Exclusive Books 28 recommended titles are merchandised in front of all their stores every month and are carefully curated in different categories – local authors, fiction and non-fiction, plus young adult and children’s. 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 age groups and genre tastes.
All 25 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 July. Fanatics members also earn a whopping 200 bonus points on their purchases from the list during July.
There are 11 fiction titles for July. Unbecoming by Joanne Fedler is a book of comic, startling wisdom. Naomi Ishiguro adored the characters, was utterly gripped throughout, and loved having her eyes opened to the troubling yet fascinating world of Victorian circuses in Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal. Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead is “ferociously clever” quotes the Guardian. Lean Fall Stand by Jon McGregor is beautiful … and his writing makes every heart-beat register.
Carolyn Steyn says she absolutely loved LImerence by Vincent Pienaar. In Malibu Rising Taylor Jenkins Reid immerses us in a glamorous, star-studded world, but is full of raw human emotion. Its characters feel completely real – each one is flawed and messy and impossible not to love. Every page of Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder by T. A. Willberg is a delight. Still Life by Sarah Winman is an utterly beautiful story, so generous, rich, deeply moving and filled with hope. Sarah Winman is a genius and one of the greatest storytellers of our time.
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams is a gentle, hopeful story will be a balm for nerves frazzled by the pandemic or patience fried by sexisism. The First Day of Spring by Nancy Tucker is tense, addictive and powered by an unforgettable narrative voice. Yellow Means Stay edited by Allwell Uwazuruike, Confidence Uwazuruike and Munachim Amah is a collection of enthralling, sad, humorous, and heart-touching love stories from across Africa and the Black diaspora.
Ten titles are on the non-fiction list for July. Digital Body Language by Erica Dhawan is an indispensable guide to a business world turned upside down. Fully Human by Steve Biddulph is a kind and encouraging book, as well as being a helpful and essential tool for navigating modern life. How to Change by Katy Milkman is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their habits – or their life. I Am A Girl From Africa by Elizabeth Nyamayaro is a story that can uplift and inspire every girl and boy from every part of the world. Beautifully told, and beautifully lived. Noise by Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony and Cass R. Sunstein is an absolutely brilliant investigation of a massive societal problem that has been hiding in plain sight.
Unsettlingly honest and brutally blunt, Ougat is Shana Fife’s story of survival: of surviving the social conditioning of her Cape Flats community, of surviving sexual violence and depression, and of ultimately escaping a cycle of abuse. Robert by Robert Hamblin is a remarkable feat – one that challenges every South African to examine not just their own sexuality and identity, but their very humanity. To The Wolves by Caryn Dolley is the true life story of how South Africa’s underworld came to be, what continues to fuel it today and how the deception and lies go all the way to the top… Reimagining the story of Eve, Sarah Jakes Roberts draws lessons from Scripture and from her own life that show women how to use the mistakes of their past to overcome the challenges of today in Woman Evolve. In You Are Your Best Thing, Tarana Burke and Brenè Brown are the perfect pair to usher in this stark, potent collection of essays on Black shame and healing. Along with the anthology contributors, they create a space to recognise and process the trauma of white supremacy, a space to be vulnerable and affirm the fullness of Black love and Black life.
The last five titles are YA and Children’s. Becoming by Michelle Abama is now adapted for younger readers, with new photographs and a new introduction from Michelle Obama herself, this memoir tells a very personal, and completely inspiring, story of how, through hard work and determination, the girl from the South Side of Chicago built an extraordinary life. In Instructions For Dancing author Nicola Yoon delivers a story of love’s unpredictability and the importance of perspective that unfolds with ease and heart. Zukiswa Wanner tells the story of how In March 1961, Mandela vanished in The Black Pimpernel. For eighteen months he was a fugitive, living under assumed identities and disguises as the SAP and secret services tracked him in vain. Once upon a time there was a girl who loved asking questions. Why? Where? When? How? What? Who? When everyone grew sick and tired of all her questions, the girl decided to search for the answers to all her questions elsewhere – in books! The answers will be found in The Girl With 21 Questions by Boitumelo Mothupi and Subi Bosa. Written by the brilliant Julia Donaldson and stunningly illustrated by the award-winning Sara Ogilvie, The Hospital Dog is a big-hearted tale about a very special, very brave dog.
