How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
Fiction
2024
Finished on August 13, 2024
Rating: 4/5 (Very Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
Our Reasons meet us in the morning and whisper to us at night. Mine is an innocent, unsuspecting, eternally sixty-one-year-old woman named Lorraine Daigle…
Violet Powell, a twenty-two-year-old from rural Abbott Falls, Maine, is being released from prison after serving twenty-two months for a drunk-driving crash that killed a local kindergarten teacher. Harriet Larson, a retired English teacher who runs the prison book club, is facing the unsettling prospect of an empty nest. Frank Daigle, a retired machinist, hasn’t yet come to grips with the complications of his marriage to the woman Violet killed.
When the three encounter each other one morning in a bookstore in Portland—Violet to buy the novel she was reading in the prison book club before her release, Harriet to choose the next title for the women who remain, and Frank to dispatch his duties as the store handyman—their lives begin to intersect in transformative ways.
How to Read a Book is an unsparingly honest and profoundly hopeful story about letting go of guilt, seizing second chances, and the power of books to change our lives. With the heart, wit, grace, and depth of understanding that has characterized her work, Monica Wood illuminates the decisions that define a life and the kindnesses that make life worth living.
How to Read a Book had all the ingredients of a saccharine, fluffy novel, but it turned out to be very enjoyable. While somewhat predictable, I came to care about the three main characters, and especially enjoyed Violet's interactions with the African grey parrots for which she became responsible in her new position as a research assistant at a local university. This feel-good story of second chances and new friendships (which brought to mind Elizabeth Berg's Night of Miracles, with its endearing characters) is a perfect summer read. I'm looking forward to reading Wood's previous novel, The One-in-a-Million Boy, which sounds equally delightful.
I saw this one at the library bookstore yesterday, but it was selling for $18. Whew. Too much for a used book, I think. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteDeb, I agree. That's a bit steep for a used book. I enjoyed it, but it's not one that I'll read again, so I'm not tempted to buy a copy.
DeleteI'm pretty sure I could get in line at the library for this one, too. I'm lucky to live in a county where the lines for books are fairly short.
DeleteThat sounds like a good one. I like stories about second chances. My to-read list and plans took a nosedive with newer books arriving at the library and some of the ones I bought being just so-so. Will add this one to Goodreads.
ReplyDeleteTina, it was a good one, but not one I'll read again. I got my copy from the library.
DeleteGlad you enjoyed this, it was definitely a case of the right book at the right time for me. The African grey parrots were an interesting addition, too.
ReplyDeleteYep, it was the right book at the right time for me too, JoAnn! I really enjoyed the subplot about the parrots. Fascinating creatures! Reminded me a bit of the intelligence of octopuses.
DeleteThis sounds like a wonderful premise. I do like the intersecting lives type of novels, especially when there could be conflict among the characters.
ReplyDeleteHelen, it had just the right amount of tension and interesting characters to hold my interest. I think you'd enjoy it!
DeleteHi Les! "Coastal Horizons" You changed your name! I love it! :) You have so much here for me to peruse. I'll be back.
ReplyDeleteYes, I changed the name of my blog when we moved to Oregon in 2017. Happy to see you here... again! :)
DeleteI know that! I remember now. HA! :)
DeleteI have read this one thru PW ... and the parrots part & research was the part I liked best. Though the head researcher guy seems a weirdo. I thought the parrots added an interesting component to it.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I really enjoyed Violet's involvement with those amazing parrots! Their intelligence and ability to learn from each other reminded me of octopuses. Yes, the professor was definitely a weirdo. I had to remind myself that Violet was on 22....
DeleteI've been craving feel-good books lately so I'm adding this to my list.
ReplyDeleteJen, I've read several "light" books this year. This is a good one, as is The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, Flying Solo, Meredith Alone, and The Wedding People. I say "light," although there are some serious themes in each of these.
Delete