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June, 2026
June, 2026
Poet, Mystic, Widow, Wife: The Extraordinary Lifes of Medieval Women, by Hetta Howes
Poet, Mystic, Widow, Wife: The Extraordinary Lifes of Medieval Women, by Hetta Howes
"Brilliantly revealing history of medieval women . . . Howes’s debut has just the right meld of insightful research, enjoyable storytelling and contemporary contexts."—The Guardian
"A history of medieval women’s lives as told through the prism of four exceptional individuals. . . . throughout, the tensions of medieval womanhood strain and stretch—eroticism and purity, sexuality and motherhood, silence and speech."—The New York Times
Poet, Mystic, Widow, Wife charts the lives and times of four medieval women writers—Marie de France, a poet; Julian of Norwich, a mystic and anchoress; Christine de Pizan, a widow and court writer; and Margery Kempe, a no-good wife—who all bucked convention and forged their own paths. Largely forgotten by modern readers, these women have an astonishing amount to teach us about love, marriage, motherhood, friendship, and earning a living.
Reading the words of these four writers, Hetta Howes engagingly reveals how everyday women lived, survived, and thrived in medieval times. Who did they marry and why? Did they ever have extramarital affairs? Could they earn money and become self-sufficient? Could they be leaders? What did they think about death—and what about life and their place in it? Poet, Mystic, Widow, Wife paints a vibrant portrait of these women, their world, and the ways they speak to us today.
About
About
Each month, we embark on a new literary adventure, exploring a captivating book together. Our monthly discussions are engaging and varied — we gather at the library with snacks, sip tea at members' homes, enjoy outdoor picnics, visit restaurants, and sometimes watch a movie related to the book. These gatherings are more than just discussions — they’re a chance to spark curiosity, deepen friendships, and share some laughs.
Reading or finishing a book is optional! Whether you've finished every page, are halfway through, or are just curious to hear others' perspectives, you're welcome to join us. Our discussions blend structure and spontaneity: we take turns sharing our thoughts, followed by lively debates and reflections on the questions and themes the book inspires. It’s a warm, inclusive space where ideas flow freely, connections grow, and fun is always on the agenda.
July 2026 to December 2026 Books:
July 2026 to December 2026 Books:
July 30, 2026: The Perfect Marriage, by Jeneva Rose
August 27, 2026: Theo of Golden, by Allen Levi
September 24, 2026: Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishiguro
October 29,, 2026: Fractured Soul, by Akira Mitsubayashi
November 19, 2026: The Fox and I: An Uncommon Friendship, by Catherine Raven
December 17, 2026: Family of Spies, by Christine Kuehn
Short url of the club homepage: http://tinyurl.com/pvwc-bookclub
Club Goal:
Club Goal:
We read books and share our reading experiences to enrich our lives, gain knowledge, keep up mental stimulation, connect with and learn from each other, and just simply relax and have fun!
We invite you to join us on this wonderful journey of self-discovery, making friends, and learning about the world through reading and sharing.
Book types: classic literature, science fiction, popular science, award-winning literature, and No political books.
Meeting Frequency: 1 book/month
Meeting: 1 PM - 2:30 PM, last Thursday of each month, at PV Library private room.
Format: Casual. You do not need to finish the book to participate in the discussion; if you find it difficult to finish a book, we understand - everyone has a different taste, and some times a book just does not work for you; no worries, you are still welcome to come and hear what others have to say about the book and why or why not they like it.
Movies: We may choose to view movies of the books we read before discussion.
Member Recommendations: Members are encouraged to recommend their favorite book to the club. While we are a small group, members could recommend up to 3 books
Moderator: Members of the club volunteer and take turns to be moderators for the monthly discussion.
Vote: A new poll will be posted on the Vote for Next Book page in June and December. Each voting period will choose 6 months' book.
Online Summaries: If you are not able to attend the monthly meeting, we encourage you to check out our Discussion Summary page to see what has been talked about.
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