Book Choice

Twanji Kalula and Vis Chetty chat about Penguin’s upcoming list, including some big names like Richard Osmon, Jodi Picoult and Liane Moriarty.

The Jonathan Ball team bring us their September stack of new and upcoming books.

Take a listen as the Pan Macmillan team present their top titles they’re most excited to share with you as we slide down the hill towards December and our summer reading stacks.

In Helené's segment she shares news about the biggest literary awards in Afrikaans and reviews the title she reckons is most likely to win the fiction prize.

In this five minute short, Beryl Eichenberger reviews the latest from Patricia Schonstein, The Glass Island.

In this five minute short, Shirley Gueller reviews Tony Park’s King of Beasts.

In this five minute short, Riley Herbert Henry reviews The Dogs of Vivo by Sven Axelrad.

In this 8-minute short, Twanji Kalula interviews Anne Schlebush on The Seeker Effect.

In this 8 minute short, Solms fan, Vanessa Levenstein unpacks The only cure by Mark Solms.

In this astonishing 10-minute interview guest reviewer, Mark Falconer interviews Jonathan Jansen about Worth the fight. This is listening gold.

In this ten minute segment Twanji Kalula chats to Vis Chetty, head of publicity at Penguin Random house about their hottest August titles

Vanessa Levenstein interviews Rebecca Maughan -Brown on her bestselling preteen feelings journal that is selling out around the country and being translated into all South African languages in this ten minute short podcast.

Pan Macmillan joins us to talk about Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth, Adrian Gore’s 4 principals and more in this 10 minute short.

In this 10-minute episode the Jonathan Ball team bring you the perfect book shopping list for winter.

Paradiso 17 by Hannah Lilith Assadi gets reviewed in all its literary fiction glory, by Beryl Eichenberger.

Shirley Gueller unpacks Mother Ghost Mango Seed by Natalie Gregory.

Land by award-winning, bestselling author Maggie O’ Farrell, author of Hamnet gets a beautiful review by Vanessa Levenstein

Paige Nick talks about the News24 Book of the Month, Wisani and the Bafokeng Brothers, by debut author Thandi Moagi, plus a short excerpt. Do not miss this one, it’s funny, moving and smart.

Riley Herbert-Henry tells us all about I want you to be happy by Jem Calder, a fun, quirky sounding read.

Join us for a Booker Longlist award rundown from Riley Herbert-Henry. All the ins the outs, the satisfactions and the disappointments.

Paige Nick reviews a novel that will stay with you, Of all things we need hope, by Sally Cranswick.

Pan Macmillan bring us two brilliant South African releases, one fiction from Prev Reddy, and new fiction from Tony Park.

Jonathan Ball come to us from Dullstroom with all their international partners, to tell us what they’ve got coming up for the rest of the year, including a memoir by Michael Douglas, a new one by Dave Eggers and a new one from Pulitzer Prize winning Michael Douglas.

Penguin Random House and Twanji Kalula bring us their big new hits, some Frieda McFadden, the latest from Tom Eaton, and a book on birds and one on crypto.

Exclusive Books sponsors our next interview, Vanessa Levenstein and Marc Falconer chat to Caity Venniker about her Unleashed.

Beverley Roos-Muller reviews Douglas Stewart’s latest masterpiece, John of John.

Phillip Todres takes us into the fynbos with Bulbs of the Fynbos.

Helene Coetzee brings us an Afrikaans segment with Zelda Bezuidenhout.

Beryl Eichenberger interviews ex-CIA agent and massive international bestseller, David McClosky.

Riley Herbert Henry takes us into Alka Joshi’s world with this major interview.

We welcome Jonathan Ball Publishers to the show, celebrating Youth Month with an incredible selection of books that will light up young imaginations.

This month Pan Macmillan shares some insider info on the big hit, John of John, including the special gift the author gave Oprah. A romantic thriller that will have you turning the pages late into the night, and Dogs of Vivo makes its launch into the world.

A Women’s Prize fiction winner in The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, Greedy Girl will make you hungry, by Jenny Morris, and the latest Elizabeth Strout.

