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The Safekeep
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
60 posts | 50 read | 42 to read
'Surprising, chilling, and electric. The Safekeep is a simply fantastic work of literature.' Alice Winn, bestselling author of IN MEMORIAM 'The Safekeep is a dream of a novel mesmerizing and shockingly good it lulls you with the lyrical beauty of its words and then slams you awake with its raw passion and rage. Part silent scream, part breathless love story I was utterly blown away'- Miranda Cowley Heller 'A house is a precious thing...' An exhilarating tale of twisted desire, histories and homes, and the unexpected shape of revenge - for readers of Patricia Highsmith, Sarah Waters and Ian McEwan's Atonement It's 1961 and the rural Dutch province of Overijssel is quiet. Bomb craters have been filled, buildings reconstructed, and the war is well and truly over. Living alone in her late mother's country home, Isabel's life is as it should be: led by routine and discipline. But all is upended when her brother Louis delivers his graceless new girlfriend, Eva, at Isabel's doorstep-as a guest, there to stay for the season... Eva is Isabel's antithesis: sleeps late, wakes late, walks loudly through the house and touches things she shouldn't. In response Isabel develops a fury-fuelled obsession, and when things start disappearing around the house-a spoon, a knife, a bowl-Isabel' suspicions spiral out of control. In the sweltering peak of summer, Isabel's paranoia gives way to desire - leading to a discovery that unravels all Isabel has ever known. The war might not be well and truly over after all, and neither Eva - nor the house in which they live - are what they seem. 'Haunting and exquisitely poignant' - Claire Fuller 'This is a stealthy, simmering novel about complicity and the lies we live by' - Clare Pollard
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mjtwo
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

12-3 Jan 25 (audiobook)
I knew nothing other than this was shortlisted for the 2024 Booker and acclaimed by other readers before starting this debut novel. Set in 1960s Netherlands, it is a story of repression, silence and complicity. I did see the ‘twist‘ coming quite early on but don‘t feel that spoiled it in any way.
Reparation is a topic that interests me greatly. So much of what we have was taken from someone else.

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Bookwormjillk
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

I thought this was one thing, then it wasn‘t, then it was again but in a completely different way. That probably doesn‘t make sense if you haven‘t read it but I don‘t want to spoil it for you. #FoodAndLit #Netherlands

Amor4Libros LOVED this one! 5d
Butterfinger I'm intrigued. 5d
Texreader I‘m on hold for this one. Four weeks!! 5d
See All 7 Comments
Bookwormjillk @Texreader I was very surprised that Everand had it right away. 5d
Lesliereadsalot Just read this one and recommending to everyone. Had so much to say, didn‘t it? And where it went was so unexpected! 5d
Bookwormjillk @Lesliereadsalot yes it really did. 4d
Catsandbooks 👏🏼🇳🇱 4d
81 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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LiteraryHoarderPenny
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

A pick but with some “buts”. I loved chapter 6. I loved part III with Eva‘s journal that connected the book nicely for me. But a lot of the times I felt a bit distanced from it. I don‘t know how to express it any better than that.

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Lesliereadsalot
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

This book is terrific! It tells the story of three siblings and the strange girl who enters their lives. Who is she and what is she doing in the midst of their lives? This is one of those books that makes you think, a feature I find to be few and far between. I did not see what was coming which made the story all the much better. Amazing character development and a twist. Highly recommend.

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LiteraryHoarderPenny
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Currently reading 2 books with moody green covers. Have been noticing the use of green instead of blue that was everywhere a number of years ago.

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Chelsea.Poole
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

Well, well, well— I finally see what you‘ve all been talking about here with The Safekeep. And I must say, for a majority of the book I did not, but then BAM, I was hooked. What a surprising and beautiful book with a setting perfect for the story. Unforgettable characters: Isabell, sister to two brothers who are left to reside in a provincial home after their mother‘s death. One of her brothers brings home a girl which changes everything.

