{
  "id": 2079561,
  "title": "BOOK REVIEWS: Your next reads: Eerie magical realism and a sex-positive guide",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/book-reviews-your-next-reads-eerie-magical-realism-and-a-sex-positive",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-20T05:48:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-20-your-next-reads-eerie-magical-realism-and-a-sex-positive-guide/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Winter is on its way out, and readers are in for a treat with two new book recommendations. The first, Flying Cows and Other Traumas by Philisiwe Twijnstra, will keep you on the edge of your seat with its eerie magical realism. The stories feature black women as the central characters, who face bizarre situations and emerge with newfound power. Twijnstra's debut collection is a celebration of local talent and a call for more imaginative writing in South Africa. The second recommendation is SEXponential by Nicki Brivik, a sex-positive guide for long-term relationships. Brivik treats sexuality as a spectrum rather than a fixed setting, offering practical advice and language to enhance desire and connection in the bedroom. Her signature equation for couples, mindfulness, communication, creativity, and collaboration, emphasizes that intimacy requires active investment. Don't miss out on these unique and thought-provoking reads.",
  "summary": "As winter reluctantly slips away, here are your latest reading recommendations: one that will keep you up at night, and one that will keep you up at night for entirely different reasons.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "These book recommendations signal a shift towards more diverse and inclusive storytelling, as well as a more open and practical approach to discussing sex and relationships.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}