Vanessa Levenstein chats to incredible children’s author, Refiloe Moahloli about her incredible work.

This month, Book Choice is coming to you LIVE from the Hermanus FynArts Festival, where we’ll interview Eon De Vos, Festival Director, as well as a few of the authors appearing at the festival; Trend forecaster and pet doula Dion Chang, Micah Reddy, co-author of Malema: Money. Power. Patronage, Shawn Buck founder of Cape Town’s massively popular Silent Book Club, and Dr Adriana Marais, a doctor and scientist specialising in off-planet living.

In this 10-minute podcast, Vanessa Levenstein chats to 9-year-old author, Unarine Phaswana, FMR personality and artist, Chantal Coetzee, chats to Riana Scheepers, the author of Christelientije, about the magic of her real-life Christelientije.

In this 10-minute podcast we go from 650 page bangers to Psychological thrillers and just plain psychology, Twanji Kalula chats to Vis Chetty from Penguin Random House, about June Highlights.

In this 10-minute podcast we celebrate Jaco Jacobs’ 300th book with Pan Macmillan.

In this 10-minute podcast, we go from food love stories to werewolf fiction, mining investigative journalism and romance, with the Jonathan Ball team

In this Publishers’ Choice edition, we’re joined by Penguin Random House, Pan Macmillan, Jonathan Ball and Exclusive books, with a mix of international and local hits, including fiction, non-fiction and kids books, sponsored by Exclusive Books.

An interview with Sally Andrew on her latest in the Tannie Maria series, an interview with Dr Pepe Marais, advertising genius on his new book, One Word. How to kill a crime writer by genius author Sarah Lotz, Being Bill by the late Peter Terry, the early writings of Alex La Guma and a book on tree spotting

Beryl Eichenberger chats to Sally Andrew about her latest Tannie Maria mystery, what it’s like to be streamed in over 100 countries and succulents.

How to find a great crime thriller to read, funny too. Beryl Eichenberger reviews the latest by killer crime, specific, humour author, Sarah Lotz. It’s 5-minutes of amazing.

Vanessa Levenstein chats to Pepe Marais with startling clarity, about his marketing how-to book, One Word in this must-listen 10-minute interview.

Shirley Gueller takes a moment to review Being Bill, by legendary actor and writer, Peter Terry, who sadly passed away in April. Have a listen to this 5-minute review in tribute.

We’re going to open the show with Twanji Kalula, one of my favourite show reviewers, and today he’s chatting to Vis Chetty from penguin Random house about what they’ve got happening on their shelves in the upcoming months. This is an important month for reading, because well actually every month is an important month for reading, but this one in particular, here in the cape Winter is coming John Snow (aside Game of thrones was a book first). It is based on the fantasy novel series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, with the first book, A Game of Thrones, published in August 1996. The HBO television series, which premiered in 2011, is an adaptation of these novels.

Johathan Ball Publishers talk faith-based titles in this 10-minute short.

In this 10-minute short, Twanji Kalula grills Vis Chetty from Penguin Random House, about their huge upcoming hits, including a new Tannie Maria mystery (hoorah) and the riveting-sounding We Inherit the Fire by Kagiso Lesego Molope and more.

From an hilarious vet’s memoir to the Franschhoek Literary Festival lineup, to massive international hits, all in this 10-minute podcast with the Pan Macmillan team.

In this 10 minute short, Vanessa Levenstein chats to Rachel Kolisi and Zibu Sithole, authors of Falling Forward: For Every Woman Who’s Had to Start Again. This Book Choice short is brought to you by Exclusive Books.

In this 10-minute short, Tan Twan Eng chats to Festival Programme Director, Jennifer Blaine, about his famous, award-winning House of Doors and his upcoming tour to South Africa and appearances at The Franschoek Literary Festival in May 2026.

A 10-minute short - Vanessa Levenstein chats to Francoise Malby-Anthony about Dining With Elephants and her upcoming appearance at the Franschhoek Literary Festival in May 2026.

