Diane Awerbuck’s Facebook statuses are some of the funniest things I’ve ever read. Her short story, ‘Leatherman’, had me smiling (jealously) at its cleverness. She curated/edited/organized a collection of stories ‘the Ghost Eater and other stories’ that I have a short story in, and when I met her in person at the launch, she was… Continue reading Read Women Write 2014/15: Book 31: Diane Awerbuck – Home Remedies →

I’ve enjoyed speculative fiction for ages (even as far back as when it used to be called sci-fi) so it was really cool to find an anthology of it crafted by African writers. Plus – what a beautiful cover. This project will be the bankrupting of me I swear – African fiction writers have the… Continue reading Read Women Write 2014/15: Book 30 – Short Story Day Africa – Terra Incognita →

I play this new game when I go to book shops. If they don't have an 'Africana' or 'South African' section, I look at covers, and if they interest me, pick them up hoping that they'll be an African women writer. So few are. I think that's one of the things that has stood out… Continue reading Read Women Write 2014/15: Book 29: Zukiswa Wanner – London Cape Town Joburg →

I haven't read a book this gripping in ages. I started it on the way to work, on a train, on Monday morning. All day at work on Monday I thought about it, and then read it on the way home again. Tuesday morning, same deal. But Tuesday evening, I came home and got straight… Continue reading Read Women Write 2014/15: Book 28 – Paula Hawkins – The Girl on the Train →

Real people have complex lives. The ones who, from the outside, look as though they are enjoying idyllic stress-free existences are often the sources of the most conflict. It takes work to look fine all the time. That's often why love is such a respite - it's an opportunity to relax the guard we construct… Continue reading Read Women Write 2014/15: Book 27: Arja Salafranca: The Thin Line →