Books are better than people – that is why we’re staying at home and reading instead of going out!
Hello, little bookworm!
Happy Ramadhaan to those who are celebrating! Thank you so much for tapping my link for the fifth week in a row! I am so thrilled to see that you are enjoying the activities and reading a bit.
Today’s post is pretty similar to last weeks post because it has both, activities and ebooks.
Let’s get downloading! First up we have the activities.
FROZEN
This pack is for your younger siblings – it has a very easy join the dots and some colouring-in.
Now for something to read while you wait for the next post!
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down
The pressure’s really piling up on Greg Heffley. His mom thinks video games are turning his brain to mush, so she wants her son to put down the controller and explore his “creative side.”
As if that’s not scary enough, Halloween’s just around the corner and the frights are coming at Greg from every angle.
When Greg discovers a bag of gummy worms, it sparks an idea. Can he get his mom off his back by making a movie . . . and will he become rich and famous in the process? Or will doubling down on this plan just double Greg’s troubles?
The book that took the world by storm. In his fifth year at Hogwarts, Harry faces challenges at every turn, from the dark threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and the unreliability of the government of the magical world to the rise of Ron Weasley as the Keeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. Along the way he learns about the strength of his friends, the fierceness of his enemies, and the meaning of sacrifice.
You have reached the end of the Part 5 of the Keep Yourselves Busy, Kids series on my blog. Don’t be sad, there is plenty to keep you entertained. As usual, you can send me pictures and suggestions by sending me a message on https://www.instagram.com/thebookshelfbeforeme/ or commenting below this post!
Wow, a part four already! I am so glad that you have been following my blog for four weeks (yes, we are in the fourth week of lockdown now, can you believe it?)
It seems that the PDF copies of the the novels were a total hit! I have listened to some of your suggestions, which is why this post has a few more PDF versions of some novels as well as some activities.
I have put the activities first and then the novels.
Happy Scrolling!
First up, we have a whole pack of Asterix Activities.
This pack has colouring-in, join the dots, make a decision-maker, create a door-hanger, a word-search, and more! It also has an introduction to The Roman Army! It is a pretty cool pack, so get downloading.
You can also read the Asterix and the Great Crossing Comic below (just keep scrolling and you will find it soon).
Greg suddenly finds himself dealing with the pressures of boy-girl parties, increased responsibilities, and even the awkward changes that come with getting older—all without his best friend, Rowley, at his side. Can Greg make it through on his own? Or will he have to face the “ugly truth”?
Harry Potter is in his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and he is investigating the escaped prisoner of Azkaban – Sirus Black. Of course, he’s got none other than his best friends, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger at his side.
The Triwizard Tournament is to be held at Hogwarts. Only wizards who are over seventeen are allowed to enter – but that doesn’t stop Harry dreaming that he will win the competition. Then at Halloween, when the Goblet of Fire makes its selection, Harry is amazed to find his name is one of those that the magical cup picks out. He will face death-defying tasks, dragons and Dark wizards, but with the help of his best friends, Ron and Hermione, he might just make it through – alive!
When Magizoologist Newt Scamander arrives in New York, he intends his stay to be just a brief stopover. However, when his magical case is misplaced and some of Newt’s fantastic beasts escape, it spells trouble for everyone.
Written by J.K. Rowling, this book is a must-read for all fans of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!
That’s all for week four! I hope that you have enjoyed this post and it keeps you busy for a good few days. As usual, you can send me pictures and suggestions by sending me a message on https://www.instagram.com/thebookshelfbeforeme/ or commenting below this post!
I am absolutely delighted that you are visiting The Bookshelf Before Me again! I trust that you are having loads of fun with all the activities that you’ve got.
Yes, this is a new post, but it is much different. There are no new activities, but don’t worry, because something even better is coming up! I thought that you should read a little, too. Of course, you cannot visit the library or bookstores right now, so I have given you the books right here! You can download it and read it on your tablet, phone or computer.
Let’s get right to it, shall we? Scroll, scroll!
