Miles of Books: Three Novels—Including 'Yesteryear'—and One Riveting Non-Fiction (!) Book

In this episode of Miles of Books, host Sarah Bowen Shea and guest Ellison Wiest dive into four compelling new releases, blending fiction and nonfiction with thoughtful analysis and enthusiasm. The conversation opens with a vibrant preview of Feisty Fest, a women-focused outdoor festival in Pennsylvania, setting a tone of community and movement. The main book discussion centers on Carol Claire Burke’s debut novel *Yesteryear*, a literary thriller following a social media-savvy mother who wakes up in 1855, unraveling the constructed perfection of her modern life. The novel’s layered narrative, sharp social commentary, and psychological depth earn high praise from both hosts. They also explore Anna Quindlin’s *More Than Enough*, a poignant story about infertility, friendship, and family secrets, which rekindles admiration for Quindlin’s storytelling mastery. Next, they highlight Annie Hartnett’s quirky yet heartfelt *The Road to Tender Hearts*, a road-trip novel featuring a grieving man, orphaned children, and a mysterious cat that seems to predict death. The episode concludes with a standout nonfiction pick: Patrick Radden Keefe’s *London Falling*, a meticulously researched true crime narrative about a young man’s mysterious death in London and the web of deception, privilege, and institutional failure that surrounds it. The hosts reflect on Keefe’s immersive storytelling and the book’s emotional and investigative power, calling it a must-read for fans of narrative nonfiction.