Podcast appearances and mentions of lesley beake

On People of Note this week, brought to you by Pieter Toerien Productions, my guest will be the children's author Lesley Beake, whose latest book is called The Time Trackers and tells the story of the child Tana who lives in the Tankwa Karoo. The book is brought alive with illustrations by Michael Pattison and expert input by archeologist Emily Hallinan. Lesley began writing when she was 6 and now has over a hundred of her books published.

Fine Music Radio — We begin with a memoir, reviewed by Vanessa Levenstein, titled Undeniable – Memoirs of a covert war, written by Phillippa Garson. It’s her riveting account of working as a journalist during the early 1990s in South Africa. Melvyn Minnaar found the world of art worth a detailed visit in William Feaver’s The Lives of Lucien Freud: Youth 1922-1968, and Leanne Voysey regales us with her thoughts on Felicity McLean’s debut novel, The van Apfel Girls are Gone. Beverley Roos-Muller remains loyal to one of her favourite writers, Martin Cruz Smith and gives us her take on The Siberian Dilemma, and Philp Todres brings rhinos centre stage with Remembering Rhinos, part of the Remembering Wildlife series of four books by Margot Ragget. Seasoned ornithologist Rob Little recommends Rupert Watson’s Peacocks & Picathartes, Reflections on Africa’s birdlife, for those who’d like to stay in touch with the wonders of our truly rich African bird diversity, and Beryl Eichenberger spoke to Hedi Lampert, author of The Trouble with my Aunt, uncovering family secrets discovered during a real life journey with Fragile X syndrome. Finishing our monthly offering, Lesley Beake encourages us to look where the books for the very young are found for something to delight, and suggests four of author and illustrator Chris Houghton’s very best.

We begin with a memoir, reviewed by Vanessa Levenstein, titled Undeniable – Memoirs of a covert war, written by Phillippa Garson. It's her riveting account of working as a journalist during the early 1990s in South Africa. Melvyn Minnaar found the world of art worth a detailed visit in William Feaver's The Lives of Lucien Freud: Youth 1922-1968, and Leanne Voysey regales us with her thoughts on Felicity McLean's debut novel, The van Apfel Girls are Gone. Beverley Roos-Muller remains loyal to one of her favourite writers, Martin Cruz Smith and gives us her take on The Siberian Dilemma, and Philp Todres brings rhinos centre stage with Remembering Rhinos, part of the Remembering Wildlife series of four books by Margot Ragget. Seasoned ornithologist Rob Little recommends Rupert Watson's Peacocks & Picathartes, Reflections on Africa's birdlife, for those who'd like to stay in touch with the wonders of our truly rich African bird diversity, and Beryl Eichenberger spoke to Hedi Lampert, author of The Trouble with my Aunt, uncovering family secrets discovered during a real life journey with Fragile X syndrome. Finishing our monthly offering, Lesley Beake encourages us to look where the books for the very young are found for something to delight, and suggests four of author and illustrator Chris Houghton's very best.

Fine Music Radio — Vanessa Levenstein could not contain her excitement at getting her hands on Hamnet, by one of her favourite authors, Maggie O’ Farrell. Melvyn Minnaar calls The Lost Pianos of Siberia by Sophy Roberts, “a glorious travelogue with a difference”, and Beryl Eichenberger reviewed A Daughter’s Tale by Arnando Lucas Correa, in which seven decades of secrets unravel with the arrival of a box of letters from the distant past. Beverley Roos-Muller grappled with her views on the much anticipated third in trilogy The Mirror and the Light, by Hilary Mantel, and Philp Todres was impressed with Jonathan Safran Foer’s ability to give a personal and emotive voice to climate change in his latest offering, We are the Weather. John Hanks calls Warwick and Michele Tartboton’s A guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa, “one of the best illustrated field guides anywhere in the world”, and Lesley Beake suggests two good reads for the 10-12 year old age group, Tiger Heart by Penny Chrimes and Mirror Magic by Claire Fayers.

Vanessa Levenstein could not contain her excitement at getting her hands on Hamnet, by one of her favourite authors, Maggie O' Farrell. Melvyn Minnaar calls The Lost Pianos of Siberia by Sophy Roberts, “a glorious travelogue with a difference”, and Beryl Eichenberger reviewed A Daughter's Tale by Arnando Lucas Correa, in which seven decades of secrets unravel with the arrival of a box of letters from the distant past. Beverley Roos-Muller grappled with her views on the much anticipated third in trilogy The Mirror and the Light, by Hilary Mantel, and Philp Todres was impressed with Jonathan Safran Foer's ability to give a personal and emotive voice to climate change in his latest offering, We are the Weather. John Hanks calls Warwick and Michele Tartboton's A guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa, “one of the best illustrated field guides anywhere in the world”, and Lesley Beake suggests two good reads for the 10-12 year old age group, Tiger Heart by Penny Chrimes and Mirror Magic by Claire Fayers.

