Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Flattering curves



"As a contemporary designer I try to meet the needs of the whole human being by designing furniture that is simultaneously meaningful for the spirit, beautiful for the soul, and nurturing for the body.” - Haldane Martin


As the world’s attention is still very much locked on South Africa so we continue our focus on South African book related themes. One of my favorite SA designers, Haldane Martin who is based in Cape Town, created the most beautiful and visually pleasing shelving system I have had the pleasure to lay my eyes on, New Slant Shelves. It has been the object of desire of many of my interior/perfect home library/aspiring bookshop fantasies.



At first glance its curves seems like an optical illusion but a closer look reveals each individual modular slanted shelf can be moved, adjusted and organized on the whim and creativity of its owner through its clever magnetic system. It is a piece of design that is as alive with movement and flow as the text and contents of the books and items that would love to be housed and showcased within it, all in unison speaking against what was once perceived as static forms. And its boldest statement: that it is proudly and sustainably made in South Africa.



(images: Haldane Martin, Apartment Therapy, Elle Deco SA)

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Updated Jozi Skyline shelf



New Moon Africa's Jozi Icons floating shelf has made a timely appearance with its updated Johannesburg skyline which now includes Soccer City and the Soweto. It is made out of brushed stainless steel and bamboo and designed by Angus Wing.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Keeping it local: Jozi bookends

For the duration of the Soccer World Cup we are turning our attention to all things local and book related. These beautiful brushed stainless steel Jozi bookends by Fanie van Zyl are a wonderful ode to the city that is alive with gees, ayoba-ness and of course books.




On order at Batch R395

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Orange Prize for Fiction

The winner of the Orange prize for fiction for 2010 has been awarded to acclaimed author of The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver for her latest book titled The Lacuna.



Publisher: Faber And Faber
ISBN: 9780571252640
Publication date: November 2009
RRP: R219.95

The Orange prize for fiction is awarded each year to a female writer from any nationality for the best novel written in English. The prize money is £30 000

This looks like another stellar epic from Kingsolver which must be added to my 'must read' list. I love the exotic cover. If anyone has read it please send me you thoughts or a review on it.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Sandton, Soccer Fever and the Sunday Times Literary Awards


Image via Beeld

World Cup fever has taken our minds,bodies, streets and country hostage (rightfully so) and will continue to do so for the next month. After the scenes from yesterday’s procession in Sandton and gatherings around the country, my heart beats yellow and green with a new sense of patriotism. It made me think that when on the precipice of crisis we retreat in a state of passiveness but when presented with the opportunity to unite and fire up spirits rather than arms we charge with new found purpose and for some brief moments declare ours a state of greatness. I hope that every visitor and even the mzanzi’s will indulge in all things home grown and brewed that our wonderful country has to offer. And perhaps some of them will pop into a bookshop and take home a new literary discovery.

The shortlist for the Sunday Times Literary awards is not a bad place to start looking for that treasure. They were announced this last weekend and feature some our finest writers who will compete for our most prestigious English literary prize. They are as follow:

Shortlist for Alan Paton (non-fiction) Award



Ways of Staying by Kevin Bloom (Picador Africa)
A Fork in the Road by André Brink (Harvill Secker)

Begging to be Black by Antjie Krog (Random House Struik)

The Honour to Serve by James Ngculu (David Phillip)

The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law by Albie Sachs (Oxford University Press).

Shortlist for the Fiction Prize


Summertime by JM Coetzee (Harvill Secker)
High Low In-between by Imraan Coovadia (Umuzi)

Saracen at the Gates by Zinaid Meeran (Jacana)

The Book of the Dead by Kgebetli Moele (Kwela Books)
Small Moving Parts by Sally-Ann Murray (Kwela Books).

The winners will be announced on the 24th of July