A special report from Emily Amos.
How do book lovers, publishers, authors and the literary media know they’re facing the end of the year and the start of the Christmas rush?
That’s it, yes – Exclusive Books’ The List is out. Held at Mangiare restaurant on Melrose Arch’s Piazza, the 2009 launch of The List was fresh, fun, gorgeously lime-green and buzzing!
This year, The List sports “68 of the Best Books in 2009” and the approach is a little different, incorporating a new element, “The Blurb” - a tribute to that spiel on the back of a book which entices and convinces book lovers to buy it.
EB customers can look forward to finding a Blurb staff member in each store, ready to share all the inside information on all these books. Look out for the Blurb t-shirted EB staff when it comes to choosing Christmas presents!
Fans will see Spud - Learning to Fly, “Oprah’s” The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and Stieg Larson’s books included on this year’s List. SA sports lovers and fans should be storming the stores to get their hands on John Smit’s biography, Captain in the Cauldron by Mike Greenway. Strictly embargoed (not for sale) until 14 November, fans can nevertheless order their copies now. Asked how he felt about Captain in the Cauldron being included on this year’s List, author Mike Greenway said, “It’s quite something for a reporter to get on The List!”. He shared how John Smit is not sure how to react to the life-size cut outs of himself now being displayed in EB stores nationwide. During the launch, Smit told how launching this book was quite “nerve wracking” – something a little different for the rugby star.
Another book that should sell like hot cakes is Justin Bonello’s Cooked in Africa. Based on the TV series fans should eat it up. Bonello described his journey into the book world as a real “blast” saying there are some things you expect in life and others you don’t. His three wishes in life have been to do stand up comedy (accomplished years ago); publish a book and sing on a stage. “Two out of three isn’t bad” he joked.
Authors Kevin Richardson (Part of the Pride) and Marlene van der Westhuizen (Sumptuous) looked like they were having fun as they shared each other’s books. Richardson said he was “amazed and overwhelmed” at being on the List. He hasn’t stopped since the book came out and hopes others may be inspired by his story of working with lions. Van der Westhuizen told how “very surprised, pleased, thrilled and honoured” she feels to also be on this year’s List. In her speech, Exclusive Books’ Batya Green-Bricker confessed to keeping Sumptuous at her bedside.
Vodacom’s Alan Knott-Craig expressed how pleased he is to have his book, Second is Nothing included on The List. He laughingly told how, “It’s much harder to sell a book than airtime!”. Moeletsi Mbeki joined the sparkling crowd, “very excited” to have his new book, Architects of Poverty on The List.
Long Walk to Freedom (children’s version) author, Chris van Wyk wowed the crowd with his energy and humour, keeping guests laughing with the “non-boring-board-meeting” version of how he came to write the book.
And the final word of the day? From Batya Green-Bricker – “We live in Superfreakanomic times indeed but Be Fearless said Max Lucado; Act Like a Lady Think Like a Man. Have a Little Faith said Mitch Albom for wherever your inspiration comes from life is short, and I agree with Spud Milton who said, ‘Learn to fly, be the brightest star in the sky’ and enjoy what I think Richard Dawkins’ would call The Greatest Show on Earth - The List, 68 of the best books of 2009”.
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