Let’s play What Would You Rather?    

#1.  Be a trad wife.    If you’ve never heard the term, Merriam-Webster’s Slang defines it as a married woman who embraces traditional gender roles and values; itis often used for a young housewife who likes to highlight her role on social media.   It’s one of those new, trendy names that recently started popping up everywhere.  And by “be a trad wife”- I mean a little deeper than yes, you want to be a good wife and yes, you might enjoy grabbing an egg from the chicken coop.  Could you really live the lifestyle?

If this interests you, I suggest grabbing Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke.  This book has been all over our feeds as an “it book” and was recently grabbed up for film by the mother of all movies, Anne Hathaway (of course).  It plays on society’s obsession with internet fame, introducing us to Natalie, who portrays her “trad wife” lifestyle to millions via her social media accounts, but has assistants at her beck and call to make every post perfect.  She wakes up one morning living the actual life she shares – including all the work and abuse behind it.

While I thought this main character was the most annoying person I’d ever read about, the story idea felt fresh, an “I can’t put this down” but “I also want to throw it across the room” type book.  It has book clubs up in arms and everyone at the water cooler chatting.  Grab it!

#2.  Be an in-house surrogate with every luxury you could ask for.  Imagine trudging through life, your jaw hurts because you don’t have dental insurance, you’re getting harassed by a masturbator at work and you genuinely have no idea how you ever will move forward.  Into your lap falls an opportunity to be a surrogate for an outstanding corporation – just pump out 7 babies in 10 years with bonuses along the way for completion, natural births and more.  Enjoy a luxurious condo, vacations, cooked foods, trainers and more.  Just ask – and mostly you’d get it.  And we’re talking upwards of $100K per child (pending).  PLUS, a fallow period between each where you can do whatever you want.  Why?   So females at the corporation can focus on their jobs.  They need to stop being tired, going to the bathroom and sharing pregnancy stories that take up the airwaves when they could be talking about WORK!

I was caught talking about Fallow by Sarah Anderson to everyone I know, while at work, in the hallway, at Hamersley’s Pantry and at the Street Fair.  Would you do this?  What do you think it?  Can you imagine companies doing this?  Overwhelmingly, the answer was yes.  I will say that while the main character wasn’t as annoying as in Yesteryear, I also got pissed at this book about two-thirds of the way in because I felt like I’d started reading a completely different book.  The first half was a solid rating, but the second.. Can you explain to me after reading – why?  Was it trying too hard?  I guess I’m still thinking about it so that’s a good sign!

#3. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid – a boob of a book.  I thought science and lesbians and got all excited.  But it was monotone science and monotone lesbians.  No real sparks for me, so I buzzed through it and I don’t think it was anything close to 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.  Personally, I’d skip and wait for the movie – but I know folks loved it – including my coworker!

#4. The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson – Yes, this is the real neighborhood drama that I want to hear about. Everyone knows everyone, everyone’s coupled up and when the new girl, Caroline, comes to town, the whole friend group is up in a tizzy.  Caroline finds herself falling fast for Van, who recently impregnated his ex-girlfriend from high school.  People are losing money left and right.  Secrets galore.  This is the juicy beach read I should have read when I was actually on the beach and it’s not October. Smh. & #5 a fluffy romance called Worse than Strangers by Kyleigh Leddy, which I thought was an entertaining retelling of Persuasion (by Jane Austen).  And if you don’t remember that book, that’s fine.  Lily runs away to her family cottage on Nantucket, where she and her mother are confronted with past loves, broken hearts, and the question of what’s best for them.  I thought it was sweet and not overdone.

If you’re looking for thrillers, try #6  This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum – where podcasters who focus on survival stories find themselves in the middle of their own mystery.  The one who goes missing has a whole hidden story, a suspicious husband, and multiple clues left behind.  I thought it kept a good pace, and I thought it wasn’t the usual type of thriller – especially when so many are starting to sound the same.  And #7: Heart of Glass by Jennifer Hillier, a little more thriller than mystery; Hillier always tends toward a touch of gruesome. A serial killer who’s been put away for 5 murders reaches out to recant one of them – and the only other person who was there is now back in the spotlight as the town tries to figure out what really happened.    I think it’s a bit replayed as a story, but her books are always a solid 4 stars for me!

Two I tried but didn’t finish are: #8:  Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers – I can’t remember ten things about this one, but I liked the title and  #9. The Lies that Bind by Emily Giffin, which I usually like as a palate cleanser, but even skipping through it, I wasn’t intrigued.  Thoughts?  Should I try either of these again?

If you got this far, thank you.  Let us know if you’ve read any of these choices or want to share what you’ve got next on your list. Please do so via the comments on @caughtinsouthie or catch me on Instagram at @glossinbossin / @josiegl.