BOOK OF THE MONTH

How to Read a Book: A Heartfelt Novel of Redemption and Unlikely Friendships in a Small Town Bookstore

"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.

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Published May 7, 2024

288 pages

Average rating: 8.05

953 RATINGS

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Chicago Lit Society

A social bookclub for Chicagoans in their 20s & 30s. We create fun literary experiences each month!

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Monarch OG

Monarch Books & Gifts 7733 W 151st St Overland Park, KS 66223 913-766-8646

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What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say Monica Wood’s *How to Read a Book* is a heartfelt, compassionate novel that thoughtfully explores forgiveness, redemption, and personal gr...

Gabriela-in-Amherst

May 09, 2026

9/10 stars

I enjoyed the way the author allows the lead character to mature and discover who she can become. The relationships seemed a smidge simplistic, but the overall dynamic worked well. The ending is satisfying.

Patti P

Mar 12, 2026

9/10 stars

I really enjoyed this book. The group of women in the book club had very little in common. They formed relationships through the book club where they had to be flexible to relate to each other.

AgentH

Feb 20, 2026

8/10 stars

So good! Violet made mistakes but she finds people who are willing to give a second chance and love her. Plus talking birds.

nrvelo

Jan 22, 2026

We mostly enjoyed it. Big twist at the end. Kind of sad.

P Mancuso

Jan 15, 2026

10/10 stars

Beautiful story!