In this 10-minute short, Vanessa Levenstein chats to FLF Festival Programme Director, Jennifer Blaine, about everything you need to know about this year’s Franschhoek Literary Festival; the hot tickets, where to buy them, and what to see and do at this year’s jam-packed festival. Don’t miss this one

The Franschoek Literary Festival team do a Book Choice show takeover with two big-name international author interviews plus everything you need to know about The Franschoek Literary Festival, taking place in May this year. Sponsored by Exclusive Books.

A 7-minute short with Beryl Eichenberger on brilliant novel, Bosadi by award-winning author, Kopano Matlwa.

Twanji Kalula reads one of the most contentious reads of the year, is woke dead, or shall we just kill Piers Morgan?

Vanessa Levenstein chats to Charlotte Bauer of The Charlotte Bauer Book Club on News24. What it does, how you can join and how you can win books?

Paige Nick chats about Penny Haw and her backlist of remarkable novels about remarkable women from history, and her latest, The Woman and Her Stars, published by Penguin Random House.

Meet the Newmans, My husbands wife, both massive international bestsellers. Haram by Zuabyr Charles, Bosadi by Kopano Matlwa and The Woman and her Stars by Penny Haw, two even better local bestsellers, and Twanji asks if Piers Morgan is right and woke is dead, or maybe he’s just being contentious and we wrap up with Vanessa Levenstein chatting to Charlotte Bauer of the News24 Charlotte Bauer Book club.

Riley Herbert-Henry interviews award-winning playwright and novelist, Nadia Davids on her Cape Fever in this 10-minute short.

In this short, with bonus material, Helené Coetzee unpacks the latest in Afrikaans fiction and celebrates World Poetry day on the 21st March.

Kutlwano Masote is an award-winning musician and one of South Africa's most sought-after orchestra conductors. Paige Nick reviews his memoir, Imperfect Harmony in this 10-minute short.

An hour of award-winning writers and musicians, covering new literary-fiction titles by Imraan Coovadia and Michiel Heyns, a musical memoir by Kutlwano Masote, a big Afrikaans poetry segment with Danie Marais, to celebrate World Book day on the 21st. Political non-fiction to celebrate this election year with MafiaLand by Kyle Cowan, and an interview with Nadia Davids on her international release called Cape Fever.

A huge Publisher’s Choice edition today, Penguin Random House, Exclusive Books, Jonathan Ball and Pan Macmillan are in the studio telling us what they have coming up. Vanessa Levenstein interviews famous Fehmz on her Damn Good Food recipe book which has gone seriously viral and Mike Nicol and his granddaughter drop into the show to tell us about his latest.

Twanji and Vis chat brand new, big-hitting bestsellers in this 10-minute short.

Vanessa Levenstein chats to internet cooking sensation Fehmz, about Damn Good Food in this ten minute short

Pan Macmillan brings us some bests, Mike Nicol’s granddaughter, his latest novel, and the 4 Non Blondes.

A 10-minute podcast by Riley Herbert-Henry plus bonus content on Mirari Press.

An iconic short podcast with iconic Beverley Roos Muller on iconic Salman Rushdie.

A 10-minute podcast on the best book Paige Nick has read so far this year. Bosadi, by Kopano Matlwa.

Marc Falconer shares a review and interview with his cycling hero.

In our February show we’ve got a great mix if big-hitting award winning fiction and authors, two afrikaans fiction reviews, the third in a series of South African Italian novels and an inter-review with cycling hero Cathy Carstens on her new memoir, Getting back on the bike.

Listen up. In this 10-minute short, Helene Coetzee talks all things World Read Aloud Day with Pan Macmillan.

Our first Publishers’ Choice show to flight on a Monday this Feb 2026. With another new Frieda McFadden, some Celia Ahern, a new Gruffalo is coming, yahoo, and Vanessa interviews award-winning author Shubnum Khan.

In this 10-minute short, Vanessa Levenstein reviews and interviews Shubnum Khan for Exclusive Books.

In this 10-minute short, Twanji Kalula presents Penguin Random House’s top picks for January.

Ten minutes, ten recommendations from The Jonathan Ball team for Galantine’s Day.

in this book short, Riley Herbert-Henry reviews All The Saints by Wesley Roodt.

In this five minute podcast, Paige Nick shares her summer read, Falls the Shadow, by Mike Nicol.