Remember: reading is all about LEARNING. When you come across a new word, google it or ask someone for the definition. Write the definition down, learn it and try to use it as much as you can when talking to your family and friends.
Your teachers will be super impressed by your huge vocabulary, not to mention all the amazing stories you’ll be writing!
Read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dhal
Mr Willy Wonka is the most extraordinary chocolate maker in the world.
And do you know who Charlie is? Charlie Bucket is the hero. The other children in this book are nasty little beasts, called: Augustus Gloop – a great big greedy nincompoop; Veruca Salt – a spoiled brat; Violet Beauregarde – a repulsive little gum-chewer; Mike Teavee – a boy who only watches television.
Clutching their Golden Tickets, they arrive at Wonka’s chocolate factory. But what mysterious secrets will they discover?
Our tour is about to begin. Please don’t wander off. Mr Wonka wouldn’t like to lose any of you at this stage of the proceedings…
Dr. Seuss’s beloved story teaches you to speak up and stand up for those who can’t. With a recycling-friendly “Go Green” message, The Lorax allows you to experience the beauty of the Truffula Trees and the danger of taking our earth for granted, all in a story that is timely, playful, and hopeful. The book’s final pages teach us that just one small seed, or one small child, can make a difference.
This rhyming story is such fun to read, with a very important message about our environment.
Take a break from reading to listen to the story of The Lorax.
Read Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
THE ONE WHERE IT ALL BEGINS!
“Let me get something straight: this is a JOURNAL not a diary… The other thing that I want to clear up right away is that this was MOM’s idea, not mine.”
Things aren’t going well for Greg Heffley.
He has been thrust into a new school where undersize weaklings share the corridors with kids who are taller, meaner and already shaving.
With his friend Rowley, Greg’s desperate to prove his new maturity, which only going up a grade can bring.
But when Rowley’s star starts to rise, will Greg be able to reach the same heights of popularity as Rowley?
Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his parents, his older brother George, and Snowbell the cat. Though he’s shy and thoughtful, he’s also a true lover of adventure.
Stuart’s greatest adventure comes when his best friend, a beautiful little bird named Margalo, disappears from her nest. Determined to track her down, Stuart ventures away from home for the very first time in his life. He finds adventure aplenty. But will he find his friend?
When mysterious letters start arriving on his doorstep, Harry Potter has never heard of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
They are swiftly confiscated by his aunt and uncle.
Then, on Harry’s eleventh birthday, a strange man bursts in with some important news: Harry Potter is a wizard and has been awarded a place to study at Hogwarts.
And so the first of the Harry Potter adventures is set to begin.
P.S. I also have the audio book of Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone. If you would like to have it, you can comment below this post or drop me an email at nabeelahchothia@gmail.com and I will happily email it to you!
Read Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets
(Book #2 in the Harry Potter Series)
The Dursleys were so mean that hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he’s packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.
And strike it does. For in Harry’s second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockheart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls’ bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley’s younger sister, Ginny.
But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone–or something–starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects…Harry Potter himself?
That is all for this week, dear boys and girls. I hope that you enjoy reading these books! Please do let me know which books you enjoyed the most, and which books you would like to read next by sending me a message on https://www.instagram.com/thebookshelfbeforeme/ or commenting below this post!
I hope that you are staying safe and happy, and that these activities are keeping you pretty entertained. You’re probably busy with some homeschooling now, but it is important to take a break.
As promised, I have created a post with more activities for you. Here we have a few activities (and some stories for you to listen to) that have been taken from Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Roald Dhal books and World of David Williams.
First up, we have a few word-searches!
Have you read James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dhal?
Help James find all the juicy words in this wonderful word-search:
The activities below are for older children (Senior phase). These are quite like school work, but related to Demon Dentist! It would be amazing for you to brush up your English skills and impress your teacher when you get back to school!
That’s all for you, little one. I hope that you have an incredible amount of fun with these activities. I am sure that these, your school work, and some outdoor fun will keep you busy for the next week or two!
Remember to show me your amazing activities, or send me suggestions on what you would like me to post, by sending me a message on https://www.instagram.com/thebookshelfbeforeme/ or commenting below this post!
