Rated Reviews

Social Network now on pre-order

2011-02-09T10:32:00.000-08:00

From the director who brought you, 'Fight Club' and 'Seven', comes the story of Mark Zuckerberg, destroyed lives and the social network that revolutionized communication – facebook! Pre-order Your copy now, and stand a chance to win a Sony Cybershot Digital Camera!

You can order it online from Kalahari by clicking HERE or on the cover case below:

Hot video games - 2011/01/23

2011-01-23T10:20:00.000-08:00

Want to know what video games are hot with the various online retailers? Here is a collection of the hottest games around:

Kalahari.Net
1. Little Big Planet 2 Collectors Edition
2. Little Big Planet 2
3. Mass Effect 2
4. Gran Turismo 5
5. Sports Champions (Move)
6. The Sims 3: Late Night
7. Heavy Rain
8. WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011
9. Tekken 6 (Platinum)
10. Sports (Kinect)

Take2
1. Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (PS3)
2. Warhammer: Dawn of War 2 - Gold Edition (PC)
3. Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow (PS3)
4. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PS3)
5. Little Big Planet 2 Limited Edition Collector's Box (PS3)
6. Mass Effect 2 Collector's Edition (Xbox 360)
7. Supreme Commander 2 (PC DVD-ROM)
8. Super Mario All-Stars - 25th Anniversary Edition (Wii)
9. ORB PS3 Controller Triggers X 2
10. Gran Turismo 5 (PS3)

Amazon.com
1. Just Dance 2 - Nintendo Wii
2. Little Big Planet 2 - PS3
3. Little Big Planet 2: Collector's Edition - PS3
4. Call of Duty: Black Ops - Xbox360
5. Dance Central - Xbox 360
6. Zumba Fitness - Nintendo Wii
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops - PS3
8. Dead Space 2 - Xbox360
9. Mass Effect 2 - PS3
10. Gran Turismo 5 - PS3

Popular books - 2011/01/23

2011-01-23T09:46:00.001-08:00

It has been a while since we have done one of our wrap ups of the best-selling books at the various online retail stores. So here we go:

Kalahari.Net
1. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest - Stieg Larsson
2. The Girl Who Played with Fire - Stieg Larsson
3. Jamie's 30-minute Meals -Jamie Oliver
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo -Stieg Larsson
5. Awakened - P. C. Cast; Kristin Cast
6. Happy Ever After - Nora Roberts
7. To the point - Steve Smith; Herschelle Gibbs
8. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything - Elizabeth Gilbert
9. Spoor - Deon Meyer
10. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer

Take2
1. Ruthless Game - Christine Feehan
2. Shadowfever - Karen Marie Moning
3. Last Sacrifice - Richelle Mead
4. Hungry for You - Sands, Lynsay
5. Real Love - Greg, M.D. Baer,
6. The Other Side - Robb, J. D. / Blayney, Mary / Gaffney, Patricia
7. Happy Ever After - Nora Roberts
8. Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest - Stieg Larsson
9. The Girl Who Played With Fire - Stieg Larsson
10. Start-up Nation - Saul/ Senor, Dan Singer

Exclusives
1. The Power - Rhonda Byrne
2. Conversations with myself - Nelson Mandela
3. Fool's Gold The Inside Story of J.P. Morgan and How Wall Street Greed Corrupted Its Bold Dream and Created a

Financial Catastrophe - Gillian Tett
4. Skulduggerty Pleasant - Mortal Coil - Derek Landy
5. South Africa's Greatest Entrepreneurs - Moky Makura
6. A rogue of my own - Johanna Lindsey
7. Sean Brand - En Ek Kan Nie Ophou Kyk Nie - 2010
8. The Carrie Diaries - Candace Bushnell
9. Gogos Crazy Bones Bag Series 1
10. English Handbook and Study Guide Beryl Lutrin

Amazon.com
1. You Can Count on Monsters - Richard Evan Schwartz
2. The Investment Answer - Daniel C. Goldie
3. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption - Laura Hillenbrand
4. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother - Amy Chua
5. The Carb Lovers Diet: Eat What You Love, Get Slim For Life - Ellen Kunes
6. Sexy Forever: How to Fight Fat after Forty - Suzanne Somers
7. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
8. The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex and Becoming Superhuman - Timothy Ferriss
9. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson
10. Mr. Sunday's Soups - Lorraine Wallace

Robert Ludlum - The Janson Directive

2011-01-09T08:54:00.000-08:00

The "Janson directive" is probably the best spy thriller I have read in the last year.

Forget Jason Bourne, Paul Janson is perhaps the best "spy" hero that I have come across in my fiction reads. Both Bourne and Janson are Robert Ludlum characters but whereas Bourne is a bit disjointed and perhaps too "unstoppable" - particularly in the earlier books - Janson comes across as more normal and human.

The story kicks off with the reader being introduced to security specialist Paul Janson who gets roped into organising a rush rescue mission for a high-profile billionaire who has been taken hostage. If Janson can't save the day, the world is going to witness said billionaire have his head lopped off on national TV.

Janson pulls together a team and successfully saves the day but by a quirk of fate isn't able to get onto the plane which is to transport the rescued party home... which turns out to be quite fortunate because a few minutes later the plan takes off and explodes.

That leaves Janson looking rather guilty, especially when an unexplained $16m turns up in his bank account and as we all know, renegades aren't really tolerated in the spy game. They send a crack team of snipers after him and he spends half his life ducking bullets in some rather tense situations.

Janson ends up managing to convince one of the snipers - Jessie Kincaid - that he is not such a bad guy and might not need to be on the receiving end of a bullet.

There is an excellent twist at the end of the book which leads to a tense finale.

If you like spy thrillers you can't miss this one.

You can buy it online from Kalahari by clicking HERE or on the book cover.

We rated it a 5 out of 5 and couldn't find anything to fault in it.

David Baldacci - Deliver us from Evil

2010-12-19T03:10:00.000-08:00

I am always a little wary when it comes to David Baldacci because I am never quite sure what is going to be served up. However I’ve just finished reading “Deliver Us From Evil” and I really enjoyed this book.

The book features Shaw the super spy who has been sent after human trafficking and arms dealer Evan Waller. The mission is pretty simple – snatch Waller and put him out of business – permanently.

Things however get a little complicated because somebody else is looking to put Waller out of business. A group of vigilantes operating out of England are on a mission to hunt down former war criminals and make them atone for their crimes. Waller it turns out has a murderous history in the KGB and Regina Campion intends being the one to make sure he pays.

But Waller is no wilting violent and doesn’t play nicely with others. To prove this point, early on in the book he tortures a terrorist who tries to double-cross him and it is not pretty.

After Shaw and Campion both fail to take out Waller, they begin contemplating what life on the run will be like with a madman hunting them across the globe.

This is one of those books which keeps you guessing to the end and there is a nice twist at the end.
We rated this book a 4 out of 5 and would thoroughly recommend it if you like a spy / action thriller. Baldacci at his best!

You can buy the book online from Kalahari by clicking HERE or from Loot by clicking HERE

50 people who stuffed up South Africa

2010-12-11T06:10:00.000-08:00

We are all armchair politicians and have our own views about who has stuffed up South Africa but Alex Parker has gone one step further and now put together a list of the 50 people he believes has stuffed up the country and it could make for a really nice Xmas prezzie.

A collection of the 50 greatest villains of South African history, from Jan van Riebeeck to Shaka to Cecil John Rhodes to Hendrik Verwoerd to Thabo Mbeki to Julius Malema. These are men – mostly, but not exclusively – who have steered South Africa firmly in the wrong direction, affecting our history, our national psyche and our way of life, often wasting guilt-edged opportunities to do the right thing along the way.

But the obvious heavy-hitters are just the half of it: there are also lesser-known but influential historical figures (Bartle Frere, Lord Milner), nameless icons of our modern social problems (The Minibus Taxi Driver, The Man I Sat Next To At The Polo), criminals (Ananias Mathe), chancers (Mark Thatcher), traitors (Kevin Pietersen) and punks (Kevin Pietersen). Part history, part social commentary, this is a fascinating read that delves into South African politics, war, sport and culture.

Appropriately, Alex Parker’s irreverent but scathing writing is brought to life by Zapiro, who adds the finishing touches with his iconic caricatures.

You can support a South African author and buy the book online for R140 by clicking HERE.

Patricia Cornwell - Port Mortuary

2010-11-20T19:37:00.000-08:00

Shoot me now.... I have just limped my way through "Port Mortuary" the latest offering from Patricia Cornwell and I am reminded why I don't buy her books.

Without being overly nasty, this was one of the most painful books I have ever attempted to read. Put in perspective; imagine being in the mind of somebody who suffers from a severe form of schizophrenia and then is trying to put their thoughts to paper.

The write up for the book reads:

Kay Scarpetta has been training at the Dover Port Mortuary, mastering the art of 'virtual autopsy' - a groundbreaking procedure that could soon revolutionise forensic science. And it is not too long before these new skills urgently need to be put into practice. A young man drops dead, apparently from a heart condition, eerily close to Scarpetta's home. But when his body is examined the next morning, there are stunning indications that he may have been alive when he was zipped inside a pouch and locked inside the cooler. When the revolutionary 3D radiology scans reveal more shocking details about internal injuries unlike any Scarpetta has ever seen, Scarpetta realizes that this is a case of murder - and that she is fighting a cunning and uniquely cruel enemy. Now it is a race against time to discover who and why before more people die. But that time is running out ...

But if you read the book you would think you are reading about the mental breakdown of Cornwells' "flagship" character Scarpetta.

If you are a Cornwell fan you can buy the book online from Kalahari for R204 by clicking HERE or from Loot for R201 but you are probably better off donating that money to charity.

We rated the book a lowly 1 out of 5

Lauren Beukes - Zoo City

2010-07-18T00:34:00.000-07:00

This book has actually come up for mention twice in the last two days and because it is a South African author, I thought it was important to highlight it on this blog.

I have not read it, but I am very keen to get feedback from anybody who has read the book. The two people I know who said they have read it, said they were blown away by the quality and the story line.

Here's the preview of the book:

Zinzi has a talent for finding lost things. To save herself, she has to find the hardest thing of all...the truth. Zinzi has a Sloth on her back, a dirty 419 scam habit and a talent for finding lost things. But when a client turns up dead and the cops confiscate her last paycheck, she's forced to take on her least favourite kind of job - missing persons. Being hired by famously reclusive music producer Odi Huron to find a teenybop pop star should be her ticket out of Zoo City, the festering slum where the criminal underclass, marked by their animals, live in the shadow of the undertow. Instead, it catapults Zinzi deeper into the underbelly of a city twisted by crime and magic, where she'll be forced to confront the dark secrets of former lives - including her own. Set in a wildly re-imagined Johannesburg, it swirls refugees, crime, the music industry, African magic and the nature of sin together into a heady brew.

Title: Zoo City

Author: Lauren Beukes

ISBN: 978-1-77009-818-3

You can buy the book online from retailer Loot for R122 by clicking here or you can buy it from Kalahari.Net by clicking here or on the book cover.

Caught - Harlan Coben

2010-06-12T10:32:00.000-07:00

My wife and I spent some time this evening trying to work out whether we enjoyed the latest offering from Harlan Coben - Caught.

There is no question it was a page-turner. I started it earlier today after downloading it to my kindle and it was finished by 4pm. I don't know exactly what it was but this story was more about curiousity than necessarily a cracking plot.

The book starts with local do-gooder Dan Mercer being setup in a sting which would seem to indicate he was having an inappropriate relationship with a 13 year old boy. Mercer's life is wrecked in a very public and humiliating manner on a sleaze TV show and his world falls apart... especially when it later appears that he may be implicated in other cases.

However when Wendy Tynes, the reporter who nailed Mercer witnesses him being killed, she begins looking more closely at Mercer and those around him. She finds out that he is not the only one to have been caught up in a high-profile scandal in the last year and the more she looks at it, the more obvious it is that she herself had played a part in convicting a man who may well have been innocent.

Now here is the rub - while you keep turning the pages to find out whodunit, you never feel like the book steps up a gear at all. Its like a plot unwinding but with no real tension points. This is a bit unusual considering a lot of Cobens' other books which always make for a grand finale.

Title: Caught
Author: Harlan Coben
ISBN: 978-0-525-95158-2

Rated the book a 3.5 out of 5.

You can buy the book from online retailer Loot for R226.00 (hardcover you save R55) or if you click on the book cover you can buy the book from online retailer Kalahari. Net

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Barry Sergeant: Brett Kebble - The Inside Story

2010-06-12T09:48:00.001-07:00

Being interested in financial markets, I have been meaning to read the Barry Sergeant book - Brett Kebble - The Inside Story - for a while now. One of my colleagues gave me a copy and I just finished it this morning.

Have to say it was a bit of a mixed bag and if you have no interest in mining, the Kebbles or stockmarket investing then this book will just be one big question mark for you.

Make no mistake this book was heavy going. With so many companies, personalities, fake business entities etc. I won't lie I battled through it. I think you would need to be an auditor to try and keep track over what Kebble was actually doing!

The Kebble "fraud" is likely to be one of the those stories which will hang around for so many years. As a mining character he was larger than life and almost everybody I have met had a story to tell about him and when the story of him being killed in a hail of bullets in Melrose broke, it took a long while for the dust to start to settle.

No questions asked, this was a very heavy read and if you are looking for braindead entertainment this isn't it. If you are looking for clues as to who actually killd Kebble, then the story skirts around this a bit but doesn't nail it down.

Still it was definately an interesting read and will probably go down as one of those collector items in South African investment history. Well done to Barry for putting together such a comprehensive read.

Title: Brett Kebble - The Inside Story
Author: Barry Sergeant
ISBN: 978-1-77007-306-7

You can buy the book from online retailer Loot for R166.00.

We rated the book a 3 out of 5 but found it very heavy going!

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Hot video games - 2010/05/25

2010-05-23T14:16:00.000-07:00

Wanna know what video games are hot? As usual on a Sunday night we compile a list of the top video games from various online retailers.

It looks like Red Dead Redemption is the title of choice across all the retailers.

Take2
1. God of War 1 + 2 Collection (PS3)
2. Red Dead Redemption (PS3)
3. 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa (PS3)
4. PlayStation Network Card R200 (PS3/PSP) In Stock
*Note the Code will be emailed to you
5. Official XBox 360 Hard Drive (250GB) In Stock
6. World of Warcraft 60 Day Pre-paid Game Card European Server Version (PC)
7. 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa (Xbox 360)
8. Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360) In Stock
9. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PC DVD-ROM)
10. Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City (PS3)

Kalahari.Net
1. Red Dead Redemption - PS3
2. Red Dead Redemption - Xbox360
3. 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa - PS3
4. Red Dead Redemption Limited Edition - Xbox360
5. God of War Collection: God of War & God of War II - PS3
6. Starcraft 2 Special Edition - PC
7. Alan Wake - Xbox360
8. 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa - Xbox360
9. Avatar: Into the Ferno - PS2
10. 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa - Adidas Ball Bundle - PS3

Amazon.com
1. Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Nintendo Wii
2. Red Dead Redemption - Xbox360
3. Red Dead Redemption - PS3
4. New Super Mario Bros - Nintendo Wii
5. Supreme Ruler 2020 Gold Demo [Game Download] - PC pre-sale
6. Alan Wake - Xbox360
7. Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board - Nintendo Wii
8. ModNation Racers - PS3
9. Super Street Fighter IV - PS3
10. Call of Duty: Black Ops - Xbox360 …

Want It All- S.A's Largest Online Shop Click Here
1. Red Dead Redemption - Xbox360
2. Red Dead Redemption - PS3
3. Starcraft II - Wings of Liberty (PC)
4. Super Street Fighter IV - PS3
5. God of War III - PS3
6. Alan Wake - Xbox360
7. 3D Dot Game Heroes - PS3
8. Mario Kart DS - Nintendo DS
9. Assasins Creeed II - PS3
10. Call of Duty II - Xbox360

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Bestselling Books - 2010/05/23

2010-05-23T11:33:00.001-07:00

Want to know what books are selling well at the various online retailers? As usual on a Sunday night we compile a list of the bestsellings books from the various online retailers.

There is a new South African title on the Kalahari list with Antony Altbeker's book: "Fruit of a Poisoned Tree".

On the Amazon list Peter Lillbacks' book "George Washingston's Sacred Fire" has been the top seller for the last week.

Take2
1. Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest - Larsson, Stieg
2. Savor the Moment - Roberts, Nora
3. Wild Fire - Feehan, Christine
4. Vampire Diaries - The Return: Shadow Souls - Smith, L. J.
5. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 1, Books 1 & 2 - Smith, L. J.
6. Dead and Gone - Harris, Charlaine
7. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 2, Books 3 & 4 - Smith, L. J.
8. Lion's Heat - Leigh, Lora
9. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Larsson, Stieg
10. Girl Who Played with Fire - Larsson, Stieg

Kalahari.Net
1. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest - Stieg Larsson
2. The Return: Nightfall - LJ Smith
3. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer
4. The Return: Shadow Souls - LJ Smith
5. Savor the Moment - Nora Roberts
6. 9th Judgement - James Patterson
7. Fruit of a Poisoned Tree: A True Story of Murder and the Miscarriage of Justice - Antony Altbeker
8. The Lost Boy - Aher Arop Bol
9. Wolf Hall - Hilary Mantel
10. The Awakening: Bks. 1 & 2: AND The Struggle - LJ Smith

Amazon.com
1. George Washington's Sacred Fire - Peter A. Lillback
2. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson
3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Vintage) - Stieg Larsson
4. Women Food and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything - Geneen Roth
5. Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 10) - Charlaine Harris
6. The Girl Who Played with Fire (Vintage) - Stieg Larsson
7. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novel - Stephenie Meyer
8. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
9. With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa - E. B. Sledge
10. The Real George Washington (American Classic) - Jay A. Parry …

Want It All- S.A's Largest Online Shop Click Here
1. Women Food and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything - Geneen Roth
2. Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 10) - Charlaine Harris
3. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest - Stieg Larsson
4. Spoken from the heart - Laura Bush
5. The Big Short - Inside the Doomsday Machine - Michael Lewis
6. The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles, Book 1) - Rick Riordan
7. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novel - Stephenie Meyer
8. The Real George Washington (American Classic) - Jay A. Parry
9. Savor the Moment - Nora Roberts
10. 61 Hours, a Reacher Novel - Lee Child

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Popular books - 2010/05/10

2010-05-10T14:54:00.000-07:00

We were a little slack this weekend in putting together a bestsellers lists so let's do a quick recap of the top seller books at the various onlineretailers.

Lolly Jackson lives on! In the Kalahari bestseller list his biography by Vincent Marino is in the topsellers this week.

Amazon.com
1. Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 10) - Charlaine Harris
2. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stiegg Larsson
3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Vintage) - Stieg Larsson
4. The Real George Washington (American Classic) - Jay A. Parry
5. Spoken from the Heart - Laura Bush
6. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
7. The Girl Who Played with Fire (Vintage) - Stieg Larsson
8. The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles, Book 1) - Rick Riordan
9. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine - Michael Lewis
10. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer

Take2
1. Savor the Moment - Roberts, Nora
2. Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest - Larsson, Stieg
3. Wild Fire - Feehan, Christine
4. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 1, Books 1 & 2 - Smith, L. J.
5. Dead and Gone - Harris, Charlaine
6. Bad Moon Rising - Kenyon, Sherrilyn
7. Lion's Heat - Leigh, Lora
8. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 2, Books 3 & 4 - Smith, L. J.
9. Vampire Diaries - The Return: Nightfall - Smith, L. J.
10. Girl Who Played with Fire - Larsson, Stieg

Kalahari.Net
1. Vampire Diaries: Bks. 3 & 4 - LJ Smith
2. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest - Stieg Larsson
3. Evita's Kossie Sikelela - Evita Bezuidenhout
4. The Struggle: Bks. 1 & 2 - LJ Smith
5. Dis Koue Kos, Skat - Marita van der Vyfer
6. Stripped: The King of Teaze - Vincent Marino
7. The Return: Nightfall - LJ Smith
8. Jamie Does - Jamie Oliver
9. Solar - Ian McEwan
10. Speak Xhosa with Us: Beginners to Advanced: Beginner - Advanced. Includes: CD-Rom, Text book package - Tessa Dowling

Want It All- S.A's Largest Online Shop Click Here
1. Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 10) - Charlaine Harris
2. Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest - Larsson, Stieg
3. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine - Michael Lewis
4. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
5. Lover Mine: A novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood
6. Savor the Moment (The Bride Quartet, Book 3) – Nora Roberts
7. Burned (House of novels)
8. Women. Food and God. An unexpected path to almost everything
9. Spoken from the Heart - Laura Bush
10. Publication: Manual of the American Psychological Association

Harlan Coben - The Final Detail

2010-05-09T02:55:00.000-07:00

I’m a big Harlan Coben fan, but this latest read was a bit wishy-washy for my liking.

