
Cosy winter reads to curl up with before spring
Each story brings its own emotional landscape and winter-time resonance.
These are perfect for those fireside moments, café escapes or reflective downtime.
With winter retreating, now is the ideal moment to settle into stories that feel like comfort and discovery all at once. This wrap-up from Jonathan Ball and Penguin SA blends fresh memoirs, local perspectives, poetry and more – each inviting reflection, warmth and a touch of escape.
Matriarch, by Tina Knowles
ISBN: 9781982178820
Tina Knowles shares candid reflections on family, identity, and her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a cultural matriarch and international icon.
Before she was fashion royalty or Beyoncé and Solange's mom, Tina Knowles was Tenie B from Galveston, Texas, a bold, defiant child raised in the heat of 1950s segregation. Matriarch is her unapologetic, personal memoir.
She opens up about growing up in the Jim Crow South, the pain of family trauma, divorce, illness and the strength it took to rebuild a life, not just once, but many times. What makes this memoir stand out is how Knowles writes as if she's talking to you across the kitchen table – honest, open-hearted and without filter. It's a tribute to the women who came before her, the daughters she raised and the path she shaped between them.
Learning to stand tall and lead with grace and rhythm has been my life's greatest challenge and gift.
Tina Knowles
My Name is Emilia del Valle, by Isabel Allende
ISBN: 9780008327965
A sweeping tale of love, rebellion and self-discovery across generations, woven through Allende's signature historical tapestry.
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She carried a universe in her heart and a revolution in her hands.
Deep Blue, by Verusha De Vita (South African non-fiction)
ISBN: 9781776392100
A poignant exploration of grief, healing and ocean swimming, rooted in Cape Town's landscapes and communities.
Every wave seemed to speak the language of loss, yet carried hope in its ebb.
Verusha De Vita
We Are All Guilty Here, by Karin Slaughter
ISBN: 9780593598426
A gripping thriller full of secrets, moral ambiguity and emotional twists, perfect for dark winter nights.
The truth wasn't buried in the past; it was waiting in the silence
100 Poems to Help You Heal
ISBN: 9780795705053
A soothing anthology of poetry chosen for moments of healing, reflection and quiet comfort.
In fragments of verse, we find the threads that stitch a broken spirit whole.
Not Quite Dead Yet, by Holly Jackson
ISBN: 9780593977057
Jet Mason fights to solve the mystery of her own impending death, determined to uncover the truth before time runs out.
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Journey Kwantu, by Vusumzi Ngxande
ISBN‑13: 9781776193134
Born from a beloved podcast, this book explores the evolution of African spiritual identity through history, ancestral wisdom and personal stories, asking who we are and how we began to believe what we believe.
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He weaves ancestral voices with modern reflections to help readers rediscover their roots. Vusumzi Ngxande is a Johannesburg-based creative, known for his award-winning podcast Journey Kwantu. He investigates the intersection of faith, identity, lineage and the afterlife, blending rigorous research with deep respect for African spiritual traditions. This beautifully reflective read offers both guidance and sustenance for those reconnecting with ancestral paths.
Write Me For You, by Tillie Cole
ISBN: 9781728297101
A touching YA romance between June and Jesse, both facing uncertain futures yet daring to love now.
We had a chance, and we were going to hold onto it with both hands
Simple Suppers, by Sarah Graham
ISBN: 9781431425072
A practical, heartfelt cookbook with recipes designed for warmth, flavour and everyday joy.
Good food doesn't need fuss – just flavour and a warm table.
Sarah Graham
One Night in Paris, by Nina George
ISBN: 9781472284155
A poignant snapshot of connection, change and possibility unfolding in just one night in Paris.
In one night, everything could change – or begin anew.
The Devil Made Me Do It, by Nicky Falkof
ISBN: 9781776146309
An insightful look into occult-related crime in South Africa, unravelling cultural motivations and darker undercurrents.
Occult crime is not just sensational – it is a mirror to our anxieties.
Nicky Falkof
As winter bids farewell, these ten books offer the perfect combination of reflection, escapism, comfort and intrigue. Rediscover memoir, historical fiction, poetry, mysteries and local voices, all inviting connection and warmth during these cold nights. Choose your favourite and let each page bring you closer to spring, one story at a time.

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