This one is for the kids – or the parents of really bored kids:
Hi there, girls and boys!
I am sure that you had many plans for the holidays,
but then the president said that we have to stay at home. You’re probably really upset about this and super super bored! But fear not, little one, because I have written a blog post just foryou.
We love books, right? I hope you’re spending much of your time with your nose in a book (that’s where you have the most adventures anyway), but spending all of your time reading is not very realistic. I have found some activities for you – it’s cooler than school, so keep scrolling!
All these activities are from Diary of a Wimpy Kid (your favourite series, I know). Some can be done by yourself and some you’ll need an extra person – call your brothers and sisters or even mum and dad, this will be fun.
First up, we have A Crossword from Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
Players needed: Just you, or anyone else who would like to help. Tap the link to download the crossword.
Here’s another game, Secret Card Game from Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
Players needed: two or more teams of two or more members each. This is a pretty fun family game (Kind of like 30 seconds, but more fun because its Diary of a Wimpy Kid related).
You will need to print out and cut out the cards in the link below. You should also colour in the cards when you’ve got some free time.
That’s all for this week, boys and girls. If you do try any of these activities, please let me know by commenting below or sending a DM to https://www.instagram.com/thebookshelfbeforeme/ thebookshelfbeforeme on instagram.
Keep checking this blog for more boredom-killing activities to get you through this lockdown!
My 2019 was a busy year and it was full of new adaptions and experiences. Because of that, blogging and reading (sadly) fell behind on my priority list. Now, here I am, with the hope of being more committed to writing and reading.
With this post being a quick recap of last year, here are some of my highlighted quotes:
From One Half from The East by Nadia Hashimi – one of the most powerful authors I have come across:
“Being trapped by something we can’t see is an awful feeling.” – Page 136
“Sometimes laughter is as contagious as a bad cold” – Page 231
“She looks incredibly happy, as if a few drops of rain might be the very best thing that has happened to her.”- Page 120
“There is nothing else to be. Not for me. I only want to be what I am now” – Page 116
From Tin Man, by Sarah Winman:
Honestly, I could have highlighted this entire book.
“And I wonder what the sound of a heart breaking might be. And I think it might be quiet, unperceptivly so, and not dramatic at all.” – Page 161
From Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa – a must read for everyone, to understand the story of Palestinians:
“… neither spoke the other’s language. But they quickly found commonality in their mutual sense of inadequacy.” – Page 9
“Habibti, we have nothing but education now. Promise me you’ll take it with all the force you have.” – Page 11
“Baba said, ‘The land and everything on it can be taken away, but no one can take away your knowledge or the degrees you earn'” – Page 60
“Huda learned to love what she had and to take what sweetness she could from life, her memories as pillars of strength.” – Page 156
“Majid replied, ‘What’s so special about a rose? Have you ever really inspected one? They have thorns. They aren’t particularly fragrant. They’re difficult to grow and are frail when you do get them to bloom. I’ll take a dandelion any day over a rose. Now that’s a flower.It’s humble, hearty and keeps coming back no matter what you do to it. And it always blooms a brilliant yellow smile.'” – Page 209
“For if life had taught her anything, it was that healing and peace can begin only with acknowledgement of wrongs committed.” – Page 257
“Love cannot reconcile with deception.” – Page 275
“Always is a good word to believe in” – Page 303
The books I read were few, but they’re highly recommended, especially Mornings in Jenin and One Half from The East. Give them a read and send your highlighted quotes my way.
At the end of the year, we reflect. We reflect on our accomplishments, our adventures, our heartbreaks, and everything in between. In the bookish world, we also look at the books we’ve read, because ulimately, the books that you read contribute towards your growth.
My growth was encouraged by many books and authors, especially by Corban Addison (read more about it in my previous post). I also opened my eyes to the world of bookstagram and blogs – my greatest achievement of 2018. With a great interest in the bookish community, I have asked a few bibliophiles to write a little about their 2018. Here’s what they have said:
Written by Azraa Mayet:
A House Without Windows – Nadia Hashimi
Identifying myself as a proud feminist, I’ve always been particularly interested in conversation surrounding aspects of patriarchy, power and oppression. A House Without Windows reignited my already existing spark of interest in such topics.
