What is a Bluestocking?

In the early 1750s Mrs Elizabeth Montagu and others started a women's literary discussion group, a revolutionary step away from traditional mindless women's activities. They invited various people to attend, including a botanist, translator and publisher called Benjamin Stillingfleet. He wasn't rich enough to have the proper formal dress which included black silk stockings. So he attended in his normal clothes, wearing blue worsted stockings. This started a trend. The husband of one of the group members was Admiral Edward Boscawen, and he derisively referred to the meetings as the "Blue-Stocking Society". "Bluestocking" then became a term to describe literary/intellectual women.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Baby Proof


“Baby Proof” by Emily Giffin is not, by any means, a novel whose writing will move you or deeply impact you. It is a very light and quick summer read. It is about a woman who basically knows from the time that she is a little girl that she does not want children. She shares her decision with every man she dates, only to find out that none of them feel the same way. She finally meets a man who also does not want children, falls in love and they get married. A couple of years into their marriage, one of them changes their mind and wants children after all. The book is about what can happen in a marriage when two people now want different things….what they will do and will not do for the person they love. Overall, it was a fast, enjoyable read…I got through the 348 pages in less than 2 days.

2 comments:

Jenny-Jen said...

I read about this book. It sounds good. So glad to have you on the blog!

Mo said...

Sounds interesting, I'll have to see if it's available at the library!