“How to Read a Book,” by Monica Wood, follows the lives of three people who are in desperate need of belonging.
Violet is twenty-two and has just spent 600 days in prison for a drunk-driving crash that killed a woman who was a wife, a mother, and a beloved local kindergarten teacher. Violet is smart and loved to read, but she fell for the good looking bad boy who lead her astray. Her mother dies when she is in prison, her sister refuses to visit her, and the so called boyfriend has vanished. Violet is all alone.
Harriet is a 64-year-old volunteer retired English teacher. She leads a book club every week for a select group of twelve woman in the prison, including Violet. Book club is the only bright spot for the felons. The women may not always like the book Harriet chooses, but they know it is a safe space for them to honestly share their thoughts and dreams during their mind-numbing detention. Harriet is a widow whose adult daughters have moved to England. Her niece currently lives with her, but she will soon be leaving for graduate school on the opposite side of the country. Harriet will be alone.
Frank is a retired machinist who needs something to occupy his time. His wife was killed in a car crash and his daughter is busy with her young family. Frank is alone.
One day, Frank wanders into the local Indie bookstore and puts himself to work, repairing this and fixing that. Soon he is indispensable to the bookstore. And then it happens. Frank is working at the bookstore and in walks Harriet. He is smitten. Just a bit later, in walks Violet. Of course Harriet immediately recognizes her, but so does Frank. Violet is the one who killed his wife. And now their lives begin to intersect in transformative ways. It’s a complex situation of family, grief, humor, growth, and acceptance. The characters begin to explore what their lives mean and how they want to be remembered. How much redemption and forgiveness will you offer to another, and how much grace are you capable of receiving?
“How to Read a Book,” by Monica Wood is absolutely marvelous. It’s a page turner! It’s a stay-up-past-your-bedtime book! The story will make you examine the willingness to pardon, and the possibility of making amends. We could all use a little bit of each.
