Yesteryear Book Club Guide
Discussion questions
How did your opinion of Natalie change over the course of the book?
Natalie reflects on a classmate she runs into: "Vanessa was liberated, sure, but I was happy." At the end of the book, do you think Natalie sees how she's followed that same path of self-compromise, or is she still blind to her own delusion?
Do you engage with accounts like Natalie's on social media? What's your relationship with them? Are you an "Angry Woman" or a fan/sympathizer?
How has reading this novel changed the way you view real-life tradwife influencers?
Natalie describes the goal of the influencer as being "both lovable and unbearable at once, in other words, addicting." Did this change the way you look at influencers you follow?
Based on how the book closes, what do you think Natalie wants for her daughter and for herself?
The novel has been compared to The Stepford Wives and The Handmaid's Tale. In what ways do you agree or disagree?
The premise keeps you guessing: is Natalie on a reality show, has she time-traveled, or is something else happening? How did that uncertainty shape the way you read the story and interpreted Natalie's choices?
Hosting recommendations
This book takes us through two very different realities: a tradwife influencer with a perfectly curated farmhouse aesthetic and the brutal reality of an 1855 working ranch. We wanted to highlight and contrast the two while book club members gather to discuss!
The "Curated Farmhouse" Side
A beautiful cheese and charcuterie board with honey, jam, and fresh bread (very Yesteryear Ranch aesthetic)
Homemade butter! a past Mabel book club made this as they read Yesteryear + it looked like a great fit for the book!
Strawberry lavender lemonade or a spritz served in mason jars
Homemade-looking cookies or a simple fruit galette. Think: the kind of thing Natalie would photograph!!
The "1855 Reality" Side
Hearty farmhouse soup (a simple potato leek or bean soup served in crocks)
Rustic brown bread or homemade sourdough!
Signature Cocktail
A drink called "The Performance": something that looks one way and tastes another.
A blush-pretty cocktail with a bitter edge hiding underneath — just like Natalie herself. Perfect for your Yesteryear book club night.
1.5 fluid ounces gin (preferably floral, like Hendrick’s)
0.8 fluid ounces Aperol
0.5 fluid ounces fresh lemon juice
0.3 fluid ounces rose water
0.5 fluid ounces simple syrup
2 fluid ounces prosecco or dry sparkling wine, to top
1 cups ice
1 lemon twist, for garnish
Combine & shake: Add 1.5 fluid ounces gin (preferably floral, like Hendrick's), 0.8 fluid ounces Aperol, 0.5 fluid ounces fresh lemon juice, 0.3 fluid ounces rose water, and 0.5 fluid ounces simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with 1 cups ice. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until well chilled.
Strain: Strain into a coupe or stemmed glass. The color should be a gorgeous blush-pink …deceptively pretty.
Top & garnish: Top gently with 2 fluid ounces prosecco or dry sparkling wine, to top, then garnish with a lemon twist. Serve immediately.
