Lauren O'Connor-May

Africa Community Media National Production Manager

From the mouths of babes

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

From misheard lyrics to philosophical observations, these candid conversations with my seven children offer a heartwarming glimpse into the delightful chaos of large ...

Warning: this column talks poop a lot

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

Living Large explores the unspoken, often messy realities of raising a large family in modern times. From bathroom boundaries to unexpected public moments, this ...

Book review: Ellie Pillai is not done yet

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

Ellie Pillai is a British, Sri Lankan, Catholic, Tamil teenager who is juggling adolescent anxieties about her ex-boyfriend, possible new crush, the girl that had ...

Writer pens grim tale about life on Mars

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

Muizenberg author Sam Wilson tells us about his newest book, The First Murder on Mars

Review: Playing Flirty

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

I got very excited when I saw this book. A brown Capetonian author, writing about a leading, brown romance character. I wondered, are we finally getting a brown ...

Appliances which have surprised me

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

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

How we deal with FARQs: frequently asked rude questions

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

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

Q and A with author Serai Dowling

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

Muizenberg resident Serai Dowling brings the Western Cape's enchanting tidal pools to life in her new guidebook. From their colonial history to their role in mental ...

Book reviews: anthologies

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

Two engaging children's books that spark curiosity and wonder: The Amazing Quiz Book offers 750 interactive questions perfect for screen-free entertainment, while ...

Book review: Pumpkin Spice Cafe

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

If the author’s name reminds you of a popular noughties TV series, you’re not alone. I’ve read that the writer chose this pen name specifically because she is a ...

Book review: Do not feed the monkey!

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

A story and recipe book combined, the quirky book follows the antics of a monkey named Mitch who made an art out of begging at the tables of a restaurant at the ...

Figuratively speaking – finding humour in the loss of my physique

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

"In this month's Living Large column, a mother of seven shares hilarious encounters and heartwarming moments that come with embracing her post-pregnancy body. From ...

Book review: Hamburger Gourmet

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

This book contains 58 recipes, not all of them for hamburgers, developed by the chefs at a restaurant called Blend, which seems to be in America though I really ...

Pre-teen and teen book reviews

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

This sweet and charming book has one of the most original ideas I’ve seen in a long time.

Let’s talk about sex, baby

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

When you're raising a large family, 'the talk' becomes talks - plural. From innocent questions about 'eggies' to creative vocabulary choices, this month's Living ...

Book review: Long Covid

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

Nearly five years after the pandemic, the world is still feeling the after-effects of Covid-19’s long fingers.

Book review: Children’s books

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

From helping children cope with first-day school jitters to reimagining classic fairy tales, this collection of children's book reviews offers something for every ...

Book review: Jumpnauts

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

Jumpnauts is a mind-bending piece of speculative fiction which blends philosophy, politics, science and history. Although the novel’s pace does stagger when the ...

The quirks and conundrums of living with a large family

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

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

Book review: Blue Sisters

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

I’ve noticed a recurring theme in Coco Mellors’ books and while I don’t think her books would make their way onto a CAL list (if you know, you know) I would recommend ...

Review: The Reappearance of Rachel Price

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

This book is a mind f*** and I’m concerned that of all the young adult review books that have made their way through our home over the years, my 14-year-old daughter ...

Book review: Daydream

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

The third book in the Maple Hills series sees one of the most popular characters, Henry, finally getting a girlfriend.

Book review: Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

This book is moving and thought-provoking and should have come with the warning, “Likely to make you cry. Don’t read in public”, which is what happened to me.

Review: Romance and romantasy reads

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

TikTok phenomenon and spicy STEMinist author Ali Hazelwood’s latest offering is about a food scientist, who is torn between her sizzling attraction to one of the ...

Review: Romance and romantasy reads

Lauren O'Connor-May|Published

TikTok phenomenon and spicy STEMinist author Ali Hazelwood’s latest offering is about a food scientist, who is torn between her sizzling attraction to one of the ...

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