“The success of EB Recommends continues to impress – customers love the quick reference it offers in-store, and Exclusive Books’ market share of EBR titles is, for the most part, exceptionally high, particularly in their months of release – illustrating our strength in identifying what’s hot and giving customers the inside track. To build on the popularity of EB Recommends, and to enhance our offering in children’s books, this month we are launching EBR for kids. Now children’s books will have their very own, stand-alone list of recommended books.” – Batya Bricker – Exclusive Books Marketing, Loyalty and Procurement – General Manager
Exclusive Books recommended titles are merchandised in front of all their stores every month and are carefully curated in different categories. The aim is to assist customers to see at a glance, and in a short space of time, titles that are new, trending and have caught the eyes of the Exclusive Books buyers in among 1000’s and 1000’s of titles. There are choices for all genre tastes, and now the dedicated EBR for children will offer an even wider and deeper rage for younger readers.
All titles are presented on dedicated Exclusive Books Recommends display units where the books are grouped together with shelf talkers in-store for the entire month of the promotion. Fanatics members also earn a whopping 200 bonus points on their purchases from the list during March.
There are 16 fiction titles for March. Escapist, charming and introducing a truly original heroine, The Maid by Nita Prose is a story about how the truth isn’t always black and white – it’s found in the dirtier, grey areas in between . . . In The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake candidates are recruited by the mysterious Atlas Blakely, they are told they must spend one year together to qualify for initiation. They will be permitted access to the Society’s archives and judged on their contributions to arcane areas of knowledge. Only five will be initiated. One will be eliminated. If they can prove themselves to be the best, they will survive. Most of them. Mary Beth Keane was instantly taken in by Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. This is multi-generational tale of identity, family, and the lifelong push and pull of home. This novel has a tremendous heart at its centre, and readers can feel its beat on every page. An extraordinary debut. Véronique Tadjo’s In the Company of Men is more than a story about Ebola. This novel, elegiac and sorrowful, is also an affirmation of the cycle of life and nature’s important place in it. What do the living owe to the dead? What do they owe to the earth, which both protects and punishes? Tadjo offers us her powerful, luminous answers in this book.
The Couple At The Table is BY FAR Sophie Hannah’s best one yet. Relatable, funny, high concept and so satisfying. Chasing Marian by Amy Heydenrych, Qarnita Loxton, Pamela Power and Gail Schimmel is warm, funny and moving – Marian Keyes LOVED it! Lucky by Marissa Stapley is a wild and deeply satisfying rollercoaster ride . . . In The Milk Tart Murders by Sally Andrew spring has arrived in the Karoo, and Henk and Maria discuss moving in together, even though his home is full of his late wife’s stuff. Maria knows food has a way of filling the dark spaces, for better or for worse. Perhaps, once the Klein Karoo crime-buster’s work is done, she might follow her own advice and try a healing recipe.
Our Lady of the Nile is a haunting book with shafts of light, comedy and a deft touch, it is set in a convent school in Rwanda just before the genocide. Taut and written with simplicity and beauty, Scholastique Mukasonga’s writing has an eye for satire that will leave the reader wondering long after she has closed the book. The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher is a compelling portrait of a remarkable woman, who steps from the pages in all her charm, courage and vulnerability. Serpent Crescent by Vivian de Klerk tells the story of the small rural town of Qonda, South Africa, where the power and water supplies are unreliable, property prices are down, and citizens are slowly suffocating in the acrid smoke from the municipal dump. Recently retired English teacher Megan Merton has lived here all her life, most of it at No. 8 Serpent Crescent. The Gifts by Liz Hyder is a gripping and ambitious book told through five different perspectives and set against the luminous backdrop of nineteenth century London, it explores science, nature and religion, enlightenment, the role of women in society and the dark danger of ambition.