Beverley Roos-Muller gave considerable thought to her choice of books this month, and has even themed her contribution. No prizes for guessing the topical theme, but there may well be a prize for listening closely to her reviews of The Body: a guide for occupants, by Bill Bryson and Plague, Pox and Pandemics by Howard Phillips. Vanessa Levenstein was duly impressed by Chanel Miller's Know my name, the memoir of the woman previously known as Emily Doe, who was at the centre of a much publicized rape case in the US. Melvyn Minnaar highly recommends Apeirogon by Colm McCann which he describes as “truly uplifting”, giving “hope amid our and all division”, while Penny Lorimer provides our monthly dose of thrillers with Blood Will Be Born by Gary Donnelly and Three hours by Rosamund Lupton. John Hanks gives his sweeping view of Birds of Southern Africa and their tracks and signs, by Lee Gutteridge, and Beryl Eichenberger stays with flying things but takes us across continents with The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri. Prepare to fasten your seat belts for Philp Todres' interview with Damian Barr as they discuss the author's latest novel You will be safe here. Philip calls it a “rough but riveting ride”, that transports the reader back to Boer War era South Africa. Lesley Beake brings to the table her inspired choice for younger readers, both Tiger themed: The tiger who came to tea, written and illustrated by Judith Kerr, republished in 2018, and Tiger Walk by Dianne Hofmeyr, illustrated by Jesse Hodgson.

Fine Music Radio — Beverley Roos-Muller gave considerable thought to her choice of books this month, and has even themed her contribution. No prizes for guessing the topical theme, but there may well be a prize for listening closely to her reviews of The Body: a guide for occupants, by Bill Bryson and Plague, Pox and Pandemics by Howard Phillips. Vanessa Levenstein was duly impressed by Chanel Miller’s Know my name, the memoir of the woman previously known as Emily Doe, who was at the centre of a much publicized rape case in the US. Melvyn Minnaar highly recommends Apeirogon by Colm McCann which he describes as “truly uplifting”, giving “hope amid our and all division”, while Penny Lorimer provides our monthly dose of thrillers with Blood Will Be Born by Gary Donnelly and Three hours by Rosamund Lupton. John Hanks gives his sweeping view of Birds of Southern Africa and their tracks and signs, by Lee Gutteridge, and Beryl Eichenberger stays with flying things but takes us across continents with The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri. Prepare to fasten your seat belts for Philp Todres’ interview with Damian Barr as they discuss the author’s latest novel You will be safe here. Philip calls it a “rough but riveting ride”, that transports the reader back to Boer War era South Africa. Lesley Beake brings to the table her inspired choice for younger readers, both Tiger themed: The tiger who came to tea, written and illustrated by Judith Kerr, republished in 2018, and Tiger Walk by Dianne Hofmeyr, illustrated by Jesse Hodgson.

It's time for another edition of Bookchoice on Fine Music Radio, it being the first Monday of the month of love, and we're broadcasting from the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town. I'm Cindy Moritz, and as usual we have a diverse and interesting selection of reading for booklovers around Cape Town, or if you're streaming online, wherever it is you're listening. Melvyn Minnaar fell under the influence of acclaimed Nigerian author Chigozie Obioma's An Orchestra of Minorities. Beverley Roos-Muller applauds Sir Salman Rushdie's latest novel, Quichotte (pronounced Key-Shot), loosely based on the classic Don Quixote story, and which was shortlisted for the Booker last year. Philip Todres spoke to John Matisonn about his new book, released in December, titled Cyril's Choices, Lessons From 25 Years of Freedom in South Africa, and Penny Lorimer discovered Canadian author Louise Penny with her most recent, A Better Man, and also read A Death In The Medina by James Von Leyden. John Hanks found value in Grant Fowld and Graham Spence's Saving the last Rhino and Beryl Eichenberger regales us with her views on Fiona Niell's Beneath the surface as well as Kate Furnivall's Guardian of Lies. Phillippa Cheifitz delved into the Africa Cookbook by owner of The Africa Café's Portia Mbau and Lesley Beake perceives the shift in teen reading with The choice between us by Edyth Bullbring, Singing down the Stars by Nerine Dorman and, The Music Box by Toby Bennett.

