Review of How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

This novel about the power of books takes a tough situation that ends in a death and allows for a fresh start--which might push the bounds of realism but offers a hopeful, heartwarming tale of chosen family and friendship.

The cover art and title of How to Read a Book gave me the impression that Wood's novel was likely going to be cute, sweet, and neatly wrapped up.

But the book opens in a prison, with female inmates participating in their weekly book club in rural Abbott Falls, Maine. Main protagonist Violet Powell is being released after 22 months' imprisonment for the drunk-driving accident in which she killed an older woman.

Harriet Larson is a retired English teacher who leads the prison book club, and her forays into the local bookstore catch the eye of handyman Frank Daigle, who is still coming to terms with the loss of his wife in a car accident (the accident caused by Violet).

When the three cross paths out in the messy, unexpected, heartbreaking world, their encounters change them all forever.

A found/chosen family element brings tons of heart to the tale, and the new start for Violet is satisfying and hopeful--although I wasn't sure it was particularly realistic.

But the tone of Wood's novel feels reassuring that all will work out in the story, and despite the manslaughter, betrayal, guilt, prison, and some truly questionable choices, it does. Harriet's fraternizing with the imprisoned women--both in and out of jail--seems particularly ill-advised, but this ultimately works out fine. Not everything can be resolved, but much is forgiven, and considering the sticky situation at hand and the death at its heart, this is quite something.

The summary of Violet's future at the end felt unnecessary to me, but readers may like the neat closing of the loop.

I love reading a book that takes place in Maine, but I didn't get a significant Maine feel to the characters or setting while reading the story despite the mentions of the state and of towns in it.

I listened to How to Read a Book as an audiobook.

I'd love to hear your Bossy thoughts about this book!

Check out these links for more Bossy reviews of books about books or books set in Maine.