Kate Bolick's "Spinster" is a thought-provoking examination of the societal pressures imposed on women to conform to traditional roles. While I found the book to be interesting and well-written, I must admit that it fell short of my expectations, which is why I gave it three stars.

Bolick's personal accounts and historical narratives provide a riveting backdrop for her investigation of the lives of five extraordinary women who chose to remain unmarried and pursue their own paths. Her research is extensive, and her style of writing is fascinating, making it a good read for anybody interested in women's freedom and self-discovery.

However, while Bolick's examination of the complexities of modern relationships and the cultural demands imposed on women is essential and timely, I found the book lacked complexity. It touched on many important themes but didn't always go as deeply into some of the root causes as I would have liked.

To summarize, "Spinster" is a worthwhile read, but it falls short for me due to its occasional lack of depth. Nonetheless, it provides important insights into the lives of women who bucked traditional standards and serves as a conversation starter about the choices and issues that single women face today.

Nope, not for me. I thought this would be witty and funny... what I came away with was feeling second hand embarrassment for the rude behaviors found within. I seem to be in the outliers on this thought, so I'm chalking this up more to ME than the actual book or content.

Oddly this book felt a bit scholarly. It wasn't as "chatting with my friend" style writing as I would have liked. It was overtly formal and had a dissertation style of writing that made it a bit inaccessible to read.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book - I wasn't certain I was going to, going in. But it was more of a reflection on the author's own life, viewed through the eyes of her idols, than it was a commentary on what it's like to be a single woman in this day and age, and why that should be okay (which it should!). I actually really enjoyed learning a lot more about all of the author's role models listed in the book; while I had heard of most of them (and one is my alma mater's most famous alum!), I hadn't realized how little I knew about these women's lives. I enjoyed learning about what caused them to become "spinster advocates" - especially those who had married into a good position and seemed to "have it all" - to an outsider, they might have seemed content in their situations. But Bolick points out how, no matter what your life situation, every woman still today requires a room of one's own, a space where we can be and express ourselves. I enjoyed following the author on her journey while she discovered this about herself, and self-actualized in the process. A fascinating book.