Fine Music Radio — It’s time for another edition of Bookchoice on Fine Music Radio, it being the first Monday of the month of love, and we’re broadcasting from the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town. I’m Cindy Moritz, and as usual we have a diverse and interesting selection of reading for booklovers around Cape Town, or if you’re streaming online, wherever it is you’re listening. Melvyn Minnaar fell under the influence of acclaimed Nigerian author Chigozie Obioma’s An Orchestra of Minorities. Beverley Roos-Muller applauds Sir Salman Rushdie's latest novel, Quichotte (pronounced Key-Shot), loosely based on the classic Don Quixote story, and which was shortlisted for the Booker last year. Philip Todres spoke to John Matisonn about his new book, released in December, titled Cyril’s Choices, Lessons From 25 Years of Freedom in South Africa, and Penny Lorimer discovered Canadian author Louise Penny with her most recent, A Better Man, and also read A Death In The Medina by James Von Leyden. John Hanks found value in Grant Fowld and Graham Spence’s Saving the last Rhino and Beryl Eichenberger regales us with her views on Fiona Niell’s Beneath the surface as well as Kate Furnivall’s Guardian of Lies. Phillippa Cheifitz delved into the Africa Cookbook by owner of The Africa Café’s Portia Mbau and Lesley Beake perceives the shift in teen reading with The choice between us by Edyth Bullbring, Singing down the Stars by Nerine Dorman and, The Music Box by Toby Bennett.

Beverley Roos-Muller delved into the world of spies in John le Carre's latest Agent Running in the Field as well as Jonathan Ancer's Betrayal: The secret lives of Apartheid spies. Melvyn Minnaar rocked into December with Elton John's autobiography, Me; and Vanessa Levenstein spoke to Heidi Brauer of Hollard Insurance about a project that uses social media to get parents and children reading together. Nicole Smith interviewed Deon Meyer about his latest book, The Last Hunt and Beryl Eichenberger gives a thumbs up to Death on the Limpopo: A Tannie Maria Mystery by Sally Andrew as well as A Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes for holiday entertainment. Solly Moeng, in his first review for Bookchoice, gives us his thoughts on Crispian Olver's A City Divided. Lesley Beake recommends two delightful children's books, It's Jamela, the complete collection by Nicky Daly, and A Moon Girl stole my best friend, by Rebecca Patterson and Phillippa Cheifitz leaves us with a taste of a vegan Xmas.

Fine Music Radio — Beverley Roos-Muller delved into the world of spies in John le Carre’s latest Agent Running in the Field as well as Jonathan Ancer’s Betrayal: The secret lives of Apartheid spies. Melvyn Minnaar rocked into December with Elton John’s autobiography, Me; and Vanessa Levenstein spoke to Heidi Brauer of Hollard Insurance about a project that uses social media to get parents and children reading together. Nicole Smith interviewed Deon Meyer about his latest book, The Last Hunt and Beryl Eichenberger gives a thumbs up to Death on the Limpopo: A Tannie Maria Mystery by Sally Andrew as well as A Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes for holiday entertainment. Solly Moeng, in his first review for Bookchoice, gives us his thoughts on Crispian Olver’s A City Divided. Lesley Beake recommends two delightful children’s books, It’s Jamela, the complete collection by Nicky Daly, and A Moon Girl stole my best friend, by Rebecca Patterson and Phillippa Cheifitz leaves us with a taste of a vegan Xmas.

Beverley Roos-Muller waded into Booker controversy territory and read both The Testaments by Margaret Atwood and Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo, joint winners for 2019. Melvyn Minnaar devoured Furious Hours, Casey Cep's literary true crime thriller about Harper Lee's non-fiction novel that never saw the light of day. John Hanks strongly recommends Gary Goldman & Marieka Gryzenhout's superbly illustrated Field Guide to Mushrooms & other Fungi of South Africa. Debut reviewer Chegofatso Modika explored what it means to be queer in South Africa in They Called Me Queer compiled by Kim Windvogel and Kelly-Eve Koopman. Lesley Beake could not resist master of language Philip Pullman's latest, The Book of Dust volume 2. Beryl Eichenberger discovered a sensitive approach to grief in Melina Lewis's After you Died. The novel, in which four young women go for an early run, and only three return is set in Fish Hoek. Vanessa Levenstein found much that was familiar in Finoula Dowling's Okay, Okay, Okay. Penny Lorimer brings us her views on The Second Sleep by Robert Harris and A Walk at Midnight by Alex van Tonder. Fred Khumalo's The Longest March, took Philip Todres back 120 years, when 7000 Zulu mine workers marched from the gold mines of Johannesburg to Natal covering a distance of five hundred kilometres over ten days, and Vanessa Levenstein spoke to Andrew Newman about his conscious bedtime stories for children.