AmyG I have so many books I need to get to! 2w
BarbaraBB So atmospheric with so few words 2w
youneverarrived High on my list to read! 🤍 2w
TheKidUpstairs Yay! So glad you read it and liked it! The way she played with tension throughout was so well done. 2w
107 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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AnneCecilie
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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#12Booksof2024 November

Honorable mentions:
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore
Monsters: What Do We Do With Great Art by Bad People? By Claire Dederer

Andrew65 This is on my TBR. 2w
59 likes1 stack add1 comment
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andrew61
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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#12booksof2024 @Andrew65
Picks for Sept - a new series to me, and after enjoying the first, I went on to read bk 2 and 3 fairly quickly. Set in dungeness and the Kent area, they are page turner's.
October is the safekeep and probably a very popular choice, which I wouldn't have read save for it being on the booker shortlist.

Cathythoughts We read Safekeep for Bookclub… great discussion! 2w
JamieArc @Cathythoughts I bet that was a good discussion. I really wanted to talk about it when I finished it. 2w
Andrew65 Looks good. Stacked! 2w
Cathythoughts @JamieArc It was. There were conflicting views too on the explicit details of the women‘s relationship… It was a memorable bookclub. 👍🏻 2w
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TheKidUpstairs
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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#12Booksof2024 August

The Safekeep is just so so good. Beautifully crafted, masterful build of tension, so much left to think about.

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Looks good. 3w
54 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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TrishB
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

My Christmas gift to myself was to finish this in a day😁
Loved it, very well written and I was hoping for that ending.

squirrelbrain ❤️❤️❤️ 4w
Oryx Sounds great. I've just seen it's half price on Waterstones, so I've ordered that and Blue sisters (also half price) with my stamps. 4w
BarbaraBB Glad you loved it! You‘re in for a treat too @Oryx with both books! Happy holidays 💝 4w
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TrishB @Oryx agree with @BarbaraBB you‘ll love both! Happy Christmas 🎄❤️ 4w
sarahbarnes Yes, the ending! I loved this one too. 🩵 4w
erzascarletbookgasm Merry Christmas Trish! 🎄🌟❤️ 4w
TrishB @erzascarletbookgasm happy Christmas Jessie ♥️♥️ good to hear from you! 4w
74 likes1 stack add7 comments
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TrishB
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Hoping for a quiet hour reading 🤞🏻🤞🏻

LeahBergen I‘m looking forward to this one, too. It was a lovely gift from @Cathythoughts ! 😃 4w
Mitch I really enjoyed this. Love that cover ♥️ 4w
TrishB @LeahBergen mine was a gift too ❤️ I was saving until I could have a proper sit down with it. 4w
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TrishB @Mitch loving it so far! 4w
squirrelbrain I‘m sure you‘ll love it. 🥰 4w
TrishB @squirrelbrain managed to finish today and I did love it ❤️ 4w
squirrelbrain I nearly said that I thought you‘d finish it today as well! 4w
Cathythoughts It‘s very good. 👍🏻 4w
75 likes8 comments
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BkClubCare
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

This one was a surprise and yet, I find myself wondering about my preference to know little about plot or theme when I begin a book. I admit, I was getting irritated- extremely irritated- with Isabelle. I still don‘t ‘get‘ her, but then she didn‘t really ‘get‘ herself. Many thoughts, thoughts that aren‘t landing. 🛬
Making a Chocolate 🍫 Pear 🍐 Pie today. #Dec2024 Book113

38 likes1 comment
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BkClubCare
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Starting now. #ToBlongList 🎧🍐

sarahbarnes Loved this one! 2mo
squirrelbrain One of my favourites of the year so far! 2mo
BarbaraBB Mine too 2mo
BkClubCare @sarahbarnes - immediately TENSE 😬 2mo
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NovelNancyM
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

Definitely one of the best books I've read this year. The plot veers into a completely different path than I could have predicted - amazing writing! Reminded me of Trust by Hernan Diaz. Their plots are dissimilar, but the way the story is woven together is so clever.