Zeba, a loving wife, a patient mother, and a peaceful villager. Yet, her fate lies in the hands of dishonorable men.
Guilty until proven innocent.
This novel brought about a wide disarray of emotion. On the one hand I often found myself feeling sad and disheartened about the poor justice system that Muslim women, in particular, are forced to face on a daily basis, around the globe. Whereas on the other hand, completely and utterly thrilled, almost fascinated to be able to experience such explicit realism. And then unfortunately, unpleasant feelings arising once again, for not having any solutions to help & honor such remarkable women.
“Sometimes it’s hard to figure out if you are crazy or if it is the world around you that’s insane”
– Nadia Hashimi, A House Without Windows
Written by Yasira Moolla:
Reclaim your Heart – Yasmin Mogahed
2018 has been the most challenging year of my life. I lost so many people who I never dreamed to lose. So many people walked out of my life and so many people hurt me. Yasmin’s self-help guide, helped me to find myself and my true purpose. She reminded me that no matter what difficulty you face, Allah is always by your side and if that’s not the most comforting thought, I don’t know what is.
Written by Sameera Khan, ShesBooked:
“Like maybe you think I’m a little crazy but I only let people see the tip of my crazy iceberg. Underneath this veneer of slightly crazy and socially inept, I’m a complete disaster.”
– Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell.
Give me a library of books and I will devour them effortlessly, spending copious amounts of time getting to know each fictional character I find myself attached to, falling in love with a long list of fictional soul mates. Give me a real life situation with real feelings and actual people and I am rendered a complete mess. I am absolutely, inevitably and ardently clueless.
Perhaps I have an internal glitch that prevents me from having normal, functional relationships or from being an actual normal, functioning person. But I have never had the luxury of a dull ache; I’ve always been cursed with feeling too much or nothing at all. There are days when I feel absolutely nothing and there are days when I’m so overcome with emotion that I just want to sit in silence in the dark, lost in the abyss of it all. Then there’s the curse of being rendered incapable of expressing any feelings. I would choose to forgo a possibility of a relationship than have to express my feelings to another human being. The possibility of rejection is too much a fear for me to take a risk in expressing how I feel. More than the possibility of rejection is the actual expected certainty of rejection. This is possibly why I will always remain a grenade of bottled up feelings.
I doubt that much can be adequately said about all that this novel entails. Personally, I took from it, that happiness can literally be found in a graveyard, provided that one is surrounded by like-minded people who co-exist without a filter and rawness is the only
reality. The rest, will see to itself because when one is happy, one is able to see the path clearer.
“If you’ll pardon me for making this somewhat prosaic observation – maybe that’s what life is, or ends up being most of the time: a rehearsal for a performance that never eventually materializes.”
– Arundhati Roy, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness
Written by Dr Zaheera Jina:
The Ones With Purpose – Cynthia Jele
I must admit that I was really apprehensive to read The Ones With Purpose only because I had lost my own mother to cancer. I did not want to re-visit the memories of my mother being ill and I did not want to re-live her last moments.
I decided to read the book because I wanted to review the book.
They say that books choose us. This book found me, it gave me the understanding that I sought after my mother’s passing. The Ones with Purpose is a beautiful yet painful portrayal of family, disappointment, sacrifice, forgiveness and love; it tells the story of a sister named Fikile who dies from cancer and the intertwined narratives of those closest to her.
Fikile was The One with Purpose and so was my own mother. Fikile’s death had context – there was a past that had happened with her being there and an untold future which will unfold without her in the physical sense but through her memory and lived actions. My mother’s death did that too – her passing has left a deep void in me but at the same time, she will always be with me through that which I have learnt from her. Her life had meaning, her living had Purpose and she lived within the context of others and her life has had a ripple effect on those around her and many others not within her reach. But within my mother’s life, there was also disappointment and sacrifice and pain – and there was happiness. My mother, (like Fikile) was human after all. “The Ones with Purpose” beautifully illustrates the drama that unfolds in life through realistic characters like me and you. We all have our stories to tell and these stories involve others.
