Weekly Book Round-Up: Exploring Social Media's 'Tradwives' and More
We bring you a curated selection of the best new books every Saturday. This week's highlights include an unsettling exploration of 'tradwives' on social media, a literary dive into Parisian life, and a chilling true crime story set in London. Dive into these compelling reads with our detailed reviews.
1. Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke – 9/10
Caro Claire Burke masterfully manipulates emotions in Yesteryear, taking readers from horror to pity and back again in a turbulent narrative. The story follows Natalie, a tradwife influencer who idealizes an all-American ranch lifestyle on Instagram, popping out babies and videos with ease. However, her world shatters when she wakes up in the late 1880s, facing the harsh reality of the life she glorified online. Surrounded by a family that isn't truly hers, Natalie grapples with cold truths and personal demons.
Yesteryear blends alarming moments, like leaving a baby in a car, with mundane struggles, such as dealing with a husband obsessed with the manosphere. It weaves a deep anger at society and other women, offering a dark examination of the lengths some go to project perfection and our voyeuristic fascination with it. Published in hardback by Fourth Estate at £16.99 (ebook £9.99), this book is a spectacularly intense read reviewed by Hannah Colby.
2. My Year In Paris With Gertrude Stein by Deborah Levy – 8/10
Booker-shortlisted author Deborah Levy returns with My Year In Paris With Gertrude Stein, a masterpiece of observation and introspection. The novel follows an anonymous student in Paris researching writer Gertrude Stein, navigating the city with friends Eva and Fanny. Against a backdrop of 21st-century turmoil, Levy contrasts Stein's interactions with artists like Picasso and Matisse with contemporary events, such as mourning the 2024 American elections.
As the narrator unravels Stein's life, she reflects on modern existence, questioning what it means to be oneself in today's world. Published in hardback by Hamish Hamilton at £18.99 (ebook £9.99), this thought-provoking work is reviewed by Hannah Colby and invites readers to ponder identity and modernity.
3. Transcription by Ben Lerner – 8/10
Ben Lerner's novella Transcription delves into human and technological relationships in a three-part narrative that is both emotional and challenging. It begins with a narrator conducting a final interview with his mentor, Thomas, but faces issues when his recording phone fails. This leads to awkwardness and unexpected success in the second part, followed by explorations of fatherhood, eating disorders, and relationships in the third.
Transcription is a unique and unforgettable read, published in hardback by Granta Books at £14.99 (ebook £14.99). Reviewed by Karl Hornsey, it offers a profound look at connection and deception.
Non-Fiction: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe – 9/10
Patrick Radden Keefe's London Falling exposes a contemporary underworld far from traditional crime settings. It details the tragic story of Zac Brettler, a teenager from Maida Vale who fell into a web of greed and deceit, leading to his death from a Thames-side apartment. Keefe draws on multiple sources to construct a compelling account, questioning investigative conclusions and highlighting a city gripped by excess.
Published in hardback by Picador at £22 (ebook £10.99), this gripping and unsettling true crime book is reviewed by Mark Staniforth and offers a chilling look at modern London.
Kids' Corner: Super Uma! by Rashmi Sirdeshpande – 6/10
Rashmi Sirdeshpande's Super Uma! is an action-packed superhero tale for children, featuring Uma, her unicorn sidekick Chip, and her Nani. When Sparkleopolis loses its color and shine, they embark on a mission to restore it. With bright illustrations and fun adventures, this book is imaginative but may feel a bit predictable for some readers.
Published in paperback by Puffin at £7.99 (ebook £3.99), it's reviewed by Lily Rose as a lighthearted romp for young audiences.
Finding Your Next Read: Whether you prefer physical books, eBooks, or audiobooks, there are many options. Check Waterstones or Amazon for new releases, AbeBooks for rare editions, and consider Kindle or Kobo for digital reading. For audiobooks, try Audible or BookBeat trials, and don't forget local libraries with apps like Libby for free access to books and magazines.