The story kicks off with long running hero Myron Bolitar disappearing to a tropical island after some rather traumatic events in the previous novel.

He’s called back to reality after his best friend and business partner Esperanza is arrested and charged with murder following the death of one of their clients.

With Esperanza refusing to talk to him it makes Myron’s case that much harder to solve.

And so begins a search through dodgy night clubs, a missing persons case which is nearly 20 years old and an assortment of people who have a grudge against Myron which ends with a couple of intriguing twists in the tail.

My problem with the book is that it lacked the “compact” nature of other Coben books. Particularly the last 30% of the book seemed to drift and wind a bit.

You got the sense that the book was going somewhere and you got the surprises you wanted, but too much introspection and I guess “dawdle” in the latter part of the book.

The wife commented that she was disappointed there were fewer fight / action scenes and maybe that was what was different about this book – too much focus on

Myron trying to understand himself as a person and not enough knuckles being cracked!

Still it was fun enough to keep me as the reader interested and pass the time.

Title: The Final Point
Author: Harlan Coben
ISBN: 978-0-7393-4117-9

Rated the book a 3 out of 5.

You can buy it online from Loot for R140 or click on the book cover above and buy it through online retailer Kalahari.Net

Happy reading!

Hot books - 2010/05/02

2010-05-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

Sunday is here and once again we are looking at what books are hot with the various online retailers:

I see that the Laura Bush book "Spoken From the Heart" is now on the Amazon bestseller list is a newcomer on the list. Other new titles include "Savor the moment" from Nora Roberts and Burned from PC Cast and Kristin Cast.

Take2
1. Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest - Larsson, Stieg
2. Lion's Heat- Leigh, Lora
3. Savor the Moment - Roberts, Nora
4. Bad Moon Rising - Kenyon, Sherrilyn
5. Vampire Diaries - The Return: Shadow Souls - Smith, L. J.
6. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 1, Books 1 & 2 - Smith, L. J.
7. Wild Fire - Feehan, Christine
8. Girl Who Played with Fire - Larsson, Stieg
9. Dead and Gone -Harris, Charlaine
10. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 2, Books 3 & 4 - Smith, L. J.

Want It All- S.A's Largest Online Shop Click Here
1. Dead in the Family: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel – Charlaine Harris
2. Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest - Stieg Larsson
3. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine – Michael Lewis
4. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse – Stephenie Meyer
5. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
6. Women. Food and God. An unexpected path to almost everything
7. Savor the Moment (The Bride Quartet, Book 3) - Nora Roberts
8. Lover Mine: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood - JR Ward
9. The 9th Judgement - James Patterson
10. Burned - PC and Kristin Cast

Amazon.com
1. Dead in the Family: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel – Charlaine Harris
2. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson
3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Vintage) - Stieg Larsson
4. Spoken from the Heart - Laura Bush
5. The Imperfectionists: A Novel - Tom Rachman
6. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
7. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine - Michael Lewis
8. Samuel Adams: A Life - Ira Stoll
9. The Girl Who Played with Fire (Vintage) - Stieg Larsson
10. The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles, Book 1) - Rick Riordan

Kalahari.Net
1. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella - Stephenie Meyer
2. Eet Vir Volgehoue Energie 4 - Liesbet Delport; Gabi Steenkamp
3. Vampire Diaries: Bks. 3 & 4 - LJ Smith
4. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest - Stiegg Larsson
5. Burned - P.C. Cast; Kristin Cast
6. Spirit Bound - Richelle Mead
7. Evita's Kossie Sikelela - Evita Bezuidenhout
8. Savor the Moment - Nora Roberts
9. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking - Malcolm Gladwell
10. Solar - Ian McEwan

Hot video games - 2010/04/25

2010-04-25T14:48:00.000-07:00

Starcraft II is dominating the bestseller lists this week along with Grand Theft Auto.

Here are the bestsellers from the various online retailers:

Take2
1. God of War 3 (PS3)
2. PlayStation Network Card R200 (PS3/PSP)
3. Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening Expansion Pack (PC DVD-ROM)
4. World of Warcraft 60 Day Pre-paid Game Card European Server Version (PC)
5. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PC DVD-ROM)
6. Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City (PS3)
7. Exclusive: Far Cry 2 (PC DVD-ROM)
8. Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight (PC DVD-ROM)
9. Street Fighter IV Collector's Edition (PS3)
10. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare GOTY Edition (PS3)

Kalahari.net
1. Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City - PS3
2. 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa - PS3
3. Starcraft 2 Special Edition - PC
4. God of War Collection: God of War & God of War II - PS3
5. 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa - Adidas Ball Bundle - PS3
6. Splinter Cell Conviction - Xbox360
7. Empire Earth II Gold - PC (R27.95!!!)
8. Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City - PC
9. Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight - PC
10. Age of Empires Collector's Edition (Exclusive Range) - PC

Amazon
1. Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty - PC
2. Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Nintendo Wii
3. Super Street Fighter IV - PS3
4. Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty Collector's Edition - PC
5. Super Street Fighter IV - Xbox360
6. Red Dead Redemption - Xbox360
7. Just Dance - Nintendo Wii
8. New Super Mario Bros - Nintendo Wii
9. God of War III - PS3
10. MLB 2K10 - Xbox360

Want It All- S.A's Largest Online Shop Click Here
1. God of War III - PS3
2. Just Dance - Nintendo Wii
3. Tom Clancy Splinter Celll - Xbox360
4. Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty - PC
5. StreetFighter 4 - PS3
6. Pokemon Heartgold Version - Nintendo DS
7. Pokemon SoulSilver - Nintendo DS
8. Red Dead Redemption - Xbox360
9. Batman Arkhum Asylum - PS3
10. Battlefield Bad Company 2 - Xbox360

Bestselling Books - 2010/04/25

2010-04-25T14:47:00.000-07:00

Want to know what books are selling well on the various online retail platforms?

I see that the new James Patterson book - 9th Judgement - is moving up the various bestseller lists and the Sookie Stackhouse is also proving popular.

Here they are:

Take2
1. Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest - Larsson, Stig
2. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 1, Books 1 & 2 - Smith, L. J.
3. Lion's Heat - Leigh, Lora
4. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 2, Books 3 & 4 - Smith, L. J.
5. The Return: Nightfall - Smith, L. J.
6. Vampire Diaries - The Return: Nightfall - Smith, L. J.
7. Bad Moon Rising - Kenyon, Sherrilyn
8. Girl Who Played with Fire- Larsson, Stieg
9. Vampire Diaries Vol 1 Books 3 & 4 TV Tie - Smith, L. J.
10. Vampire Diaries - The Return: Shadow Souls - Smith, L. J.

Kalahari.net
1. The Gabriel Method: The Revolutionary Diet-Free Way to Totally Transform Your Body - Jon Gabriel
2. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest - Stieg Larsson
3. 9th Judgement - James Patterson
4. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer
5. Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
6. The Struggle: Bks. 1 & 2 - LJ Smith
7. The Return: Nightfall - LJ Smith
8. The Return: Shadow Souls - LJ Smith
9. Vampire Diaries: Bks. 3 & 4 - LJ Smith
10. Jesus seen die kindertjies - Gloria A. Truitt

Amazon
1. Dead in the Family: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel - Charlaine Harris
2. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson
3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Vintage) - Stieg Larsson
4. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine - Michael Lewis
5. The Girl Who Played with Fire (Vintage) - Stieg Larsson
6. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
7. Savor the Moment (The Bride Quartet, Book 3) - Nora Roberts
8. Lover Mine: A Novel of the Black Dagger - J. R. Ward
9. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
10. The 9th Judgment (The Women's Murder Club) - James Patterson

Want It All- S.A's Largest Online Shop Click Here
1. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
2. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
3. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine - Michael Lewis
4. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson
5. Women. Food and God. An unexpected path to almost everything
6. Dead in the Family: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel - Charlaine Harris
7. The Girl Who Played with Fire (Vintage) - Stieg Larsson
8. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
9. Changes: The Dresden Files - Jim Butcher
10. Oprah: A biography

Popular music - 2010/04/25

2010-04-25T14:43:00.000-07:00

On the Amazon site there is a new face at the top of the rankings with the Natalie Merchant CD. She also makes it to the top of the Want It All music list as well. Haven't heard of her before - anybody know what the CD is like?

Need You Now from Lady Antebellum is also proving to be popular on three of the four lists.

It is all Afrikaans this week on the Kalahari website!

Here are the full lists:

Take2
1. Madonna - Sticky & Sweet Tour (DVD/CD)
2. Now the DVD Vol. 15 (DVD)
3. Cliff Richard And The Shadows - The Final Reunion 2009 (DVD)
4. Now 54 (CD)
5. Ray Dylan - Ek Wens Jy's Myne (CD)
6. Eden - Dekade (CD) In Stock
7. Romanz - Ek Sal Getuig (CD)
8. Watershed - A Million Faces : 20 Hits 10 Years (CD)
9. My World 2.0 - (Import CD) - Justin Bieber
10. Nadine - Live In Europe (DVD)

Kalahari.net
1. Now 54 - Various
2. Ons Lieflinge / Our Darlings Vol.2 - Drome - Rudi En Corlea
3. Tweeduisend-En-Tien - Laurika Rauch
4. Afri-frans - Various
5. Die Grootste Afrikaanse Treffers Ooit! - Various
6. Afri-Spaans - Various
7. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
8. 100 Acoustic Memories - Various
9. My Worlds - Justin Bieber
10. Soldier Of Love - Sade

Amazon
1. Leave Your Sleep (2CD) - Natalie Merchant
2. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
3. The Age of Miracles - Mary Chapin Carpenter
4. Fearless Love - Melissa Etheridge
5. Live At The Troubadour [CD / DVD Combo] - James Taylor
6. Emotion & Commotion - Jeff Beck
7. Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna - Glee Cast
8. Country Music - Willie Nelson
9. Soldier of Love - Sade
10. Crazy Heart: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various

Want It All- S.A's Largest Online Shop Click Here
1. Leave Your Sleep (2CD) - Natalie Merchant
2. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
3. Soldier of Love - Sade
4. Emotion & Commotion - Jeff Beck
5. Valleys of Neptune - Jimi Hendrix
6. I learned the hard way - Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
7. Women & Country - Jakob Dylan
8. Slash - Slash
9. Sticky & Sweet Tour- Madonna
10. Broken Bells - Broken Bells

Consent to Kill – Vince Flynn

2010-04-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

This is the first Vince Flynn book I have read and quite simply – it was a really nice, simple and uncomplicated read. A few places were a little unbelievable but if you’re a fan of action movies and want a similar thing in book format then this is probably the closest you are going to come.

As far as anti-terrorist experts go CIA superagent Mitch Rapp is as big and deadly as they come. He’s the kind of guy who you really don’t want to wake up to because you will know without question why he is there.

Suffice to say in his line of work, he has irritated a few people along the line including an influential Saudi businessman whose son Rapp had supposedly bumped off in a previous novel and now he is seeking revenge. Rapp finds himself and his wife in the sights of a dangerous hitman who will let nothing get in his way.

The end result is a really entertaining action thriller for those who just want to switch off for a bit.

Title: Consent to kill

Author: Vince Flynn

ISBN: 978-1-4165-0501-3

Rated the book a 3.5 out of 5 and would thoroughly recommend it.

You can buy the book online from retailer Loot for R84.

Popular music - 2010/04/11

2010-04-11T13:04:00.000-07:00

Who would possibly have believed that a bestseller list in 2010 would be topped by Jimi Hendrix and Cliff Richard?!

Here it is - a list of the hottest music according to various online resellers:

Amazon
1. Valleys Of Neptune - Jimi Hendrix
2. Emotion & Commotion - Jeff Beck
3. I Learned The Hard Way - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
4. Women and Country - Jakob Dylan
5. The Sticky & Sweet Tour - Madonna
6. Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
7. Volume Two - She & Him
8. Soldier of Love - Sade
9. Leave Your Sleep (2CD) - Natalie Merchant
10. Slash - Slash

Kalahari.Net
1. Tweeduisend-En-Tien - Laurika Rauch
2. Now 54 - Various
3. 100 Acoustic Memories - Various
4. Hits From LM Radio (Not Original Artists) - Various
5. Sand & Water - NIANELL
6. Ons Lieflinge / Our Darlings Vol.2 - Drome - Rudi En Corlea
7. I Dreamed A Dream - Susan Boyle
8. Die Grootste Afrikaanse Treffers Ooit! - Various
9. 10 Jaar - Platinum Treffers - Juanita Du Plessis
10. Afri-frans - Various

Take2.co.za
1. Cliff Richard And The Shadows - The Final Reunion 2009
2. Madonna - Sticky & Sweet Tour
3. Cliff Richard And The Shadows - Reunited
4. Eden - Dekade
5. Now the DVD Vol. 15
6. Ray Dylan - Ek Wens Jy's Myne
7. My World 2.0 - Justin Bieber
8. Now 54
9. Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
10. Watershed - A Million Faces : 20 Hits 10 Years

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2010 FIFA World Cup – South Africa

2010-04-11T11:57:00.000-07:00

World Cup fever is definately here and I saw this title and realised I want my own little momento of 2010.

Experience all the emotion and passion of the world’s biggest rivalries as you live the dream of competing for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Take on the challenge of leading your home nation from qualification right through to a virtual re-creation of the FIFA World Cup Final and feel what it is like to score the goal that lifts a nation.

Win the 2010 FIFA World Cup - Compete as one of 199 teams from qualification right through to a virtual reproduction of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final. Play in any of the 10 official stadiums that come to life with the pageantry and festivity of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

2010 FIFA World Cup Online - The first-ever full and authentic 2010 FIFA World Cup online tournament. Compete as your favourite country against rivals in the group stage through the knockout rounds to be crowned 2010 FIFA World Cup champion. Navigate the Globe to locate top countries and opponents among all 199 participating nations.

Spectacular Presentation - 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ comes to life in spectacular fashion with all the emotion and pageantry of the official tournament, including all 10 official licensed stadiums. Experience confetti cannons, streamers, giant banners, seat cards, flags and fireworks as if you were in South Africa.

Battle of the Nations - Represent your country in the 2010 FIFA World Cup online tournament against your rivals to win global supremacy. Earn individual and team points and prove your nation is the best. Every performance is rated, recorded and uploaded and your ratings all count towards player and nation leaderboards.

Home & Away Tactics - CPU mimics international football by creating strategic, defensive formations for weaker teams playing away from home. Plus, weaker teams raise their level of play on their home pitch.

Altitude Effects - Less air resistance at altitude means the ball travels faster and further. Plus, player will noticeably fatigue faster and their stamina challenged while playing in cities at higher elevations versus sea level.

Authentic Stadiums - Compete in all 10 official stadiums of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

You can buy the Nintendo Wii title from Loot for R368.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Want It All- S.A's Largest Online Shop Click Here

Hot video games - 2010/04/11

2010-04-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

Want to know which video games are selling well at the moment? Here is the Sunday breakdown on the various online retailers.

God of War 3, Starcraft II and 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa are three prominent titles this weekend!

Amazon
1. Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty Collector’s Edition - PC
2. Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board - Nintendo Wii
3. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction - Xbox360
4. Just Dance - Nintendo Wii
5. Super Street Fighter IV - PS3
6. Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2010 with Gun Bundle - Nintendo Wii
7. God of War III - PS3
8. Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Nintendo Wii
9. Red Dead Redemption - Xbox360
10. Pokemon SoulSilver Version - Nintendo DS

Kalahari.Net
1. God of War 3 - PS3
2. 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa - PS3
3. Settlers 7 - PC
4. Stronghold Collection - PC
5. Assassin's Creed 2 - PC
6. Need for Speed Undercover - PC
7. Warhammer: Dawn of War 2 Chaos Rising - PC
8. The Sims 3: High End Loft - PC
9. Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City - PS3
10. Virtua Tennis 2009 - Nintendo Wii

Take2.co.za
1. God of War 3 - PS3
2. Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening Expansion Pack - PC
3. Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight - PC
4. Final Fantasy XIII - PS3
5. World of Warcraft 60 Day Pre-paid Game Card European Server Version - PC
6. PlayStation Network Card R200 - PS3/PSP
7. Stronghold Collection - PC
8. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat - PC
9. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare GOTY Edition - PS3
10. Warhammer: Dawn of War 2 - Chaos Rising Expansion Pack - PC

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Bestselling books - 2010/04/11

2010-04-11T11:06:00.000-07:00

Another Sunday is here and once again we take a look at the bestselling books making the various online retail charts.

Again the Amazon list is topped by a food title! I keep telling you - food and politics seems to be the American hot topics at the moment!

Amazon
1. Women Food and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything - Geneen Roth
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
3. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine - Michael Lewis
4. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson
5. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella - Stephenie Meyer
6. The Girl Who Played with Fire - Stieg Larsson
7. Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independance - Benson J. Lossing
8. Dead in the Family: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel - Charlaine Harris
9. Wives of the Signers - Mary W. Green
10. Changes (Dresden Files, Book 12) - Jim Butcher

Kalahari.Net
1. Evita's Kossie Sikelela - Pieter-Dirk Uys
2. The Struggle: Bks. 1 & 2 - LJ Smith
3. Vampire Diaries: v. 1 & 2 - LJ Smith
4. The Gabriel Method: The Revolutionary Diet-Free Way to Totally Transform Your Body - Jon Gabriel
5. Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
6. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest - Stieg Larsson
7. The Girl Who Played with Fire -Stieg Larsson
8. Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
9. SAICA Legislation Handbook 2009/2010 - SAICA
10.Vampire Diaries: Bks. 3 & 4 - LJ Smith

Take2.co.za
1. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 1, Books 1 & 2 - Smith, L. J.
2. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 2, Books 3 & 4 - Smith, L. J.
3. The Return: Nightfall- Smith, L. J.
4. Vampire Diaries Vol 1 Books 3 & 4 TV Tie- Smith, L. J.
5. Vampire Diaries - The Return: Nightfall- Smith, L. J.
6. Lion's Heat- Leigh, Lora
7. Bad Moon Rising- Kenyon, Sherrilyn
8. Girl Who Played with Fire- Larsson, Stieg
9. Vampire Diaries - The Return: Shadow Souls - Smith, L. J.
10. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Larsson, Stieg

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Hot Easter Games

2010-04-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

And no new faces on the video game bestselling lists:

Kalahari.Net
1. Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight - PC
2. Battlefield Bad Company 2 - Limited Edition - PC
3. Final Fantasy XIII - PS3
4. Singstar: ABBA - PS2
5. Ben 10: Vilgax Attacks Special Edition with Free Ben 10 Watch - PS2
6. Virtua Tennis 2009 - Nintendo Wii
7. Just Cause 2 - PS3
8. Just Cause 2 - Xbox 360
9. Heavy Rain - PS3
10. Assassin's Creed 2 - PC

Take2.co.za
1. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Limited Edition (PC)
2. God of War 3 (PS3)
3. Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening Expansion Pack (PC)
4. Final Fantasy XIII (PS3)
5. Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight (PC)
6. World of Warcraft 60 Day Pre-paid Game Card European Server Version (PC)
7. Assassin's Creed II (PC DVD-ROM)
8. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat (PC)
9. Stronghold Collection (PC)
10. Exclusive: World In Conflict Complete (PC)

Amazon.com
1. Xbox 360 Arcade - Xbox360
2. Pokemon HeartGold Version Software Only - Nintendo DS
3. Just Dance - Nintendo Wii
4. God of War III - PS3
5. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction - Xbox360
6. Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Nintendo Wii
7. New Super Mario Bros - Nintendo Wii
8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - Xbox360
9. Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board - Nintendo Wii
10. LittleBigPlanet: Game of the Year Edition - PS3

Easter Bestselling Books

2010-04-04T13:02:00.000-07:00

It is the end of an interesting Easter weekend for South Africans and that means that as has become our tradition we compile a list of the best-selling books on the various online retail platforms.

