Oct 22 - JHB North

In the beginning. This first chapter, the introduction, to this remarkable book sets
the tone. Honest. Heartbreaking. Strong. Moving. Brave. It’s the true story of a
13-year-old girl who was coerced into taking, and then blackmailed into sending,
explicit photos, which were then spread around her school. The story of when
she lost it. And it’s the story of her mother, who feels all the things a mother
feels. Guilty. Alone. Desperate for help, skills, advice. And for understanding, care,
compassion. All in short supply. The story of when she lost her daughter. Written
by Gay Longworth and her daughter Roxy, When You Lose It is a memoir by
both of them, written from two perspectives, a story of a mother-daughter
relationship stretched to its absolute limits, a story of consent and coercion. You’ll
start the book with your heart in your mouth ... it’s disturbing and upsetting but
such an important read, particularly for mothers ... those of teen sons (lots of
lessons for them, too) and daughters. Welbeck, R370
Exploring the dark relationship between
social media and mental health, and
the strength of sisterhood, Scarlett
Brade’s The Hive opens with Charlotte
revealing, to 100 000 watching her
Instagram Live broadcast, that she shot
her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend ... going
so far as to turn the camera onto the
still-bleeding out body. She then poses
a question via the linked poll ... should
her ex (tied up in the hotel room from
where she’s filming) live or die. But
before they decide, she’s going to tell
them about his past. This is Scarlett’s
first psychological thriller ... and it’s an
adrenalin rush from start to finish. Zaffre,
available from exclusivebooks.co.za
She’s called The Queen of the Killer Twist, so you know what you’re in for. Lesley
Kara’s latest thriller, The Apartment Upstairs, revolves around Scarlett, who’s
aunt lived - and was brutally murdered - in the apartment upstairs from hers.
And funeral director Dee, who’s busy balancing her job with organising an event
to mark the disappearance of her best friend, ten years ago, and who happens
to be receiving threatening messages on her company’s Facebook page. When
Scarlett approaches Dee about planning her aunt’s funeral, an unexpected link
emerges between them. Together, the two women could uncover secrets that
have long been buried. Penguin, available from exclusivebooks.co.za
From humble beginnings in the early 1800s, when Thierry Hermés opened his
equestrian supplies business - making bridles, harnesses and carriage fittings and
becoming particularly famous for his exceptionally strong saddle-stitch (with a
unique method of stitching still used by Hermes today), to today’s iconic pieces
- the Kelly (Grace Kelly held it over her stomach to hide her pregnancy) and the
Birkin (which came about after actress Jane Birken’s wicker basket broke on a
flight from Paris to London and she just happened to be sitting next to Hermes
CEO, who listened to her ideas for the perfect bag and presented it to her a year
later). And there’s nothing as redolent of luxury as the Hermés silk carré - which
simply translates as ‘square’. Favoured by aristocracy and celebs - hello Victoria
Beckham ... she apparently owns more than 100 Birkins, the Queen of England,
who rocks a Hermés headscarf, as did Marlene Dietrich, while the divine Kate
Moss is a long-time fan of the label. The bags and scarves may be a little pricey,
but an affordable buy is the Little Book of Hermés by Karen Homer - crammed
with titbits and images as glam as the label itself. Welbeck Publishers
October 22 Get It Magazine 05
Compiled by: KYM ARGO