Not So Well Read | The Safekeep

The Safekeep

Yael van der Wouden

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An exhilarating, twisted tale of desire, suspicion, and obsession between two women staying in the same house in the Dutch countryside during the summer of 1961—a powerful exploration of the legacy of WWII and the darker parts of our collective past.

A house is a precious thing... It is 1961 and the rural Dutch province of Overijssel is quiet. Bomb craters have been filled, buildings reconstructed, and the war is truly over. Living alone in her late mother’s country home, Isabel knows her life is as it should be—led by routine and discipline. But all is upended when her brother Louis brings his graceless new girlfriend Eva, leaving her at Isabel’s doorstep as a guest, to stay for the season.

Eva is Isabel’s antithesis: she sleeps late, walks loudly through the house, and touches things she shouldn’t. In response, Isabel develops a fury-fueled obsession, and when things start disappearing around the house—a spoon, a knife, a bowl—Isabel’s suspicions begin to spiral. In the sweltering peak of summer, Isabel’s paranoia gives way to infatuation—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. Mysterious, sophisticated, sensual, and infused with intrigue, atmosphere, and sex, The Safekeep is a brilliantly plotted and provocative debut novel you won’t soon forget.

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Posts about this title from Not So Well Read

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jun 9 2025

Queer Historical Fiction Recs

I’m not typically a historical fiction reader, unless it’s queer historical fiction. Queer stories and queer people have always existed. These 5 books are some of my favorite reminders of that.

✨ A Tip for the Hangman by Allison Epstein ✨ The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood Hargrave ✨ The Safekeep by Yael Van der Wouden ✨ Nicked by M.T. Anderson ✨ The Book of Goose by Yiyun Li

What are your favorite historical fiction books with queer characters?

#queerbooks #queerbookrecs #readqueerbooks #readqueerallyear #historicalfictionbooks

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Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jan 2 2025

My Most Notable Reads of 2024

There is no easier way to stress me out than to ask me what my favorite book is. To me my "favorites" are a highly subjective and constantly rotating list based on my current mood and frame of mind...

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Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jun 8 2024

Life Update + Belated May Wrap Up

The end of May kicked my ass and wrecked my TBR plans...

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Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • May 13 2024

The Safekeep

I see your Call Me By Your Name and raise you The Safekeep. Holy hell this book has absolutely taken my heart by storm. I’m about 70% of the way through and I refuse to put it down. I’m literally walking around my house with my phone in my hand because I need to be listening to it at all times.

I did not expect to love this as much as I have and I cannot wait for more folks to read it. It’s out 5.28, so put it on your wishlist immediately.

If you love the sensualness of Land of Milk and Honey or the creeping feeling of Killing Eve, this one’s for you.

1 book

Posts about this book from across Bindery

Children of Diaspora\ \ Rae the Reviewer\ \ • Jun 8

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40+ Books to Celebrate the World Cup!

What team are you rooting for?

Thank you so much @librosmeansbooks for helping me put this list together. We’ve been gushing about the friendlies and upcoming matches and the World Cup overall since @booknetfest and I’m super excited for the real action to begin ⚽️ 🥅

Please let me know any other books from these countries that you loved in the comments, there are so many on this list that I hadn’t even heard of before that have peaked my interest

#worldcup #booklist #readingrecommendations #bookstagram #readtheworld

18 books

Ronnica Reads\ \ Ronnica Fatt\ \ • Feb 23

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I've always wanted to be someone who followed the book awards, but so often the books that win have me shaking my head.\ \ Well, this year, I decided I'm going to do it. But I'm going to be specific: the 2 book awards I am going to follow are the International Booker Prize and the Women's Prize for Fiction. \ \ I enjoy high-brow literature, but focusing on these prizes will help me lean in where I have the greatest interest: fiction by women and other marginalized authors. Because I don't think I want to read any more books by pretentious white men. \ \ The International Booker Prize attracts me as it is for fiction translated to English. The Booker judges often have me scratching my head, but I want to read all of the 13 longlist titles releasing on Tuesday and make up my own mind as to which I think is most worthy. \ \ This is my first time doing it, so we'll see if I struggle to get my hands on any (the timing is based on releases in the UK so they may or may not release in the US in similar timing). I plan on utilizing my library, which has always been super helpful in getting more obscure titles in my hands.\ \ I will also be reading the long list for the Women's Prize that announces March 4th. There were 16 books on the long list last year, many of which I read and loved, including last year's winner, The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden.\ \ As this is my first year attempting this, I'm not exactly sure how it'll go. But I know that I will keep you updated on my thoughts. Have you ever attempted such a challenge?

Following Literary Awards

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Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jun 9 2025

Queer Historical Fiction Recs

What are your favorite historical fiction books with queer characters?

#queerbooks #queerbookrecs #readqueerbooks #readqueerallyear #historicalfictionbooks

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