To Paradise by Hanya Yanag Hara is a transcendent, visionary novel of stunning scope and depth. A novel so layered, so rich, so relevant, so full of the joys and terrors-the pure mystery-of human life, is not only rare, it’s revolutionary. Two Tons O’ Fun by Fred Khumalo is rich and humorous, this vibrant coming-of-age story sees a young woman uncover her skill as a writer, explore her sexuality, travel, and finally understand her mother. Through the eyes of a woman whose unforgettable passion, determination and sense of humour will carry her through a lifetime of upheaval, in Violeta, Isabel Allende once more brings us an epic that is both fiercely inspiring and deeply emotional. In Vlam deur Sidney Cilroy, Sollie Mthembu se huwelik le aan skerwe. Nyandi het die kinders gevat en is sak en pak terug Lesotho toe. Terwyl hy in ‘n Bloemfonteinse gastehuis le en tob oor waarom Nyandi hom sou wantrou, brand ‘n kunsgalery op Parys tot op die grond af. Die wereldberoemde kunstenaar Aretha Hattingh se oeuvre – en tuiste – nou ‘n hoop as. En in die middel van die ruine: die oorskot van ‘n vrou, vermoedelik die van Aretha. Is dit moord? Selfdood? Of bloot ‘n fratsongeluk?
There are 10 non-fiction titles in March. Adulting 101 will help you navigate the tricky terrain of adulthood. Author Jen Thorpe guides you through everything you need to know from relationships, sex, work, health and money to how government and the media work. With their trademark wit, levity and meticulous research, Nick Dall and Matthew Blackman authors of Spoilt Ballots have told the stories of South Africa’s long history at the polls in a compelling and entertaining way, bringing narratives to life through the protagonists and the juicy sideshows. Better Choices by Greg Mills is a must-read, accessible and skilful account of South Africa’s socio-economic challenges, policy and governance choices. The Business Builder’s Toolkit by Nic Haralambous is a practical handbook for business leaders is not just about the knowledge of business fundamentals but a step by step guide of how to implement them. This is the business guru in your pocket; the mentor you wish you had and the handbook that you will refer to again and again. In this authentic, unconventional journal Greenlights Journal by Matthew McConaughey, the prompts encourage going inside: remembering, reflecting, and musing, and also going outside: adventuring, taking risks, and dreaming big.
Guns and Needles by Clinton van der Berg unmasks the rampant level of steroid use in schoolboy rugby and the prominent busts at senior and Springbok level, while examining the murky steroid underworld and related deaths, as well as the doping culture in boxing, athletics and other sports. Influence is Your Superpower by Zoe Chance is bold, entertaining and efficacious, this indispensable book is a call to action for all the nice people in the world wanting to practice influence without resorting to manipulation, bullying or corruption to create a brighter more positive future. After reading Run For the Love of Life by Erica Terblanche, you will feel compelled to take the first few steps. Even if it means learning to walk before you can run, Erica’s passion is infectious. This book will get you moving, if nothing else will. While some women seem to excel at making their money work for them, others battle from pay day to pay day. In Smart Woman by, author Sylvia Walker taps into what ‘smart women’ know that the rest of us can learn from. The Tyranny of Growth by Malcolm Ray is a modern epic that exposes the lie of economic growth. It provocatively recounts how the 2008 global financial meltdown and COVID-19 pandemic have become the leading cause of governments’ and multilateral institutions’ global spectacular failure.
[divider]EB recommends for children[/divider]
“To build on the popularity of EB Recommends, and to enhance our offering in children’s books, we are launching Exclusive Books Recommends for children. This will offer all the benefits we have seen in adult books – a curated list, a customer quick reference, Fanatics points, and inside info on the best books for young readers. Each month, the EBR kids will be published, and will receive the same attention we give to adults EBR – through newsletters, online, publicity, Fanatics, social media and instore display.” – Batya Bricker – Exclusive Books Marketing, Loyalty and Procurement – General Manager.