Fine Music Radio — Beverley Roos-Muller waded into Booker controversy territory and read both The Testaments by Margaret Atwood and Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo, joint winners for 2019. Melvyn Minnaar devoured Furious Hours, Casey Cep’s literary true crime thriller about Harper Lee’s non-fiction novel that never saw the light of day. John Hanks strongly recommends Gary Goldman & Marieka Gryzenhout’s superbly illustrated Field Guide to Mushrooms & other Fungi of South Africa. Debut reviewer Chegofatso Modika explored what it means to be queer in South Africa in They Called Me Queer compiled by Kim Windvogel and Kelly-Eve Koopman. Lesley Beake could not resist master of language Philip Pullman’s latest, The Book of Dust volume 2. Beryl Eichenberger discovered a sensitive approach to grief in Melina Lewis’s After you Died. The novel, in which four young women go for an early run, and only three return is set in Fish Hoek. Vanessa Levenstein found much that was familiar in Finoula Dowling’s Okay, Okay, Okay. Penny Lorimer brings us her views on The Second Sleep by Robert Harris and A Walk at Midnight by Alex van Tonder. Fred Khumalo’s The Longest March, took Philip Todres back 120 years, when 7000 Zulu mine workers marched from the gold mines of Johannesburg to Natal covering a distance of five hundred kilometres over ten days, and Vanessa Levenstein spoke to Andrew Newman about his conscious bedtime stories for children.

Penny Lorimer shares the drama of Louise Candlish's Those People and revisits private detective Jackson Brodie in Kate Atkinson's latest, Big Sky. John Hanks describes the Field Guide to the Frogs and other Amphibians of Africa by Alan Channing and Mark-Oliver Rödel as an ambitious undertaking that he highly recommends, and then he credits Madkadikgadi Pans: A travellers guite to the salt flats of Botswana for his decision on where to travel next. Beryl Eichenberger was transfixed by Elif Shafak's Ten minutes 38 seconds in this strange world, in which the reader is exposed to the captivating last moments of Leila's life under the skies of Istanbul. Phillippa Cheifitz tosses in a bit of culinary sass with a review of Zola Nene's Simply Zola, and Lesley Beake returns with her choice of children's books, the delightful “What's Up Thoko!” written and illustrated by Niki Daly, and Raj and the Best Day Ever by Seb Brown. And Vanessa Levenstein, deeply moved by the passing of American icon Toni Morrison, compares Remembered by Yvonne Battle-Felton to Morrison's Beloved in a sensitive and perceptive way. In studio with me today is the author of the already much-discussed Zephany, Joanne Jowell, who will share some of her insights around telling this multi-layered story.

Fine Music Radio — Penny Lorimer shares the drama of Louise Candlish’s Those People and revisits private detective Jackson Brodie in Kate Atkinson’s latest, Big Sky. John Hanks describes the Field Guide to the Frogs and other Amphibians of Africa by Alan Channing and Mark-Oliver Rödel as an ambitious undertaking that he highly recommends, and then he credits Madkadikgadi Pans: A travellers guite to the salt flats of Botswana for his decision on where to travel next. Beryl Eichenberger was transfixed by Elif Shafak’s Ten minutes 38 seconds in this strange world, in which the reader is exposed to the captivating last moments of Leila’s life under the skies of Istanbul. Phillippa Cheifitz tosses in a bit of culinary sass with a review of Zola Nene’s Simply Zola, and Lesley Beake returns with her choice of children’s books, the delightful “What’s Up Thoko!” written and illustrated by Niki Daly, and Raj and the Best Day Ever by Seb Brown. And Vanessa Levenstein, deeply moved by the passing of American icon Toni Morrison, compares Remembered by Yvonne Battle-Felton to Morrison’s Beloved in a sensitive and perceptive way. In studio with me today is the author of the already much-discussed Zephany, Joanne Jowell, who will share some of her insights around telling this multi-layered story.

Fine Music Radio — Penny Lorimer shares the drama of Louise Candlish’s Those People and revisits private detective Jackson Brodie in Kate Atkinson’s latest, Big Sky. John Hanks describes the Field Guide to the Frogs and other Amphibians of Africa by Alan Channing and Mark-Oliver Rödel as an ambitious undertaking that he highly recommends, and then he credits Madkadikgadi Pans: A travellers guite to the salt flats of Botswana for his decision on where to travel next. Beryl Eichenberger was transfixed by Elif Shafak’s Ten minutes 38 seconds in this strange world, in which the reader is exposed to the captivating last moments of Leila’s life under the skies of Istanbul. Phillippa Cheifitz tosses in a bit of culinary sass with a review of Zola Nene’s Simply Zola, and Lesley Beake returns with her choice of children’s books, the delightful “What’s Up Thoko!” written and illustrated by Niki Daly, and Raj and the Best Day Ever by Seb Brown. And Vanessa Levenstein, deeply moved by the passing of American icon Toni Morrison, compares Remembered by Yvonne Battle-Felton to Morrison’s Beloved in a sensitive and perceptive way. In studio with me today is the author of the already much-discussed Zephany, Joanne Jowell, who will share some of her insights around telling this multi-layered story.