There are two interesting titles on the Kalahari list which jump out at me. First up there is the new Pieter-Dirk Uys book and secondly "Sokker – Alles wat jy wil weet maar te skaam is om te vra" by Tim Sandham. Will definately see if I can get my hands on these two books to do a review on them.

Interestingly there is a new Stephenie Meyer topping the Amazon list and considering how much I enjoyed Twilight, I think I might need to follow this one.

Kalahari.Net
1. Evita's Kossie Sikelela - Pieter-Dirk Uys
2. Nuwe kinderverseboek - Riana Scheepers; Suzette Kotze-Myburgh
3. The Girl Who Played with Fire - Stieg Larsson
4. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest - Stieg Larsson
5. Vampire Diaries: Bks. 3 & 4 - LJ Smith
6. The Struggle: Bks. 1 & 2 - LJ Smith
7. Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume I: 40th Anniversary Edition - Julia Child; Louisette Bertholle
8. Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
9. The Gabriel Method: The Revolutionary Diet-Free Way to Totally Transform Your Body - Jon Gabriel
10. Sokker – Alles wat jy wil weet maar te skaam is om te vra - Tim Sandham

Take2.co.za
1. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 1, Books 1 & 2- Smith, L. J.
2. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 2, Books 3 & 4 - Smith, L. J.
3. The Return: Nightfall - Smith, L. J.
4. Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest - Larsson, Stig
5. Vampire Diaries Vol 1 Books 3 & 4 TV Tie - Smith, L. J.
6. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Larsson, Stieg
7. Vampire Diaries - The Return: Nightfall- Smith, L. J.
8. Bad Moon Rising- Kenyon, Sherrilyn
9. Girl Who Played with Fire- Larsson, Stieg
10. Eclipse - Meyer, Stephenie

Amazon.com
1. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella - Stephenie Meyer
2. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine - Michael Lewis
3. Changes (Dresden Files, Book 12) - Jim Butcher
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
5. The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that could save your life - Ben Sherwood
6. The Age of the Unthinkable: Why the New World Disorder Constantly Surprises Us And What We Can Do About It - Joshua Cooper Ramo
7. America's Prophet: Moses and the American Story - Bruce Feiler
8. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson
9. Conservative Victory: Defeating Obama's Radical Agenda - Sean Hannity
10. Hungry Girl 1-2-3: The Easiest, Most Delicious Free Recipes on the planet - Lisa Lillien

On the reading list?

2010-04-01T22:34:00.000-07:00

It looks like a rainy start to the Easter weekend – at least in Johannesburg!

The wife has claimed her Kindle back so I’ve had to search high and low through our bookshelves to find something decent to read. I even went so far as to look at what was on the daughters shelf and came across her copy of “Twilight”.

Up until now I have had absolutely no desire to read it. I love science fiction of the vampire nature, but my impression of Twilight was a lame, soppy, romantic series for teenagers.

I appear to have gotten it a little wrong and the book is actually quite well written and story line is sound! Maybe that explains why it has been such a phenomenal success on all the best-seller lists?

So what else are people reading this weekend?

Hot Video Games – 2010/03/28

2010-03-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

Two new titles are creeping up the respective lists – Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight and Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening Expansion Pack

Here are the full lists:

Kalahari.net
1. Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight (PC)
2. Battlefield Bad Company 2 – Limited Edition – PC
3. Empire Earth II Gold – PC
4. Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening Expansion Pack – PC
5. Virtua Tennis 2009 – Nintendo Wii
6. Street Fighter IV – PS3
7. Final Fantasy XIII – PS3
8. Assassin’s Creed 2 – PC
9. Ben 10: Vilgax Attacks – PS2
10. Need for Speed Undercover – PC

Amazon.com
1. Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Nintendo Wii
2. Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board – Nintendo Wii
3. Pokemon HeartGold Version Software Only – Nintendo DS
4. God of War III – PS3
5. Pokemon SoulSilver Version Software Only – Nintendo DS
6. New Super Mario Bros – Nintendo Wii
7. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – PS3
8. Just Dance – Nintendo Wii
9. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction – Xbox360
10. MadWorld – Nintendo Wii

Take2.co.za
1. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Limited Edition – PC
2. God of War 3 – PS3
3. Final Fantasy XIII – PS3
4. Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight – PC
5. Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening Expansion Pack – PC
6. Street Fighter IV – PS3
7. Assassin’s Creed II – PC
8. Exclusive: World In Conflict Complete – PC
9. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat – PC
10. World of Warcraft 60 Day Pre-paid Game Card European Server Version (PC)

Bestselling Books – 2010/03/28

2010-03-28T14:11:00.000-07:00

As usual on a Sunday night we compile a list of the bestselling books at the various online retailers:

There is a new Harlan Coben title climbing the Amazon ranks and the Jon Gabriel title also seems to feature.

Kalahari.net
1. The Struggle: Bks. 1 & 2 – LJ Smith
2. Eclipse – Stephenie Meyer
3. Vampire Diaries: Bks. 3 & 4 – LJ Smith
4. Plaasmoord – Karin Brynard
5. The Gabriel Method: The Revolutionary Diet-Free Way to Totally Transform Your Body – Jon Gabriel
6. Breaking Dawn – Stephenie Meyer
7. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything – Elizabeth Gilbert
8. New Moon – Stephenie Meyer
9. Jesus word gebore – Gloria A. Truitt
10. Moses in die mandjie – Julie Dietrich

Amazon.com
1. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine – Michael Lewis
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson
3. Now Eat This!: 150 of America’s Favorite Comfort Foods, All Under 350 Calories – Rocco DiSpirito
4. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest – Stieg Larsson
5. The Help – Kathryn Stockett
6. Change Your Brain, Change Your Body: Use Your Brain to Get and Keep the Body You Have Always Wanted – Daniel G. Amen M.D
7. The Girl Who Played with Fire – Stieg Larsson
8. Conservative Victory: Defeating Obama’s Radical Agenda – Sean Hannity
9. Women Food and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything – Geneen Roth
10. Caught – Harlan Coben

Take2.co.za
1. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 1, Books 1 & 2 – Smith, L. J.
2. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 2, Books 3 & 4 – Smith, L. J.
3. The Return: Nightfall – Smith, L. J.
4. Black Jack – Leigh, Lora
5. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo -Larsson, Stieg
6. Vampire Diaries Vol 1 Books 3 & 4 TV Tie – Smith, L. J.
7. Born to Be Wild – Warren, Christine
8. Master of Fire- Knight, Angela
9. Eclipse – Meyer, Stephenie
10. The Gabriel Method – Gabriel, Jon

Hot video games - 2010/03/21

2010-03-21T12:50:00.000-07:00

And as usual we chuck in the bestselling video games as well:

God of War III seems to be kicking ass both at home and abroad!

Take2
1. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Limited Edition – PC
2. God of War 3 – PS3
3. Final Fantasy XIII – PS3
4. Street Fighter IV – PS3
5. Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight – PC
6. Heavy Rain – PS3
7. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat – PC
8. Assassin’s Creed II – PC
9. Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening Expansion Pack – PC
10. Street Fighter IV Collector’s Edition – PS3

Kalahari.net
1. God of War 3 – PS3
2. Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight – PC
3. Battlefield Bad Company 2 – Limited Edition – PC
4. Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening Expansion Pack – PC
5. Final Fantasy XIII – PS3
6. Heavy Rain – PS3
7. Outrun 2006: Coast 2 Coast – PC
8. Battlefield Bad Company 2 Limited Edition – Xbox360
9. Sacred 2 Gold – PC
10. Empire Earth II Gold – PC

Amazon.com
1. God of War III – PS3
2. Pokemon SoulSilver Version Software Only – Nintendo DS
3. Pokemon HeartGold Version Software Only – Nintendo DS
4. Just Dance – Nintendo Wii
5. New Super Mario Bros – Nintendo Wii
6. Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board – Nintendo Wii
7. Final Fantasy XIII – PS3
8. Battlefield Bad Company 2 – Xbox360
9. Wii Sports Resort – Nintendo Wii
10. God of War: Collection – PS3

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Bestselling books – 2010/03/21

2010-03-21T12:19:00.001-07:00

Sunday is here and once again we profile the bestselling books on the various only retailers for the bestselling books.

I see my Michael Lewis pick has shot to the top of the Amazon bestseller list! Gonna be a goodie when I get my grubby little paws on it.

Take2
1. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 1, Books 1 & 2 – Smith, L. J.
2. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 2, Books 3 & 4 – Smith, L. J.
3. The Return: Nightfall – Smith, L. J.
4. Black Jack – Leigh, Lora
5. Vampire Diaries Vol 1 Books 3 & 4 TV Tie – Smith, L. J.
6. Born to Be Wild – Warren, Christine
7. Hot Rocks – Roberts, Nora
8. Pleasure of a Dark Prince – Cole, Kresley
9. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo – Larsson, Stieg
10. Master of Fire – Knight, Angela

Kalahari.net
1. The Struggle: Bks. 1 & 2 – LJ Smith
2. Fees Van Die Ongenooides – P.G. du Plessis
3. SAICA Legislation Handbook 2009/2010 – SAICA
4. Vampire Diaries: Bks. 3 & 4 – LJ Smith
5. The Gabriel Method: The Revolutionary Diet-Free Way to Totally Transform Your Body – Jon Gabriel
6. Evita’s Kossie Sikelela – Pieter-Dirk Uys
7. Operational risk management: The practical application of a qualitative approach – J. Young
8. New Moon – Stephenie Meyer
9. The Return: Nightfall – LJ Smith
10. Captain in the Cauldron – Mike Greenaway

Amazon.com
1. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine – Michael Lewis
2. Change Your Brain, Change Your Body: Use Your Brain to Get and Keep the Body You Have Always Wanted – Daniel G. Amen M.D.
3. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest – Stieg Larsson
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Vintage) – Stieg Larsson
5. The Help – Kathryn Stockett
6. The Girl Who Played with Fire (Vintage) – Stieg Larsson
7. Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes: The Scientifically Proven System for Reversing Diabetes without Drugs – Neal D Barnard
8. Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer – John Grisham
9. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang – Chelsea Handler
10. Women Food and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything – Geneen Roth

Gone For Good – Harlan Coben

2010-03-20T12:17:00.000-07:00

Now THIS was a cracking little read. I really enjoy the easy reading style of Harlan Coben and this book was no exception… In fact I’d go as far as to say that I reckon this was probably the best of his books which I have read.

The story is a curious mix of characters where the good guys are not quite as good as they seem, while the bad guys are both really bad … but with a soft spot. The problem is you can never quite work out who is where until the end of the book.

In a nutshell the story reads a little something like this:

Eleven years ago, Julie Miller was found brutally strangled in the basement of her house New Jersey. On that day, Will’s brother, Ken Klein, became the subject of an international manhunt accused of the crime. He has not been seen since. Will has tried to get on with his life in the intervening years. He has a beautiful new girlfriend, Sheila, and a job working with the homeless. But when his mother reveals on her deathbed that Ken is still alive, and shortly afterwards Sheila disappears, the cracks start to show in his landscape again. But it is only when he finds that Sheila herself is wanted for a savage double-murder that his life actually starts to fall apart…

This book moves at a really nice pace and keeps you interested the whole way through!

Title: Gone for Good

Author: Harlan Coben

ISBN: 978-1-4091-1708-7

This is a really cracking little read and we rated it a 4 out of 5.

You can buy this book online from retailer Loot for R92 in paperback.

Well worth it!

The Big Short – Inside the Doomsday Machine

2010-03-18T07:49:00.001-07:00

For anyone with even the vaguest interest in the stockmarket, daytrading or financial markets the new Michael Lewis book is apparently an absolute MUST HAVE!

Lewis is regarded as probably the finest financial journalist in the world at the moment and his books - including Liars Poker and Panic - have been absolute hits through the global financial crisis.

This is his latest offering and I can tell you now that I'm going to be reading this one. The synopsis reads:

"The Big Short" tells a story of spectacular, epic folly. It has taken the world's greatest financial meltdown to bring Michael Lewis back to the subject that made him famous. His international bestseller "Liar's Poker" exposed the greed and carnage of the City and Wall Street in the 1980s; he wrote it as a cautionary tale, but people seem to have read it as a how-to guide. Now, he wants to settle accounts. In this visceral tour to the heart of the financial system, Michael Lewis takes us around the globe and back decades to trace the origins of the current crisis. He meets the people who saw it coming, the people who were asleep at the wheel and the people who were actively driving us all of cliff. How could we have all been so deluded for quite so long? Where did it all start? Was it systemic? Was it avoidable? And who the hell can we blame? Michael Lewis has the answers. No one is better qualified to get to the heart of this labyrinthine story. And no one can make it such an enjoyable ride along the way.

It looks like an absolutely awesome read!

You can buy it from online retailer Loot in hardcover for R316

Tell no-one - Harlan Coben

2010-03-15T21:23:00.000-07:00

This is a cracking little read from Harlan Coben.

If you like fast-paced crime fiction then this will definately tickle your fancy and it has a nifty little twist at the end of the tale!

The story line is good and reads a little something like this:

8 years ago David Beck and his wife were having a romantic getaway at a cabin in the woods when they were brutally assaulted. His wife’s body was discovered a few days after the assault, battered beyond recognition.

Fast forward 8 years and Beck is still battling to get on with his life and it isn’t helped when he receives a link to a street-cam which mysteriously features an image of his presumed dead wife. Suddenly Becks’ life is turned upside down as he begins to investigate the case again. However the deeper he digs the more people wind up dead or threatened.

The book rollicks along at a great pace and I’d finished reading it inside of two days – a real page turner (if you can use that term when you are reading something on the Kindle?)

Title: Tell no one

Author: Harlan Coben

ISBN: 978-0-440-24590-2

This is a cracking little read and I rated it a 4 out of 5 while my wife threw in her 2c and rated it 3 and a half.

You can buy the book online at Loot for R81 as a paperback. It is definately worth it!

Hot books - 2010/03/14

2010-03-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or are the Americans obsessed with food and politics titles?!

Sunday is here and once again we take a look at what books are proving popular with the various online retailers.

It looks like LJ Smith is still dominating the local scene and I am still very tempted to get my hands on that Flash Forward book!

Take2.co.za
1. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 1, Books 1 & 2 - Smith, L. J.
2. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 2, Books 3 & 4 - Smith, L. J.
3. Pleasure of a Dark Prince - Cole, Kresley
4. The Return: Nightfall - Smith, L. J.
5. Black Jack - Leigh, Lora
6. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Larsson, Stieg
7. Girl Who Played with Fire - Larsson, Stieg
8. Hot Rocks - Roberts, Nora
9. Born to Be Wild - Warren, Christine
10. Flash Forward - Sawyer, Robert J.

Kalahari.Net
1. The Return: Nightfall - LJ Smith
2. Vampire Diaries: Bks. 3 & 4 - LJ Smith
3. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson
4. Vampire Diaries: v. 1 & 2 - LJ Smith
5. The Struggle: Bks. 1 & 2 - LJ Smith
6. The Gabriel Method: The Revolutionary Diet-Free Way to Totally Transform Your Body - Jon Gabriel
7. The Metabolism Miracle: 3 Easy Steps to Regain Control of Your Weight...Permanently - Dianne Kress
8. Captain in the Cauldron - Mike Greenaway
9. Pleisters Vir Die Siel: Soos Uitgesaai in Brekfis Met Derrich Op RSG - Riekert Botha
10. Introduction to business management - J. Strydom; G. du Toit; B Erasmus

Amazon.com
1. Food Rules: An Eater's Manual - Michael Pollan
2. The Five Thousand Year Leap: 30 Year Anniversary Edition with Glenn Beck Foreword - W. Cleon Skousen
3. A Patriot's History of the United States: From Columbus's Great Discovery to the War on Terror - Larry Schweikart
4. World Peace Diet: Eating for Spiritual Health and Social Harmony - Will Tuttle
5. Change Your Brain, Change Your Body: Use Your Brain to Get and Keep the Body You Have Always Wanted - Daniel G. Amen
6. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
7. The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight, and Saving the Planet - Alicia Silverstone
8. Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight - Karl Rove
9. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
10. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang - Chelsea Handler

Blindman’s Bluff – Faye Kellerman

2010-03-13T05:05:00.000-08:00

I just wrapped up reading this latest offering from Faye Kellerman and it very rarely takes me a week to wrap up a fiction novel which I guess says something about how gripping the story was.

The intro was slow, but it did pick up a bit of pace in the middle of the story and wrapped up nicely enough.

The book was again focuses on Peter Decker and his police crew who have been called to the scene of a masasacre at a ranch owned by a rich property developer. What initially looks like a robbery gone wrong, quickly unwinds into a potential family feud which appears to involve a violent local gang.

The pace is measured and there were no real “twists” in the story and couldn’t say it grabbed me.

Title: Blindmans Bluff

Author: Faye Kellerman

ISBN: 978-0-00-734646-2

Rated the book an uninspiring 3 out of 5.

You can buy this book online from Loot for R96 in paperback.

Bestselling books - 10 March 2010

2010-03-10T11:59:00.000-08:00

We have not done a bestsellers list in a while so let's take a look what books are proving popular with the online retailers and see if there are any inspirational purchases in there.

It looks like the Kalahari.net and Take2 listings are heavily skewed toward the various LJ Smith books and I am very keen to get my hands on the Flash Forward book... I'm just worried it might ruin the TV series for me! Here is the list:

Kalahari.Net
1. Vampire Diaries: Bks. 3 & 4 - LJ Smith
2. The Struggle: Bks. 1 & 2 - LJ Smith
3. Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons in Life - Richard Branson
4. Vampire Diaries: v. 1 & 2 - LJ Smith
5. The Return: Nightfall - LJ Smith
6. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer
7. The Metabolism Miracle: 3 Easy Steps to Regain Control of Your Weight...Permanently - Dianne Kress
8. SAICA Handbook 2009/2010 - SAICA
9. Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
10. The Reunion: v. 3 & 4 - LJ Smith.

Take2
1. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 1, Books 1 & 2 - Smith, L. J.
2. Vampire Diaries, Vol. 2, Books 3 & 4 - Smith, L. J.
3. Pleasure of a Dark Prince - Cole, Kresley
4. The Return: Nightfall - Smith, L. J.
5. Girl Who Played with Fire - Larsson, Stieg
6. Black Jack - Leigh, Lora
7. Born to Be Wild - Warren, Christine
8. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Larsson, Stieg
9. Hot Rocks - Roberts, Nora
10. Flash Forward - Sawyer, Robert J.