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quietlycuriouskate
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

Oh, this was seriously good! It's a powerful story on a subject I don't recall reading about before. I very much enjoyed the characterisation of Isabel and Eva and, oh my, the tension generated throughout as it becomes clear what is actually going on here. Actually I think it would have been my personal #bookerprize winner, were it not for the generous amount of 🌶️ , which i just don't like.

Amor4Libros This was one of my favorite books this year! ❤️ 2mo
BarbaraBB I am glad you read it and I feel the same way 🤍 2mo
sarahbarnes Loved this one so much, too. It would‘ve been my pick for the Booker of the ones I read. 2mo
Cathythoughts Great review. I loved it ! But , yes , too much sex information. (edited) 2mo
38 likes4 comments
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Sara_Planz
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

I completely understand why this book was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. This debut novel is a slow burn, but around 2/3 of the way through it, a twist completely turns the reader's understanding of the characters upside down. This book is intimate and sensual and gives a new sweeping perspective on the effects of WWII after the fighting ended. This debut novel deserves all of the accolades.

kspenmoll Wonderful review! I have yet to read this. 2mo
Ruthiella This is definitely the one from the shortlist that interests me the most. 2mo
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HeatherBookNerd
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

I saw that this was on the Booker Prize list and just grabbed it without really knowing anything about it, which turned out to be a great thing. This took a minute to get rolling, but then I could not put it down. There‘s so much tension that drives the story - I was just really invested to see where it was headed. The relationships are complex and interesting and the novel takes a few surprising turns. A marvelous debut.

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AnneCecilie
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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#BookReport

I continued Sovereign #ShardlakeBR

I read Dyr som er verre foreldre enn deg (trans. Animals that are Worse Patents than You) and The Safekeep

I‘m almost done with The Swifts: A Gallery of Rogues

I‘m reusing last week‘s picture since The Safekeep has been returned to the library, so I didn‘t get to Orbital, but hopefully later today

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AnneCecilie
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

The Netherlands 1961, 3 siblings. The oldest Louis changes girlfriends all the time. Isabel living alone in the family home. The youngest Hendrik lives with a man

After meeting Louis latest girlfriend, Louis suddenly tales Isabel that Eva will be staying in the family home while he‘s away. Isabel doesn‘t approve of this plan

A book about the consequences of war, memory and the truth

This book pulled me in and wouldn‘t let go until I finished it

BarbaraBB Looking forward to the Booker Prize announcement. I so hope this‘ll win! 2mo
quietlycuriouskate Ooh, I'm picking it up from the library this afternoon! 🥰 It's been a four-month wait but I'm finally top of the list. 2mo
AnneCecilie @BarbaraBB This was the third booker book I read and I hope to have Orbital finished before the winner is announced. I‘ve left Playground and Creation Lake which are books I would have read without the Booker. I think the list is strong this your and I would be happy if this won 2mo
See All 6 Comments
AnneCecilie @quietlycuriouskate I hope you enjoy it. 2mo
BarbaraBB I agree it‘s a very good list. I have read all but those two as well. I‘ve heard good thing about Playground too. The Kushner I‘ll take a pass on, she and I don‘t go along very well 😉 2mo
sarahbarnes I loved this one too. 2mo
60 likes6 comments
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ChaoticMissAdventures
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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So glad I prioritized The Safekeep as one of my #10BeforeTheEnd because it might be one of my top reads of the year, I really loved it.

2 down, 8 to go. Got to pick it up!

BookmarkTavern Woo! 🎉🎉🎉 You can do it! 3mo
Ruthiella Good to hear. It‘s definitely on my TBR. 3mo
DogMomIrene 🙌🏼 Woot! 🎉 3mo
sarahbarnes Good work! I loved it, too. 3mo
33 likes4 comments
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ChaoticMissAdventures
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

Oh my goodness. This is fantastic. I don't read many books around WWII and I am glad this one is written by a Jewish author, between that and the hype around the Booker I knew this would be a solid read but it was so much more. The tension and the evolution of the characters and story are masterfully done.
I am going to be thinking about this for a very long time.