Penny Lorimer shares the drama of Louise Candlish's Those People and revisits private detective Jackson Brodie in Kate Atkinson's latest, Big Sky. John Hanks describes the Field Guide to the Frogs and other Amphibians of Africa by Alan Channing and Mark-Oliver Rödel as an ambitious undertaking that he highly recommends, and then he credits Madkadikgadi Pans: A travellers guite to the salt flats of Botswana for his decision on where to travel next. Beryl Eichenberger was transfixed by Elif Shafak's Ten minutes 38 seconds in this strange world, in which the reader is exposed to the captivating last moments of Leila's life under the skies of Istanbul. Phillippa Cheifitz tosses in a bit of culinary sass with a review of Zola Nene's Simply Zola, and Lesley Beake returns with her choice of children's books, the delightful “What's Up Thoko!” written and illustrated by Niki Daly, and Raj and the Best Day Ever by Seb Brown. And Vanessa Levenstein, deeply moved by the passing of American icon Toni Morrison, compares Remembered by Yvonne Battle-Felton to Morrison's Beloved in a sensitive and perceptive way. In studio with me today is the author of the already much-discussed Zephany, Joanne Jowell, who will share some of her insights around telling this multi-layered story.

Fine Music Radio — Philip Todres takes you into glorious views of an old family estate Constantia Glen with owner Alexander Waiver as they leaf through Constantia Glen - A Timeless Vision by Clare O’Donaghue, with Craign Fraser’s stunning photographs. And it’s one of today’s Giveaways. Cruel as ever, Michael Roche-Kelly hopes to keep us awake at night with three gripping thrillers, one of which – The Senior Advisor by Edmund-George King is also one of today’s Giveaways. Cindy Moritz takes you to a hard-to-find little village in Korea in Karin Cronje’s memoir of her teaching time there in There Goes English Teacher. Vanessa Levenstein munches her way through Have You Eaten Grandma, Gyles Brandreth’s often hilarious take on commas, apostrophes and others of today’s grammar glops. Go game viewing with zoologistT John Hanks via Stuart’s Field Guide to National Parks & Game Reserves of East Africa. rememberingto pack into your pocket Jonathan Leeming’s Scorpions of Southern Africa. Beverley Roos Muller pronounces Washington Black by Esu Edugyan a powerful, pacy and remarkable novel. Lesley Beake almost dances to The Rhythm of the Rain by Graham Baker Smith, but changes her tune with Barak Obama’s love letter to his daughters: Of Thee I Sing. If we’ve time Peter Soal persuasively praises Her Man Gilliome’s The Rise and Demise of the Afrikaaners for its fine writing and meticulous research.

Philip Todres takes you into glorious views of an old family estate Constantia Glen with owner Alexander Waiver as they leaf through Constantia Glen - A Timeless Vision by Clare O'Donaghue, with Craign Fraser's stunning photographs. And it's one of today's Giveaways. Cruel as ever, Michael Roche-Kelly hopes to keep us awake at night with three gripping thrillers, one of which – The Senior Advisor by Edmund-George King is also one of today's Giveaways. Cindy Moritz takes you to a hard-to-find little village in Korea in Karin Cronje's memoir of her teaching time there in There Goes English Teacher. Vanessa Levenstein munches her way through Have You Eaten Grandma, Gyles Brandreth's often hilarious take on commas, apostrophes and others of today's grammar glops. Go game viewing with zoologistT John Hanks via Stuart's Field Guide to National Parks & Game Reserves of East Africa. rememberingto pack into your pocket Jonathan Leeming's Scorpions of Southern Africa. Beverley Roos Muller pronounces Washington Black by Esu Edugyan a powerful, pacy and remarkable novel. Lesley Beake almost dances to The Rhythm of the Rain by Graham Baker Smith, but changes her tune with Barak Obama's love letter to his daughters: Of Thee I Sing. If we've time Peter Soal persuasively praises Her Man Gilliome's The Rise and Demise of the Afrikaaners for its fine writing and meticulous research.