Amazon.com
1. Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight - Karl Rove
2. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
3. Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang - Chelsea Handler
4. Change Your Brain, Change Your Body: Use Your Brain to Get and Keep the Body You Have Always Wanted - Daniel G. Amen
5. Final Fantasy XIII: The Complete Official Guide - Piggyback
6. Rework - Jason Fried
7. Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques that Put Students on the Path to College - Doug Lemov
8. Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic - Mark Starr
9. American Conspiracies: Lies, Lies, and More Dirty Lies that the Government Tells Us - Jesse Ventura
10. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – The Millennium Trilogy (Volume 1) – Stieg Larsson

2010-01-01T11:12:00.000-08:00

Admittedly I have been a little late to this whole Stieg Larsson lark, but as they say: Rather late, than never at all.

A very quick piece of trivia around Larsson – he was a Swedish author and journalist who died in 2004 (Born 1954). This trilogy was the first of his books to

be published in the US and 2009 proved a bumper year for him as these books remained top of the bestsellers lists for much of last year. It is definately interesting to see how almost five years after his death, the books have finally jumped into the spotlight.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is the first in the series and revolves around disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander, a young private investigator with many dark secrets.

Blomkvist is asked by a wealthy industrialist to investigate the disappearance of a young girl (his niece) who went missing almost 30 years ago.

Apart from the investigation there are three other key story lines in play – the first being Salanders battle with her own demons, the second being the future of the magazine operated by Blomkvist and partner and finally the relationship which develops between Salander and Blomkvist.

Initially I found the story a little slow going, particularly as the characters were introduced. My wife says that the second book – which she has read – is much quicker and easier to get into .

The other issue for me was that it was the first book I was reading on the Kindle and it did take a bit of getting used to. As the story built itself up though it definately gathered momentum and I found it harder to put the book down.

Initially the writing style was a little difficult to get my head around. There are places where the dialogue comes across as a little stilted and you get the sense that there are some sentences which have literal translations from Swedish to English – the book was tranlsated – but after a while you find yourself getting used to it.

A lot of work was also put into the development of the characters and there is a lot of depth to them. There are no larger than life “American” style characters and that makes them very believable.

Title: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Author: Stieg Larsson
ISBN: 978-1-84724-545-8

This was probably one of the better reads and I rated it a four and half out of five with just the dialogue thing bugging me. A brilliant read.

You can buy this book online from retailer Loot for R112.

One False Move – Harlan Coben

2009-12-29T11:42:00.000-08:00

Myron Bolitar is fast becoming one of my favourite characters. The more I read of Harlan Cobens “hero” the more I want to read.

I say “hero” because quite simply Bolitar can be a dork sometimes. His lame one-liners, his near death experiences and the way he responds to it and his internal struggles all make for a good read. He’s a character that you can’t help but believe in.

This is the fourth of the Myron Bolitar books I have read and the former basketball star turned FBI agent turned sports agent just grows on you.

In this story he is asked to represent the hottest thing in womens basketball. Her father has gone missing, the mob is involved and in between this Myron has to try and work out whether to blow it with his present girlfriend Jessica or chase after this would-be client.

In Myron’s case “represent” may have dual meanings.

Suffice to say you get run around on an action packed adventure that will keep you reading to the last page.

Title: One False Move
Author: Harlan Coben
ISBN: 978-1-4091-1710-0

Loved every minute of it and rated it a four out of five – it’s a goodie.

You can buy this book online at Loot for R110.

20 December 2009 - Video game bestsellers

2009-12-20T09:34:00.000-08:00

Its the week before Christmas and as usual on a Sunday we gather data from the various online retail platforms to see what video games make the bestseller lists.

Amazon
1. New Super Mario Bros - Nintendo Wii
2. Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board - Nintendo Wii
3. Wii Sports Resort - Nintendo Wii
4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - Xbox 360
5. Wii Play - Nintendo Wii
6. Assassin's Creed II - Xbox 360
7. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - PS3
8. The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks - Nintendo DS
9. Left 4 Dead 2 - Xbox 360
10. Wii Fit Plus - Nintendo Wii

Take2.co.za
1. Dragon Age: Origins - PC
2. Frontlines:Fuel of War - PC
3. Defcon - PC
4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - PC
5. Empire Earth 2 Gold Collection - PC
6. Left 4 Dead 2 - PC
7. Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance- PC
8. Super Hits: Bioshock - PC
9. Fallout 3 - Game Of The Year Edition - PC
10. The Sims 3: World Adventures Expansion Pack 1 - PC

Kalahari.net
1. Wii Sports Resort and Motion Plus - Nintendo Wii
2. Singstar: ABBA - PS2
3. New Super Mario Bros - Nintendo Wii
4. Wii Fit Plus (including Balance Board) - Nintendo Wii
5. The Sims 3: World Adventures Expansion Pack - PC
6. Crysis Warhead - PC
7. Mirror's Edge - PC
8. Mass Effect - PC
9. Dead Space - PC
10. Assassin's Creed II - PS3

Bestsellers - 20 December 2009

2009-12-20T09:17:00.000-08:00

Its the week before Christmas and as usual on a Sunday we gather data from the various online retail platforms to see what books have made the bestseller lists.

Exclusive Books
1. Captain in the Cauldron
2. Eclipse
3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
4. Breaking Dawn
5. John Platters Wine Guide 2010
6. Twilight
7. Dont Mess with the President
8. The Girl who Played with Fire
9. New Moon
10. The Girl who Kicked the Hornets Nest

Amazon - books
1. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
2. Going Rogue: An American Life - Sarah Palin
3. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
4. Mastering the Art of French Cooking (2 Volume Set) - Julia Child
5. Under the Dome: A Novel - Stephen King
6. Arguing with Idiots: How to Stop Small Minds and Big Government - Glenn Beck
7. SuperFreakonomics: Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes, and Why Suicide Bombers Should Buy Life Insurance - Steven D. Levitt
8. The Twilight Saga Collection - Stephenie Meyer
9. Have a Little Faith: A True Story - Mitch Albom
10. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days - Jeff Kinney

Take2.co.za
1. Born of Ice - Kenyon, Sherrilyn
2. Twilight - Meyer, Stephenie
3. Lover Avenged - Ward, J. R.
4. Eclipse - Stephanie Meyer
5. New Moon - Meyer, Stephenie
6. The Gabriel Method - Gabriel, Jon
7. Born of Fire - Kenyon, Sherrilyn
8. Eclipse - Meyer, Stephenie
9. New Moon- Meyer, Stephenie
10. Born of the Night - Kenyon, Sherrilyn

Kalahari.net
1. Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
2. Captain in the Cauldron - Mike Greenaway
3. Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
4. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer
5. New Moon - Stephenie Meyer
6. The 10 Secrets of 100% Healthy People: Some People Never Get Sick and are Always Full of Energy? Find Out How! - Patrick Holford
7. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
8. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
9. Karoonag En Ander Verhale - Deon Meyer
10. The Girl Who Played with Fire - Stieg Larsson

How Not to Start and Run Your Own Business – Scott Cundill

2009-12-20T01:30:00.000-08:00

If you know anybody who is keen to start a small business then an essential book for them to read is Scott Cundills ‘ “How Not to Start and Run Your Own Business”.

Scott is a South African entrepreneur and small business owner who has been through it all. His frank, no-nonsense and hilarious novel is a wake-up call for anybody who has grandiose ideas about launching their venture.

There are some pearlers of wisdom including “Get yourself a hot personal assistant so that you can at least feel motivated to go to work” and you will find yourself laughing through the book while learning as you go.

Scott is becoming an increasingly influential player in the small business sector and with many people now being faced by the reality that they may have to launch their own enterprise to sustain themselves, Scotts book gives some insight into some of the key factors that will be needed to give you half a chance of survival.

You can buy this book online from retailer Loot for R99.

Title: How Not to Start and Run Your Own Business
Author: Scott Cundill
ISBN: 978-1-920153-01-4

We rated the book a four out of five and highly recommend it as a birthday gift or stocking filler!

Death by Leisure - Chris Ayres

2009-11-02T11:02:00.000-08:00

Death by Leisure caught my eye from the moment I read its blurb and anybody with a vague interest in the psyche of the American Consumer will also find themselves intrigued.

It sounds a little something like this:

Journalist Chris Ayres - didn’t want much - a supermodel girlfriend, a cliff top bachelor palace and a fleet of chrome-rimmed SUV’s so that he can mingle with the Hollywood elite. The only snag to these lofty aspirations is that he is flat broke and trying to pay off his original student loan on an MG he purchased many years back.

Instead of letting a minor detail get in the way, Chris moves to LA and borrows $1m dollars and sets out to fulfil his boyhood dreams. Unfortunately none of it can last and eventually he is ducking and diving as his life catches up with him and the lenders come seeking their pound of flesh.

I laughed through this whole book - the story line, the writing, the witty one liners - it just all jumped out at me as a really neat and amusing look at how American consumers got themselves into so much trouble. It is one thing to read about it in the financial media about some of the behaviour patterns that these guys indulged in but to read some of the thinking first-hand was brilliant.

A highly recommended read!

Title: Death by Leisure
Author: Chris Ayres
ISBN: 978-0-7195-6016-3

You can buy this book online for R105 or follow the banners right to online retailer Loot.

I rated this book a 4 out of 5 - it was brilliant, witty and just felt very “real”. As one person commented: “Death by Leisure is a savage and hilarious takedown of our times, and a wake-up call to aspiring Leisuretocrats everywhere.”

PS - Ayres also writes about a book called “War Reporting for Cowards” which I see is available from some of the local online retailers and I reckon I will be adding it to my shopping list this month!

Dean Koontz - Dead and Alive

2009-10-31T00:26:00.000-07:00

Finally after three years of waiting I have wrapped up the Dean Koontz Frankenstein trilogy!

For those who don't know the third book was due to be released a couple of years back but Koontz' writing about the world coming to an end in New Orleans co-incided with Hurricane Katrina. He decided that it would be a little tastelesss to release the conclusive book so it was held back.

For those who don't know the background to the series, Koontz provides his own take on the Frankenstein tale. Victor Helios - aka Frankenstein - is alive and well and busy building a super "New" Race to replace humanity. However his plans go awry as his creations begin to suffer a series of "malfunctions" and he rapidly begins to lose control.

New Orleans is on the brink of collapse and the only thing standing between the pending havoc are two police detectives and Helios' first creation who has come back to extract revenge.

The book itself was very readable and I got through it quite quickly but I felt it lacked some of the intrigue and punch of the first two books. The conclusion wasn't bad but felt a bit disjointed in getting there. I almost got the sense that Koontz had put in too many characters (presumably to emphasise the havoc) and it all fell apart a bit.

I was almost expecting a tale of running gun battles in the street as the Old Race defended themselves against the New Race but it didn't quite build up enough urgency to get to that point.

Title: Dead or Alive - Book 3
Author: Dean Koontz
ISBN: 978-0-00-720311-6

Rated the book a 3 out of 5 but the first two books are essential reading.

You can buy the book online for R95 or follow the Loot banners on the right hand side of the blog.

Kathy Reichs - 206 Bones

2009-10-25T18:29:00.000-07:00

Admittedly I was a little distracted when I read 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs, but truth be told I didn't have a cooking clue what was happening throughout the book.

I won't say that I am a Reichs fan but at least the books are normally tolerable and allow for some brain-dead entertainment - unfortunately not in this case. I am a simple guy and when there are too many characters it all goes pear-shaped for me and in this case there were FAR too many characters... maybe just because there were bloody French names and guys whose aliases were based on beer brand-names?

I dunno - I just didn't get into it at all. Having said that my wife said she got a kick out of the whole medical side of the story so uh don't be shy to get a second opinion.

Below is the synopsis for the book from one of the online retailers. It makes it sound a little more exciting than it really was, but I guess to each their own:

Tempe regains consciousness and discovers that she is in a very dark, very cold enclosed space. She is bound, hands to feet. Who wants Tempe dead, or at least out of the way, and why? Tempe begins slowly to reconstruct...

She and Lieutenant Ryan had accompanied the recently discovered remains of a missing heiress from Montreal to the Chicago morgue. Suddenly, Tempe was accused of mishandling the autopsy -- and the case. Someone made an incriminating phone call. Within hours, the one man with information about the call was dead. Back in Montreal, the corpse of a second elderly woman was found in the woods, and then a third.

Seamlessly weaving between Tempe's present-tense terror as she's held captive and her memory of the cases of these murdered women, Reichs conveys the incredible devastation that would occur if a forensic colleague sabotaged work in the lab.

Title: 206 Bones
Author: Kathy Reichs
ISBN: 978-0-434-01469-9

If you would like to waste your money you can buy this book online from online retailer Loot for R177 but I rated it a 1 out of 5

Devils Peak - Deon Meyer

2009-10-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

Devil's Peak is the second Deon Meyer title that I have read in the last couple of months and my opinions of the first title have been reinforced.

The book opens with Thobela Mpayipheli watching his son killed in a armed robbery. After learning the killers have slipped through the legal system, he decides to take action and armed with an assegai he begins seeking out those who have harmed children.

Dubbed "Artemis" by the media he evokes strong support from the community who finally identify a vigilante who is bringing the criminals to book.

But this doesn't sit well with inspector Benny Griessel, a drunk but brilliant South African detective who is looking to bring Artemis down.

The reader is taken on a thrilling chase as Griessel pursues Artemis hoping to catch him before he kills somebody else.

Devil's Peak is an entertaining crime thriller that brings a very South African flavour to readers. The story itself is tightly wound together and the word "compact" seems to be the best way to describe the book. There are no wasted characters and those characters which do feature in the story are developed fluently and with ease.

There is also a more than handy twist or two at the end of the story which will keep the readers enthralled to the end.

Title: Devils Peak

Author: Deon Meyer

ISBN: 978-0-340-82266-1

A nice compact and easy to read story with some twists in the tail. Rated the book a three out of five.

You can buy this title online from retailer Loot for R91. Follow hyperlink or banner right.

The International Rugby Encyclopedia

2009-10-15T20:55:00.000-07:00

With the Currie Cup coming down to "the business end" I thought this book would be quite a nice one to highlight courtesy of Fanatics:

The International Rugby Encyclopedia is meticulously compiled and has been 18 years in the making. This book is the complete international rugby encyclopedia that presents every single recognized international rugby game ever played since 1871 when Scotland took on England. It is well illustrated and structured, featuring stories on the great players to have graced the game, the great matches to have captivated the crowds and the great stadiums to have hosted these internationals, as well as a plethora of rugby trivia.

You can buy the book online or at your nearest Exclusive Books store for R399.

About the Author
Andrew de Klerk, with his almost pathological passion for rugby, was born in 1979, and grew up in Grahamstown where Saturday-morning rugby matches were strongly attended and vociferously supported by the locals. He was educated at St Andrew’s, Graeme College and Rhodes University in Grahamstown. He has a BSc (Hons) in Geology. Andrew is an avid bird-watcher and loves the bush (he once spent a year as a game ranger at Mala Mala near the Kruger National Park). He is a member of the Geological Society of South Africa, is married and now lives in Johannesburg.

Books for girls!

2009-10-15T12:24:00.000-07:00

As a father to two young daughters, one of the trickiest things is trying to find girls books that they will like.

Part of the problem is not knowing much about what authors would appeal to them and I think the folks over at Fanatics may have solved a part of this dilemma with their latest mailer.

The Little Princess
The Little Princess is an enduring classic and must-read for all young girls. Hilary McKay brings this much-loved story back to life in her own classic and inimitable style. Wishing for Tomorrow, told in Hilary Mackay’s unique light and witty style is a warm and touching as well as hilarious.

Wishing for Tomorrow
In Wishing for Tomorrow Hilary McKay revisits Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies after the events of A Little Princess and Sara Crewe’s happily ever after. But Sara is much missed - and most acutely by best friend Ermengarde, who laments that ‘nothing is the same as it was before’.

But life must go on at Miss Minchin’s as new friendships are made, rivalries continued, lessons learned and, most importantly, fairytale endings are had.

Fifa 10

2009-10-11T08:46:00.000-07:00

For anyone who has been following our bestseller list you will see that Fifa 10 has proven to be a popular choice with gamers over the last week.

As we normally we do we stick up the game and invite readers of the blog to post their views on the game as a guideline to other readers and gamers out there.

Below is the write-up for the game from the retailers:

Last year's game topped the league and now the all-new FIFA 10 is looking to defend its title as the number one football action game.

Brand new this year is the 360 degree dribbling system, giving you the most precise control ever. There are also changes to how the defensive line is formed, as well as improvements to crosses, freekicks and goalkeepers (who can now receive red cards).

Naturally the game retains its hugely successful on and offline multiplayer modes, with new options and better stability for online play. The manager mode has also seen a massive update to make it just as deep and complex as the main game. With all these new features and more EA Sports are betting on FIFA remaining the champions for a long time to come.

You can buy the game online from retailer Loot or follow the banners on the right hand side of the blog.

Hot games - 2009/10/11

2009-10-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

Another Sunday is here and as our regular readers know, we like to provide an update on what the bestselling games are on the various online retail platforms.

Fifa 10 appears to be a popular choice with gamers this weekend!

CNA
1. The Fast & The Furious - Tokyo Drift (PS2)
2. Madden NFL 2010 - (Xbox)
3. Fifa 10 (PSP)
4. Fifa 10 (Xbox)
5. Need for Speed: Shift (Xbox)
6. Grand Theft Auto - Vice City Platinum (PSP)
7. Ben 10 Protector of the Earth (PS2)
8. God of War - Chains of Olympus (PSP)
9. Need for Speed - Undercover (PS2)
10. Need for Speed - Pro Street (PSP)

Take2:
1. Guitar Hero 3 Stand Alone Guitar (Xbox 360)
2. Need For Speed: Shift (PC DVD-ROM)
3. Guitar Hero 3 Stand Alone Guitar (PS3)
4. Fallout 3: Game Add-On Pack 2: Broken Steel and Point Lookout (PC DVD-ROM) - *Original Fallout 3 game required to use expansion packs
5. Need For Speed: Shift (PS3)
6. FIFA 2010 (Xbox 360)
7. EA SPORTS Active Accessory Pack (Wii)
8. Two Worlds - Game Of The Year Edition (PC DVD-ROM) - Includes Two Worlds plus Tainted Blood Add-On (plus 1.5 Gig Patch)
9. FIFA 10 Limited Edition Adidas Soccer Ball Pack (PS3)
10. FIFA 2010 (PS2)

Kalahari.Net
1. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - PS3
2. Wii Sports Resort and Motion Plus - Nintendo Wii
3. Fifa 10 - Xbox 360
4. Need For Speed: Shift - PS3
5. Fifa 10 - PS2
6. Fifa 10 with Adidas Kopanya Soccer Ball - PS3
7. Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 2 - PC
8. The Sims 3 - PC
9. Need For Speed: Shift - PC
10. Fifa 10 - PC

Amazon.com
1. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - PS3
2. Wii Fit Plus - Nintendo Wii
3. Limited-Edition Wii Sports Resort Bundle with Two Wii MotionPlus - Nintendo Wii
4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - Xbox360
5. Halo 3: ODST - Xbox360
6. New Super Mario Bros - Nintendo Wii
7. Demon's Souls w/ Artbook & Soundtrack CD - PS3
8. Demon's Souls Deluxe Edition w/ Artbook & Soundtrack CD - PS3
9. Fallout 3: Game of The Year Edition - Xbox360
10. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - PS3

Bestsellers - 2009/10/11

2009-10-11T06:48:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the week where we check out the online retailers to find out what book titles are hot with shoppers.

Looking at the CNA list the things like the Guiness World Records and Top of Everything for 2010 could be nice Christmas presents!

