OYSTERHOOD is reclusiveness or solitude, or an overwhelming desire to stay at home.

— @HaggardHawks

I won all these books yesterday in the #MyBookLounge lucky draw! It feels completely magical. I have quite a few of them already, but it will be so lovely to share the extra copies with friends before Christmas. And it will be equally wonderful to just dive in and read. Quarantine allowed me to return to proper leisure reading. It is bliss to read for pure pleasure only. The Cats are loving it, too. Their human is available for cuddles at all times.

Other great news yesterday: a certain ex-president is going back to jail where he belongs – even if it does not happen practically, it is simply reassuring that it is happening in theory. He is into book selling nowadays, charging R1000 for a signed copy. The fact that there are people willing to pay this money for a signed book makes me despair and celebrate at the same time.

I recently paid R550 for a beautiful copy of Damon Galgut’s Small Circle of Beings, first edition (Lowry Publishers, 1988). Not signed yet, but I hope that will change soon. One way or another, it feels like a much better investment – emotionally, intellectually and financially.

Today is my last day of quarantine. First destination tomorrow morning: The Book Lounge! Where my lucky hamper and the books I have recently ordered are waiting. Yay!

More importantly, today it is Reconciliation Day. And my brother celebrates his birthday on this important South African public holiday. Happy Birthday to THE BEST BROTHER IN THE WORLD! He really is, and that is the greatest luck of my life.

Be kind. Wear a mask. Support local. Get vaccinated, please.

“Physical distancing remains one of the key strategies to curb this pandemic.”

— NICD