These are some of the books our books editor, Meneesha Govender, received recently. They may be reviewed later
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The Valley of Amazement
by Amy Tan (Fourth Estate)
Amy Tan has offered a new novel that I hope is as magnificent as The Joy Luck Club was.
Violet Minturn is raised in Shanghai in her American mother’s exclusive courtesan house.
But as the political upheaval of 1912 reverberates across the country, Violet and her mother are separated by a treacherous man who is her mother’s lover.
Violet becomes a virgin courtesan at the age of 14.
Spanning 50 years and two continents, the novel tracks her life and battles.
Valley of Amazement is the Book of the Month in the Exclusive Books Recommends campaign.
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Doctor Sleep
by Stephen King (Hodder & Stoughton)
Stephen King, author of novels such as The Shining, The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, needs no introduction.
In this latest novel, he returns to the characters of his novel The Shining and offers a supernatural adventure that is bound to be an exciting read.
A tribe of people called The True Knot travel the highways of the US seeking sustenance.
They look harmless, but they live off the “steam” that children with the “shining” produce.
Dan Torrance is desperate to shake off the yoke of his haunted childhood. After drifting for decades, he finally settles into a job where his remnant “shining” power offers comfort for the dying.
with the help of a cat, he becomes “Doctor Sleep”.
Then he meets Abra Stone, who has the most spectacular “shining” ever seen.
It is a “shining” that rekindles Dan’s own demons and pulls him into a battle for Abra’s soul and survival.
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Raising Steam
by Terry Pratchett (Random House Struik, R395)
Raising Steam is another in Terry Pratchett’s notorious Discworld series.
This series has a cult-like following among readers and any new book is grabbed with both hands.
A book for young and old alike, this one is a must-have.
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The Truth About You
by Susan Lewis (Random House Struik, R195)
Lainey has spent her entire life surrounded by a secret.
But her mother refuses to let on the reasons she abandoned Italy when Lainey was a baby, and has lost touch with the family she left behind.
Lainey is determined to find out about her roots.
But then her husband reveals another secret that shatters the very foundations of their marriage.
Shaken by the knowledge of how secrets can ruin lives, Lainey is nevertheless still determined to trace her roots.
She takes her children to Umbria in search of answers.
it is a journey that will turn her world inside out.
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Buttons, Felts and Beads – more than 50 projects for jewellery and accessories
by Michelle Felder (Metz Press, R185)
This is a collection of more than 50 original projects with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and clear photographs to help you create jewellery and accessories.
Beginners’ exercises explain the basics of threading buttons, sewing stitches, fusing felt and even how to crochet.
Projects include jewellery and accessories, from chunky to delicate, and fun decor items for the home, with clear instructions and colour illustrations.
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Classy Glass Art
by Jacqui Holmes and Gail Brown (Metz Press, R185)
This lavishly illustrated guide on stained glass has interesting information on this age-old craft. An explanatory introduction of materials and tools, types of glass and safety, is followed by step-by-step techniques and tips for tracing, cutting, grinding, foiling, assembling, soldering, tinning and the application of patina.
Projects include lampshades, candleholders, mobiles, frames, wall clocks, mirrors, and more, in traditional and contemporary styles. The first few projects are illustrated by step-by-step photographs to lay the groundwork for further items, from simple to challenging.
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iSimplify Basics: Keyboard shortcuts; Microsoft Excel; and Microsoft Word
by Debbie Laubscher (Metz Press, R105 each)
These three user-friendly books will minimise frustration in front of the computer as you try to master programs that are unfamiliar. The author has run a computer training business for 10 years and presents basic instruction on these three programs.
There are step-by-step instructions and explanations of computer terms for those who have little or no computer knowledge, as well as exercises and pictures to help them master new-found skills.