Tag independence

The book cover has an illustration of a kneeling man in a suit, reaching out for the hands of the woman standing in front of him, who is wearing a magenta gown and high-heeled shoes. What appears to be a marriage proposal is taking place in front of a gazebo decorated with pink flowers and green foliage, and there are trees and stars in the background.

Spinster: Making a Life of One’s Own

Angie Engles Leave a comment
The book cover has the title in stylized gold lettering and the subtitle with the appearance of handprinted red lettering against a cream-colored background.

By Angie E.

In her book Spinster: Making a Life of One’s Own, Kate Bolick invites us into a thoughtful consideration of remaining single. She weaves her own experiences with those of pioneering women from the past century, women who defied societal norms and forged their paths. These women include:

  • Neith Boyce: A columnist who challenged conventions.
  • Maeve Brennan: An essayist whose wit and insight left an indelible mark.
  • Charlotte Perkins Gilman: A social visionary who advocated for women’s autonomy.
  • Edna St. Vincent Millay: A poet whose passion resonates across time.
  • Edith Wharton: A novelist who crafted stories of love, longing, and independence.

Bolick’s exploration reminds us that the pursuit of a good life transcends societal expectations. Whether young and unencumbered or middle-aged and free, our years are ours to savor, not bound by convention.

One of the most liberating aspects of Spinster is its rejection of the notion that a woman’s worth is in and of itself tied to her marital status. Bolick celebrates the idea that a woman can lead a fulfilling and meaningful life without adhering to traditional expectations. She eloquently challenges the societal pressure to conform and encourages women to define their own paths, unapologetically.

Her exploration of solitude as a source of strength rather than a symptom of loneliness is especially affecting. In a society that can still view unmarried women past a certain age with pity or suspicion, Spinster is a rallying cry for independence, self-determination, and the dismissal of societal pressures.

As a 21st century old maid, I find comfort in the words of Kate Bolick and her celebration of the unconventional. And while I am all for defending singlehood at any age and claiming my cat lady status with pride, I have to confess to a part of me that loves fiction, especially romantic, which features old maids and spinsters who end up in love after all. The following are just a few titles that tickle my fancy:

The book cover depicts a redheaded woman in a long, flowing light blue off-shoulder gown, with a vase of white flowers on a pillar behind her, gazing out a curtained window at a snowy outdoor scene.

Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

  • Heroine: Evangeline Jenner, a shy and unconventional woman
    Plot: Evangeline proposes a marriage of convenience to the notorious rake, Sebastian St. Vincent.
The book cover, all in shades of blue and purple, is an illustration of a manor house surrounded by trees and foliage.

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

  • Heroine: Penelope Featherington, a witty wallflower
    Plot: Penelope secretly writes a gossip column while harboring feelings for her best friend’s brother, Colin Bridgerton.
The book cover depicts a woman in an off-shoulder coral-colored gown with a bejeweled waistline and fluffy hemline. She is visible below the nose; the view does not reveal her eyes.

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah Maclean

  • Heroine: Lady Calpurnia Hartwell, a spinster with a list of daring adventures
    Plot: Calpurnia seeks adventure and love, breaking society’s rules along the way.
The book cover has an illustration of a kneeling man in a suit, reaching out for the hands of the woman standing in front of him, who is wearing a magenta gown and high-heeled shoes. What appears to be a marriage proposal is taking place in front of a gazebo decorated with pink flowers and green foliage, and there are trees and stars in the background.

A Spinster’s Guide to Danger and Dukes by Manda Collins

  • Heroine: Poppy Delamare, who flees an “odious” betrothal to live in London as quiet and unassuming Flora Deaver
    Plot: Poppy agrees to marry the Duke of Langham to save her younger sister, but that’s only the beginning!

Being a cat lady and embracing spinsterhood doesn’t mean missing out on love. It means defining love on your terms, just as the heroines in these novels do. So, raise a cup of tea (or a cat) and embrace the joy of being unapologetically you! 📚🐾

Angie is an Instructor & Research Specialist at Central Branch and is a co-facilitator for Reads of Acceptance, HCLS’ first LGBTQ-focused book club. Her ideal day is reading in her cozy armchair, with her cat Henry next to her.

The cover of the book shows a stylized, cartoonish wood duck flying above a lake, with several wood ducks floating beneath along with a canoe tied up to a dock on a rocky shore. In the background are steps leading up to a small cottage with a streetlight and a railing behind it. The sun is reflected in the water and hovers in a purplish sky with two fluffy blue clouds.

Flying Solo by Linda Holmes

madammommy Leave a comment
The cover of the book shows a stylized, cartoonish wood duck flying above a lake, with several wood ducks floating beneath along with a canoe tied up to a dock on a rocky shore. In the background are steps leading up to a small cottage with a streetlight and a railing behind it. The sun is reflected in the water and hovers in a purplish sky with two fluffy blue clouds.

by Piyali C.

I have discovered many beautiful reads while shelving carts at our branch. Sometimes, I check out more books from the cart than I put on the shelf (that is somewhat of an exaggeration, but not by much). Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes was one such discovery. I loved that book so much that I was excited when I found out the author was publishing her next novel, Flying Solo. This time I was prepared, and I requested a copy right away. After I finished Flying Solo in two sittings, I was in a dilemma. Which one did I love more? Bottom line – I like this author’s stories. I like how she does not tie everything in a neat bow at the end, because life is messy and our problems do not resolve beautifully all the time. However, she leaves us with hope, and what better resolution is there than to remain hopeful?

In the new title, whenever Laurie needed a break from her obnoxiously noisy brothers during her childhood, she went to her great Aunt Dot’s big, quiet house for refuge. Dot’s house was only a short bike ride away from her loving but loud family in a small, seaside town in Maine. Young Laurie was Dot’s favorite niece and best friend. When Dot dies at 93, Laurie is the one who takes up the responsibility of going through Dot’s possessions and readying her house for sale, since the rest of her family does not have time to deal with it. Laurie is now on the cusp of 40, she has broken her engagement, and she is going through a midlife crisis as she tries to figure out what she wants. The huge responsibility of sorting through Dot’s photos and belongings is somewhat of a distraction when her own life is falling apart.

Laurie discovers a beautifully carved wooden duck decoy lovingly stored in a chest under some blankets. Puzzled about the significance of the duck, so fondly hidden, Laurie sets out to learn more. In her quest to uncover the mystery of the duck, she falls victim to a con artist and rekindles a romance with her high school sweetheart, who is (and this was important to me) the beloved town librarian with terrific research skills (what could be more attractive than that?). Laurie also comes in contact with some genuine and unforgettable characters who become important parts of her life as she tries to uncover the mystery of the decoy and, in the process, learns more about the hidden aspects of her great aunt’s life. This journey not only reveals the colorful life of charismatic Dot, who flouted societal norms set for women and lived her life on her own terms, but it also helps Laurie discover what she actually wants in life and perhaps reconciles her to the idea of flying solo.

Told in a lucid voice, the story is a relatively light read, yet it makes the readers think about their own relationships and what they want out of them.

Flying Solo is available at Howard County Library System in print, large print, e-book, and e-audiobook formats.

Piyali is an instructor and research specialist at the Miller Branch of HCLS, where she co-facilitates Global Reads and facilitates Light But Not Fluffy (starting in Spring 2023!) and keeps the hope alive that someday she will reach the bottom of her to-read list.