The Ones with Purpose has kept me deeply absorbed throughout my reading experience and has stayed with me for days now. It’s most highly recommended.
The Ones with purpose is on my list of Top Three reads of 2018, along with Gold Diggers by Sue Nyathi and The Blessed Girl by Angela Makholwa. I’m looking forward to 2019 – a year of more ground breaking African reads.
Written by Aadilah Mahomed:
Origin – Dan Brown
Dan Brown, famously known as the author of The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, released his new book called Origin.
Having previously read and loved his other books, I tried to get my hands on a copy as soon as I heard that it was released. And once again, I was not disappointed. The book follows Harvard Professor Robert Langdon along yet another dangerous adventure as he races against time and a myriad of people trying to kill him and the beautiful museum director, Ambra Vidal as they attempt to release a scientific presentation that “will change the face of science forever”.
Not unlike his other books, Origin is full of action and plot twists that will keep you so engrossed that you’ll find this book hard to put down. What I like about Dan Brown’s books is that they’re all set in different countries and cities and he writes in such a way that you feel like you are alongside the characters every step of the way, exploring one country after another. Being someone that loves traveling, these books feed my wanderlust. Dan Brown delves a lot into art, history, architecture and science which I feel broadens my mind and teaches me a lot more than a regular novel.
All in all, this book is definitely one I’d recommend!
Written by Zakiyya, TheBookishNerd:
2018 was for me, a really good reading year. I have always enjoyed reading but this year I fell in love with the act all over again. I really treasured and enjoyed my reading time and I managed to read some really wonderful books which obviously helped. Each year I like to give myself a reading goal that will push me out of my comfort zone a little bit, my comfort zone being Contemporary novels.
This year I aimed to read more nonfiction books, I achieved my goal to a certain extent. I did pick up a few more nonfiction books and two of them really stood out to me: You Can Stop Humming Now by Dr Daniela Lamas and Born A Crime by Trevor Noah.
Follow Zakiyya’s bookstagram @TheBookishNerd
Ultimately I am a creature of habit and so I did find myself reaching for Contemporary novels quite often, the genre still remains a firm favorite of mine. Titles that stood out to me in 2018 are:
I Am Thunder by Muhammed Khan (boundless)
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (revolutionary)
Tin Man by Sarah Winman (eye opening)
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily. X. R. Pan (hope giving)
Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley (heartwarming)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (life changing).
The Map of Salt and Stars by Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar
A quote from The Astonishing Color of After really stuck with me throughout the year:
“We’re not lost,” “We’re just headed somewhere different.”
These words sort of grounded me and succeeded in reminding me that there is no ‘correct’ path in life, just because you’re on a different path doesn’t mean you’re lost.
Other bookish joys came from taking pictures of books, talking to other bookworms about books and buying more books as well as appreciating reading and books in all of its forms. Overall 2018 was a very happy bookish year and I could not be more grateful for that. Here’s to an even happier 2019!
Conclusion:
I am so grateful to have people in my life who encourage me to read and contribute towards my education and growth. My goal is to be a person who continues this cycle, and my blog is one of the tools for achieving this goal. I hope that, through each of these reflections, gives you reason to read more in 2019!
Let me know which books stood out for you in 2018, and which you will be adding to your 2019 TBR!
December is here & many of us find ourselves reflecting on the year that has passed – myself included. One of the thoughts that I had while reflecting about this year was – which author could be my “author of the year?” Immediately, Corban Addison popped up in my mind.
I began reading his books in January this year and I’ve been so amazed at the quality of his novels. Each novel educated me about many injustices that I have been oblivious to before. They have impacted me the most & not a day goes by that I don’t think about something mentioned in one of the novels.
A Walk Across The Sun
The perfect lives of two young Indian girls is destroyed when a tsunami rages through their village in India. They try to make their way towards their school, their haven, but are abducted and thrown into a horrific world filled with slavery and prostitution. A US attorney makes his way to Mumbai and experiences modern slavery and a crumbling justice system. He makes it his mission to find these girls and save them from the claws of abominable men.
