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Mary Watson is a South African author who won the Caine Prize in 2006 for her short story Jungfrau. Watson is the author of Moss, a collection of short stories published in 2004. The Cutting Room, published by Penguin Books SA is her debut novel, and will be released in April. 

When her husband Amir abruptly leaves home, film editor Lucinda is left angry and puzzled. Where has Amir gone, and why? In the months before he left, Amir seemed troubled and preoccupied and their marriage had become strained and tense. Now Lucinda worries that his departure could be her fault. Soon afterwards, Lucinda is brutally assaulted in a knife attack, which throws her even more off balance.
Searching for composure, she finds a distraction in assisting an older friend, Austrian film-maker Thomas, with a documentary he is making about an old mission station which is allegedly haunted. But the experience becomes an unnerving one for Lucinda who finds Thomas’s growing obsession with the story behind his film worrying. As tensions build, so does the underlying mood of constant menace, until Lucinda is confronted with a disturbing revelation.

The Cutting Room is a thoughtful and provocative novel of loss and loneliness, longing and guilt, and the different ways in which people can be haunted.

                                                                     - Synopsis from Penguin Books SA

16:07 No Comments
On yet another literary journey. This time to Somalia. Nuruddin Farah is probably one of Somalia's most prominent author with his trilogies, Variations on the Theme of an African Dictatorship, Blood in the Sun, and Past Imperfect. But there's more - there are memoirs (Desert Flower, Infidel), stories on the Somali diaspora community (Nomad Diaries), as well as an anthology by British-Somali writers (Silent Voices), and a forthcoming short story collection, Fairytales for Lost Children, on young, gay and lesbian Somalis. As always, this is not an exhaustive list, and only showcases Somali literature in English. Nadifa Mohamed, author of Black Mamba Boy wrote a short piece on Somali Writers, which provides more detail.



12:11 No Comments
Unlike many, I was late to discover the legend that was Chinua Achebe. Being Nigerian I had heard many people talk about his great works, but I had never read anything he wrote. I finally read his first novel Things Fall Apart in the beginning of January 2012. It was then I realised why he was so acclaimed - he rewrote the story of Africa and Africans that was perpetuated during colonialism.

I was in class about to teach when I heard the news that he had passed away. I took a few moments of silence to mourn the loss of a great writer. At the end of the class, a student of mine read the news and asked 'Who was Chinua Achebe?' To which I replied, 'One of the greatest writers of our time'. And he truly was. I may have fallen in love with his writing at a very late stage in my life, but I am grateful that I discovered it when I did. So thank you sir for great literature. Rest in Peace!!!

This is not an exhaustive list, but to celebrate a literary icon, here's a look at some his novels, memoirs, short story collections, essays and more. 








08:55 4 Comments
I promise I don't only scour the internet for new releases, but whenever I do find out about one I just have to share. I first heard about British-Somali writer, artist and editor Diriye Osman around the middle of last year, when I was working on a post on LGBT African fiction. Back then I knew he was working on a collection of short stories. Well, the collection, Fairytales for Lost Children, will be published September 2013 by Team Angelica. I have to say I'm pretty excited about this release. Until then, here's the synopsis:

Fairytales for Lost Children is narrated by people constantly on the verge of self-revelation. These characters - young, gay and lesbian Somalis - must navigate the complexities of family, identity and the immigrant experience as they tumble towards freedom. Set in Kenya, Somalia and South London, these stories are imbued with pathos, passion and linguistic playfulness, marking the arrival of a singular new voice in contemporary fiction.
                                         - Synopsis from Team Angelica


And definitely do check out his website and his amazing artwork. There's also an interview here. 

09:40 No Comments
With the forthcoming release of There Is a Country, I decided to go on yet another literary journey. This time to Sudan and South Sudan. This is not an exhaustive list. If you're interested in more check out Warscapes December 2012 issue, Literary Sudan, as well as Arabic Literature in English.










South Sudan


More about a few of the authors on their websites: Jamal Mahjoub, Tarek Eltayeb, Leila Aboulela. 
10:15 No Comments
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About me

Founded in 2011, bookshy represents two things: the young me who was so shy I escaped through books, and the older me whose shelf is always one book shy of being full.

bookshy is a space where I celebrate, promote and recognise contemporary African literature - although sometimes I go back in time to commemorate the greats. It is about the books I love, the books I have read and the books that I am dying to read.

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