BarbaraBB Great review. I am glad you loved it too! 3mo
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AnneCecilie
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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#WeeklyForecast

Continue Sovereign #ShardlakeBR

I want to start Dyr som er verre foreldre enn deg (trans. Animals that are Worse Parents than You)

I want to read The Safekeep and The Swifts: A Gallery of Rogues

Maybe I can even get a start on Orbital

dabbe 🧡🍁🤎 3mo
53 likes1 comment
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andrew61
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

This may be my favourite of the booker shortlist so far (3 read) and was an intricate story of two women in 1961 Netherlands. Isabel lives on her own in the house her family moved into during the war, but her life is impacted when her older br leaves his girlfriend staying there while he works away. Ava is a dizzy, vibrant woman who grates on isabel. As the plot reveals itself as a reader, I was absorbed and ultimately moved by what was revealed

LeahBergen Great review! I‘m excited to get to this one. 3mo
Anna40 Yes, great review (edited) 3mo
BarbaraBB My favorite too! 3mo
See All 10 Comments
sarahbarnes I loved it, too! 3mo
youneverarrived Really looking forward to reading this! 3mo
andrew61 @youneverarrived definitely worth reading and I think you'd like it. 3mo
andrew61 @LeahBergen thanks leah, and belated happy birthday, hope it was a good one. 3mo
quietlycuriouskate Looking forward to this (currently waiting for my library reservation to come in). 🙂 3mo
squirrelbrain Definitely my favourite off the list! 3mo
LeahBergen Thanks, Andrew! 3mo
55 likes10 comments
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ImperfectCJ
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

This might be my second-favorite novel on the Booker Prize shortlist so far (I still have one more to go). The style and the slow evolution of intense emotions really work for me, and the audiobook narration fits the content very well.

squirrelbrain Which is your favourite? 3mo
ImperfectCJ @squirrelbrain James is my fave so far, but I still have Stone Yard Devotional yet to read. 3mo
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Tamra
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Mehso-so

Unpopular opinion 😏

I appreciated the unconventional mystery plot device, but the writing style wasn‘t for me. Too many words to the point of repetition & overwrought emotion. At times I was thinking “get on with it already”…..It reinforces my admiration for the power of effective spare writing.

As opposed to The Birthday Party which was MADDENING in thrilling anticipation of the climax, being akin to a movie in slow motion. 😵 👍🏾

sarahbarnes A very fair review! I did like this one a lot but I can see where you‘re coming from. And I loved the Birthday Party! (edited) 3mo
Tamra @sarahbarnes wasn‘t The BD Party a crazy ride?! 3mo
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Hooked_on_books
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

It‘s rare that multiple times within a book I think that it‘s not what I expected. And that‘s what happened here, in the best way. I liked how I learned different things as I moved through the story. And while there is brief explicit sex, I‘m a little surprised anyone has mentioned it, as I‘m not a fan of explicit sex in books, but it serves the story so well here that I works. (I wonder if it‘s the type of sex that is a problem for some.)

BarbaraBB In that case don‘t read this one on the NBA fiction longlist. I don‘t mind explicit sex but in one if the stories it went on for pages (it served a goal but still) 3mo
BarbaraBB I loved The Safekeep too and hope it‘ll win the Booker! 3mo
squirrelbrain I agree with your review entirely! You know I loved it anyway and really the sex isn‘t *that* much. I hadn‘t thought about why it is an issue for some, and you may be right in your thoughts. 😞 3mo
See All 6 Comments
Hooked_on_books @BarbaraBB I‘m about two-thirds through that one and have read the story you‘re talking about. I was saying “oh, enough!” then got to the end of the story and laughed out loud. It was worth it to get to the ending. 3mo
Hooked_on_books @squirrelbrain I‘m sure it‘s not homophobia for everyone, but I‘m just as sure it is for some. It‘s so brief that it‘s not something I even would have thought about or mentioned but only did so because I‘ve seen it brought up before. It makes me sad, but prejudice is unfortunately alive and well. 3mo
BarbaraBB That‘s true! I started skimming pages until the end and that made me laugh despite it being not funny at all 😀 3mo
38 likes6 comments
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Twocougs
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

So I wasn‘t sure about this story and several times almost stopped reading it. BUT for some unknown reason I kept reading it. I‘m so glad I did. What a beautiful but chilling story.