Fine Music Radio — Sad news this month then plenty of good books. Andrew Marjoribanks, MD Wordsworth Books, so very heartregood news aboutndingly died on February 16. He and I started FMR BOOK CHOICE 19 years ago and worked together for all that time. Andrew’s monthly reviews were like him – calm, conversational, intelligent, enthusiastic. In loving and grateful memory of Andrew, Mark Jennings, FMR Station Manager has made a Fine Music Radio donation to Shine Literacy. The good news is that Nicky Farrelly, Manager at Wordsworth Books, Longbeach Mall will be with us each month, as suggested by Andrew. This month Nicky picks four fascinating fiction titles. Michael Roche-Kelly, mean as ever, gives us three thrillers to curl our toes.. has kindly chosen one as one of today’s Giveaways. Beverley Roos Muller pays tribute to the delicacy of award-winning Irish writer Sebastian Barry for the brilliance of his third novel to mine the McNully family history: The Temporary Gentleman. Sally-Ann Creed talks the toxins in our food, personal care products and household cleaners, and reassures us that it’s just 63 days to Optimum Health - the title of her vibrant and vital book. Also one of today’s Giveaways. Lesley Beake brings us up to date on childhood’s chilling dragons, while Vanessa Levenstein, with roughly the same young age in mind, talks to about the launch of a fashion app in The New Girl Code. Melvyn Minnaar is much moved by Andrew Marshall’s Dissecting Wobblies, his brave, sometimes dark, often hilarious take on living with hi genetic neuro muscular degenerative disease - Fredrick’s Ataxia.

Sad news this month then plenty of good books. Andrew Marjoribanks, MD Wordsworth Books, so very heartregood news aboutndingly died on February 16. He and I started FMR BOOK CHOICE 19 years ago and worked together for all that time. Andrew's monthly reviews were like him – calm, conversational, intelligent, enthusiastic. In loving and grateful memory of Andrew, Mark Jennings, FMR Station Manager has made a Fine Music Radio donation to Shine Literacy. The good news is that Nicky Farrelly, Manager at Wordsworth Books, Longbeach Mall will be with us each month, as suggested by Andrew. This month Nicky picks four fascinating fiction titles. Michael Roche-Kelly, mean as ever, gives us three thrillers to curl our toes.. has kindly chosen one as one of today's Giveaways. Beverley Roos Muller pays tribute to the delicacy of award-winning Irish writer Sebastian Barry for the brilliance of his third novel to mine the McNully family history: The Temporary Gentleman. Sally-Ann Creed talks the toxins in our food, personal care products and household cleaners, and reassures us that it's just 63 days to Optimum Health - the title of her vibrant and vital book. Also one of today's Giveaways. Lesley Beake brings us up to date on childhood's chilling dragons, while Vanessa Levenstein, with roughly the same young age in mind, talks to about the launch of a fashion app in The New Girl Code. Melvyn Minnaar is much moved by Andrew Marshall's Dissecting Wobblies, his brave, sometimes dark, often hilarious take on living with hi genetic neuro muscular degenerative disease - Fredrick's Ataxia.

Fine Music Radio — Melvyn Minnaar is delightfully set alight by Leonard Cohen’s The Flame. Cindy Moritz finds John Boyne’s A Ladder to the Sky deliciously dark and satisfying. John Hanks journeys through Ian Glenn’s The First Safari – Searching for Francois Levaillant, an account of South Africa’s first and perhaps the greatest ever birder. Lesley Beake brings us a dystopian teen novel and a South African story for younger readers. Briony Chisholm chats about her delightully titled One Night Only, her debut novel that’s a fun and flirty take on the romantic dongs of 33 year old Sarah Trafford. Philip Todres talks to Jay Pather co-editor with Catherine Boulle of Acts of Transgression - Contemporary Live Art in South Africa a wonderfully informative, and accessible book, with some excellent photographs to add to the treat. Peter Soal takes on two local stalwarts in The Indepence Factor by Dennis Worrall, and Graham Viney’s The Last Hurrah – South Africa and the Royal tour of 1947 Vanessa Levenstein takes a delightful trip around the Cape via Around the Cape in 80 Ways compiled and edited by Gabriel & Louise Athiros. Finally, if Matabataba finds the time we’ve a pre-record of Rodeny Trudgeon

Melvyn Minnaar is delightfully set alight by Leonard Cohen's The Flame. Cindy Moritz finds John Boyne's A Ladder to the Sky deliciously dark and satisfying. John Hanks journeys through Ian Glenn's The First Safari – Searching for Francois Levaillant, an account of South Africa's first and perhaps the greatest ever birder. Lesley Beake brings us a dystopian teen novel and a South African story for younger readers. Briony Chisholm chats about her delightully titled One Night Only, her debut novel that's a fun and flirty take on the romantic dongs of 33 year old Sarah Trafford. Philip Todres talks to Jay Pather co-editor with Catherine Boulle of Acts of Transgression - Contemporary Live Art in South Africa a wonderfully informative, and accessible book, with some excellent photographs to add to the treat. Peter Soal takes on two local stalwarts in The Indepence Factor by Dennis Worrall, and Graham Viney's The Last Hurrah – South Africa and the Royal tour of 1947 Vanessa Levenstein takes a delightful trip around the Cape via Around the Cape in 80 Ways compiled and edited by Gabriel & Louise Athiros. Finally, if Matabataba finds the time we've a pre-record of Rodeny Trudgeon

