What is Thread Traveller about?

Thread Traveller by Annabel Youens is a literary speculative fiction novel about August Monk, a 47-year-old tech entrepreneur whose life unravels during a family trip to England. When she sips an ancient beer at Britain's oldest brewery, she's transported to a parallel medieval-inspired world where women communicate through underground fungal networks and brewing beer might be her only way home. The novel explores midlife transformation, chosen family, and the heroine's journey—prioritizing collaboration and community over isolated heroism. Kirkus Reviews gave it a starred review, calling it "a strong debut with compelling characters that passionately advocates for community, nature, and found family."

Is Thread Traveller similar to Margaret Atwood or Ursula K. Le Guin?

Yes! Multiple reviewers have compared Thread Traveller to the work of Margaret Atwood and Ursula K. Le Guin. Like Atwood's speculative fiction, Thread Traveller explores feminist themes and alternative realities that illuminate contemporary issues. Like Le Guin, it features sophisticated worldbuilding and examines how societies organize around power, gender, and nature. If you enjoyed The Handmaid's Tale, The Power, or The Left Hand of Darkness, Thread Traveller offers that same blend of literary quality and speculative imagination—with a focus on midlife women, environmental themes, and the radical act of choosing yourself. CanReads' editorial review specifically noted the book is "in the vein of Margaret Atwood and Ursula K. Le Guin."

Is Thread Traveller a good choice for book clubs?

Absolutely! Thread Traveller is an excellent book club choice. The novel explores discussion-worthy themes including midlife identity, perimenopause, invisible labour, chosen family vs. blood family, environmental responsibility, and the heroine's journey. It raises compelling questions like "What would you discover about yourself in a parallel reality?" and "Is blood strong enough to supersede all other bonds?" The book includes discussion questions, and author Annabel Youens is available for virtual or in-person book club visits in the Victoria, BC area. With its accessible literary style, cross-genre appeal (literary fiction, speculative fiction, women's fiction), and emotionally resonant story, it sparks the kind of meaningful conversations book clubs love. Kirkus Reviews praised its "compelling characters" and themes of "community, nature, and found family." Get the Book Club Discussion Guide.

Is Thread Traveller part of a series? What order should I read it in?

Thread Traveller is Book One of a planned three-book series by Annabel Youens. You should start with Thread Traveller, which was published in October 2025. The novel tells a complete story with a satisfying ending, so you won't be left on a cliffhanger, but it sets up a larger narrative arc that continues in future books. While Books Two and Three haven't been released yet, Thread Traveller introduces the world, characters, and mythology that will develop throughout the series. You can read Thread Traveller as a standalone novel or as the beginning of protagonist August Monk's larger journey across parallel realities.

Where can I buy Thread Traveller by Annabel Youens?

Thread Traveller is available in multiple formats from major retailers:

Ebook: Available on Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble Nook, and other ebook retailers. ISBN: 978-1-0695122-1-5

Print: Available in both softcover (ISBN: 978-1-0695122-0-8) and hardcover (ISBN: 978-1-0695122-3-9) from Amazon, Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores. Ask your local bookstore to order Thread Traveller by Annabel Youens through Ingram.

Audiobook: Coming soon. ISBN: 978-1-0695122-2-2

Libraries: Request Thread Traveller through your library's website. Available via Overdrive, Bibliotheca (cloudLibrary), and Ingram for library acquisition.

Direct: Visit annabelyouens.com for purchase links.