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shawnmooney
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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https://youtu.be/7YtuMpg5BE4?si=h4RJavp0F3eFXIcv

Introduction

Mystery guest

Weekly highlights

The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

Ivy's Tree by Wendy Burton

Animal Person by Alexander MacLeod

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Deblovestoread
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Read4life 💙💙💙 4mo
55 likes1 comment
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Jas16
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

I have spent some time trying to figure out why I loved this less than everyone else seems to and haven‘t come to much of a conclusion. I liked the beginning with all of its fraught anxiety much more than I did the part after the revelation in the third act (which was not really much of a surprise). I liked it but I expected it be my new favorite from the Booker shortlist and it didn‘t live up to that for me. Still a pick.

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sarahbarnes
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

This book blew my mind! So incredibly good. ♥️ The unexpected turns, the almost unbearable tension at times, the sheer beauty of the story. I haven‘t read the full shortlist but would be very pleased to see this book take the prize.

squirrelbrain ❤️❤️❤️ 4mo
Suet624 Perfect review and I agree with all of it. 😊 4mo
sarahbarnes @squirrelbrain @Suet624 ❤️❤️❤️ 4mo
BarbaraBB Great review. I loves it too, especially the way it is written and how Isabelle has been portrayed 4mo
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB agreed! I loved the way it‘s written and how the story is revealed over the course of the book through the two different perspectives. 4mo
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VRM1975
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
Pickpick

.

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vlwelser
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

I was convinced James would win the Booker. Then I read this....

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

BarbaraBB It‘s so good! I am rooting for it to win the prize (though I also love Stone Yard Devotional) 4mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4mo
sarahbarnes I‘m almost done with this and feel the same way! 4mo
vlwelser @BarbaraBB Stone Yard Devotional doesn't seem to be available in the US until next month. I will keep an eye out for it. Your recs tend to align with my choices so I'm looking forward to it. 4mo
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squirrelbrain
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Thanks for the tag! @Mitch

1. The tagged book will be on my favourite list for 2024 as well as just for August.

2. I prefer paper books, but read all three types - they all have their place!

3. Probably literary fiction.

#wondrouswednesday

TheKidUpstairs Unsurprisingly, I second all your answers! 4mo
Eggs Thanks for playing 🥰🤗 4mo
Suet624 With you on all three answers. 4mo
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Mitch Love the tagged book. I bought this one because I was attracted to the pretty cover - but was surprisingly also blown away by the story. Loved it. It‘ll be on my end of year lists for sure. 4mo
squirrelbrain Book triplets! ❤️❤️❤️ @TheKidUpstairs @Suet624 4mo
squirrelbrain @Mitch - I had it as an ARC but didn‘t get round to reading it until it made the Booker list. 🤦‍♀️ I‘m so glad I did though! 4mo
34 likes6 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Booker Shortlist is here! Who's got thoughts?

I'm so happy to see The Safekeep here, as soon as deWaal started talking about it I knew which book he was talking about and cheered!

I bailed on Orbital and Creation Lake, so of course they're both here. Maybe I'll try them again. And maybe I'll finally give held a shot.

James was expected.

Stone Yard Devotional I need to order from Blackwells because who knows when it's coming out in Canada.