Fine Music Radio — It’s noon on the first Monday of the month, so it’s BOOK CHOICE on Fine Music radio, and it’s a warm welcome from me, Gorry Bowes Taylor Matabata . . . .. This happy hour Andrew Marjoribank, Wordsworth Books brings you a bagful about his knees and his Passion for Opera, and his book is one of today’s Giveaways. Cindy Moritz spies a grand thriller in Daniel Silva’s The Other Woman. More spine chillers from Mike Fitzjames, including the new Tony Park, which is also one of today’s Giveaways. The 10th of October is World Mental Health Day. The Enumerations is a novel about the effects of a mental condition on a family. Vanessa Levenstein spoke to author, Máire (pronounced Moira) Fisher. John Hanks hopes that adults, too, will read Kids’ Snakes of Southern Africa by Johan Marais, and keep snakes alive, and Lesley Beake talks teenage fantasy, in other words, other worlds and two good books for the young. Peter Soal gives us the up-beat on the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa, Louis Botha by Richard Steyn. Philip Todres takes on a remarkable tome - Belonging - The story of the Jews 1492 - 1900’ by Simon Schama. If Matabataba finds the time, but I doubt it, we’ve a pre-recorded chat with Zimbabwean writer, Jill Baker, about the first in her sizzling Zambezi trilogy, The Horns.

It's noon on the first Monday of the month, so it's BOOK CHOICE on Fine Music radio, and it's a warm welcome from me, Gorry Bowes Taylor Matabata . . . .. This happy hour Andrew Marjoribank, Wordsworth Books brings you a bagful about his knees and his Passion for Opera, and his book is one of today's Giveaways. Cindy Moritz spies a grand thriller in Daniel Silva's The Other Woman. More spine chillers from Mike Fitzjames, including the new Tony Park, which is also one of today's Giveaways. The 10th of October is World Mental Health Day. The Enumerations is a novel about the effects of a mental condition on a family. Vanessa Levenstein spoke to author, Máire (pronounced Moira) Fisher. John Hanks hopes that adults, too, will read Kids' Snakes of Southern Africa by Johan Marais, and keep snakes alive, and Lesley Beake talks teenage fantasy, in other words, other worlds and two good books for the young. Peter Soal gives us the up-beat on the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa, Louis Botha by Richard Steyn. Philip Todres takes on a remarkable tome - Belonging - The story of the Jews 1492 - 1900' by Simon Schama. If Matabataba finds the time, but I doubt it, we've a pre-recorded chat with Zimbabwean writer, Jill Baker, about the first in her sizzling Zambezi trilogy, The Horns.

This happy hour Andrew Marjoribanks. Wordsworth Books, brings us a cosy collection of fine fireside reading, Lesley Beake, an author deeply involved with children's literature, suggests a comic series by the Kwezi team that will hit the spot with young South African readers, and is stunned by Jess Bosworth Smith's brave and marvellous The Straw Giant and the Crow. Ardent conservationist John Hanks dives deep into Living Shores by George and Margo Branch, a masterpiece on our marine ecosystem, he declares. Vanessa Levenstein chatted to British historical novelist Kate Furnival about her latest, her ninth, steamy romance The Betrayal: twin sisters in Paris 1938 on the cusp of war. Peter Soal suggests that Who Will Rule in 2019 by Jan-Jan Joubert is required reading for all who want to understand coalition politics. Mike Fitzjames, so cruelly in this cold weather, puts ice in our veins with three chilling thrillers, while I wiled away winter with a quartet of non-fiction crime books, not all of them new – Jonny Steinberg's The Number, Andrew Brown's Good cop Bad cop, Exposing South Africa's Underworld by Mark Shaw, and Killing Goldfinger by Wesley Clarke. Finally fine cook and cookery writer Phillippa Cheifitz reminds us that Prince Harry and Meghan dished up whole bowls of wholesome and healthy poke food at their wedding, tuck into Melissa Delport's Whole – bowl food for balance. Yum

