Reading Matters (week 19) May 5 2026

One minute I’m laughing, the next a seldom liberated teardrop drips down my face. I’m reading Unleashed (Macmillan) by veterinarian Dr Caitlin Venniker.

This Onderstepoort-trained, slip of a woman plunges her slender arm deep into cows and horses, talks to dogs and cats, and juggles their occasionally grumpy owners with quirky good humour.

The mother of two babies (human) recently fled dangerous Doha, arriving in SA to be in time for the launch of her moving, hilarious memoir. SA now has its own James Herriot. She writes like a poet, has won several international writing competitions, and confesses, “I wrote this book for the fun of it.” Get a copy while you can!

Can you believe it’s already Franschhoek Literary Festival time of year again. It happens from 15 – 17 May and I chat about a terrific line-up of local and international authors.

Want to write a memoir? The Jacana Literary Foundation has famous author, Denis Hirson, My 30 Minute Bar Mitzvah, in a month long, online workshop discussing The Art of Writing Memoir. Google Jacana for details.

Reading Matters with Sue Grant-Marshall