Time to read

In an era where attention economy reigns supreme, people apparently scroll far more on their phone screens than they read. But for anyone seeking depth this summer holiday, a book remains the ultimate companion. Here are eight of Platteland's favourites that were published recently.

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Wolfgat: Sketches of the Strandveld by Kobus van der Merwe with photos by Jac de Villiers

From the internationally acclaimed West Coast restaurant Wolfgat comes Wolfgat: Sketches of the Strandveld, a beautiful linen hardcover book that captures the stories, ingredients, personalities and philosophies shaping this unique eatery so firmly rooted in its Strandveld setting.

Neither a traditional cookbook nor a restaurant memoir, this “dip-in” coffee-table book offers a deeply personal, behind-the-scenes reflection by chef Kobus van der Merwe. Structured as a series of sketches – both literal and conceptual – it follows the rhythm of a seasonal tasting menu, weaving vivid descriptions of dishes with notes on seaweed, salt, wild foods and shellfish, as well as musings on Leipoldt, music, composition and West Coast aesthetics.

Part visual archive, part journal, Sketches of the Strandveld features luminous photography by Jac de Villiers, alongside Van der Merwe's own sketches, photographs and handwritten notes culminating in an intimate portrait of the layered world of Wolfgat. R900 Self-publication wolfgat.co.za

The Last Lions compiled by Don Pinnock and Colin Bell

The Last Lions is a powerful and visually arresting book that tells the story of one of the planet's most iconic yet imperilled creatures. Once rulers of vast territories, lions have lost over 85% of their range, with less than 25 000 remaining in the wild. Today, they face relentless threats - from habitat loss and human conflict to poaching, trophy hunting and the illegal bone trade.

Through truly breathtaking photography and compelling firsthand accounts from rangers, scientists and conservationists,