SPLENDID EXPERIENCES

I started May with a list of books from my TBR that I wanted to read, but that all changed after attending the Franschhoek Literary Festival and the Kingsmead Book Fair, where I was introduced to some incredible authors whose books have just been included on TBR list.

1. The Dogs of Vivo – Sven Axelrad

• Mystical 
  • 4 stars

Goodness, this book had me reading past my 10pm bedtime and I read it in two days on a week night with month end deadlines. That should tell you just how much I enjoyed reading it. The story is hearty, witty, nostalgic and mystical. 

The story takes place in a fictional town called Vivo where three friends, all artists, dream of becoming famous. Artuto (Art) is an inspiring writer, Maggie wants to become a singer and Felix an artist. They spend nights at the local bar talking about their aspirations and other things that people in their twenties get up to. 

‘Success requires sacrifice’ 

‘People who “make it” always say that these years, where we are now, are the good years’ 

Against the backdrop of Vivo’s enchanting streets, hope resonates through every corner as its characters balance the uncertainties of adulthood with the enduring spirit of youth. Then one day, a mysterious stranger arrives in town who changes the town’s dynamic. Maggie, Art and Felix find themselves making decisions that ultimately impact their friendship. 

The supporting characters (dogs included) all play a pivotal role in how the story unfolds with some characters leaving a special place in my heart. 

This is a story about friendship, love, choices and death. It examines the level one will take to achieve their dreams.

Svens style of writing and story telling is quirky and delightful. The Dogs of Vivo is without a doubt on my Top 12 list of books for 2026. 

2. Start with yourself – Emma Grede

• Informative 
  • 4 stars 

I had given this book 3.5 stars then upgraded it to 4 stars because I absolutely admire Emma and what she has been able to accomplish. 

In her words, Start With Yourself ‘is a no-BS guide for anyone who wants to create meaningful success on their own terms.’ It provides a practical framework for unlocking success and achieving success by reframing thoughts, challenging the status quo and taking control of your life, both personal and professional. 

The chapters that stood out to me were Chapter 2: Money and Chapter 5: Building a Brand & Business. In the money chapter, she writes about being comfortable and able to talk about money. It also encourages readers to be brave to say what you want and go after it – unashamedly. 

‘As women, we have to put money at the centre of our plans.’ 

‘You can do deeply meaningful and impactful work and care about money. You can talk a lot about money and other things two.‘

“The purpose of creating a business is to make money. When you make money, you can pay people well, give good bonuses, you can do community work, you can give back to NPOs.” 

As an entrepreneur, I’ve always found conversations about money challenging. I often hesitate to charge my rate because I get worried that clients will think I’m expensive. I always add a ‘Negotiable’ disclaimer.

In the Building A Brand & Business chapter, I loved reading about the behind the scenes details she shares about building her empire and becoming the woman that she is today. 

What struck a cord is when she writes about how Passion alone is no longer enough and goes deeper in what other traits are needed to succeed – Endurance, Resilience, Consistency, Focus and the Desire to listen and learn. 

‘Passion is something, but it won’t take you that far. You can’t manifest your way to a great business. You need to have a business case. You need a customer. And a massive amount of grit.‘

I liked that she talks about failure and quotes Henry Ford, ‘Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.’

Failing is part of the process and failure should be used as a teachable moment. 

‘Use failure as an opportunity to grow and get bigger, better, stronger and smarter.’

While seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders may find this book to be a reaffirmation of lessons already learned, it’s still a great read. For aspiring entrepreneurs, however, it’s an invaluable roadmap filled with honest lessons and practical wisdom. Emma anecdotes are bold, candid, and unapologetically authentic. 

3. Because I love you – Joy Watson

• Heartfelt
  • 3.5 Stars 

Although this book wasn’t originally on my list of must-reads, hearing Joy Watson speak at a panel discussion during the Kingsmead Book Fair changed that. 

In Because I Love You, Joy tells the story of three strong, independent women – Zara, Mira, and Thuli – who find themselves in relationships that initially seem ideal. Their partners are charming, attentive, and appear to say and do all the right things. However, as time passes, cracks begin to appear and subtle red flags emerge. Despite the warning signs, the women remain committed to making their relationships work, even when doing so comes at the expense of their emotional well-being.

Through the experiences of these three women, Joy shines a light on what happens when ‘love begins to harm more than it nourishes and sustains.’ The novel encourages readers to recognise the patterns and behaviours that can cause women to lose themselves in relationships, while highlighting the importance of acknowledging red flags before they become impossible to ignore. 

Her honest reflections on writing the book and the personal journey that followed the end of her marriage made me eager to read it. What I appreciated most about the book was thou the stories are real and lightly fictionalised to protect the identity of these women, Joy portrays the gradual nature of emotional harm, showing how easy it can be to overlook red flags when love and hope are involved. 

‘Perhaps this was hope refusing to die. Perhaps it was the end, plain and final. Or perhaps it was only the beginning of the end – that long unravelling where you can’t yet see the finish but already know its coming.’

4. We inherit the fire – Kagiso Lesego Molope

• Compelling
  • 3 Stars 

I really really really wanted to love this book but it was a struggle to get into it. I found it hard to establish which character were narrating, but once I found the rhythm of the storytelling, it was a compelling read. 

We Inherit the Fire is set during the final years of apartheid and is told through the perspectives of Kelelo, a young girl trying to find her place in a changing South Africa, and her mother, Kewame, a former freedom fighter. At the heart of the novel is the complex and often challenging relationship between mother and daughter.

Beautifully interwoven throughout the story are the relationships Kelelo and Kewame have with their extended family, with four generations of women playing roles in the narrative. The novel also explores the strained relationship between Kewame and her husband, adding further depth to the family’s dynamics.

We seldom encounter stories that focus on those who fought against apartheid from within the country, the trauma they endured at the hands of the regime, and the lasting impact that trauma has on their lives and relationships. We Inherit the Fire ultimately tells that story with nuance and compassion.

What stayed with me after I finished the book was its exploration of intergenerational trauma and the way political struggles continue to shape family relationships decades later.

May books took me on very different journey – from fiction that explored the complexities of family, love, and belonging to nonfiction that challenged me to rethink my own approach to work and self-worth, each book left a lasting impression in its own way.

TS!