ENTERTAINMENT

A literary LOVE AFFAIR

Romantic reads for all

If all you want this V-Day is to curl up on the sofa with a cuppa and good book, you’re in luck! We have the ultimate book recommendations for all types of romantics ... plus some great movie suggestions if reading isn’t your thing.

For the hopeless romantic

If the rain scene from The Notebook is your idea of perfection, then make sure you get your hands on Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren. This novel follows the life of Macy, a paediatrics resident whose world is turned upside down when she runs into Elliott, herfirst love. The story is told through a series of flashbacks andbeautifullydepicts the excitement and longing of young love. It’s an especially good read if you’re a sucker for happily ever after – the cheesier the better, right?

Not a reader? Watch The Best of Me

Hello Joburg • February 2020 • www.hellojoburg.co.za 44 Words Amber Richardson Images Supplied For the ‘suffer in silence’ type

Keen on a little longing and a lot of angst? Call Me by Your NamebyAndré Aciman (recently made into a critically acclaimed filmstarringTimothée Chalamet) isamustread for those with a penchant for forbidden love. The story is told through protagonist, Elio’s perspective as he recounts being 17 and falling for an older man called Oliver. Although Oliverfirstfeignedindifference towards Elio, their romance soon turned into asix-week-longlove affair, which marked them both for the rest of their lives. This novel is heartbreakingly honest and casts a beautiful reflection on the passage of time. It’s so worth the read – just make sure you have a box of tissues close by! Not a reader? Watch Brokeback Mountain

For the thrill-seeker

If you prefer your romance novels peppered with mystery and action, Innocence by Dean Koontzisthebookforyou. Thenovel centres around the life of Addison, a young man whose appearance seems to distress people to a point of violence and so is forced to hide himself away from society. Addison’s existence is one of isolation until he meets Gwyneth who, like him, isolates herself due to her social phobia. This novel is heart wrenching, unpredictable and extremelyrefreshing. Intrue DeanKoontz style, it has a healthy dose of the supernatural and a gruellingreflection on human nature. With its likeable characters, exciting plotline and completely original ending, we guarantee you that you won’t be able to put this one down. Not a reader? Watch Haunt (2014)

For the romance hater Ifthethoughtofepicfirstkissesandairport scenes make you cringe, be sure to pick up A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. This book is arguably Hosseini’s best work so far and that’s saying a lot given that he penned The Kite Runner. A Thousand Splendid Suns is poignant and deeply sad but also truly moving. Although the novel does have an underlying love story, wecouldarguethatthemainloveaffairis between main characters Mariam and Laila, who were both forced to marry the same man as teenagers and form a mother and daughter like bond. Set in Afghanistan, the story focuses on how Mariam and Laila help each other survive and the unlikely but unbreakable friendship that grows between them. Not a reader? Watch Little Women

TECH REVIEW A HANDS-ON MOMENT WITH THE SAMSUNG GALAXY A30S

With hundreds of phones coming out each year, finding your perfect match can be a tough task. Will my battery last? Will I have enough memory? And, most importantly, will my selfie break the Internet? With an emphasis on just how powerful mid-range phones have become, Samsung gives us the perfect reason to grab a new phone – that one being the new Galaxy A30s.

The Galaxy A30s comes with triple rear cameras (can you see your insta-likes flowing in?) an improved 25MP main camera, an 8MP Ultra Wide camera and a new 5MP depth camera. With Live Focus on the 5MP depth camera, you can now apply professionalquality bokeh effects and create more dynamic portraits quickly and effortlessly on your Galaxy A30s, letting you capture the mood of the moment as you experience it.

The new Galaxy A30s feature some pretty striking new designs, including a unique geometric pattern and futuristic holographic effect on the back. While that’s super cute, the device is available in two new colours, Prism Crush Black and Prism Crush Violet, the sleek Galaxy A30s showcase a stylish look and feel that makes this powerful phone a statement when holding it in the hand. The battery is long-lasting 4,000mAh and when it includes a fast charging capability, then you know you’re good to go. In fact, we never realised just how handy fast charging was until you’re 30 minutes from heading out with your friends and your batteries on 20% from a long day of work. Pop it on the charger and Samsung mentioned that you’ll get an extra 40-50% in that time.

Some awesome extras that come in the phone include an on screen fingerprintreader, foran addedlayerof protection, agorgeous 6’4 inch infinitydisplaythat’s perfectformediaconsumption andcomes loaded with Android 9.

At a recommended retail price of R4,999.00, Samsung has brought a solid choice for consumers to upgrade to in 2020 with the Galaxy A30s. Getting your hands on cutting edge tech doesn’t have to be expensive anymore andwe’re definitelyexcitedto getsocializingon the A30s in the busycityof Jozi!