Lauren O'Connor-May

Creator profile

Lauren O'Connor-May

Lauren O'Connor-May is a journalist and author.

Latest work

Stories by Lauren O'Connor-May

Hollie Hughes's The Girl and the Mermaid is about the fragility of ageing and holding on to our memories.

Book reviews: children's books

Explore the magic of storytelling with our latest reviews of enchanting children's books that inspire imagination and family connections.

Karin Slaughter's We Are All Guilty Here launches the new North Falls series.

Book review: We Are All Guilty Here

In 'We Are All Guilty Here,' Karin Slaughter weaves a tale of suspense and emotional turmoil as Emmy Lou Clifton, the sheriff's daughter, navigates a small town's dark secrets…

Peter auf der Heyde takes a deep dive into the stories of death row political prisoners in Death in Pretoria

Book review: Death in Pretoria

Delve into the haunting stories of political prisoners in 'Death in Pretoria,' where Peter auf der Heyde reveals the dignity-stripping realities of apartheid while honouring the…

Popina Khumanda tells the harrowing story of her escape from rebel militia in the DRC in The Smallest Ones.

Book review: The Smallest Ones

Discover the harrowing journey of Popina Khumanda in 'The Smallest Ones,' a tale of survival against unimaginable odds. This review explores her transformation from a victim of…

I Hate Everything by Sophy Henn

Book reviews: Children's books

Explore delightful children's book reviews, featuring 'I Hate Everything' by Sophy Henn, a charming tale perfect for toddlers, and a retelling of 'Heidi' that reimagines a…

Living Large is a monthly column about the strange (at least from the outside looking in) lifestyle of a modern, large family.

Spy fairy: The evolution of the tooth fairy in our home

Join us as we explore the evolving role of fantasy characters like the tooth fairy in parenting, revealing how they can comfort children through life's challenges.

The Interpreters: South Africa's New Nonfiction

Book review: The Interpreters

Discover why The Interpreters is a must-have for every library, as Lauren O'Connor-May highlights the anthology's compelling narratives and exceptional writing.

Fading Footprints

Book review: Fading Footprints

Fading Footprints a heartfelt tribute to the Khoi culture and its enduring legacy.

Till This Night is a twisted Romeo and Juliet retelling.
Video

Book review: Till This Night and Better Once Than Never

Discover the spicy Shakespearean-inspired romance in Nuhaa Bardien's novels, 'Till This Night' and 'Better Once Than Never,' which blend love, rivalry, and unexpected twists in a…

Kamini Pather's All Dhal'd Up.

Kamini Pather on cooking, culture and her new cookbook

MasterChef South Africa winner shares her culinary journey and the inspiration behind All Dhal'd Up.

Kamini Pather's All Dhal'd Up blends basic ingredients with goodness and glam.

Book review: All Dhal'd Up

Discover the delightful world of Kamini Pather's All Dhal'd Up, where simple ingredients meet glamour. This review explores not just the recipes but also invaluable tips for…

A monthly column about the strange (at least from the outside looking in) lifestyle of a modern, large family.

Chasing Chewie: How I lost nerd cred at Comic Con Cape Town

Join me on my Comic Con Cape Town adventure, where I discovered just how much my nerd cred had slipped while chasing Chewie and navigating a sea of cosplayers.

Book People by Paige Nick

Book review: Book People

In Book People by Paige Nick, laughter meets chaos as two authors navigate the tumultuous world of publishing, social media, and unexpected police inquiries.

Ben And the Big Game by Zuleika Smit

Children's book reviews: Ben and the Big Game and Tippie reading series

This review explores two South African children's book series: Ben and the Big Game by Zuleika Smit, which teaches young readers about overcoming failure through faith and…

A monthly column about the strange (at least from the outside looking in) lifestyle of a modern, large family.

Divvying up the boasting pie for my new author hat

When Lauren O'Connor-May's children's book was published, people expected pride. Instead, she found profound gratitude - to her children who inspired the story, to the publishing…

The cover of Khaki Fever by Lindsay Norman.

Book review: Khaki Fever

Lindsay Norman's Khaki Fever defies easy genre classification, blending adventure with personal quest elements in a distinctly South African setting.

100 Poems to Help You Sleep

Book review: 100 Poems to Help You Sleep

Lauren O'Connor-May reviews a soothing collection of lullabies, hymns, and gentle verses in 100 Poems to Help You Sleep, designed to guide you into a peaceful slumber.

The cover of Rebecca Yarros' book, Onyx Storm.

Review: Onyx Storm

Onyx Storm is the third book in the Empyrean Series, captivating romantasy fans with its thrilling twists and complex characters.

The first book in Ana Punset's Unicornia series.

Children's book reviews: from unicorns to classics

From bubblegum-flavoured unicorn tales to beloved classics reimagined, this collection of children's book reviews spans magical adventures, teen diaries, and a fresh take on Anne…

The movie-tie-in cover of Scott Westerfield's young adult dystopian novel, Uglies.

Book reviews: The Wild Robot and Uglies FTIs

Two beloved novels get the Hollywood treatment: Scott Westerfield's dystopian young adult novel Uglies arrives on Netflix, while Peter Brown's heartwarming tale The Wild Robot…