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By far, the tagged book was my favorite Historical Fiction book read in 2025.

12-7-25: My 75th finished book of 2025! I adored this story of the 4 Betty‘s. Margaret, Viv, Charlotte and Bitsy, start a book club in 1963, and their first book is The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. The book will change the course of all their lives. 1963 in Concordia, Virginia is exactly what you would think. Women are mainly housewives and mothers but these 4 want so much more for themselves. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📖#️⃣7️⃣5️⃣

3⭐

#HappyFridayReadingHour

On a Monday morning in March 1963, twenty-five miles and yet a world away from the nation's capital and the rumblings of change that were beginning to be felt there, in a northern suburb called Concordia, so new that the riots of the association- approved saplings were still struggling to take hold, and so meticulously planned that when the first wave of residents moved in the year before, the shops,
(Cont. ⬇️)

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

This is my book club‘s choice for this month. It was such a good story & is perfect for discussion. The story takes place in 1963 & follows 4 women in suburban Virginia who form a book club & read “The Feminine Mystique” by Betty Friedan. The book changes the way they see themselves and also how they respond to what is happening in the world at that time.

This book was fantastic and I loved everything about it!! Highlighting the struggles that women have faced over the years and how a good group of girlfriends can change the tides of a person life made me incredibly thankful for the “Betty‘s” in my life! If you like historical fiction, this is a great one!

Set during the 1960s, we follow four women who formed a book club. We see snippets of their lives with their families alongside their frustration with the times. Their inability to open bank accounts, get contraception, or have any career ambition.

While all these things are important, I didn't personally feel that this book was bringing anything new to the table.

This was fantastic! A group of neighbors in the 1960s start a book club and kick it off by reading the Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. This novel follows the lives and changes of these women and their families as they navigate this turbulent time in our history. I loved the authentic relationships, the books they read together, and how they supported each other. Great on #audio !

Our book club pick for August. The audiobook‘s narrator was terrible so I quickly switched to the book instead. We as women have been so horribly gaslit on womanhood and housewives and just everything else. Ridiculous and so frustrating to read about. A good book club choice I think!

Even with the fact that I have a hard time seeing the 1960‘s as historical fiction (I mean, I was born only a decade later and I‘m not that old right 🤭) I thought this story was inspiring! Seeing women fight against the sexist beliefs and traditional roles of the society they live within always gets me fired up! It also had some very sweet moments and I love the strength and devotion that comes from a close knit group of women. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

One of the best books I've read so far this year. I began to feel as if these four Bettys became friends. All so vastly different from each other but not willing to stick to the status quo. I've added several of the books they read to my own reading list, as I had only read Herland (just this year). Even now, some 50 years after much of the setting, a lot hasn't changed for women. How disheartening.

This book was equal parts encouraging and maddening due to the subject matter. I was quick to connect to the characters, and their trials enraged me, just as I also cheered them on as if their successes were personal victories. The ending was heartwarming and full circle.

What a delightful read with delightful characters.

We meet housewives in the 1960s who say they are happy, but are they really?

When the neighborhood women gather together for a book club and read The Feminine Mystique by Betty Frieden, their bonds become stronger and some break out of their roles.

Hurray for these housewives and friendships women make!! 5/5

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/4pu4esua

@mariebostwick
Angela Melamud

FULL REVIEW WILL BE ON APRIL 23.

What a delightful read with delightful characters.

We meet housewives in the 1960s who say they are happy, but are they really?

They break out of traditional roles after reading a book for their book club.

Hurray for these housewives and friendships women make!! 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

@mariebostwick
@harpercollins

COVER REVEAL!!

@mariebostwick
@uplitreads