CNA
1. Act like a lady, think like a man
2. Guiness World Records 2010
3. Ena Murray - Omnibus - 23
4. Top of everything - 2010
5. Matters of the heart
6. Alex Cross's trial
7. Stiletto
8. Eclipse
9. Breaking Dawn
10. The lost symbol

Exclusive Books:
1. The Lost Symbol
2. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man
3. Spud - Learning to Fly
4. New Moon
5. Architects of Poverty
6. Breaking Dawn
7. Outliers
8. Eclipse
9. Screw It, Lets Do IT
10. Twilight

Take2:
1. The Lost Symbol - Brown, Dan
2. Covet - Ward, J. R.
3. Born of the Night - Kenyon, Sherrilyn
4. Unseen Academicals - Pratchett, Terry
5. Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest - Larsson, Stieg
6. New Moon - Meyer, Stephenie
7. Breaking Dawn - Meyer, Stephenie
8. Dark Curse - Feehan, Christine
9. Vampire Diaries, V. 1, Bks. 1 & 2 - Smith, L.J.
10. Eclipse - Meyer, Stephenie

Kalahari.Net
1. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest - Stieg Larsson
2. The Gabriel Method: The Revolutionary Diet-Free Way to Totally Transform Your Body - Jon Gabriel
3. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
4. Breaking Dawn - Stephanie Meyer
5. Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
6. New Moon - Stephenie Meyer
7. Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
8. Jesus Van Nasaret - Sakkie Spangenberg
9. Shantaram - Gregory David Roberts
10. The Unseen Academicals - Terry Pratchett

Amazon.com
1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days - Jeff Kinney
2. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
3. Going Rogue: An American Life - Sarah Palin
4. Arguing with Idiots: How to Stop Small Minds and the government - Glenn Beck
5. Wolf Hall: A Novel - Hilary Mantel
6. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
7. Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak
8. A Touch of Dead (Sookie Stackhouse: The Complete Stories - Charlaine Harris
9. The Amazing Spider-Man Pop-Up: Marvel True Believers Retro Collection - Caroline Repchuk
10. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association - American Psychological Association

The Zombie Survival Guide

2009-10-10T01:31:00.000-07:00

Every now and then a book title just jumps out and you and demands that you take a closer look. I was looking at the Loot website this morning and this one caught my eye:

The Zombie Survival Guide - Recorded Attacks by Max Brooks

Write up:
Those who don't learn from history are condemned to repeat it.
From the Stone Age to the information age, the undead have threatened to engulf the human race. They're coming. They're hungry.
Don't wait for them to come to you!
This is the graphic novel the fans demanded: major zombie attacks from the dawn of humanity. On the African savannas, against the legions of ancient Rome, on the high seas with Francis Drake . . . every civilization has faced them. Here are the grisly and heroic stories-complete with eye-popping artwork that pulsates with the hideous faces of the undead.
Organize before they rise!
Scripted by the world's leading zombie authority, Max Brooks, "Recorded Attacks" reveals how other eras and cultures have dealt with-and survived-the ancient viral plague. By immersing ourselves in past horror we may yet prevail over the coming outbreak in our time.

If any one has read the book please give me some feedback but it looks like a really good, quirky book.

In Odd we Trust - Dean Koontz

2009-10-10T01:16:00.000-07:00

Upfront I bought this book by accident.... well sort of.

I am an avid Dean Koontz fan and will buy any of his books when they hit the shelves - I just wasn't counting on a comic (or as they term it a "graphic novel") when I bought it.

The idea of reading a comic was something that I thought I was passed and it turned out I was right - the format holds no appeal for me as a title and I'll definately have to double check the next Dean Koontz I buy is not a comic.

Having said that I am sure there are probably many young teenagers who have yet to experience the brilliance of Koontz and might find this a good way to check out whether or not they like the author and the genre.

"In Odd We Trust" features the brilliant Odd Thomas character - a teenager who can see the dead - including the ghost of Elvis Presley. Odd Thomas is probably one of the best characters I have ever come across (in the other Koontz novels not the comic type).

Title: In Odd We Trust
Author: Dean Koontz

Synopsis
When the sad specter of a very frightened boy finds its way to him, Odd vows to root out the evil suddenly infecting the sunny streets of Pico Mundo. But even with his exceptional ability-plus the local police and his pistol-packing girlfriend, Stormy, backing him-is Odd any match for a faceless stalker who's always a step ahead . . . and determined to kill again?

You can buy this book online from retailer Loot (follow URL or banner right) for R85

Rated the book (Comic?!) a 2 out of 5

"The Help" picks up coveted Boeke Award

2009-10-07T12:10:00.000-07:00

Kathryn Stockett’s novel, The Help, swept the boards at the 2009 Exclusive Books Boeke Prize Awards, held yesterday at a glamorous lunch for bibliophiles at Pomodoro in the new Morningside Shopping Centre.

The awards were the culmination of a six week competition in which top book reviewers and Exclusive Books Fanatics members were asked to read the following six shortlisted titles and to then vote for their favourite reads:

The Help, Kathryn Stockett
Testimony, Anita Shreve
The Angel’s Game, Carlos Ruiz Zafon
People of the Book, Geraldine Brooks
The Children’s Book, A.S Byatt
The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet, Reif Larsen
The Help stole Fanatics and journalists’ hearts, scooping first place by a large margin of over 40% of the votes, followed by The Angel’s Game, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and The Children’s Book, by A.S Byatt in third place.

To celebrate the winner of the 2009 Boeke Award, Fanatics members will earn 350 bonus points when you purchase The Help until 18th October.

The Help is set in 1960’s Jackson, Mississippi, a place where lines are clearly drawn and never crossed. A place where black women, like wise Aibileen and sassy Minny, raise white babies and cook in kitchens while white madams play bridge or belong to the Junior League where bossy bullies, like Hilly, rule the roost. It is a place where black women have no voice and where the likes of Hilly decide who is allowed into society circles and who should be snubbed. But Jackson is also a place where things are starting to change...

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women--mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends--view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the rules by which we abide, and those we don't.

“Kathryn Stockett’s ‘The Help’ has significant resonance for those brought up in SA, often spending a great deal of time being brought up by black ‘nannies’ or ‘help’. The complex and complicated relationships between these women, their employers and their charges are skilfully drawn and the many issues that emerge are dealt with courageously” - Fiona Ramsay

“The Help features a moving examination of themes most South Africans are only too familiar with.” - Bruce Dennill, The Citizen

About the Author
Kathryn Stockett was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. After graduating from the University of Alabama, she moved to New York City, where she worked in magazine publishing and marketing for nine years. She currently lives in Atlanta with her husband and daughter. The Help is Kathryn’s first novel and is garnering the most amazing reviews from around the world. Visit http://www.kathrynstockett.com/

www.fanatics.co.za

Championship Manager - 2010 - Game review

2009-10-04T00:25:00.000-07:00

I finally got my hands on an updated Championship Manager on Friday when I bought the Championship Manager 2010 Special Edition for PC.

The Championship Manager I bought was the 2006 version of the game, so I wasn't totally sure what to expect with the new version.

Some of the new features include:

# 3D Match Engine
Championship Manager 2010's match engine has undergone a radical overhaul with the prize, a bespoke fully-animated match engine. Created entirely in-house at CM headquarters and designed specifically to bring the management experience to life, the manager now has the perfect viewpoint from which to observe their Matchday instructions taking place on the pitch.

# News & Media
A whole range of messaging in the game enables you to have far greater access to information and news from within the game's world of football. Broadcasting real media references, the latest CM news system delivers in a wide variety of ways. The user gets all the information and all the news that's relevant to their game.

I'll be honest that I found it a little clunky to navigate in certain places but that could possibly be that I am simply used to the old interface.

Far more detail goes into the game and the 3D match engine I found makes you spend a lot more time focus on the game itself. I know with the 2006 game I ramped it up speed wise and didn't focus on much beyond the result and a few casual substitutions.

In some days I could do a season in a day or two. The new engine makes you focus far more on match day and for instance it has taken me two days and I am only halfway through my first season.

You can buy the game online from retailer Loot for R406.00 (follow hyperlink or banner right) which is a R53 discount to the retail price at the shops.

Rated the game a four out of five but with the caveat that the game is only for the serious Championship Manager fans - definately a title to add to the collection though with Christmas around the corner!

T is for Trespass - Sue Grafton

2009-09-26T22:58:00.000-07:00

I won't lie - I was probably a little desperate when I pulled an old (November 2008) Sue Grafton off the mother in-laws shelf but truth be told it wasn't actually such a bad read.

The story involves a private investigator Kinsey Millhone and her tangles with a scheming nurse who is taking care of her neighbour Gus.

When Gus has an accident, Millhone is relieved when his niece organises a nurse for him. Verifying a background check on Solana Rojas doesn’t turn up anything suspicious. But Kinsey’s not convinced – especially when Gus seems to be getting worse under his nurse’s tender care.

Realising that her neighbourly concern isn’t going to get her past the front door Kinsey turns to more unorthodox methods to step up her investigation. And gets far more than she bargained for . . .

Not only is Solana not who she seems to be but she’s more than able to play Kinsey at her own game. Suddenly the tables have turned and it’s Kinsey who’s on the wrong side of the law . . .

It wasn't a bad read for some light-hearted action but it did tend to jump around a bit to other cases Millhone was working which seemed to detract from the plot rather than add to it.

It also wasn't one of those books that you just can't put down. I found myself being drawn back to it to read a chapter or two before tonking out for the night but it didn't quite grab me in the way that I would read it until the very early hours of the morning.

Title: T is for Trespass
Author: Sue Grafton
ISBN: 978-0-330-43889-6

You can buy this title online from retailer Loot for R91.

Rated it a 3 out of 5.

October Killings - Wessel Ebersohn

2009-09-23T21:39:00.000-07:00

I love using this blog to highlight the achievements and works of South Africans, because it hopefully serves as a motivation to other South Africans.

One South African author who I have not featured on this blog before is Wessel Ebersohn who has recently released a new book called "October Killings".

Interesting piece of meaningless trivia is that I actually worked for three months on contract with Wessel at Succeed magazine in Johannesburg and found he ran a really good business with happy and motivated staff!

Please find below the write-up for the book and if you have read the book please post your comments for other readers.

You can buy this book now online from retailer Loot for R160.

Write up:
Abigail Bukulu, a young star in the Justice Department, receives a visit from Leon Lourens. Many years ago when she was only 15 he saved her life when he was one of a group of South African soldiers sent to attack an ANC safe house in Lesotho. Having paid the price for his rebellion, Leon now needs Abigail's protection. On 22 October each year, the date of the Lesotho attack, another member of the SADF squad is killed. Now, that date is approaching, and only two of them remain: the squad commander, who's serving his sentence in C-Max, and Leon. Abigail immediately knows who is behind the October Killings: a sinister and dangerous man named Bishop who had joined the Struggle for dubious reasons. In a rush against time, over a course with many obstacles, Abigail finds a partner in the eccentric prison psychologist Yudel Gordon, a "veteran" from three earlier Ebersohn novels. And so a fiery partnership is established that is likely to electrify several future books.

Title: October Killings
Author: Wessel Ebersohn
ISBN: 978-1-4152-0074-2

Dan Brown gets a grilling

2009-09-19T12:21:00.001-07:00

I won't lie - I am not a big Dan Brown fan and I personally had no clue what was happening in The Da Vinci Code... maybe I am just a simple soul.

I had to laugh though - there were two hilariously funny articles on Dan Brown that I have to share with you.

The first one is the book review of The Lost Symbol courtesy of Shaun De Waal at the Mail & Guardian. His review is a cracker but I loved this paragraph:

The characters have no character. There are quick sketches to tell us what they look like, and background is filled in briefly, but otherwise they are speaking mannequins. The only exception is the tattooed villain, Mal'akh, in whom Brown seems to have more visceral interest than any other figure in the book.

The second one is a scathing crack at Brown and his writing style which is also good for a laugh - go check it out here.

I suppose we shouldn't make too much fun of Brown though - he is probably rolling in his millions and in turn laughing at us plebs!

The Beatles and Batman

2009-09-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

Two interesting titles appeared on this weeks' best-seller list and I thought we should post some details on the game plus links back to the official gaming sites as a resource for our readers:

The Beatles: Rock Band

Developer: Electronic Arts

The world's leading music game meets the greatest band in history! The Beatles™: Rock Band™ gives fans what they've been waiting for: a chance to experience the Beatles' legendary story from the inside.

You won't just watch and listen as the Beatles make rock history, create landmark records and conquer the world -for the first time, you'll be part of the band.

The Beatles™ software is compatible with Rock Band™, Guitar Hero and most other instrument controllers, as well as, third party microphones including SingStar and Lips.

45 legendary songs, including:
I Saw Her Standing There
Twist And Shout
Do You Want To Know A Secret
I Want to Hold Your Hand
Can't Buy Me Love
I Wanna Be Your Man
I Feel Fine
Eight Days A Week
Day Tripper
Paperback Writer
Taxman
And Your Bird Can Sing
Yellow Submarine
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
With a Little Help from My Friends
Within You Without You / Tomorrow Never Knows
I Am The Walrus
Back In The U.S.S.R.
Octopus's Garden
Birthday
Revolution
Here Comes The Sun
Dig A Pony
Get Back
I've Got A Feeling

And more...
• Plus additional songs will be available for download through The Beatles™: Rock Band™ music store.
• Advanced Harmonix game technology brings The Beatles™ experience to life
• Sing three-part vocal harmonies with support for up to three mics
• Experience historic Beatles performance venues from the Cavern Club to the roof at Savile Row
• Developed and co-created with The Beatles™, providing a true-to-life gaming experience
• Hear never released conversations among the band during Abbey Road recording sessions

See more on the official site here.

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Developer - Eidos Interactive

Descend into the core of the criminally insane as The Joker launches his most diabolical plot ever. The inmates of Arkham have been set free and it's up to the Batman, to bring order to the chaos and take back the Asylum.

Explore the depths of this never before seen island as you experience the darkest journey of Batman's life.

Written by Paul Dini and featuring the voice talents of Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy.

#Utilize the unique FreeFlow combat system to chain together unlimited combos seamlessly and battle with huge groups of The Joker's henchmen in brutal melee brawls

# Investigate as Batman, the WORLD' GREATEST DETECTIVE, by solving intricate puzzles with the help of cutting edge forensic tools including x-ray scanning, fingerprint scans, Amido Black spray and a pheromone tracker

# Face off against Gotham's greatest villains including The Joker, HARLEY QUINN, POISON IVY and KILLER CROC

# Become the Invisible Predator with Batman's fear takedowns and unique vantage point system to move without being seen and hunt enemies

# Choose multiple takedown methods, including swooping from the sky and smashing through walls.

# Explore every inch of Arkham Asylum and roam freely on the infamous island, presented for the first time ever in its gritty and realistic entirety

Visit the official site here.

Hot games - 13 September 2009

2009-09-13T08:47:00.001-07:00

So what video games are hot on the various online retail platforms?

Bundu Reviews takes a look at some of the major retailers to bring you this weeks lists. A noticeable new comer is The Beatles Rock Band which is proving popular on both Kalahari and Amazon.com

Take2.co.za
1. Guitar Hero 3 Stand Alone Guitar (Xbox 360)
2. Wolfenstein (PC DVD-ROM)
3. Super Hits: Bioshock (PC DVD-ROM)
4. EA Classics: Mass Effect (PC DVD-ROM)
5. Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare GOTY (PC DVD-ROM)
6. Super Hits: Civilization IV Complete Collection (PC DVD-ROM)
7. EA Classics: Mirror's Edge (PC DVD-ROM)
8. EA Classics: Crysis Warhead (PC DVD-ROM)
9. EA Classics: Dead Space (PC DVD-ROM)
10. Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock Bundle (PS3)

Kalahari.Net
1. Wii Sports Resort and Motion Plus - Nintendo Wii
2. Batman Arkham Asylum - PS3
3. Fifa 10 with Adidas Kopanya Soccer Ball - PS3
4. Batman Arkham Asylum - Xbox360
5. Need For Speed: Shift - PC
6. The Sims 3 - PC
7. Rock Band: The Beatles - Xbox360
8. Ashes Cricket 2009 - Nintendo Wii
9. Halo ODST - Xbox360
10. Need For Speed: Shift - PS3

Amazon.com
1. Halo 3: ODST - Xbox360
2. Wii Sports Resort - Nintendo Wii
3. The Beatles: Rock Band - Nintendo Wii
4. Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box - Nintendo DS
5. The Beatles: Rock Band - Xbox360
6. Scribblenauts - Nintendo DS
7. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - PS3
8. Mario & Luigi Bowser's Inside Story - Nintendo DS
9. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - Xbox360
10. Batman: Arkham Asylum - PS3

Bestselling Books - 13 September 2009

2009-09-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

Sunday is here and once again we review the hottest books on the various online retailers.

Gotta be honest and point out that this must be one of the first weeks where Amazon didn't include a Twilight book - an amazing run though. However as you can see below the South African retailers continue to be dominated by these books!

Exclusive Books
1. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man
2. Spud - Learning to Fly
3. Architects of Poverty
4. New Moon
5. Breaking Dawn
6. Outliers
7. Eclipse
8. Twilight
9. Spud
10. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Amazon.com
1. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
2. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
3. True Compass: A Memoir - Edward Kennedy
4. Mastering The Art of French Cooking, Volume One - Julia Child
5. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
6. An Echo in the Bone: A Novel (Outlander) - Diana Gabaldon
7. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days - Jeff Kinney
8. Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin - Kathy Griffin
9. The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks
10. The Shack - William P. Young

Take.co.za
1. Eclipse - Meyer, Stephenie
2. New Moon - Meyer, Stephenie
3. Breaking Dawn - Meyer, Stephenie
4. Twilight - Meyer, Stephenie
5. Faefever - Moning, Karen Marie
6. Girl Who Played with Fire - Larsson, Stieg
7. The Darkest Whisper - Showalter, Gena
8. Pleasure - Frank, Jacquelyn
9. Heat Seeker - Leigh, Lora
10. Spud Learning to Fly - John Van De Ruit

Kalahari.Net
1. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
2. Fees van die ongenooides - PG Du Plessis
3. Breaking Dawn - Stephanie Meyer
4. Eclipse - Stephanie Meyer
5. Twilight - Stephanie Meyer
6. Spud – Learning to fly - John Van De Ruit
7. Troepie: van Blougat tot Bosoupa - Cameron Blake
8. Jesus word gebore - Gloria A. Truitt
9. The Host - Stephanie Meyer
10. New Moon - Stephanie Meyer

Fuel - Video game

2009-09-13T02:12:00.000-07:00

I think almost every guy loves a decent racing game and I've been hearing lots of positive things about "Fuel".

I haven't played it but here is the synopsis for the game. The game is available on PS3 from online retailer Loot for R637 (See banner right).

If you've played it - post your opinions of the game below:

Synopsis

Creating the ultimate competitive go-anywhere racing experience, Fuel will have players competing across wildly different terrain and executing spectacular death-defying stunts as they race dozens of varied two and four-wheeled rides and explore this epic world on an unprecedented scale.

Fuel is set in an alternate present in which whole swathes of the globe have been ravaged by the effects of climate change brought on by decades of environmental abuse.

Here oil prices have rocketed and yet a new breed of racing junkie takes to the wastelands, pitting their grungy home-tuned vehicles against each other in an all-new extreme sport as they compete to win fuel supplies.

* Open-world Racing - The largest open-world racing arena ever, with 14,000 square km of streaming game world and 100,000 miles of trails.

* Vehicles Galore - Drive over 70 unique vehicles in six different classes including: bikes, ATVs, muscle cars, SUVs, buggies and trucks.

* Weather Effects - Experience how extreme weather conditions affect the race from rain to snow to sandstorms and destructive tornadoes.

* Race Types - Compete in multiple categories of race types including: time trials, checkpoint races, circuit races and raid races.

* Multiplayer Support - Fuel features 2-16 player online support via PlayStation Network.

* Online Racing - Compete against friends online in all 70 career races as well as online free rides.

