Libby Audiobook: Commando, A Boer Journal of the Ango-Boer War, Deneys Reitz

 

This was a fascinating listen. As someone whose great-grandmother was in a concentration camp during the Anglo-Boer War, I have always been intrigued by this part of history, and this account gave an unusually close view into the life of a young Boer soldier.

While riding the Gautrain recently, I sat next to three boys Libby Audiobook: Commando, A Boer Journal of the Ango-Boer War, Deneys Reitz who could not have been older than 17 or 18. I could not help but think that those were the same ages as many who went off to fight in the war, both Boer and English. So young, so eager for the idea of war, yet so unaware of what it would really mean.

I would have preferred to listen to it in Afrikaans for a more authentic experience, but John Maytham’s narration was clear and well-paced.

One drawback was the lengthy foreword or preface, which unfortunately reveals most of the story before it even begins.

The early parts of the book portray what almost felt like a gentleman’s war, where there was an understanding that wounded Boers would be cared for by the English. That tone shifts drastically once Kitchener becomes involved, with the scorched earth policy and the destruction of farms and homes.

Overall, it was a deeply interesting account. I am now particularly curious to learn more about Deneys Reitz’s later time in Madagascar.

4/5

News24 Audiobook:The Shadow State: Why Babita Deokaran Had to Die, Jeff Wicks

 

 Sob our beloved country. Incredibly sad. The corruption. The assassination of a whistleblower.

4/5

Libby Audiobook: Permission to Screw Up, Kristen Hadeed

 

A good reminder about working on the business not in the business. The importance of processes and fostering relationships with your team.

4/5

Kindle Audiobook: The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth 3/5

 

This book was meh. I wanted to give up on it fairly soon but, according to Goodreads reviews it is got really high ratings. It was lost on me.

Victoria, recently divorced, accompanies Mariah, a former Olympic skier recovering from a severe injury and trauma, on a trip to London, Paris, Morocco and Infia to research a book on cafés that Mariah's mom was working on. Henry, a photographer, joins them along the way. It had all the makings of an intriguing story, yet it felt rather insipid and unfocused.

I also struggled to connect with Victoria. Her questionable choices and affairs (including with two married men) made her difficult to root for. On top of that, the author seemed to try weaving in too many threads and themes, which never fully came together.

It also irritated me that she used the term 'noob' in 1995, the term only stated being used in the 2000s.

Expected more.

3/5

Libby Audiobook: André Du Ruyter, Truth to Power

 

Just shocking, pun intended. While the corruption and sabotage laid bare were deeply unsettling, prompting more than a few audible gasps, the book was so well written that it kept me enthralled from start to finish. What stood out most was de Ruyter’s sense of humour woven through the narrative, which helped balance the weight of the subject matter. I genuinely enjoyed the read, even if parts of it left me reeling at the state of affairs.

5/5

Libby Audbook: It.Goes.So.Fast, Mary Louise Kelly

 

It. Goes. So. Fast. by Mary Louise Kelly. Sweet. It's a deeply personal memoir in which the journalist documents her son’s final year of high school. What begins as a chronicle of juggling school runs, college applications, and the bittersweet milestones of parenting soon expands into a meditation on time itself, and how fleeting it feels.

Kelly balances her identity as a war-time journalist with her role as a working mother. The book feels intimate, almost therapeutic, as she also weaves in the grief of losing her father. 

 

I like that she narrates the book.

3.8/5

Libby Audiobook: Britany Spears, The Woman in Me

 

I have never really paid too much attention to Britney Spears, but listening to her memoir has been heart-wrenching. The level of abuse imposed by her family is shocking. She was given a mere $2,000 weekly allowance while her father paid himself millions, and instead of supporting her, her mother chose to write a book. Also, being sent to rehab for taking energy drinks seemed excessive.

What really struck me is the glaring unfairness of being a woman in the industry (in fact, in any industry). Men can get away with philandering and questionable behaviour, yet women are scrutinised and criticised for every detail of their lives and choices.

At times, the book felt a little thin in certain areas, leaving me wanting more depth. Yet it was still very powerful and moving to gain an inside look at her life, her struggles, and her resilience. 

3.8/5