What A Bookstore For Women Should Be

The Education of Harriet Hatfield by May Sarton


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I found this book to be charming and endearing. After Harriet's loss of her lifelong partner Vickie, she begins to realize how dependent and sheltered her life was in that relationship. She never regrets being with Vickie as she is the love of her life and always will be however she starts to step outside of her comfort zone and opens a feminist bookstore in a diverse but somewhat conservative area. With a few threats and attacks on her opening such a place, she never stops remembering why she wanted the bookstore, to provide a safe place for women to come together and communicate, share ideas and offer eachother support. This "third place" as we sometimes hear it referred to, has always been taken for granted by men as they have the local pub or bar down the street and "boys night out". Harriet felt the need of this type of community for women and even after a tragic event occurs, she never stops believing she's done the right thing. She meets a diverse group of people, men and women, that come to her with their problems and often times she feels like a counselor. I think it might be the first time in her life she's felt needed and liked for being herself and not in Vickie's shadow. In this book, I saw how tough it must have been back then to come out and be gay, to call yourself a Lesbian and not fear for the loss your job, the loss of your family and friends right down to the loss of yourself. I would highly recommend this book to those that feel they are swimming upstream and discriminated against. In the end, we are much more alike than different inside.


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The Unbearable Lightness of Being

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I couldn't wait to read this book as it was mentioned by several authors I admire as one of their favorite books. I found it difficult to get into and was often confused due to the different storylines (two couples) switching back and forth. I'm thinking this book might include what they call Magical Realism and more and more I am learning I don't care for it as it confuses me.


I do think Kumdera has a way with storytelling and their is vision in his way with words. I enjoyed the cultural aspects and background of what was going on during the Soviet invasion of Prague. I didn't particularly love any of the characters so I wasn't really all that concerned about their story.


It seemed that Tomas was never satisfied and continued to search for the newest adventure only to be left unfulfilled again. His wife Tereza seems to be the most melencholy and loyal in the book however I can't understand how she is able to accept Tomas' unfaithfulness and merely pouts or gets upset. It felt like she was in a viscious cycle of hanging on and letting go of their relationship and life together.


It was hard at times to tell dreams from reality and I can see why this book would be great in a group discussion as there is so much going on with symbolism and dreams.


I was crying while reading about Karenin's death and felt so sad for Tereza's loss of her beloved companion.

I would recommend this book to someone who likes classics, literary fiction, books that make you think and possibly to a book group looking for a good discussion.

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