* GPs Technology - Each vehicle in Fuel features onboard GPs functionality ensuring you will never be lost.

The Poet - Michael Connelly

2009-09-13T01:33:00.000-07:00

For those who like a good action / thriller read then "The Poet" by Michael Connelly will do the trick.

The book follows newspaper reporter Jack McEvoy who'se brother Sean - a local police detective has just died in an apparent suicide. The more McEvoy digs, the more apparent it becomes that his brother did not die at his own hand and in fact this is the work of an ingenious serial killer.

On further investigation McEvoy finds out that there are a number of other cases across the country were leading police detectives have committed suicides - apparently tortured by grim cases that they are working on.

McEvoy takes his information to the FBI and is quickly drafted in to a high profile task team where he is torn between his desire to write a cracking story for the newspaper or keep mum on the info and try to lead to the arrest of the killer.

"The Poet" was a good solid read without being absolutely gripping. I enjoyed the interaction and character development and there is quite a good twist at the end of the story which keeps you guess to the end.

We rated it a 3 out of 5.

Title: The Poet
Author: Michael Connelly
ISBN-13: 978-1-4091-1693-6

Available from online retailer Loot (see banner right of blog) for R95.

"Summertime" from the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature

2009-09-11T18:58:00.000-07:00

A young English biographer is working on a book about the late writer, John Coetzee. He plans to focus on the years from 1972–1977 when Coetzee, in his thirties, is sharing a run-down cottage in the suburbs of Cape Town with his widowed father. This, the biographer senses, is the period when he was 'finding his feet as a writer'. Never having met Coetzee, he embarks on a series of interviews with people who were important to him – a married woman with whom he had an affair, his favourite cousin Margot, a Brazilian dancer whose daughter had English lessons with him, former friends and colleagues.

A rich, funny, and deeply affecting autobiographical new novel from one of the world's greatest living writers. J.M. Coetzee's work includes Waiting For the Barbarians, Life & Times of Michael K, Boyhood, Youth, Disgrace and Diary of a Bad Year. He was the first author to win the Booker Prize twice and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2003.

For more info visit www.fanatics.co.za or www.exclusivebooks.co.za

If you have read the book please feel free to post your comments on it below so other readers can get some feedback on the title!

The Accidental Billionaires - Sex, Money, Betrayal And The Founding Of Facebook

2009-09-06T00:31:00.001-07:00

Eduardo Saverin and Mark Zuckerberg were Harvard undergraduates and best friends - outsiders at a school filled with polished prep-school grads and long-time legacies. They shared both academic brilliance in math and a geeky awkwardness with women.

Eduardo figured their ticket to social acceptance – and sexual success – was getting invited to join one of the university’s Final Clubs, a constellation of elite societies that had groomed generations of the most powerful men in the world and ranked on top of the inflexible hierarchy at Harvard. Mark, with less of an interest in what the campus alpha males thought of him, happened to be a computer genius of the first order.

Which he used to find a more direct route to social stardom: one lonely night, Mark hacked into the university's computer system, creating a ratable database of all the female students on campus – and subsequently crashing the university's servers and nearly getting himself kicked out of school. In that moment, in his Harvard dorm room, the framework for Facebook was born.

What followed – a real-life adventure filled with slick venture capitalists, stunning women, and six-foot-five-inch identical-twin Olympic rowers – makes for one of the most entertaining and compelling books of the year. Before long, Eduardo’s and Mark’s different ideas about Facebook created faint cracks in their relationship, which soon spiraled into out-and-out warfare. The collegiate exuberance that marked their collaboration fell prey to the adult world of lawyers and money. The great irony is that while Facebook succeeded by bringing people together, its very success tore two best friends apart.

The Accidental Billionaires is a compulsively readable story of innocence lost – and of the unusual creation of a company that has revolutionized the way hundreds of millions of people relate to one another.

The title is available from online retailer Loot (see banner right) for R160

The Double Crown by Marié Heese

2009-09-06T00:15:00.000-07:00

As a reader of history and fiction books Fanatics felt you might enjoy The Double Crown by Marié Heese. It is the gripping, fascinating and true story of Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh who ruled over Egypt for two decades around 1500 BC.

The "double crown" refers to her reign over Upper and Lower Egypt, but also the dual nature of her life: Pharaoh and woman in one person. She relates her story in a series of scrolls, with additions by her scribe, to whom she has given the scrolls for safekeeping. We read about the grievous loss of her children; her thwarted love for Senenmut; the suspicion that impairs her judgement and eventually leads to tragedy.

How did Hatshepsut become pharaoh? And why was her name expunged from her temples and obelisks after her death? The novel answers these questions in rich detail. It is a poignant portrayal of an ambitious and courageous woman and the betrayals she faces, both as a woman and a ruler. The Double Crown is a truly world-class novel by a South African author.

Marié Heese is a much loved author of, amongst others, children’s stories. 2008 saw a new edition of the evergreen Die Pikkewouters van Amper-stamperland. Marié also is the author of several works of fiction for adults, such as the classic Die Uurwerk Kantel (1976) and most recently The Double Crown (2009).

Boeke Prize

2009-09-06T00:06:00.000-07:00

Fanatics and Exclusive Books invite you to celebrate the art of superb fiction in September by voting for your choice of the six titles short-listed for this year’s Exclusive Books Boeke Prize awards. You’ll earn 250 bonus points on each short-listed title you purchase this month, saving you a very handy R75 if you feel tempted to buy all six!

The Boeke Prize started out in 1995 as our light-hearted response to the Man Booker Prize, but has since become firmly established as a highlight of the South African literary calendar. Here’s this year’s short-list, selected by our store managers as titles which ‘truly live up to the promise of being compelling reads’:

Testimony by Anita Shreve
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
The Children’s Book by A.S. Byatt
The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet by Reif Larsen

Let Exclusive Books know which of these six titles you think deserves the coveted Boeke Prize for 2009. Vote for your choice now and you, too, could be a winner! There are over 20 prizes to be won (worth a total of over R40 000) in our free Boeke Awards competition:

1st prize – a trip for two to the luxurious Madikwe ‘Big five’ game reserve worth R20 000-00
2nd prize – 10 x R2 000 Exclusive Books gift vouchers
3rd prize – 10 sets of the six titles on our Boeke prize short list.

You’ll find entry forms on display at all branches of Exclusive Books. Complete your entry form and drop it in the special box provided before the competition closing date of 30th September.

Hot games

2009-08-30T12:36:00.000-07:00

Another Sunday has rolled around, here's the bestselling video games at the various online retailers.

wolfenstein is kicking ass this week and its interesting to see the LEGO game franchise getting some play.

Take2
1. Guitar Hero 3 Stand Alone Guitar (Xbox 360)
2. Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare GOTY (PC DVD-ROM)
3. Super Hits: Bioshock (PC DVD-ROM)
4. Wolfenstein (PC DVD-ROM)
5. Super Hits: Civilization IV Complete Collection (PC DVD-ROM)
6. Exclusive: Assassin's Creed (PC DVD-ROM) - Director's Cut
7. EA Classics: Mirror's Edge (PC DVD-ROM)
8. EA Classics: Crysis Warhead (PC DVD-ROM)
9. EA Classics: Mass Effect (PC DVD-ROM)
10. EA Classics: Dead Space (PC DVD-ROM)

Kalahari.Net
1. Wolfenstein - PC
2. Looney Tune: Acme Arsenal - PS2
3. Ashes Cricket 2009 - Nintendo Wii
4. The Sims 3 - PC
5. Fifa 10 with Adidas Kopanya Soccer Ball - PS3
6. Batman Arkham Asylum - PS3
7. Ashes Cricket 2009 - PS3
8. Lego Star Wars - PC
9. Singstar: ABBA - PS2
10. Lego: Batman - PS2

Amazon.com
1. Tales of Vesperia - Xbox 360
2. Wii Sports Resort - Nintendo Wii
3. Halo 3: ODST - Xbox 360
4. Batman: Arkham Asylum - PS3
5. Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box - Nintendo DS
6. Batman: Arkham Asylum - Xbox360
7. The Sims 3 - PC
8. Wii Fit - Nintendo Wii
9. EA Sports Active - Nintendo Wii

Bestsellers

2009-08-30T07:17:00.000-07:00

As usual on a Sunday we take a look at the best-selling books on the various online retail platforms:

Two noticeable titles stood out for me this week:

First up was the third book in the Dean Koontz Frankenstein series which has been eagerly awaited after its release date was held back.

Secondly with Edward Kennedy departing the planet earlier this week, I see his memoirs were popular on Amazon

Take2
1. New Moon - Meyer, Stephenie
2. Eclipse - Meyer, Stephenie
3. Twilight - Meyer, Stephenie
4. Breaking Dawn - Meyer, Stephenie
5. Girl Who Played with Fire - Larsson, Stieg
6. Faefever - Moning, Karen Marie
7. Bengal's Heart - Leigh, Lora
8. Twilight - Meyer, Stephenie
9. Dean Koontz's Frankenstein - Book 3 - Koontz, Dean R.
10. Hidden Currents - Feehan, Christine

Exclusive Books
1. Architects of Poverty
2. Spud - Learning to Fly
3. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man
4. New Moon
5. Breaking Dawn
6. Eclipse
7. Outliers
8. Twilight
9. Roadside Crosses
10. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Amazon.com
1. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
2. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association - American Psychological Association
3. Mastering The Art of French Cooking, Volume One (1) (Vol 1) - Julia Child
4. True Compass: A Memoir - Edward M.Kennedy
5. Glenn Beck's Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government - Glenn Beck
6. The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
7. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
8. Culture of Corruption: Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks, and Cronies - Michelle Malkin
9. The Vortex: Where the Law of Attraction Assembles All Cooperative Relationships - Jerry Hicks
10. Sookie Stackhouse, Books 1-7 - Charlaine Harris

Kalahari.Net
1. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer
2. Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
3. New Moon - Stephenie Meyer
4. Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
5. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
6. Spud Learning to Fly - John Van de Ruit
7. Bittersoet - Natasha Sutherland
8. The Host - Stephenie Meyer
9. Thula-thula - Annelie Botes
10. Now, Discover Your Strengths: How to Develop Your Talents and Those of the People You Manage: How to Develop Your Talents and Those of the People You Manage - Donald O. Clifton; Marcus Buckingham

How do you stack up?

2009-08-24T12:33:00.000-07:00

The BBC believes most people will have only read 6 of the 100 books here. How do your reading habits stack up?

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible -
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens

11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot

21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame

31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma-Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hossein
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne

41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez -
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan

51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafo
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville

71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Inferno – Dante
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray

80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton

91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

We are All Made of Glue - Marina Lewycka

2009-08-18T21:04:00.000-07:00

Every now and then I get e-mails from the team over at Fanatics with some of the new titles they are releasing and that book fans can pick up at Exclusive Books.

I received the following write-up on the book - We are All Made of Glue - and thought it looked like a potentially interesting read. Have fun:

Marina Lewycka, a previous Boeke nominee for A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian brings us her new novel, We are All Made of Glue. From bonding to bondage, from B&Q to Belarus, along with seven smelly cats, three useless handymen, two slimy estate agents, social workers, a bonker lady, this is the story of a very unlikely friendship.

Georgie Sinclair's husband has walked out; her sixteen-year-old son is busy surfing born-again websites; and, all those overdue articles for Adhesives in the Modern World are getting her down. So when Georgie spots Mrs Shapiro, an eccentric old Jewish emigrant neighbour with an eye for a bargain and a fondness for matchmaking, rummaging through her skip in the middle of the night, it's just the distraction she needs. And although they mistrust each other at first - Georgie doesn't like the look of that past-its-sell-by-date fish, while Mrs Shapiro thinks Georgie needs to smarten herself up and grab a new husband - a firm friendship is formed over the reduced-price shelf at the supermarket.

Then Mrs Shapiro is admitted to hospital and to Georgie's surprise, she is named as her next of kin. But sorting out Mrs Shapiro's semi-derelict mansion in Highbury, home to seven stinky cats with agendas of their own, is no easy job when the handyman called in to change the locks turns out to be not what he seems and his two assistants are doing more breaking than fixing. And what about the two slimy estate agents [one with a charming taste for bondage] who start competing to trick Mrs Shapiro into selling her rickety old house or the social worker determined to commit her to a nursing home? As Georgie steps in to help her new friend, she finds herself unravelling a mystery which takes her from Highbury to wartime Europe to the Middle East, and learning a bit about DIY along the way.

Marina Lewycka was born in Kiel, Germany at the end of the war and grew up in England. She is married with a grown-up daughter and lives in Sheffield. Her two previous novels, A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian and Two Caravans.

We are All Made of Glue is available to purchase or order at your nearest Exclusive Books.

Jim Collins - How the Mighty Fall

2009-08-15T01:27:00.000-07:00

Considering the tough economic environment and the impact that this is having on peoples business and personal lives, this might be an interesting book to look at:

Decline can be avoided. Decline can be detected. Decline can be reversed. Amidst the desolate landscape of fallen great companies, Jim Collins began to wonder: How do the mighty fall? Can decline be detected early and avoided? How far can a company fall before the path toward doom becomes inevitable and unshakable? How can companies reverse course? In How the Mighty Fall, Collins confronts these questions, offering leaders the well-founded hope that they can learn how to stave off decline and, if they find themselves falling, reverse their course. Collins' research project - more than four years in duration - uncovered five step-wise stages of decline: Stage 1: Hubris Born of Success; Stage 2: Undisciplined Pursuit of More; Stage 3: Denial of Risk and Peril; Stage 4: Grasping for Salvation; and, Stage 5: Capitulation to Irrelevance or Death. By understanding these stages of decline, leaders can substantially reduce their chances of falling all the way to the bottom. Great companies can stumble, badly, and recover. Every institution, no matter how great, is vulnerable to decline.

There is no law of nature that the most powerful will inevitably remain at the top. Anyone can fall and most eventually do. But, as Collins' research emphasizes, some companies do indeed recover - in some cases, coming back even stronger - even after having crashed into the depths of Stage 4. Decline, it turns out, is largely self-inflicted, and the path to recovery lies largely within our own hands. We are not imprisoned by our circumstances, our history, or even our staggering defeats along the way. As long as we never get entirely knocked out of the game, hope always remains. The mighty can fall, but they can often rise again.

About the author:
Jim Collins is a student of companies - great ones, good ones, weak ones, failed ones - from young start-ups to venerable sesquicentenarians. The author of the international bestseller Good to Great and co-author of Built to Last, he serves as a teacher to leaders throughout the corporate and social sectors. His work has been featured in Fortune, Business Week, The Economist, USA Today, and Harvard Business Review. You can find more information about Jim and his work at his e-teaching site, www.jimcollins.com.

Fanatics Members EARN 100 BONUS POINTS on the Jim Collins titles below, offer valid until 31 August!

Good to Great
Built to Last

www.fanatics.co.za

Deon Meyer - Dead at Daybreak

2009-08-15T01:21:00.000-07:00

Until earlier this week I had never read a Deon Meyer book and truth be told I probably wouldn't have made much effort to do so.

Fortunately I was bored and there was a Deon Meyer book which materialised - I am still not entirely clear on how - on our bookshelf and I decided to give it a go...

... and I am glad I did.

To see a South African author putting out such good quality work impresses me.

The book was entitled: "Dead at Daybreak" and the synopsis reads:

An antiques dealer is burned with a blow torch, then killed. The contents of the safe are missing and the only clues are a scrap of blank paper and the unusual weapon used, the choice of mercenaries, not burglars. Now ex-cop Zatopek 'Zed' van Heerden has fourteen days in which to fill in the blanks in this dead man's past.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The book itself had a distinctly South African feel to it and you got a good sense of real-life in South Africa. The one area I battled with was trying to place where in time the story was set (I think it had something to do with the jumping around in time and the small-towns which were mentioned) but it became clearer as the story went along.

I actually quite enjoyed the book and would definately go and see if I could pick up other titles by this author.

Details
Title: Dead at Daybreak Author: Deon Meyer ISBN-13: 978-0-340-73943-3

Rated the book a 3 and half out of 5 - an entertaining crime / action read

Hot video games - Sunday 9 August 2009

2009-08-09T00:24:00.000-07:00

Another Sunday is here so let's see what video games are selling well on the various online retailers.

We have added the EDreams platform for a bit of variety to our listing. Let us know if any of these game titles catch your eye.

I know I have said it before but I find it interesting to see how often the Amazon platform is dominated by Nintendo and Xbox360 titles while PS2 and PC are still very popular locally. Not sure what to make of that??

Edreams
1. Nintendo Wii Fit
2. Grand Theft Auto IV - XBOX 360
3. Guitar Hero Aerosmith Bundle - Xbox 360
4. Soul Calibur IV - Xbox 360
5. Star Wars The Force Unleashed - PS2
6. Pro Evolution Soccer 09 - PS3
7. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 - PC
8. Xbox 360 Arcade Bundle
9. Singstar Ledgends Stand Alone - PS2
10. NBA 2K9 - PS2

CNA:
1. The Sims 3 - PC
2. EA Sports Grand Slam Tennis - Nintendo Wii
3. Wii Sports Resort - Nintendo Wii
4. God of War II - PS2
5. Gran Turismo 4 - PS2
6. Ice Age 3 - Dawn of the Dinosaurs - PS2
7. Medal of Honor: 10th Anniversary Edition - PC
8. Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen - PS2
9. UFC2009 Undisputed - PS3

Amazon.com
1. Wii Sports Resort - Nintendo Wii
2. Batman: Arkham Asylum - PS3
3. Batman: Arkham Asylum - Xbox360
4. Madden NFL 10 - PS3
5. Wii Fit - Nintendo Wii
6. Madden NFL 10 - Xbox360
7. Halo 3: ODST - Xbox360
8. Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel - Nintendo Wii
9. EA Sports Active - Nintendo Wii
10. Wii Rock Band 2 Special Edition - Nintendo Wii

Take2
1. Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare GOTY (PC DVD-ROM)
2. Super Hits: Bioshock (PC DVD-ROM)
3. Exclusive: Assassin's Creed (PC DVD-ROM) - Director's Cut
4. Super Hits: Civilization IV Complete Collection (PC DVD-ROM)
5. Prince Of Persia 4 (PS3)
6. Enemy Territory: Quake Wars (PC DVD-ROM)
7. Sam & Max - Season 1 (PC)
8. Prince Of Persia 4 (Xbox 360)
9. Fallout 3 (Xbox 360) In Stock
10. Exclusive: Tom Clancy's: Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (PC DVD-ROM)

Kalahari.net
1. Wii Sports Resort and Motion Plus - Nintendo Wii
2. The House of the Dead: Overkill - Nintendo Wii
3. The Sims 3 - PC
4. Looney Tune: Acme Arsenal - PS2
5. Golden Compass - PS2
6. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 - Nintendo Wii
7. Wolfenstein + Free T-Shirt in Wolfenstein Bag (While Stocks Last) - PC
8. Final Fantasy X2 Platinum - PS2
9. Age of Empires Collector's Edition - PC
10. Devil May Cry 4 - PS3

Bestsellers - Sunday 9 August 2009

2009-08-08T23:26:00.000-07:00

Another Sunday is here so let's see what books are selling well on the various online retailers:

For those who love cricket the Graeme Smith "A captains diary" should make for some very interesting reading considering the way he is either loved or hated despite being one of the most successful captains in history.

Just looking through the Amazon list, there some very interesting looking titles there - particularly if you have an interest in American politics.

