I loved every page of this beautiful, smart and quiet novel. Redemption and grief are sometimes difficult to marry, but this was beautifully done. Told from 3 perspectives, this novel is a portrait of life’s worst moments and what can be done with them. It’s a portrait of humanity, and love, and redemption. The last chapter took my breath away because I didn’t expect it, but it was absolutely perfect.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I have never read a book by Monica Wood but the premise of this book really intrigued me! This book explores the unlikely relationships with a focus on forgiveness and second chances. The protagonist, Violet, is fresh out of prison and forms and unlikely bond with the lady that ran book club while she was in prison as well as a man whose wife's death was the reason Violet went to prison.

At times it felt almost impossible that this level of forgiveness exists within us, but then this book kept reminding me how complex humans are. The human condition is filled with so much gray area - nothing is black and white. I really believe in second chances and I was routing for Violet to succeed even knowing what she had done.

Pulling the curtain back on what it could be like in prison and really humanizing inmates was so interesting for me. The book made me think and contemplate over my feelings over the characters time and time again. It did drag at times, which is why I'm docking the rating a bit but would love to read more from this talented author!

Having read The One In a Million Boy and When We Were The Kennedys, I was very excited to read this author's new book. I was not disappointed. The focus is on forgiveness and second chances. The characters are well developed and engaging. Violet is a young woman we meet as an inmate participating in a prison book club. Harriet is the 64 year old woman who runs the book club and Frank is a handyman who is also the husband of the woman violet killed in a drunk driving accident. The way the character's lives come together is at the center of the book. As an animal lover I found the Grey African Parrots that Violet works with in her first job after her release adorable. Definitely worth the read.

I adored this book about forgiveness, second chances, compassion, basic humanity, and seeing people for who they are and who they can be. Violet, Harriet, and Frank are such delightful characters, as are the women in the book club. (Sophie was borderline intolerable and I loathed Kristy; I'm glad we didn't suffer more of them than what we did.)

I especially enjoyed the parts about the work with the African Grey parrots. (Ollie stole the show!) It was fascinating to learn how brilliant these birds are, and I plan to learn more about this research.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The theme of this book seemed like one that perhaps we’ve seen before – women in prison have a bookclub. But Wood puts in so many characters you will fall in love with and so many incredible comments about the simple act of reading that it was an absolute joy to read. She asks why do people tell stories and instructs us to slow down when we read a book as you notice more (guilty of not following this one-too many books, too little time). The overall plot may not be unique, but the way she has it unfold certainly is and I may, just may, slow down when I read my next book.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins Publishing for an early copy of How to Read a Book

There's the story and there is the "meanwhile" in every book.

These words of main character Harriet Larson, a retired school teacher now volunteering as Book Club leader at a women's prison, focus the participants in the book club as they maneuver J. D. Salinger's Franny and Zooey, Edgar Lee Masters's Spoon River Anthology and the poetry of Maya Angelou with growth and change from within and toward each other.

When one of the female inmates, Violet, is released from prison a few months from completing her sentence for involuntary manslaughter/drunk driving, she will seek out Harriet. From there, the intertwined lives of the variety of people in Harriet's orbit reflect the thoughts and actions that become the "meanwhile" as the story continues.

And the birds! Prepare to learn of the remarkable work that animal behaviorists/scientists have conducted in demonstrating the intelligence particularly of parrots.

How to Read a Book will be a frequent recommend for those seeking a unique and uplifting reading experience along the lines of The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry and A Man Called Ove.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange for a review, appearing on Goodreads.
We are all caged by something. A bad marriage, circumstance, or our own hesitation to become.
A prison book club turns into friendships and ‘capers’ and much fun in this book by Monica Wood. Harriet volunteers as a book club leader in a women’s prison but when her outside life collides with her volunteer work, we see the characters grow and change.
And birds…lots of birds who are the perfect metaphor for the women in prison. These are intelligent feeling creatures who are passed off and overlooked but have so much to share.
I know why the caged bird sings, writes a famous poet. You will too.
A darling read of friendship, mercy and forgiveness.
3.5 rounded up to 4

This story about a young woman newly released from prison, who befriends the husband of a woman she killed in a drunk driving accident, has all the “feels”. It is at once charming and lovely, yet bittersweet and at times brutally honest. Just when one chapter would make me smile and laugh, the very next would tug at my heartstrings so hard as to bring me to tears. This is a book about books, a book club and birds; but it’s also about the value of hope, patience, and forgiveness. I will most likely have a hard time choosing my next book to read—I miss these characters already!

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who wants to learn how to read a book, stories about research into animal intelligence in a bird lab, or loves a good redemption. A retired English teacher who volunteers to lead a book group of imprisoned women manages to break most of the prison boundary rules. She helps a released felon start a new life. A crime victim has the empathy to extend mercy and forgiveness, bringing about healing in his own life and those around him. The book ended in a perfect, gentle twist that perhaps I should have seen coming, but didn’t. Monica Wood, with beautiful writing and original narrative, weaves together themes of agism, misogyny, and restorative justice. This is a work of serious, realistic fiction. I especially love the instructions for readers, that is how to think about and understand a book, many in the form of questions. Wood even throws in a few writing tips! I love Wood’s novels and was very excited to be selected to receive a NetGalley ARC of this book. Seems like it was on my TBR for nearly a year.

This was perfectly lovely and my whole heart was invested in the three main characters finding peace, healing, and hope for the future. Thank you for a beautiful book, Monica Wood.

Engaging and entertaining. A recommended purchase for collections where bookish women's fic is popular.

How to Read a Book
By Monica Wood
Pub Date June 6, 2023
Mariner
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I led a book discussion on One in A Million Boy and was so excited to see this one!
Wood is a great author!
4 stars

Such a heartwarming and hopeful story, while still carrying heavy themes of loss and grief. Monica Wood is underrated as a writer, in my opinion, and her talent for character creation is top notch. As readers, we side with the flawed and complex Violet, Frank, and Harriet, even when they bend under the anxiety and stress of living with their specific situations. As a resident of Portland, Maine, I loved Wood's references to the town and its businesses (though names have been changed!) too. Over all, a very satisfying read.

Thank you for this arc copy of How To Read A Book.

I loved seeing how the three lives of Violet, Frank, and Harriet connect after entering a bookstore on the same day. I really enjoyed this authors first novel the One in a Million boy and this one was just as good. This is a hopeful story about letting go and creating second chances. I loved the kindness you witness through this story and the character development was fantastic.