Just Arrived…

These are some of the books our books editor received recently. They may be reviewed later

The Reunion

by Joanne Fedler (Jacana)

Jo, Helen, Ereka and CJ start a friendship through their mothers’ group.

At the time they have something in common – their young children around whom their lives revolve.

Years pass and, now with pre-teen and teen children who have little time for their mothers, the women are still good friends.

But while some are finding their lives are good, others are feeling emptier and without purpose.

The women go away together for the weekend and share intimacies and confidences.

Friendships are put on the line as the bonds between them are tested.

***

Who Rules South Africa

by Martin Plaut and Paul Holden (Jonathan Ball, R210)

In this book the authors analyse the political elites that battle for power in South Africa.

Plaut and Holden argue that power does not reside in Parliament or even cabinet.

Instead it lies within the tripartite alliance – an unstructured and mutable political hydra.

Business and criminal elements play a huge part in this schematic, according to them.

For them, it is the interaction between these elements that is the true story behind post-apartheid South Africa.

Ultimately the book seeks to answer the question of whether South Africa is destined to become another African tragedy.

***

Thieves at the Dinner Table

by David Lewis (Jacana)

The Competition Commission and the Competition Tribunal form one of the success stories of South Africa’s democracy.

David Lewis was one of the chief architects of these new competition authorities and became a leading actor in their work.

This book is a personal account of Lewis’s leadership of the Tribunal and looks at how this body dealt with the anti-competitive practices of South African businesses.

According to Norman Manoim, chairman of the SA Competition Tribunal, this book “reads like a thriller. David Lewis has taken what might have been a dry, textbook topic and turned it into compulsive reading”.

***

1000+ Hints for the Home

by Solet Scheeres (Human & Rousseau, R250)

This book is a treasure trove of household ideas to help you deal with cleaning, mending and maintenance around the home.

It covers a range of subjects from home safety to beauty tips to gardening.

And there are even spaces to make your own notes.

***

The Tools: Five Life-changing techniques to unlock your potential

by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels (Random House Struik, R215)

The Tools is a psychological model based on methods used by two of Hollywood’s well-known psychotherapists.

Phil Stutz and Barry Michels, with over 60 years of experience between them, have helped A-list clients work through whatever it is has held them back.

In this book they share their methods. - Meneesha Govender