She's reading Mary McCarthy's novel, The Group.  As far as I can remember, it begins with a group of girls in, I think, the forties that have just graduated from college.  They all go their own ways, some to the workforce, some loaf around, one gets political, one is tragic- what I'm getting at here is, besides foreshadowing the feminine movement, there might be a clue to Betty's future here.  Anyone have any ideas about that?  Also, it's interesting that B. is reading pre-feminist stuff, but doesn't really care about the civil rights movement.  I think her character is so fascinating...more literary in nature...

Yes, I agree she is interesting.  I think she will ultimately go through an awakening period.  Note how full of life and how happy she seemed when she was working on the political thing, (outside of the tempting tryst).  Look at how into her own she was in Rome.  She is being stifled now.  She will grow and I think she will move on.