DEG Book Club Session – August

What if you could leave the pressures of modern life behind and start again in another century? That intriguing question lies at the heart of the next novel chosen by the Deutsch-Englische Gesellschaft Bayreuth e.V. Book Club.

At the next meeting on 18 August 2026 at 6.30 pm, members will discuss Yesteryear by American author Caro Burke.

The novel follows Natalie Taylor, a successful but dissatisfied woman from the twenty-first century who volunteers for a unique experiment: travelling back to the year 1850. Expecting a simpler, more meaningful existence, she soon discovers that the realities of nineteenth-century life, particularly for women, are far harsher than she imagined. Blending historical fiction, time travel, romance and humour, Yesteryear offers an entertaining exploration of nostalgia, progress and the question of whether the “good old days” were ever quite as good as we imagine.

Caro Burke is an American novelist and former university professor whose writing combines historical research with wit and social observation. In Yesteryear, she invites readers to reflect on changing gender roles, technological progress, and the often romanticised view of the past.

As always, the Book Club welcomes both regular members and newcomers. No literary expertise is required, just an interest in reading, exchanging ideas and enjoying lively discussions in English.

Book Club Meeting
Date: 18 August 2026
Time: 6.30 pm

Join us as we step into the past and discover whether yesterday really was better than today.