The Garden of Burning Sand
Another story of sexual abuse, this time about a rape of a little girl with down syndrome. The Garden of Burning Sand is set in Zambia, an African country with many superstitions and a shaky justice system.
An American Lawyer and a Zambian Police officer work together to ensure that justice is served. The process, however, is not simple and brings the reality of many women’s worlds into light.
A Harvest of Thorns
Buying clothes is a simple task, but have you ever considered how the clothes you wear is made? A Harvest of Thorns is a story which reminds us that slavery exists and that many chain stores and huge brands incite this slavery. The working conditions, wages, broken promises and threats provided to these workers are horrific.
This novel provides us with insight of various factories operations around the world and the clothes we wear. Since I’ve read this book in January, I find it difficult to buy an item without thinking about who has made it.
The Tears of Dark Water
While on a voyage on the Indian Ocean, father and son are kidnapped by Somali pirates. An FBI negotiator is called to arrange a deal for the release of this father and son. It’s a personal story of love, family, vengeance, justice, and cross-cultural understanding told through a fast paced thriller.
These novels written by Corban Addison are educational in terms of slavery, crime, abuse and many other injustices. The story told in each novel has either been based on a true story or inspired by a true event which makes it heart-wrenching.
Fiction has the power to really change a person’s way of seeing the world so that it really engages the intellect but that it also engages the heart
– Corban Addison
Read these novels, and I promise that you will feel something waking up in your heart – something that wants to make a change.
Addison makes it easy to help be a part of the change – a simple tap on the “engage” tab on his website provides articles about the issues discussed in the novels, as well as a way to help.
A trip to the mall is not completed until I step into a bookstore, more specifically, the hugest book franchise known as Exclusive Books. It’s the store that has provided me with many books and countless memories, and the store I fantasize about getting locked up in all night!
That’s the reason I was so eager to attend the launch of the revamped Sandton City store.
Exclusive Books sure knows how to host an event. Guests were treated to food and drinks, including a live smoothie station and ice cold ginger-beer (true South African style!) while listening to a local band performing. They definitely gave us all the African feels!
There were a few short speeches, including speeches by the marketing director and Grattan Kirk, the CEO that was beaming with pride all night. I had the opportunity of conversing with both lovely men.
Believe it or not, Mr Kirk did not always enjoy reading and only discovered the magic recently! We share the same views on e-readers – he does not enjoy e-readers because he feels that there is no relationship with it. “A book can be read and memories can be made with it – there’s just a special connection – and then it can be displayed, with all it’s memories, on a bookshelf,” is what he said about the reason he prefers a paperback to an e-book.
Sadly, the industry challenge that they are facing is that more people are straying from the habit of reading. He mentioned that it is up to us to encourage and show people the magic of reading, and I am certain that a trip to Exclusive Books Sandton City will make a reader out of every adult and child!
The ambiance of the store is incredible. From the light fittings to the bookshelves and couches everywhere, there has obviously been a lot of thought and planning has been put into this store. Everything is unique and completely beyond anyone’s imagination.
Sitting in a coffee shop and reading a book is one of the best reading situations, that’s why Exclusive Books added coffee shops in their stores. Exclusive Books used to have their very own EB Cafe, but as Grattan Kirk mentioned, “[They] are better at selling books than making coffee.” So, they’re back to the good old Seattle Coffee Co. The best part about Seattle Coffee Co (besides them being right in the store) is that they’ve got loyalty points! Buy nine cups of coffee, & get the 10th cup free.
In a bookstore, one of the most important things to me is organisation. And Exclusive Books Sandton City has the perfect layout. Each section flows into the next, and each section is HUGE.
This store has the largest Pan-African section in the continent. It’s the pride of the store and placed on a platform with wooden flooring, tables and chairs.
The teacher (and child) in me was in awe of the children’s section. Huge and filled with every book from your childhood, it’s the perfect place to reminisce about story-time. Children would love this little corner and I am certain that they will be as amused as I was with the light fittings!