Fine Music Radio — This happy hour Andrew Marjoribanks. Wordsworth Books, brings us a cosy collection of fine fireside reading, Lesley Beake, an author deeply involved with children’s literature, suggests a comic series by the Kwezi team that will hit the spot with young South African readers, and is stunned by Jess Bosworth Smith’s brave and marvellous The Straw Giant and the Crow. Ardent conservationist John Hanks dives deep into Living Shores by George and Margo Branch, a masterpiece on our marine ecosystem, he declares. Vanessa Levenstein chatted to British historical novelist Kate Furnival about her latest, her ninth, steamy romance The Betrayal: twin sisters in Paris 1938 on the cusp of war. Peter Soal suggests that Who Will Rule in 2019 by Jan-Jan Joubert is required reading for all who want to understand coalition politics. Mike Fitzjames, so cruelly in this cold weather, puts ice in our veins with three chilling thrillers, while I wiled away winter with a quartet of non-fiction crime books, not all of them new – Jonny Steinberg’s The Number, Andrew Brown’s Good cop Bad cop, Exposing South Africa’s Underworld by Mark Shaw, and Killing Goldfinger by Wesley Clarke. Finally fine cook and cookery writer Phillippa Cheifitz reminds us that Prince Harry and Meghan dished up whole bowls of wholesome and healthy poke food at their wedding, tuck into Melissa Delport’s Whole – bowl food for balance. Yum

Fine Music Radio — This happy hour Andrew Marjoribanks, with, as always, a bagful of the best in fiction and non-fiction from Wordsworth Books. Philip Todres talks to Jeremy Maggs, one of ENca’s brightest and best presenters, who says very nice things about FMR and whose book Compelling Conversations with 20 Successful South Africans is indeed compelling. Cindy Moritz holds her breath over AJ Finn’s The Woman in the Window, a psychological thriller for anyone who loved Gone Girl or Girl on the Train. Conservationist John Hanks flightily reviews Featherings – True Stories in Search of Birds edited by twitcher Vernon RL Head while Melvyn Minnaar rekindles his pleasure in Peter Carey in his 14th novel A Long Way from Home. Jay Heale has deserted us for the delights of Napier, author Lesley Beake, involved with reading, writing and children all her life, has stepped in with The Skin We Are In by storyteller Sindiwe Magona. Lesley is also the Director of Children’s Book Network: www.childrensbook.co.za. Peter Soal was most moved by Helen Joseph’s most moving memoir If this be Treason of the longest political trial in South African history, and Coalition Country by Leon Schreiber who writes: We are on the cusp of a momentous change. Celebrity cook Phillippa Cheifitz wields her wooden spoon through two very different cookbooks - The Gourmet Cookbook by Bernadette le Roux and Something’s Cooking by J’Something, one elegant with recipes for the finest dining, the other real robust fare. The 2018 Jewish Literary Festival takes place on June 17 with more than 80 authors involved in workshops and talks. Booking is open now: www.jewishliteraryfestival.co.za.

This happy hour Andrew Marjoribanks, with, as always, a bagful of the best in fiction and non-fiction from Wordsworth Books. Philip Todres talks to Jeremy Maggs, one of ENca's brightest and best presenters, who says very nice things about FMR and whose book Compelling Conversations with 20 Successful South Africans is indeed compelling. Cindy Moritz holds her breath over AJ Finn's The Woman in the Window, a psychological thriller for anyone who loved Gone Girl or Girl on the Train. Conservationist John Hanks flightily reviews Featherings – True Stories in Search of Birds edited by twitcher Vernon RL Head while Melvyn Minnaar rekindles his pleasure in Peter Carey in his 14th novel A Long Way from Home. Jay Heale has deserted us for the delights of Napier, author Lesley Beake, involved with reading, writing and children all her life, has stepped in with The Skin We Are In by storyteller Sindiwe Magona. Lesley is also the Director of Children's Book Network: www.childrensbook.co.za. Peter Soal was most moved by Helen Joseph's most moving memoir If this be Treason of the longest political trial in South African history, and Coalition Country by Leon Schreiber who writes: We are on the cusp of a momentous change. Celebrity cook Phillippa Cheifitz wields her wooden spoon through two very different cookbooks - The Gourmet Cookbook by Bernadette le Roux and Something's Cooking by J'Something, one elegant with recipes for the finest dining, the other real robust fare. The 2018 Jewish Literary Festival takes place on June 17 with more than 80 authors involved in workshops and talks. Booking is open now: www.jewishliteraryfestival.co.za.

Lesley Beake won gold for Hap, described by the judges as “a well-structured and beautifully written coming-of-age story”. In it, a troubled teenager travels from New York to South Africa to spend time with her father on an archaeological site, where she identifies with the fossil of a young woman whom she names Hap. Lesley lives in Stanford. Produced by Laura Wener.