In Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being," Tereza views books as a profound connection to secret love, offering her an escape from the chaotic world she inhabits. Novels became her refuge from a life filled with depression and monotony. By reading various authors, she found solace and a temporary respite from her reality, utilizing literature as a means to cope with overwhelming feelings of vulgarity and disorder surrounding her.

Moreover, carrying a book with her became a symbol of distinction and individuality for Tereza. It served as a personal statement, much like a fashionable man carrying a cane as he strolls through the streets. This simple act of embracing literature allowed her to feel unique compared to those around her, reinforcing her sense of identity amidst a conforming society. Books became not only tools for escape but also a means of expressing her individuality in a world that often seemed to suppress her true self.