The stationery and gifting collections are pretty amazing as well. The Paulo Coelho day planners and Le Petit Prince notebooks had the writer in me shaking!
As I walked through the store, I found some lovely reads that I have added to my TBR. Some include:
A thriller by Catherine Steadman – Something in the Water
A South African thriller by Deon Meyer – The Woman in the Blue Cloak
A new Nicholas Sparks novel – Every Breath
The latest Jodi Picoult – A Spark of Light
Katie Khan – The Light Between Us
Because of the hype on Netflix, Jenny Han – To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before
By the same author of The Book Thief – Bridge of Clay
A humorous illustrated guide by Stephen Wildish – How To Adult
Don’t worry if none of these books interest you, there is definitely a section for you to get lost in – whether its sports, politics or a classic. Head over to Exclusive Books and grab a copy of the Every Page a Gift pamphlet to see the rest of the great holiday season deals that Exclusive Books has. There is also a R25 coupon and an exciting competition included at the back of the pamphlet.
Make your way to Exclusive Books Sandton City – the smell of Seattle Coffee brewing is what would lure you into the store, & the sight of the countless books is what will hypnotize your stay. You definitely will not leave empty handed!
I love reading secondhand books. I feel that reading a book which has been read by someone else is as personal as sharing emotions with them. So, its no doubt that I love secondhand bookstores even more than the usual bookstore.
Whenever I walk through 4th Avenue in Linden (Johannesburg), I find myself at the Books Galore bookstore. It’s a cute secondhand bookstore which caters for everyone.
Books Galore is a Johannesburg franchise, and opened up a Linden store a year ago. Eric, the owner, has an eye for vibrant areas and thought that Linden could do with a good book store (damn right) – you could buy a book and walk a few steps into a cosy coffee shop.
Books Galore is a second hand bookstore. They receive donations of books, people bring
in books to sell to them or people exchange books with them (a sort of barter). Because of this, they have a variety of books which caters for the likes of everyone. The manager said, “we’re only as good as the books we get in”, but she is really pleased with the response that they have received from the people of Linden.
Their aesthetic leans towards the war and art genre, but they have a huge variety of thriller, contemporary fiction and children’s books. Their variety of books is something that they are extremely proud of. “People who enter this bookstore are on a journey of discovery,” said the lovely manager, because as soon as people enter, they find themselves browsing through books they’ve never considered picking up.
There are many first editions and collectors items, some of their books have even been signed by the authors! I was quite impressed with the organisation of the bookstore – their books are categorized according to genre, then alphabetically (by the first two letters!). However, the most impressive is that they cover many of their books to preserve their good condition.
They’ve also got remarkable customer service. If you’re looking for a book, just let them know and they will be able to source it for you in no time. Or, if you’ve got a specific genre that you’re interested in, simply drop your details with them and they’ll call you as soon as something interesting comes in.
Books aren’t the only things that you will find at Books Galore – you can also browse through a variety of records that they have. On Saturday’s they play some of the records, which just adds to that Linden vibe.
Next time you’re in the area, pop in to Books Galore. They’ve got an amazing variety of good quality books at affordable prices. I am certain that you will not walk out of their store empty-handed.
P.S. Mark your calendars, Books Galore is getting in a crate of brand new books on the 18th of November 2018.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down
Because I know that you love this book, here is a bonus activity for you:
Asterix and The Great Crossing 
(Book 3)
When Magizoologist Newt Scamander arrives in New York, he intends his stay to be just a brief stopover. However, when his magical case is misplaced and some of Newt’s fantastic beasts escape, it spells trouble for everyone.
Hello, boys and girls!
un science activity for you! You can make some newts float! Find out how below:
My 2019 was a busy year and it was full of new adaptions and experiences. Because of that, blogging and reading (sadly) fell behind on my priority list. Now, here I am, with the hope of being more committed to writing and reading.
Make your way to Exclusive Books Sandton City – the smell of Seattle Coffee brewing is what would lure you into the store, & the sight of the countless books is what will hypnotize your stay. You definitely will not leave empty handed!
The Bookshelf Before Me 