There are three titles in the 0 – 6 children’s category. These titles are displayed in the children’s section with shelf talkers. In Dr. Seuss’s Sleep Book, sleepy tales full of wonderful yawning creatures from the iconic Dr. Seuss, gets a brand new look! This book is the original (and the best) remedy for children who don’t want to go to sleep. A must have first book for every little reader. In The Tale Of Peter Rabbit Birthday Edition Peter Rabbit loves the yummy vegetables he finds in Mr McGregor’s garden, the only problem is: Mr McGregor doesn’t want Peter to get his paws on his crops! This warm, lyrical picture books tells the story of different adoptive families. You Are A Wish by Jaco Jacobs is a warm, lyrical picture books that tells the story of different adoptive families. It’s the perfect starting point for parents who want to discuss the topic of adoption, and it helps children to understand that every family is special – even though we may not look the same.
There are 8 titles in the 6 – 13 age category. These titles are displayed in the children’s section with shelf talkers. In Anderkant Die Blou deur Zelda Bezuidenhout Lienke en Dezi beleef die vakansie van hulle lewe in Kalkbaai. By die hotel ontmoet hulle Danroy, ‘n kelner wat vakansiewerk doen, wat hulle na al die mooiste plekke in die baai vat. Hulle leer ken Danroy se “skwad” en sy geliefde Uncle Kaz. Dan is daar ‘n tragedie op see wat Danroy en sy ma se lewe omkeer. Soos Uncle Kaz altyd se: “Mens het net drie goete nodig om gelukkig te wees: iemand om lief te he, iets om jou hande mee besig te hou, en iets om na uit te sien. In Diary of a Wimpy Kid 15: The Deep End Jeff Kinney, Greg Heffley and his family hit the road for a cross-country camping trip, ready for the adventure of a lifetime. But things take an unexpected turn, and they find themselves stranded at a campsite that’s not exactly a summertime paradise. Jewish Women who rock, stories that inspire and Illustrations that pop! If you loved the bestselling Goodnight stories for Rebel Girls series, you will love Goodnight Golda by Batya Bricker! The timeless, enchanting story of The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, who lives on a tiny planet with three volcanoes and a haughty flower, which he must protect from the baobabs, the bad seeds.
In Tekkies, Zander sit al weer saam met sy ouers langs die rugbyveld om te kyk hoe sy broer hul pa se sportdrome uitleef.Maar wanneer hy sy tekkies vasmaak en sy oorfone in sy ore druk, verdwyn die wereld rondom hom. Tekkies is ‘n grafiese roman met teks deur die topverkoper-skrywer Jaco Jacobs. In The Soul Prophecy by Chris Bradford, when Genna’s parents are murdered, the police put the tragedy down to a burglary gone wrong. But Genna knows the truth: the Soul Hunters are back and her nightmare is far from over. With home no longer safe, she flees to America to find Phoenix, the only one who can help her – or so she thinks. In Unplugged by Gordon Korman the son of the world’s most famous tech billionaire, spoiled Jett Baranov has always gotten what he wanted. When his father’s private jet drops him in the middle of the Arkansas wilderness, at a place called the Oasis, Jett can’t believe it. He’s forced to hand over his cell phone, eat grainy veggie patties, and participate in wholesome activities with the other kids. A Case Of Misfortune by Sophie Cleverly, Violet Veil is ready for her next big case and with trouble afoot at the Grecian Theatre, Violet and her dog Bones are hot on the trail. But just who is the mysterious fortune-teller, Lady Athena, whose predictions keep coming true? Is it all just a case of smoke and mirrors? Or is there something more sinister going on…?
The last 3 titles are Teens and YA. Just Our Luck by Julia Walton is the first. Bad luck follows lies. That was the first rule for life that Leo’s Greek grandmother, Yia Yia, gave him before she died. But Leo’s anxiety just caused a fight at school, and though he didn’t lie, he wasn’t exactly honest about how it all went down . . . how he went down. Now Leo’s father thinks a self-defense class is exactly what his son needs to “man up”. In Crescent City 2 House Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas the characters are dragged into a rebel movement they want no part of. Bryce, Hunt and their friends find themselves pitted against the terrifying Asteri – whose notice they must avoid at all costs. But as they learn more about the rebel cause, they face a choice: stay silent while others are oppressed, or fight. Immersive and captivating. At the End of Everything by Marieke Nijkamp is thrilling in every sense of the word.