Shirley Gueller interviews Chef Kobus van der Merwe, who started Wolfgat, voted the best restaurant in the world in 2019 on his book Wolfgat.

This show is 99% local and lekker with Wesley Roodt’s "All the Saints", Deborah Posel’s "Darker Shade of Pale", Mike Nicol’s "Falls the Shadow", Morgan Housel’s "The Art of Spending Money" and an interview with Chef Kobus van der Merwe on his book "Wolfgat". Add to the fabulous mix our host Paige Nick, plus sponsor Exclusive Books and you're guaranteed a lekker bookie hour!

Welcome to the first show of 2026, we’ve got three of SA’s top publishers and SA’s number one bookseller here with their look back at their fave titles from 2025 and the books they’re really looking forward to this year. Including a Frieda McFadden, a Mike Nicol and a John Boyne.

In this our final show for 2025, Phillip has his annual chat with Zapiro about his annual, we host our first Afrikaans review, dog trends with Dion Chang, literary fiction with Riley Herbert Henry, and a foursome of big crime thrillers, all topped off with a bit of Wild Swimming, thanks to Serai and Matthew Dowling

Join us for our festive season book suggestions from Penguin Random House, Jonathan Ball and Pan MacMillan, a drop in from author Jaco Jacobs, as well as an epic inter-review with Mandy Weiner, courtesy of our friends at Exclusive Books.

In this ten minute Book Choice Publishers’ Choice Short, Vanessa Levenstein brings us the perfect inter-review with award-winning journalist, Mandy Weiner, about her new book The Deal.

In this Book Choice Publishers’ Choice short, Helene Coetzee from Pan Macmillan chats to Jaco Jacobs for seven minutes about his latest release, The Lightning Bird.

For the next five minutes, listen to Paige Nick chatting about the book she’s just read, The Compound by Aisling Rawle, in our Book Choice Publishers’ Choice Short. It’s reality TV in a book.

In this week’s show we really take our time bringing you the best of books, Riley Herbert-Henry reviews The Diplomat by Mpho Boshego, he also read the entire Booker Prize Shortlist and weighs in on it and the winner. Beryl reviews the latest Wally Lamb, Beverly Roos-Muller interviews Lord Peter Hain, and Twanji chats to Bruce Whitfield about his latest.

A 5-minute Book Choice Short in which Beryl reviews the latest Wally Lamb, The River is Waiting.

In this 10-minute podcast, Riley Herbert-Henry talks about his mission to read the entire Booker Prize shortlist and what he thought of them, and what he thought of the winner, and his thoughts on the future of the Booker Prize.

In this 10-minute interview, Twanji chats to Bruce Whitfield about his latest book on banking, it’s about Time.

In this 10-minute interview Beverley Roos-Muller got to chat to Lord Peter Hain about his latest book on South African politics and corruption.

We’re joined by three of South Africa’s top publishers, Penguin Random House, Pan Macmillan and Jonathan Ball Publishers and SA’s favourite bookseller, Exclusive Books, to find out what to put on your bookie gifting list this year. For yourself or for someone else.

In this month’s October Book Choice we celebrate 250 years of Jane Austen with Austen Mania, two true crime book reviews, a big-hitting new Richard Osmond titles and a pair of enticing author interviews, on that takes us all the way to space and back.

In this five minute book short, Beverley Roos-Muller reviews the latest by cosy crime king, the immensely tall Richard Osmond.

An out of this world ten-minute interview, legend, Twanji Kalula chats to Dr Adriana Marais, on her work in space exploration.

In this 5 minute podcast Vanessa talks all things Austen to celebrate her 250th birthday.

Thanks to Exclusive Books for sponsoring Fine Music Radio’s Book Choice. It’s broadcast every second Monday at noon. It’s also available as a podcast, as is Book Choice: Shorts, with individual interviews and reviews. Book Choice is hosted by Paige Nick.

Are you a fan of fiction or non-fiction? No worries we cover all of it in today’s show, with everything from Big banger reads like Saraswati by Gurnaik Johal to Eben Etzebeth’s memoir, Unlocked,