Defend Truth

Daily Maverick Best Sellers October 2021

Our list is compiled from print sales data and other sources. It represents the bestselling books in South Africa from the previous four weeks to 18 September 2021, and combines Fiction and Non-fiction best sellers.

The New Kingdom
Months on the list:  NEW

#1. The New Kingdom

by Wilbur Smith and Mark Chadbourn

A brand-new Egypt novel from the master of adventure fiction.

In the city of Lahun, Hui lives an enchanted life. The favoured son of a doting father, and ruler-in-waiting of the great city, his fate is set. But craving power and embittered by jealousy, Hui’s stepmother, the great sorceress Isetnofret, and Hui’s own brother Qen, orchestrate the downfall of Hui’s father, condemning Hui and seizing power in the city.

Soon Hui finds himself in an even greater battle – one for the very heart of Egypt itself. 

DM The Boy The Mole The Fox
Months on the list: 7
Previous rank: 1

#2. The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse

by Charlie Mackesy

‘Feeling a little blue? Meet the new Winnie the Pooh.’
The Daily Mail

Enter the world of Charlie’s four unlikely friends, discover their story and their most important life lessons. The conversations of the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse have been shared thousands of times online, recreated in school art classes, hung on hospital walls and turned into tattoos.

Subtle Art_250
Months on the list:  29
Previous rank: 2

#3. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

#4. Bassie: My Journey of Hope

by Mark Manson

Zen and the art of running out of f*cks to give, on purpose, as quickly as possible. People aren’t just born not giving a f*ck, after all: you’ve got to learn it. Start here

Manson’s book has been a Daily Maverick best seller for more than two years.

Slow Fire Burning
Months on the list: NEW

#4. Slow Fire Burning

by Paula Hawkins

From the author of global phenomena The Girl on the Train comes a fresh, propulsive new novel.

Laura has spent most of her life being judged. She’s seen as hot-tempered, troubled, a loner. Bitter experience has taught Miriam how easy it is to get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Carla trusts no one: good people are capable of terrible deeds. But how far will she go to find peace?

Innocent or guilty, everyone is damaged. Some are damaged enough to kill.

Months on the list:  5
Previous rank: 4

#5. Rich Dad, Poor Dad

by Robert T. Kiyosaki

The ‘no. 1 personal finance book of all time’, first published more than two decades ago.

Atomic Habits
Months on the list: 2
Previous rank: 10

#6. Atomic Habits

by James Clear

Transform your life with tiny changes in behaviour, starting now.

People think that when you want to change your life, you need to think big. But world-renowned habits expert James Clear has discovered another way. He knows that real change comes from the compound effect of hundreds of small decisions: doing two push-ups a day, waking up five minutes early, or holding a single short phone call.

He calls them atomic habits.

The 5 AM Club
Months on the list:  3
Previous rank: 3

#7. The 5am Club: Own Your Morning, Elevate Your Life

by Robin Sharma

Own your mornings, master your life – Sharma’s book has featured on the best seller list frequently since its debut in 2019.

Read all about being an early riser and conquering all challenges in your path.

The Alchemist
Months on the list: NEW
Previous no. 9, Aug 21

#8. The Alchemist

by Paolo Coehlo

This classic (and perennial top 100 title, originally published in 1988) is a fable whose central message is to pursue your dreams by following your heart.

manage your money
Months on the list: NEW
Previous no. 8, Apr 21

#9. Manage Your Money like a F*cking Grownup

by Sam Beckbessinger

You don’t know how to budget for your lunch breaks, much less your life. You haven’t asked for a raise in years and you have too many credit cards in your wallet. This book will sort you out. This book is the book to f*cking get. Great to see this SA local title back in the top 10.

Mission of Malice
Months on the list: NEW

#10. Mission of Malice

by Erika Bornman

In the 1980s, Erika Bornman’s family join, and ultimately move to, KwaSizabantu, a Christian mission based in KwaZulu-Natal, which is touted as a nirvana, founded on egalitarian values. But something sinister lurks beneath.
 
At 17, her grooming at the hands of a senior mission counsellor begins. For the next five years, KwaSizabantu wages emotional, psychological and sexual warfare on her, until, finally, she manages to break free and walk away at the age of 21.
 
This is her story.