JamieArc I‘m actually a little surprised to see James because The Trees didn‘t make the short list. I‘m surprised not to see Powers make the shortlist. Glad to see The Safe Keep. I ordered Stone Yard from Blackwell‘s, so that will be my next read. 4mo
BarbaraBB I am very happy with the shortlist! I read 5 and enjoyed all of them. My favorite still is The Safekeep, I am with you on that one, but Stone Yard Devotional is very good as well. James is not my favorite Everett but I‘d love for him to win the Booker prize too because he has so often been nominated! 4mo
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TheKidUpstairs @JamieArc The Trees was on the short list in 2022. Personally I think The Trees was a better, more impactful read, but it feels like James is garnering more attention. Like @BarbaraBB said, Everett deserves the award recognition (although I could totally see James getting a Pulitzer, it's so very very American). 4mo
BarbaraBB Yes it‘s so American, that‘s why I prefer The Trees, it‘s more universal. 4mo
JamieArc @TheKidUpstairs Oh, I am totally misremembering! Maybe I was just disappointed it didn‘t win since I loved it! 4mo
mcctrish I‘ve got Held on hold at the library 4mo
squirrelbrain I expected Held to be there as it was my least favourite! 🤣 However, my 2 favourites are there so I‘m pleased. 4mo
TheKidUpstairs @JamieArc it definitely should have won that year, it was so good. My favourite of his (that I've read so far). 4mo
Graywacke I‘m happy SYD made it. All 🧘🏻… I‘m read James now. It‘s fun! It‘s like a time travel book where Everett goes back in time, with his current mindset, and takes Jim‘s place. He makes a wonderfully wry Jim. 4mo
Suet624 I‘ve read a few of the longlist and Safekeep was one I really liked. Glad to see it on the list. SYD is on my pike to be read shortly. Can‘t wait. Sounds like my kind of book. 4mo
49 likes11 comments
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Graywacke
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Mehso-so

So, I liked Isabel. I liked how every other character revealed themselves responding to her challenging chilled persona. I didn‘t mind the sex. But i didn‘t like the gimmick. So, again, so-so.

#booker #booker2024 #longlist

61 likes3 comments
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Deblovestoread
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

#BookerPrize

The first third was fine but I wasn‘t convinced that it would turn into something remarkable. Glad I stuck with it because it surprised me. I won‘t say more except read it.

That makes 6 read with 2 started and paused. I‘ll go back to them if they get shortlisted. Waiting on Wild Houses hold and my copy of Stone Yard to arrive. Didn‘t get as far into the longlist as I wanted but looking forward to tomorrow‘s announcement.

squirrelbrain Glad you persevered! 4mo
BarbaraBB Any favorites so far? 4mo
Deblovestoread @barbarabb James, Safekeep and My Friends are my favorites of the 6. 4mo
BarbaraBB I hope those three make the shortlist too! 4mo
57 likes4 comments
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Leniverse
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
Pickpick

I have a theory that readers from continental Europe, unless they are quite young, clock the plot twist/part 3 reveal already in the first chapter. But I quite enjoyed it even though I spent the first half of the book frustrated with the MC. 😂 She was a thoroughly unlikeable character, and I loved getting to know why she was that way. Unlike some, I really liked the ending. I hope this gets shortlisted.
#Booker

BarbaraBB You are right about the twist and me being from continental Europe! 4mo
31 likes1 comment
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BarbaraBB
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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I‘ve read nine #Booker books so far and I am not really motivated to read the ones I haven‘t yet. Yet if they make the shortlist on Monday I probably will nevertheless.

For now I hope the shortlist will match my personal one, which is:
1 The Safekeep
2 Stone Yard Devotional
3 My Friends
4 James
5 Wild Houses
6 Held