Exclusive Books:
1. Spud - Learning to Fly
2. Graeme Smith: A Captain's Diary
3. Outliers
4. New Moon
5. Breaking Dawn
6. Eclipse
7. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man
8. Twilight
9. Architects of Poverty
10. Spud

CNA:
1. A good woman - Danielle Steele
2. A new earth - Tolle, Eckhart
3. Eat, pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
4. Obama: From Promise to Power - David Mendell
5. Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Lechter, Sharon L Kiyosaki, Robert
6. Scarpetta - Patricia Cornwell
7. The Love Dare - Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick
8. The secret - Byrne, Rhonda
9. The Shack - William P Young
10. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle - David Wroblewski

Amazon.com
1. Mastering The Art of French Cooking, Volume One - Julia Child
2. The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
3. Glenn Beck's Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine - Glenn Beck
4. Culture of Corruption: Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks, and Cronies - Michelle Malkin
5. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
6. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
7. South of Broad - Pat Conroy
8. In the President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect - Ronald Kessler
9. The Shack - William P. Young
10. The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power - Jeff Sharlet

Take2
1. New Moon (Paperback) - Meyer, Stephenie
2. Twilight (Paperback) - Meyer, Stephenie
3. Breaking Dawn (Trade Paperback) - Meyer, Stephenie
4. Eclipse (Paperback) - Meyer, Stephenie
5. Faefever (Paperback) - Moning, Karen Marie
6. Hidden Currents (Paperback) - Feehan, Christine
7. Bengal's Heart (Paperback) - Leigh, Lora
8. Girl Who Played with Fire (Paperback) - Larsson, Stieg
9. Promises in Death (Paperback) - Robb, J. D.
10. Spud Learning to Fly (Paperback) - John Van De Ruit

Kalahari.net
1. Spud - Learning to fly - John Van De Ruit
2. Nuwe Kinderverseboek - Riana Scheepers; Suzette Kotze-Myburgh
3. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment - Steve Harvey
4. Brock Biology of Microorganisms - John M. Martinko; Thomas D. Brock; Michael T. Madigan; David P. Clark; Paul Dunlap
5. Outliers: The Story of Success - Malcolm Gladwell
6. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer
7. New Moon - Stephenie Meyer
8. Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
9. The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference - Malcolm Gladwell
10. The Host - Stephenie Meyer

Literary Award Winners

2009-08-04T20:17:00.000-07:00

South African literature was recognised and praised at this year’s Sunday Times Literary Awards held at the stylish Summer Place, Hyde Park, Johannesburg on Saturday, August 1. In a Different Time by Peter Harris claimed the prestigious Alan Paton Award for non fiction to mark the 20th anniversary of the prize, while Anne Landsman’s The Rowing Lesson was honoured with this year’s Fiction Prize. The two authors received R75 000 each for their wins.

In a Different Time
In a Different Time tells the story of four young South Africans who embark on a mission that will ultimately take them to Death Row. They are a highly trained and experienced assassination squad reporting directly to Chris Hani. The narrative details their infiltration into the country, their operations, arrest and subsequent trial. These men are the foot soldiers who sacrificed everything. As their trial unfolds with their attorney fighting to save them from the gallows, so too does the story of their own lives and the choices they make. The story is set in a South Africa gripped by unrest and political tension, when the ANC was in exile and repression at its height.

Peter Harris was born in Durban, and grew up in Eastern Cape, and was educated at Michaelhouse, Rhodes and Warwick (UK). He practised law at JNB Bar for 15 years and was legal counsel to Cosatu. Involved in Peace Accord in the early 90s. Head of Monitoring Directorate of IEC in 1994.

"Many people have said that what they enjoyed about the book was that it made them remember a time of hope and ideals and horror and heroism, a time they had forgotten in a kind of cultural amnesia. I didn’t want to write a protest book about protest politics. I wanted to make it a book about ordinary people who ended up doing some horrible things; I wanted to understand what drove them to that point without casting judgment," says Harris.

The Rowing Lesson
Pregnant with her first child, Betsy Klein is summoned from her home in New York to her father’s hospital bed in Cape Town. Once caregiver and physician to a whole community, her father is now slowly slipping to the other side. As Betsy sits and waits for him to stir from his coma, she is compelled to imagine what his life had been like as a young Jewish man, surrounded by farmers on the South African platteland, only a decade since the Second World War. The Rowing Lesson is an utterly convincing and vivid portrait of one man’s life, and also that of a daughter, recapturing the dreams and longings of a father and husband.

Anne Landsman was born and raised in Worcester in the Western Cape and received degrees from the University of Cape Town and Columbia University. Her first novel, The Devil's Chimney, which was nominated for four awards including the M-Net Prize. She lives in New York City with her husband and children.

"In a lesser writer’s hands, this kind of shifting narrative could be problematic, but through the fluidity and sheer inventiveness of her prose, Landsman pulls it off… You finish The Rowing Lesson feeling as if you too have lived through Harold’s last hours. It has the surreal, visceral quality of a life flashing before the eyes – a final montage of an ordinary existence, made extraordinary through the power of imagination." -Irish Times, Catherine

Both books are available from Exclusive Books

Hot Games - Sunday 26 July 2009

2009-07-26T13:42:00.000-07:00

Sunday has rolled around again and it is time to look at some of the top online retailers to find out what games are selling well.

Here are the lists:

Take2
1. Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare GOTY (PC DVD-ROM)
2. Exclusive: Assassin's Creed (PC DVD-ROM) Director's Cut
3. Prince Of Persia 4 (PS3)
4. Super Hits: Bioshock (PC DVD-ROM) In Stock
5. The Sims 3: Standard Edition (PC/MAC DVD-ROM)
6. Sam & Max - Season 1 (PC)
7. Fallout 3 (Xbox 360)
8. Super Hits: Civilization IV Complete Collection (PC DVD-ROM)
9. Prince Of Persia 4 (Xbox 360)
10. Exclusive: Tom Clancy's: Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (PC DVD-ROM)

Amazon
1. Wii Sports Resort - Nintendo Wii
2. Wii Fit - Nintendo Wii
3. EA Sports Active - Nintendo Wii
4. Dissidia Final Fantasy - PSP
5. Halo 3: ODST - Xbox 360
6. Midnight Club: Los Angeles - Xbox 360
7. Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel - Nintendo Wii
8. The Sims 3 - PC
9. Midnight Club: Los Angeles - PS3
10. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Edition - Xbox

Kalahari.Net
1. Wii Sports Resort and Motion Plus - Nintendo Wii
2. Far Cry 2 - PS3
3. Ultimate Spiderman (Platinum) - PS2
4. Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses - PS2
5. Fallout 3 - PS3
6. Shrek The Third - PS2
7. Enemy Territory: Quake Wars - PC
8. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (Wii) - Nintendo Wii
9. NBA 08 - PS3
10. Unreal Tournament 3 - PC

CNA
1. EA Sports Active Wii - Nintendo Wii
2. FIFA 09 - PS2
3. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - PS2
4. Medal of Honor: 10th Anniversary Edition - PC
5. Prototype - Xbox
6. The Sims 3 - PC
7. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - PS2

Bestsellers - Sunday 26 July 2009

2009-07-26T06:32:00.000-07:00

Sunday has rolled around again and it is time to look at some of the top online retailers to find out what books are selling well.

Give me your thoughts on these titles. The Twilight titles continue to dominate but some new names and faces on the lists. The new Dan Brown starting to appear on quite a few of the lists as well.

Here are the lists:

Exclusive Books
1. Spud - Learning to Fly
2. New Moon
3. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man
4. Eclipse
5. Breaking Dawn
6. Twilight
7. Die Ponies Galop
8. Spud
9. Stiletto
10. Spud - The Madness Continues

Take2
1. Hidden Currents - Feehan, Christine
2. New Moon - Meyer, Stephenie
3. Twilight - Meyer, Stephenie
4. Eclipse - Meyer, Stephenie
5. Breaking Dawn - Meyer, Stephenie
6. Girl Who Played with Fire - Larsson, Stieg
7. Bengal's Heart - Leigh, Lora
8. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Larsson, Stieg
9. Faefever - Moning, Karen Marie
10. Twilight - Meyer, Stephenie

Amazon
1. The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
2. Glenn Beck's Common Sense: The Case Against - Glenn Beck
3. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
4. The Help - Kathryn Stockett
5. The Shack - William P. Young
6. Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto - Mark R. Levin
7. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society… - Mary Ann Shaffer
8. Sookie Stackhouse, Books 1-7 - Charlaine Harris
9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) - J.K. Rowling
10. Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4) - Stephenie Meyer

Kalahari.Net
1. Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
2. Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
3. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer
4. New Moon - Stephenie Meyer
5. The Angel's Game - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
6. Spud - Learning to Fly - John Van De Ruit
7. Thula-Thula - Annelie Botes
8. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
9. Outliers: The story of success - Malcolm Gladwell
10. Spud - John Van De Ruit

CNA
1. A good woman - Danielle Steel
2. A new earth - Tolle, Eckhart
3. Eat, pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
4. Obama: From Promise to Power - David Mendell
5. Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Lechter, Sharon L Kiyosaki, Robert
6. Scarpetta - Patricia Cornwell
7. The Love Dare - Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick
8. The secret - Byrne, Rhonda
9. The Shack - William P Young
10. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle - David Wroblewski

Asterix - an institution!

2009-07-18T03:07:00.000-07:00

I have blogged about it before but it always intrigues me how often the Asterix books appear on the Best Seller lists that we pull up from the online retailers.

He is an absolute institution and his stories never seem to get old and cross every single generation of kids.

I don't think that there are too many book characters who could be considered as influential as Asterix and Obelix and I reckon 50 years from now they will still be going strong.

So for that reason I thought I would highlight the following from Fanatics and Exclusive Books:

Celebrate Asterix’s 50th Anniversary with Exclusive Books this July!

Almost every single Asterix story features reference to Obelix falling into the Getafix’s cauldron of magic potion when he was about six years old. This was the event through which he derived his phenomenal physical strength.

Do you ever wonder how it happened? Read the full story in the new Asterix book (How Obelix Fell into the Magic Potion).

SPECIAL OFFER TO FANATICS MEMBERS
Earn 300 Fanatics Bonus Points when you buy the new Asterix title How Obelix Fell into the Magic Potion when he was a Little Boy

Earn 200 Fanatics Bonus Points AND save over R98 when you buy the new Asterix value pack which includes the new book plus one of the older titles.

About the Authors

Rene Goscinny was born in Paris in 1926, and spent most of his childhood in Argentina, before eventually moving to Paris in 1951. He died in 1977. Albert Uderzo was born in 1927 in a small village in Marne, France. He met Rene Goscinny in 1951 and on 29 October 1959 Asterix made his first appearance on page 20 of Pilote. Asterix the Gaul, their first album, was published in 1961 and there have now been 33 Asterix albums.

So get to your nearest Exclusive Books store today and purchase or order your copy of How Obelix Fell into the Magic Potion.

Kwame Dawes - "She's Gone"

2009-07-11T23:33:00.000-07:00

This didn't sound like my kettle of fish but I have heard a couple of very positive reviews on this book so I thought I would highlight it here and maybe give a bit of diversity to our reviews.

The synopsis reads:

A prominent Jamaican reggae singer falls in love with an African American woman while on tour in South Carolina. The two struggle to forge a relationship across a cultural and psychological divide in a story that spans from Jamaica to South Carolina to New York City.

There is a good review of the book here for those who believe it might be an interesting read.

Author: Kwame Dawes

Title: She's Gone

ISBN-13: 978-1-933354-18-7

You can order the book from online retailer Loot for R128

If you have read the book then drop me a comment below and let me know your thoughts on it.

Have your say in the Sunday Times Literary awards

2009-07-11T18:57:00.000-07:00

The Sunday Times Literary Awards have become recognised for their challenging judging standards. Of 33 titles originally selected for the fiction prize and 43 selected for the Alan Paton Award for non-fiction this year, two panels of judges have shortlisted just five titles in each category.

Now you can have your say by selecting one title in each category that you think should be the winner (see below for details of the finalists). We’re giving away five signed sets of all ten shortlisted titles plus 10 annual subscriptions to the Sunday Times to 15 lucky Fanatics members. Plus two members will win double tickets to the Awards gala evening in Johannesburg on 1st August.

Pick up a copy of the entry form at any Exclusive Books store – complete and hand it to a bookseller. But please don’t delay! The literary awards take place on Saturday 1st August and our competition has to close on 24th July to allow time to advise the lucky winners.

The Alan Paton Award has become established as one of the most coveted prizes for non-fiction writing in South Africa, rewarding careful research, honesty, understanding and sheer hard work. This year’s finalists are Street Blues by Andrew Brown; Choice Not Fate – The Life & Times of Trevor Manuel by Pippa Green; In a Different Time by Peter Harris; A Simple Freedom by Ahmed Kathrada with Tim Couzens; and Three-Letter Plague by Jonny Steinberg.

The Sunday Times fiction prize recognises writers who create highly original and exciting novels that make really compelling reading. The five titles that have made it through to the final selection are Whiplash by Tracey Farren; The Impostor by Damon Galgut; Bodies Politic by Michiel Heyns; The Rowing Lesson by Anne Landsman; and The Lost Colours of the Chameleon by Mandla Langa.

www.exclusivebooks.co.za

Book sale special from Exclusive Books

2009-07-11T04:14:00.000-07:00

We’re spicing up our delicious Winter Sale with double points on all sale book purchases at Exclusive Books. But only for Fanatics members and for just three days – this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 - 12 July.

Our massive WINTER SALE is now on at all branches of Exclusive Books (except in the duty free malls at OR Tambo and Cape Town International airports) and you’ll still find some incredible bargains with savings of up to 75% off normal cover prices.

Get off to the right start! Remember to bring your Fanatics card, and then you can look forward to receiving an even bigger rewards voucher with your next Fanatics statement!

www.exclusivebooks.co.za

Shark - Carel van der Merwe

2009-06-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

As a South African I was really proud to see a book of this quality coming out particularly in the business fiction genre.

Being a financial journalist, the story-line and characters rang true for me and I think that is the tribute to author Carel van der Merwe who, apart from being an author, is also a leading local businessman himself.

The book revolves around a South African businessman who runs a high-profile JSE listed IT company. The story takes us through the challenges of running a high profile business as well as the touchy topic of black economic empowerment (BEE) and the award of government tenders.

"Shark" unravels at a great pace and you'll find the story not only believable but captivating. There is a great African quote in it that sums up the story - "When elephants fight, the grass gets trampled" and this is exactly what happens to the various role players.

Character development itself was also good - you found yourself being wrapped up in the traumas faced by the protagonist without the drama going over the top.

Title: Shark
Author: Carel van der Merwe
ISBN: 978-1-4152-0076-6

Loot price: R160.00 (Eligible for free delivery on orders over R200)
You save: R35.00 (18%)

Rated the book a four out of five.

I really enjoyed "Shark" and I reckon that anybody with a passing interest in SA business and the stock market would really enjoy it.

Last year I called "Mushy Peas on Toast" as the best South African book of the year in terms of those that I read.... I suspect "Shark" is going to take that title this year...

... Well done Carel

Panic - Michael Lewis

2009-06-27T00:50:00.000-07:00

"Panic" is the follow-up to the best-selling "Liars Poker" from Michael Lewis and is an absolute must-read for anybody who

has an interest in the stock-market and other financial markets.

For those who didn't read the first book and don't know Michael Lewis, he was a trader at one of the top trading firms in the US. He became disillusioned with the whole corporate culture on Wall Street and he jumped to the other side of the fence where he became a financial journalist.

Lewis' ability to interpret and get the inside story on Wall Street made for hellishly entertaining reading in Liars Poker.

"Panic" is the latest offering and here he details some of the most recent financial crises and tries to put in perspective much of the spin that the financial industry and media are putting out to justify recent events.

It is intriguing because it includes names like Bernie Madoff and his take on the markets prior to him being unveiled as a fraud in the latest crisis.

I found it lots of fun because it included different articles spanning nearly 20 years worth of financial news and the ability to chronicle financial events from a whole lot of different perspectives. It included all the hype before the Asian crisis, the tech bubble etc and then the review of what went wrong

Title: Panic - The Story of Modern Financial Insanity
Author: Michael Lewis
ISBN: 978-0-14-104231-2

Loot price: R123.00 (eligible for free delivery on orders over R200 - see banner right)
Normal retail price: R150
You save: R27.00 (18%)

This book is lots of fun and if you have even a passing interest in financial markets then you will love this one.

Rated it a 4 out of 5

Hot games

2009-06-21T09:18:00.000-07:00

The Sims 3 and Prototype seems to be regular features on the top sellers at the online retailers this week. Let's see what else made the cut:

Amazon.com
1. The Sims 3
2. EA Sports Active - Nintendo Wii
3. Wii Fit - Nintendo Wii
4. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 Wii Motion Plus Bundle - Nintendo Wii
5. Wii Sports Resort - Nintendo Wii
6. Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel - Nintendo Wii
7. Infamous - PS3
8. Ghostbusters: The Video Game - Xbox 360
9. Wii Play with Wii Remote - Nintendo Wii
10. Mario Kart - Nintendo DS

Take2
1. The Sims 3: Standard Edition (PC/MAC DVD-ROM)
2. Prototype (PC DVD-ROM)
3. Sam & Max - Season 1 (PC)
4. Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor (PC DVD-ROM)
5. Infamous (PS3)
6. World of Warcraft 60 Day Pre-paid Game Card (PC)
7. Mass Effect (PC DVD-ROM)
8. DCS: Black Shark (PC DVD-ROM)
9. Exclusive: Age of Empires: Collectors Edition (PC)
10. Prototype (PS3)

Kalahari.Net
1. The Sims 3 (PC)
2. EA Grand Slam Tennis with Wii Motion Plus - Nintendo Wii
3. EA SPORTS Active - Nintendo Wii
4. Prototype - Xbox 360
5. Infamous - PS3
6. Prototype - PS3
7. Prototype - PC
8. Lego Star Wars - PC
9. CSI - PC
10. Cricket 2007 - EA Sports

Bestsellers

2009-06-21T08:38:00.000-07:00

Another Sunday means another bestsellers book list and we have combed the various online retailers to find out what's hot!

Spud - Learning to Fly is still pumping on the local retailers and I must tell you that I had a tingly "Proudly South

African" feeling when I was walking through the airport at OR Tambo and watched a touring Pom buy the work of a local author!

Also thought that the Stiletto book listed under the Kalahari listing could make for interesting reading - not sure if it comes in English though....

Here they are:

Exclusive Books
1. Spud - Learning to Fly
2. New Moon
3. Spud
4. Breaking Dawn
5. Eclipse
6. Twilight
7. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man
8. Spud - The Madness Continues
9. Between a Rock and a Hard Place
10. Gone Tomorrow

Amazon.com
1. Glenn Beck's Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine - Glenn Beck
2. Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto - Mark R. Levin
3. Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum) - Janet Evanovich
4. The Shack - William P. Young
5. Sookie Stackhouse, Books 1-7 - Charlaine Harris
6. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society… - Mary Ann Shaffer
7. Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4) - Meyer, Stephenie
8. New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2) - Meyer, Stephenie
9. Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3) - Meyer, Stephenie
10. Outliers: The Story of Success - Malcolm Gladwell

Take2
1. Breaking Dawn (Trade Paperback) - Meyer, Stephenie
2. New Moon (Paperback) - Meyer, Stephenie
3. Eclipse (Paperback) - Meyer, Stephenie
4. Spud Learning to Fly (Paperback) - John Van De Ruit
5. Twilight (Paperback) - Meyer, Stephenie
6. Hidden Currents (Paperback) - Feehan, Christine
7. Eclipse (Paperback) - Stephanie Meyer
8. Twilight (Paperback) - Meyer, Stephenie
9. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man - Harvey, Steve
10. New Moon (Paperback) - Meyer, Stephenie

Kalahari.Net
1. Spud - Learning to Fly - John Van De Ruit
2. New Moon - Stephenie Meyer
3. Bittersoet - N. Sutherland
4. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer
5. Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
6. Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
7. Thula Thula - Annelie Botes
8. Bittersweet (English) - N. Sutherland
9. Stiletto: in die onderwereld van die seksindustrie - Carel F. Cronje; Karin Eloff
10. 13 Uur - Deon Meyer

Zoo Tycoon

2009-06-20T05:25:00.001-07:00

One of the biggest challenges I have faced as a parent to a six-year old child is finding decent entry-level games that he can play without:

A) Spending a fortune on the latest, hippest games
B) Spending money on games embracing gratuitous violence
C) Having to spend the whole time sitting next to him trying to show him how to play the game
D) Simply buying platform games where no strategy is involved.

