PAGECAST

Relive the excitement of the 2025 Kingsmead Book Fair with our exclusive behind-the-scenes podcast episode. Just minutes before the festivities began, Maryam Adams sat down with the talented team who brought this year’s incredible programme to life. Alex Bouche, Sue Nyathi, Jennifer Platt and Pamela Power spoke about what it took to organise one of South Africa’s most anticipated literary festivals, shared their intentions for the day, and offered unique insights into the creative process. And for a fun twist, Maryam asked them the burning question: If you could be any bird, which one would you be?

#KingsmeadBookFair #BookPodcast #BookFair2025 #SouthAfricanAuthors #LiteraryFestival #BehindTheScenes #BookLoversSA #PodcastInterview #BookCommunity #FestivalHighlights #ReadingCulture

Eva Mazza sits down with Lindsay Norman to discuss her latest novel, Khaki Fever. This lively conversation delves into the inspiration behind the book, Norman’s writing process, and the unique South African setting that brings the story to life.

Khaki Fever is ‘Chick-lit in khaki’ that offers pure escapism with the perfect combination of romance and drama spiced with laugh-out-loud moments.

Game guide Alexandra Carnell-Ellis is principled, doesn’t suffer fools, and is generally not too fond of ordinary people either. When she’s fired from The Plains, a commercial ‘Ferrari Safari’-type game reserve in the Karoo for being rude to guests, she’s determined to make a fresh start.

She lands a dream job at an exclusive game reserve in Mpumalanga, but Alex’s new beginning appears to be doomed from the start as she arrives at the lodge with attitude, a few facts about her that aren’t strictly true, and a stolen dog in tow. For one, she had pretended to be a man in her application, because she is convinced that khaki fever gives male guides an advantage.

Alex struggles to control her unruly tongue and almost immediately makes enemies with the camp manager and the owner’s terrifyingly scary girlfriend, who can’t wait to expose Alex’s deepest darkest secrets. She finds love in the form of the level-headed and attractive head guide, but it’s not long before everything goes wrong.

After impulsively abandoning her vehicle and guests to rescue an abandoned baby baboon, a storm breaks over her head and she flees the reserve. Will she ever be able to find her way back?

Tune in to hear Lindsay Norman share behind-the-scenes insights and what makes Khaki Fever a must-read for 2025!

#KhakiFever #LindsayNorman #SouthAfricanFiction #PagecastPodcast #BookChat #WomenWriters #AdventureReads #BookRecommendation #MustRead2025 #PodcastInterview #BookPodcast

Pagecast along with a host of book people take a seat in the vibrant courtyard of Smitten Cafe surrounded by a soirée of literary buzz.

Reflecting on the festival buzz in the air, standout moments, and the nostalgic love affair with Johannesburg, all against the breathtaking beauty of Franschhoek. In “The Last Word: Endings, Echoes, and What Comes Next”, Michele Magwood, Paige Nick, and Kate Mosse were interviewed by Shaun de Waal in a powerful, funny, and moving conversation that captured it all.

Pagecast along with a host of book people take a seat in the vibrant courtyard of Smitten Cafe surrounded by a soirée of literary buzz.

Sandiswa Tshabalala sat down with Ute Hermanus, Thandolwethu Binda, and Emily Bolton for “Moments That Moved Us: A Festival in Reflection” — a heartfelt and energising chat with the JBL FLF crew. They shared the behind-the-scenes magic, the unexpected joys, and the moments that made it all worthwhile.

Pagecast along with a host of book people take a seat in the vibrant courtyard of Smitten Cafe surrounded by a soirée of literary buzz.

Ute Hermanus sat down with Ashraf Jamal for “The Art of Story: When Words and Images Collide.” It was a brilliant, thought-provoking conversation that danced between the visual and the verbal. A true celebration of storytelling in all its forms.

Pagecast along with a host of book people take a seat in the vibrant courtyard of Smitten Cafe surrounded by a soirée of literary buzz.

Three Karens — Schimke, Vermeulen, and Lane — gathered to unpack what it means to be a Karen in 2025. The conversation, titled “Karen, Rewritten: Owning the Name in a Meme-Worn World”, was outrageously funny. They laughed louder (and longer) than the internet ever did at the meme. Enjoy!

Pagecast along with a host of book people take a seat in the vibrant courtyard of Smitten Cafe surrounded by a soirée of literary buzz.

Abi Daré and Bronwen Everill join Sibongile Machika to explore the borders of Africa as they appear in fiction and non-fiction, and how these boundaries are often more porous than we assume. Both authors reflect on how their work aims to spark ideas that help us rethink the ways we live in and relate to the world.

Pagecast along with a host of book people take a seat in the vibrant courtyard of Smitten Cafe surrounded by a soirée of literary buzz. Maryam Adams engages in a compelling conversation with Elleke Boehmer and Mary Watson, exploring their latest works of fiction, the diverse settings that inspire their narratives, and the audiences they envision while writer.

Pagecast along with a host of book people take a seat in the vibrant courtyard of Smitten Cafe surrounded by a soirée of literary buzz.

Caryn Dolley, Kelly Ansara and Nicole Engelbrecht talking true crime, ethical sleuthing and getting to the bottom of Caryn’s obsession with painting cats as famous Pawtraits.

Pagecast along with a host of book people take a seat in the vibrant courtyard of Smitten Cafe surrounded by a soirée of literary buzz.

Join Kelly Ansara and Justin Fox as they chat about place, memory and non-fiction writing. We also hear more about Justin’s unexpected skill that helps him with his writing.