How to Read a Book: A Novel
“The perfect pick to really light a fire under my book club, and yours….A reminder that goodness, and books, can still win in this world.” —New York Times Book Review
“A beautiful, big-hearted treasure of a novel.” —Lily King
National Bestseller * From the award-winning author of The One-in-a-Million Boy comes a heartfelt, uplifting novel about a chance encounter at a bookstore, exploring redemption, unlikely friendships, and the life-changing power of sharing stories.
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 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.
“A deeply humane and touching novel; highly recommended for book clubs and fans of Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures.” — Booklist
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“The perfect pick to really light a fire under my book club, and yours….A reminder that goodness, and books, can still win in this world.” —New York Times Book Review
“A beautiful, big-hearted treasure of a novel.” —Lily King
National Bestseller * From the award-winning author of The One-in-a-Million Boy comes a heartfelt, uplifting novel about a chance encounter at a bookstore, exploring redemption, unlikely friendships, and the life-changing power of sharing stories.
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 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.
“A deeply humane and touching novel; highly recommended for book clubs and fans of Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures.” — Booklist
Maggie Keyser –
Great story with strong characters
This is a thoughtful, charming, character driven book that I read and then recommended to my book club. We all really liked the storyline and thought it was well written.
Kate McBride –
A story about forgivness, love and second chances
This was a book club pick that I honestly would not have chosen on my own, but I’m so glad it found its way to me. How to Read a Book is a quiet, gentle story centered around three people whose lives intersect in unexpected and meaningful ways.Violet has just been released from prison and is trying to figure out how to exist in a world that has moved on without her. Harriet is a retired English teacher who runs the prison book club, offering literature as a lifeline and a form of connection. Frank is the handyman at a local bookstore and carries a complicated history with Violet. Together, their stories unfold into something tender and thoughtful.At its heart, this book is about reentering society, forgiveness, and the complicated ways love shows up when you least expect it. It doesn’t rush or sensationalize Violet’s past; instead, it sits with the weight of it while still allowing room for hope. There’s also a surprising, charming element woven throughout—talking birds—that somehow adds whimsy without taking away from the emotional depth. It’s oddly delightful and works perfectly for the tone of the story.There were a couple of lines that really stayed with me. One was, “Maybe tears hide away in the body until such time as they can sprout safely, freely in the clear.” Another powerful moment comes when Violet reflects, “My name was Violet Powell. I took a life. I lived and died. Meanwhile, I was loved.” Those words capture the essence of this book—acknowledging harm and pain while still affirming humanity and grace.Overall, this is just a sweet, thoughtful little story. Quiet but meaningful. It may not be a book I would have picked up on my own, but it’s one I’m glad I read, and it sparked some really good book club discussion. Sometimes those are the best surprises.
LJC –
An Amazing Piece of Literature!
I’m stingy with stars ! This book is incredible, the storyline, the characters, the descriptions, flawless! I knew this was in a class all by itself as I dreaded it ending! I think so much of it echos for all of us in one way or another, the ”meaningfulness”! The entire book was like a diamond emerging from the stone cutter to the polisher, and finally to its ultimate radiance…complete, without artifice and a perfect reflection of our human condition , the beautiful and the ugly rolled into one, called life! It’s a must read!
Susan Lee Van Almsick –
A must read, touching and life changing book for me!
So much to say on this extraordinary story. Fully engaging in the first chapter. Each character so fully explored throughout. I will never forget them. Life changing in my new perspective of those caught in their life choices that land then in cruel places. Yet their human condition doesn’t have to stay in those places. The world can be cruel but survival is possible. Loved this book.
L. T. Wilson –
Loved it.
I loved it. Sweet and fun and full of of hope. Well written.
emily harmon –
thought provoking
I’m a sucker for good underdog story and this was a good one for sure! If I wasn’t reading on my kindle I would’ve done some serious highlighting!Lots of good things to ponder in this story. An incredible amount of love and forgiveness. A great coming of age and finding one’s self worth. Loved it! The only thing is I wish that the author would have added maybe 50-75 more pages and touched more on Violet’s future life events. I think that would’ve made my heart happier and maybe 5 stars instead of 4.
Marie –
Fun quick read!
Fun, slightly quirky book. An easy read, character chapters add dimension and detail. Refreshing and unique.
rebzellpat –
You can’t judge a book by it’s cover –
The saying “you can’t judge a book by its cover” is applicable here. I feel as though I should’ve loved this book. It seems to have all the parts: sympathetic characters, love, interesting storyline, tragedy, redemption, friendship, but something was missing – Maybe a coherent storyline. I actually put the book down about halfway and went to something else and came back to it. Sometimes when I do this, I really enjoy the book after all, but I felt disconnected from the second-half. The resolution was ludicrous and the ending was ineffective. Although I didn’t feel very connected the first half either, quite honestly.Some people loved this book and I guess I understand, how someone could make a connection. I won’t think about this book and likely won’t remember it. 3/5. Love the cover though….wish it had actually been about the bookstore.
Arla –
Couldn’t put it down. It read like a movie
cassam –
I was attracted to this book because it was about a bookshop but that is only a tiny part of the book. The story is mainly about Violet who is sent to prison age 19 yrs for causing the death of a women . Violet was driving her fiancé ‘s car under the influence of alcohol because he didn’t want to drive in case he was stopped by the police.We follow Violet’s story from prison to release.I loved this book and didn’t want it to end,it also had me in tears as I read the last chapter.There are many lovely characters in the story and a few not so lovely. The story is about forgiveness and walking in someone else’s shoes, how would you cope if you lived their life ?I will be looking at other books by this author but at the moment I have a book hangover and will find it hard to start my next one.
Jacinta Timmons –
Brilliant Read..in my top 10!
Snugglebunny –
Great story and an easy read.
C –
Beautiful book, tender in places & eye opening in others.Buy if it you want to feel good about the world again