Suet624 I can‘t wait for Stone Yard to get to me. The library hold is kind of long for that one. Reading My Friends now. 4mo
BarbaraBB @Suet624 Are you enjoying it? 4mo
Suet624 It‘s pretty early on, but yes. My heart is still sitting with Isabel and Eva (Safekeep) so it‘s taking some time for me to open up to My Friends. If you know what I mean. (edited) 4mo
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squirrelbrain Nearly the same top 6 as me, except I didn‘t like Held at all! 4mo
Jas16 You did really well. I am reading Creation Lake right now to try to get one more in before the short list is announced. 4mo
BarbaraBB @Suet624 I know what you mean. I am still with them! 4mo
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain yes, I noticed that we‘re voting pretty similar again! 4mo
BarbaraBB @Jas16 Are you enjoying that one? 4mo
Jas16 @BarbaraBB Not really. I am about halfway through and honestly care about nothing. But we will see. 4mo
sarahbarnes Good to have your shortlist! I haven‘t read as many on the list this year, but I‘m picking up Safekeep at the library today and am excited for that one. 4mo
jlhammar Hoping to finish one or two more over the weekend. Excited to see what the judges go with. 4mo
rmaclean4 So excited to see what makes the shortlist. 4mo
quietlycuriouskate I brought James home from the library this lunchtime. 4mo
Deblovestoread I‘ve paused Enlightenment, reading Creation Lake now (meh) and plan to read Safekeeping this weekend. That will put me at 7 read before Monday‘s announcement. Not as far along as I‘d hoped. 4mo
BarbaraBB @sarahbarnes @Deblovestoread I hope and expect you‘ll both love it! 4mo
BarbaraBB @jlhammar @rmaclean4 Super excited. They‘ll probably go with the ones I haven‘t read. (edited) 4mo
BarbaraBB @quietlycuriouskate I hope you‘ll enjoy it. I am pretty sure it will make the shortlist. 4mo
55 likes17 comments
review
Suet624
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

What can I say that hasn‘t already been said about this book. A 5 star read. I don‘t want to say too much as the unfolding story is worth the privacy of its telling. A taut story of Isabel, a cranky woman living alone in her family home, a sudden change in the home, and a revelation. This is not a mystery. It‘s a story of desire. It‘s a story of home. It‘s a story of what is taken away from you. A great debut. #bookerlonglist

TheKidUpstairs Great review for a great book! 4mo
Megabooks Loved the tension in this 💯💯💯 4mo
Suet624 @TheKidUpstairs Thank you! 4mo
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Suet624 @Megabooks I know! Me too. 4mo
Deblovestoread Hoping to get this one read before Monday. Have loved all the positive reviews 💜 4mo
BarbaraBB Love your review and agree completely! 4mo
Suet624 @Deblovestoread I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 4mo
Suet624 @BarbaraBB thanks Barbara! 4mo
BarbaraBB I just posted my personal Booker shortlist. This one is my favorite 😀 4mo
Suet624 @BarbaraBB so good to hear. It‘s really quite moving. 4mo
squirrelbrain Fabulous review! My favourite from the long list. 4mo
Suet624 @squirrelbrain Thanks! There is so much to think and feel after finishing the book. So good!
4mo
44 likes2 stack adds12 comments
blurb
Graywacke
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Remember to keep space on your bookshelves for cats to snuggle.

I finished Creation Lake yesterday (was mixed) and I started this today. #booker #booker2024 #longlist

TheKidUpstairs This one is my favourite of those I've read. I bailed on Creation Lake, it just wasn't keeping me engaged and I kept avoiding reading it! 4mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 4mo
Graywacke @TheKidUpstairs a thriller that takes 300 pages to begin to sorta thrill. 🤷🏻‍♂️ 4mo
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Graywacke @dabbe she appreciates! 🐈‍⬛ 4mo
RaeLovesToRead I adored this book 🥰🥰 and hello kitty ❤️ 4mo
Graywacke @RaeLovesToRead I‘m enjoying the beginning. I imagine Nikki would say hello back, but she‘s off hiding somewhere. 4mo
BarbaraBB I am so curious whether this will beat the Charlotte Wood on your personal shortlist! 4mo
sarahbarnes Picking this one up from the library soon! I‘m very excited. 4mo
Bookwomble 😻 4mo
55 likes9 comments
review
JamieArc
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

