances
For serious readers
Book: On The Railway
Author: David Williams
Tafelberg’s local historical look at South Africa’s rail system might entice more serious readers. The book is part memoir as Williams includes stories from his own experience as a railway child.
The history of the rail system touches on other aspects of South African history and Williams seamlessly weaves this into the narrative without losing steam, pardon the pun.
This book is also available in Afrikaans.
For the adventurous
Book: Wild Swimming in the Western Cape
Author: Serai Dowling
In this follow-up to the best-selling Tidal Pools of the Western Cape, Dowling explores wild swimming spots in the Cape Peninsula.
If you have out of town guests visiting and you want to show them some good outdoorsy fun, or you’re just your average urban adventurer, then you’ll find this book very useful.
This book provides details on more than a hundred swimming spots, including how safe it is, what gear is needed and what amenities are available. Packed with gorgeous images, this book will make you itch to get outdoors.
For children
Book: How to Be A Viking
Author: Cressida Cowell
Long before Hiccup was riding Toothless across a Dreamworks screen, he was a hapless character with unexpected wisdom in Cowell’s expansive book series.
In this picture book, a very young Hiccup once again finds he is the answer to his toxically masculine tribe’s problems as they venture out to sea in horrendously rough waters.
Book: Princess Paris Finds Her Purpose
Author: Demi-Leigh Tebow
This charming little book is about a puppy princess who ventures out for royal duties. She believes that the trip has been an abysmal failure until her parents tell her otherwise.
This book is a cute take on the old adage that it’s not how you look but how you behave that is the true measure of character.
MORE BOOK REVIEWS: Book review of author Roslynne Toerien’s newest books
Book: Libo and the leopard
Author: Emily Child
Small niche publisher Imagnary House has printed this conservationally-themed storybook about a boy named Libo who dreams of being a royal river paddler. One night he finds a leopard caught in a trap and saves it. Award-winning publisher Imagnary House has printed this book in partnership with several conservation trusts.
Free audio book versions are available in English and Lozi.
MORE REVIEWS FOR THIS PUBLISHER: Review of rhyming children’s book of Ode to the River
For the tweens
Book: Doom of the Darkwing
Author: Cressida Cowell
This Cowell offering is for tweenaged children who are still getting comfortable with chapter books. Packed with non-stop action, humour and quirky illustrations, the always overlooked hero Hiccup once again has to buck the trend to save the day.
For adolescents
Book: Fake Skating
Author: Lynn Painter
Painter’s adolescent romances have a sweet allurement that have hooked me since her debut. This is Painter’s fifth teen romcom and it still delivers on the magic.
Fake Skating is both a best-friends-lovers and enemies-to-lovers story, hinging on a fake relationship trope. It also a nerd-meets-jock sports romance. Yet, the story remains unpredictable and cute.
Spice level: Salt
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