Not the easiest ask around but I was going through my daughters room today and I found her copy of Zoo Tycoon for PC and I can't believe it but it has done the trick!

After giving him 10 minutes instruction and occasionally checking back on him when he has a problem, he has become completely immersed in the game and what it has to offer.

For those who don't know the game, you basically get to develop a Zoo from scratch. You build fences, paths, stores etc. Next you get to populate the zoo with animals and zoo-keepers and all those other fine things.

It is such an easy interface for a child to learn to interact with and do a bit of strategy and planning and the content is of such a nature that you're not worried about the child learning negative habits from the game.

It is an old game - you can pick it up from online retailer Loot (see banner right) for R83 which in terms of the hours of entertainment the game offers is not bad at all.

Kids of most ages will love it!

NOTE - Shark - Carel Van Der Merwe

2009-06-17T14:04:00.000-07:00

I haven't yet completed the book yet so I'll save the book review until when I am finished but I have to say that I am really enjoying this book "Shark" by local author Carel Van Der Merwe.

I am always a little sceptical about South African books possibly because I have an "inferiority complex" of sorts when it comes to SA material.

If you love business / action type books then I recommend you get your hands on this book. It's quick based and fun and the kind of book that will make you want to go back and get your hands on another SA book simply because the quality is so good.

Spoil yourself!

The Sims 3

2009-06-16T04:47:00.000-07:00

I remember one of the first PC games I ever played was Sim City - in black and white if you can remember those days.

I was addicted to the game and I remember sneaking into my dads office and booting up his old PC just to get a few hours of gameplay in. Loved the idea of building a virtual world and making all of the inhabitants happy and functional!

I had a big lull in terms of "Sims" game time until my daughter got The Sims 2 for her birthday and some of the old memories came flooding back. It has something addictive about it.

The latest installment is the Sims 3 and if you've been following our Best-sellers list, you will see that the game is on top of a number of the rankings.

In this day where decent kids games - which don't involve gratuitous violence are few and far between - I reckon if the Sims franchise carries on ticking over, we will be on to a good thing.

I haven't played it myself but I thought it would be a nice "post" for users to give some feedback on the game and some of the functionality - is it as good as people say it is?

Synopsis from online retailer Loot (see banner left - note free delivery option):

Loot price: R305.00 (Delivery is free)
You save: R44.00 (13%)

In The Sims 3, Sims can go beyond the boundaries of their home lot, and immerse themselves in an open, living neighborhood, interacting with other Sims using the new deeper personality system. In addition the new goals and rewards systems will give players of all kinds from core gamers to storytellers ability to enjoy long-term gameplay.

New Seamless, Open Neighborhood
Explore the neighborhood freely and take your Sims to meet friends in the park, go on a date at the bistro, visit neighbors’ homes, converse with less-than-savory characters in the graveyard and more. Who knows what might happen?

New Create A Sim
Create any sim you can imagine with easy-to-use design tools that allow for unlimited customization of facial features, hair color, eye color, and more. Fine tune your Sims’ body shape from thin to curvy to muscular.

New Realistic Personalities
Create over a million different personalities with traits such as evil, insane, kleptomaniac, romantic, and more. Influence the behaviors of your Sims with the traits you’ve chosen. Will you create a neurotic romantic with a heart of gold, or a geeky super-genius with an evil streak?

New Unlimited Customization
Everyone can customize everything - design and build your dream house and decorate it to fit your Sims’ personalities.

New Gameplay That’s Rewarding and Quick
Face short and long-term challenges and reap the rewards as your Sims can pursue random opportunities to get fast cash, get ahead, get even, and more.
Choose whether, or not, to fulfill your Sims’ destinies by making their wishes come true. Will your Sims be thieves, rock stars, world leaders? The choice is yours.

Two hot new titles available from Fanatics

2009-06-13T22:25:00.000-07:00

Fanatics members can now get their hands on two book which have been recommended by Oprah in her latest book selections.

The two books are:

Always Looking Up - Michael J. Fox
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man - Steve Harvey

The Steve Harvey book has been a regular on the Amazon bestseller lists over the last few weeks.

We've got the synopsis of the two books below:

Always Looking Up
Struck with Parkinson's - a debilitating, degenerative disease - at the height of his fame, Michael J. Fox has taken what some people might consider cause for depression and turned it into a beacon of hope for millions. Now, in Always Looking Up, he writes about the personal philosophy that carried him through his darkest hours, and speaks with others who have emerged from difficult periods with optimism to spare. With the humour and wit that dazzled fans and reviewers alike in his bestselling memoir, Lucky Man, Fox shows how hebecame a happier, more satisfied person by recognising the gifts of everyday life.

Michael J. Fox is best known today for his hit Channel Four sitcom Spin City that he also produced. In the eighties he became an international mega-star, first through TV shows such as Family Ties, then through the record-breaking Back To The Future movies. He launched the Michael J. Fox foundation for Parkinson's Research in 2000 , which has leapt to the forefront of the effort to find a cure. He lives with his family in New York City.

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man
Steve Harvey can't count the number of impressive women he's met over the years, whether it's through the "Strawberry Letters" segment of his radio program or while on tour for his comedy shows. These are women who can run a small business, keep a household with three kids in tiptop shape, and chair a church group all at the same time. Yet when it comes to relationships, they can't figure out what makes men tick. Why? According to Steve it's because they're asking other women for advice when no one but another man can tell them how to find and keep a man. Sometimes funny, sometimes direct, but always truthful, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man is a book you must read if you want to understand how men think when it comes to relationships.

Steve Harvey began doing stand-up comedy in the mid -1980’s. He is widely known as the host of the Steve Harvey Morning Show which is broadcast in America and has more than seven million listeners. Harvey continues his unending pursuit and commitment to furthering opportunities in high schools throughout the country with generous contributions from the Steve Harvey Foundation.

Hot games - Sunday 6 June 2009

2009-06-07T05:47:00.000-07:00

Another Sunday has rolled around and as usual we highlight the best-selling games on the various online retail platforms.

The Sims3 has arrived and it has plenty of fans topping all three lists - wow!

Check out the list:

Take2.co.za
1. The Sims 3: Standard Edition (PC/MAC DVD-ROM)
2. Sam & Max - Season 1 (PC)
3. Age of Empires III: Gold Bundle (PC) - AoE III + Warchief Expansion
4. Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition (PC DVD)
5. Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor (PC DVD-ROM)
6. Crysis (PC DVD-ROM)
7. Mass Effect (PC DVD-ROM)
8. Infamous (PS3) In Stock
9. Sacred 2: Fallen Angel (PC DVD-ROM)
10. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3 Platinum)

Amazon.com
1. The Sims 3 - PC
2. EA Sports Active - Nintendo Wii
3. Wii Fit - Nintendo Wii
4. Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel - Nintendo Wii
5. Infamous - PS3
6. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 Bundle - Nintendo Wii
7. Wii Sports Resort - Nintendo Wii
8. The Sims 3 Collector's Edition - PC
9. EA Sports Active Multiplayer Pack - Nintendo Wii
10. Punchout - Nintendo Wii

Kalahari.Net
1. The Sims 3 - PC
2. Infamous - PS3
3. EA Sports Active - Nintendo Wii
4. Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor - PC
5. Singstar ABBA - PS2
6. Guitar Hero Metallica - Xbox360
7. Lego Star Wars - PC
8. Prototype - Xbox360
9. Demigod - PC
10. Ben 10: Alien Force - PS2

Bestsellers - Sunday 6 June 2009

2009-06-07T05:35:00.000-07:00

Another Sunday has rolled around and as usual we highlight the best-selling books on the various online retail platforms.

It is interesting to see that Spud is back on the local charts with lots of Pre-Orders coming in for "Learning To Fly".

Check out the list:

Exclusive Books
1. Spud - Learning to Fly (Pre-order)
2. New Moon
3. Breaking Dawn
4. Eclipse
5. Twilight
6. The Winner Stands Alone
7. Oh, the Places You'll Go!
8. The Shack
9. Eat, Pray, Love
10. First Family

Take2.co.za
1. New Moon - Meyer, Stephenie
2. Eclipse - Meyer, Stephenie
3. Breaking Dawn - Meyer, Stephenie
4. Twilight - Meyer, Stephenie
5. Spud Learning to Fly (Paperback) - John Van De Ruit
6. Eclipse - Stephanie Meyer
7. Ashes of Midnight - Adrian, Lara
8. Burning Wild - Feehan, Christine
9. New Moon - Meyer, Stephenie
10. Twilight - Meyer, Stephenie

Amazon.com
1. Cook Yourself Thin: Skinny Meals You Can Make - Lifetime Television
2. New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2) - by Stephenie Meyer
3. Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto - Mark R. Levin
4. The Shack - William P. Young
5. Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4) - Stephenie Meyer
6. Excuses Begone!: How to Change Lifelong, Self-Defense - Wayne W. Dyer
7. The Twilight Saga Collection - Stephenie Meyer
8. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer
9. The Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3)- Stephenie Meyer
10. Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1) - Stephenie Meyer

Kalahari.Net
1. Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer
2. Spud Learning to Fly - John van De Ruit
3. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer
4. New Moon - Stephenie Meyer
5. Twilight - Stephenie Meyer
6. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think about Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment - Steve Harvey
7. The Shack - William P. Young
8. Spud - John Van De Ruit
9. Spud - The Madness Continues - John Van De Ruit
10. Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian - Rick Riordan

Harlan Coben "Three Great Novels"

2009-06-07T02:14:00.000-07:00

Had a great weekend with the Harlan Coben "Three Great Novels" trilogy and I'm definately planning to get my hands on more books by this author!

The three stories:

Deal Breaker
Drop Shot
Fade Away

all focus around the Myron Bolitar character, who has quickly become one of the best I have ever come across in the action genre.

Bolitar is a former basketball prodigy whose career was cut short by injury. He got involved with some shady government spy work that allowed him to hook up with a some-time psychopath who also partners with him in his new sports representation business.

He brings a rather unique mix of business and investigative tools to help him get his company off the ground and his clients out of trouble - especially when they get mixed up with the mob and other unsavoury characters.

For me the real standout in this book was the witty dialouge and writing style - it all just flowed really easily and kept me interested the whole way through. It such a pleasure when you keep reading to pick up the next witty one-liner!

The individual titles are available from South African online retailer Loot (see banner right) for as little as R55, but I recommend ordering the trilogy because the stories all tie into one another and there is a GREAT twist at the end of Fade Away which ties the whole thing together.

Title: Three Great Novels
Author: Harlan Coben
ISBN-13: 978-0-7528-4733-7

Rated the whole series as a four out of five and a definate "must-read" for those who love the action thriller genre.

New releases from Exclusive Books and Penguin Books SA

2009-05-24T00:44:00.000-07:00

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Set in 1960s in Jackson, Mississippi, there are lines that are not crossed. Black maids raise the white children, but no one trusts them not to steal the silver. Aibileen is a black maid, raising her seventeenth white child, but with a bitter heart after the death of her son. Minny is the sassy woman of the town and Skeeter is a white woman with a degree but no ring on her finger. Skeeter discovers her beloved maid Constantine has disappeared without a trace. And as different as they may be, these three women will come together for a clandestine project that will put all of them at risk.

The Girl Next Door by Elizabeth Noble

A gorgeous and unforgettable novel set in a turn-of-the-century New York apartment building on the Upper West Side, The Girl Next Door features four interwoven stories about love, life and living together. Meet Eve Gallagher in Apartment 7A, newly relocated to New York from London with her ambitious banker husband. But she's lonely and lost ... until she meets elderly neighbour Violet, who's concealing a tragic story of her own. The Kramers and the Schulmans in Apartments 6A and 6B are about to find their lives intersecting in a most unfortunate manner when Jason Kramer falls head-over-heels for Rachael Schulman.

These books are available to purchase or order at your nearest Exclusive Books branch.

Horror / Sci-Fi

2009-05-16T22:26:00.000-07:00

I love the whole sci-fi and horror genre and I was surfing around and found this bunch called SomeThing Wicked - http://www.somethingwicked.co.za.

It looks like a pretty new offering and while their site looks a little cluttered there looks like there is some interesting stuff there.

Go check it out and let me know what you think of it!

Paths of Glory - Jeffrey Archer

2009-05-16T22:22:00.000-07:00

I have just finished reading "Paths of Glory" which is the latest offering from Jeffrey Archer.

I'll be honest the book while the book was good - well written? - it never really seemed to get out of 2nd gear.

The story revolves around George Mallory and his attempts to climb Everest. It takes us over the story of his life as he develops from an eager young student into one of the best climbers of his generation.

I don't think anyone will ever be able to fault Archer's ability to write a story but this just did not seem to have the same punch that some of his other works did have. I found myself plopping into bed and reading two or three pages before passing out.

The character development was good in that you "watched" as the climbers and social circle matured as world events (such as World War 1 played out).

In all honesty I can't put my finger on what was missing but there wasn't enough to keep me turning page after page.

Title: Paths of Glory
Author: Jeffrey Archer
ISBN-13: 978-0-230-53143-7
Loot price: R199.00 (see banner right)

Our conclusion: A well written read with good character development. Unfortunately the story just wasn't engaging enough for me. Rated it a 3 out of 5.

Hot games

2009-05-10T11:06:00.000-07:00

As usual on a Sunday we highlight the best selling video games on the various online retail platforms:

Amazon
1. Virtual Villagers [Game Download] - PC
2. Atlantis Quest - PC
3. Ricochet Lost Worlds: Recharged - PC
4. Slingo Quest - PC
5. Wii Fit - Nintendo Wii
6. Alice Greenfingers - PC
7. Phineas and Ferb DS - Nintendo DS
8. EA Sports Active - Nintendo Wii
9. Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel - Nintendo Wii
10. Gold's Gym Cardio Workout - Nintendo Wii

Take2
1. Crysis (PC DVD-ROM)
2. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3 Platinum)
3. Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition (PC DVD)
4. Sam & Max - Season 1 (PC)
5. The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena (PC DVD-ROM)
6. Drakensang: The Dark Eye (PC DVD-ROM)
7. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2 Platinum)
8. Exclusive: Age of Empires: Collectors Edition (PC)
9. Another World: 15th Anniversary Edition (PC)
10. Mass Effect (PC DVD-ROM)

Kalahari.Net
1. The Sims 3 Collectors Edition - PC
2. Sid Meier's Civilization: Revolution - Xbox360
3. Metal Gear Solid 4 (Platinum) - PS3
4. Resident Evil 5 - Xbox360
5. X-Men Origins: Wolverine - PS2
6. Guitar Hero World Tour with Guitar Wii - Nintendo Wii
7. Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena - PC
8. Lego Star Wars - PC
9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - PS2
10. Call of Duty 2: Game of the Year Edition (Xbox 360 Classic) - Xbo360

Sunday bestselling books

2009-05-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

Another Sunday is here and as usual we highlight the best selling books on the online retail platforms:

Exclusive Books
1. Twilight
2. New Moon
3. Breaking Dawn
4. Assegai
5. Eclipse
6. Slumdog Millionaire
7. The Shack
8. 8th Confession
9. Paths of Glory
10. Eat, Pray, Love

Amazon
1. 7 days in the top 100 Cook Yourself Thin: Skinny Meals You Can Make in minutes - Lifetime Television
2. The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson & the Olympians) - Rick Riordan
3. Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto - Mark R. Levin
4. The Shack - William P. Young
5. Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse, Book 9) - Charlaine Harris
6. Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga, Book 4) - Stephenie Meyer
7. The Twilight Saga Collection - Stephenie Meyer
8. Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3) - Stephenie Meyer
9. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
10. New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2) - Stephenie Meyer

Take2
1. Burning Wild - Feehan, Christine
2. Breaking Dawn - Meyer, Stephenie
3. Eclipse - Meyer, Stephenie
4. New Moon - Meyer, Stephenie
5. Twilight - Meyer, Stephenie
6. Twilight - Meyer, Stephenie
7. Vision in White - Roberts, Nora
8. Eclipse - Stephanie Meyer
9. Lover Avenged - Ward, J. R.
10. Dream Warrior - Kenyon, Sherrilyn

Kalahari.Net
1. Eclipse - Stephanie Meyer
2. Breaking Dawn - Meyer, Stephenie
3. Twilight - Meyer, Stephenie
4. New Moon - Meyer, Stephenie
5. Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think about Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment - Steve Harvey
6. The Shack - William P. Young
7. Assegai - Wilbur Smith
8. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle - David Wroblewski
9. New Moon (softcover) - Stephenie Meyer
10. Twilight (softcover) - Stephenie Meyer

Rated Reviews

Social Network now on pre-order

Hot video games - 2011/01/23

Popular books - 2011/01/23

Robert Ludlum - The Janson Directive

David Baldacci - Deliver us from Evil

50 people who stuffed up South Africa

Patricia Cornwell - Port Mortuary

Lauren Beukes - Zoo City

Caught - Harlan Coben

Barry Sergeant: Brett Kebble - The Inside Story

Hot video games - 2010/05/25

Bestselling Books - 2010/05/23

Popular books - 2010/05/10

Harlan Coben - The Final Detail

Popular video games - 2010/05/02

Hot books - 2010/05/02

Hot video games - 2010/04/25

Bestselling Books - 2010/04/25

Popular music - 2010/04/25

Consent to Kill – Vince Flynn

Popular music - 2010/04/11

2010 FIFA World Cup – South Africa

Hot video games - 2010/04/11

Bestselling books - 2010/04/11

Hot Easter Games

Easter Bestselling Books

On the reading list?

Hot Video Games – 2010/03/28

Bestselling Books – 2010/03/28

Hot video games - 2010/03/21

Bestselling books – 2010/03/21

Gone For Good – Harlan Coben

The Big Short – Inside the Doomsday Machine

Tell no-one - Harlan Coben

Popular Video Games - 2010/03/14

Hot books - 2010/03/14

Blindman’s Bluff – Faye Kellerman

Popular video games - 10 March 2010

Bestselling books - 10 March 2010

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – The Millennium Trilogy (Volume 1) – Stieg Larsson

One False Move – Harlan Coben

20 December 2009 - Video game bestsellers

Bestsellers - 20 December 2009

How Not to Start and Run Your Own Business – Scott Cundill

Death by Leisure - Chris Ayres

Dean Koontz - Dead and Alive

Kathy Reichs - 206 Bones

Devils Peak - Deon Meyer

The International Rugby Encyclopedia

Books for girls!

Fifa 10

Hot games - 2009/10/11

Bestsellers - 2009/10/11

The Zombie Survival Guide

In Odd we Trust - Dean Koontz

"The Help" picks up coveted Boeke Award

Championship Manager - 2010 - Game review

T is for Trespass - Sue Grafton

October Killings - Wessel Ebersohn

Dan Brown gets a grilling

The Beatles and Batman

Hot games - 13 September 2009

Bestselling Books - 13 September 2009

Fuel - Video game

The Poet - Michael Connelly

"Summertime" from the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature

The Accidental Billionaires - Sex, Money, Betrayal And The Founding Of Facebook

The Double Crown by Marié Heese

Boeke Prize

Hot games

Bestsellers

How do you stack up?

We are All Made of Glue - Marina Lewycka

Jim Collins - How the Mighty Fall

Deon Meyer - Dead at Daybreak

Hot video games - Sunday 9 August 2009

Bestsellers - Sunday 9 August 2009

Literary Award Winners

Hot Games - Sunday 26 July 2009