Wow. The first two parts were good, but then it turned into so much more, and had me thumbing through the first two parts to read the story with this new information. Best to go into this knowing as little as possible, but if you start it and don‘t get it, stick with it! This is my 3rd of the #Booker Longlist, and so far I‘ve really liked them all (James, My Friends). Pictured with the gorgeous endpapers, which I love, in part b/c of the story.

sarahbarnes Very excited for this one! Thanks for the tip! 4mo
BarbaraBB I loved this one too. 4mo
squirrelbrain This is my favourite from the list. 4mo
jlhammar Yes, love the endpapers! So glad you liked it. 4mo
65 likes2 stack adds4 comments
blurb
Suet624
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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In addition to the five greatly anticipated books I recently received from the library, three more came off the hold list and into my grabby little hands. I‘m delighted!

#Bookerlonglist

Megabooks The Safekeep was so good and surprisingly spicy! 4mo
JamieArc I really liked My Friends, and I just finished The Safekeep and it was excellent. 4mo
Suet624 @Megabooks @JamieArc I can‘t tell you how much I look forward to both books. 🎉 4mo
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TheKidUpstairs I loved all three of these titles! 4mo
Suet624 @TheKidUpstairs that‘s great to hear! 4mo
BarbaraBB Great haul! I enjoyed all three of them but loved The Safekeep! 4mo
squirrelbrain Wow, you‘ve got some fabulous books there! 4mo
charl08 Nice! 4mo
Suet624 @BarbaraBB almost halfway through already. So good. 4mo
Suet624 @squirrelbrain I know, right? 4mo
51 likes1 stack add10 comments
review
RaeLovesToRead
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

What a beautifully written, sensual story.

For a book that deals poetically with such emotive material, I didn't find it overbearingly saccharine or contrived. The writing just flowed off the page & slowly took root in my heart.

The less you know going in, the more impact the story will have. Slowly, inexorably we watch things unravel. So much feeling crammed into so few pages. I hope The Safekeep makes the Booker shortlist at the very least.

sarahbarnes Excited for this one! 4mo
Branwen I really want to read this now! 4mo
83 likes2 comments
review
jlhammar
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

What a debut! So very good. I‘d be happy to see this make the #Booker2024 shortlist.

RaeLovesToRead Just finished and I ADORED this 4mo
JamieArc Starting this next! 4mo
squirrelbrain My favourite from the list! 4mo
Lesliereadsalot I‘m in! 4mo
sarahbarnes Excited to read this one! 4mo
73 likes1 stack add5 comments
blurb
RaeLovesToRead
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Was it just really breezy today or was The Safekeep giving me goosepimples 😭😭😭

Update: wow. This post looks like CHECK OUT MY BLOTCHY ARM. But I'm leaving it here because THIS BOOK.

That's the camera, not a rash 🤣🤣

Amor4Libros I know exactly how you feel. This book was a surprise gem! ❤️ 4mo
LiteraryinPA This book looks good! 4mo
RaeLovesToRead @Amor4Libros @LiteraryinLawrence Just finished and this book was BEAUTIFUL! 4mo
Amor4Libros I‘m so glad you liked it! It is one of my favorites this year 😊 4mo
57 likes4 comments
review
ClairesReads
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

The Safekeep was a bit of a slow burn for me. It‘s beginning as a story of a house, and an awkward family dynamic was almost too traditional for me. Once I dug into it a bit further and it really got going, it grew for me into an interesting story about possession, dispossession, and repression. While initially it felt like a character study, when it moved beyond this to a more thematically led story it shone brighter.

32 likes1 stack add
blurb
RaeLovesToRead
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Started this one.

There's no way I'll make it through even half of the #bookerlonglist but I've bought a few to be getting on with.

Plus iced coffee. Because this is my fuel.

review
BookishTrish
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

The best of the #Booker longlist so far. I loved the nuanced characters, the historical setting, the central romance. It was heartbreaking and at times a little predictable, but I really recommend it.

BarbaraBB My favorite too so far. And you‘re still into learning Dutch I see! Impressive! 5mo
42 likes1 comment