How to Read a Book: A Novel

“Apologies require acceptance… forgiveness flows in one direction only.” Monica Wood's novel, "How to Read a Book," delves into themes of forgiveness, acceptance, and the transformative power of literature in the lives of its characters. The story centers on twenty-two-year-old Violet Powell, whose reckless actions under the influence result in the fatal car accident of Lorraine Daigle, leading to her imprisonment for manslaughter. In prison, Violet finds solace in a book club led by Harriet "Bookie" Lawson, a retired teacher, where she begins to confront her guilt and seek redemption. Upon her release from prison, Violet, ostracized by her family, finds herself in Portland, Maine. Meanwhile, sixty-eight-year-old widower Frank Daigle, grieving the loss of his wife, starts a job at Wadsworth Books. Their paths cross unexpectedly at the bookstore, where Violet encounters Harriet and Frank. Guilt-ridden over the death of Frank's wife, Lorraine, Violet grapples with forgiveness and self-acceptance. Harriet, a beacon of empathy and wisdom, guides Violet and Frank toward healing, emphasizing that people are more than their mistakes. "We are a continuum of human experience, neither the worst nor the best thing we have ever done. Or, more exactly, we are both the best thing and the worst thing we’ve ever done. We are all of it, all at once, all the time." Together, they form an unlikely friendship, navigating their shared pain and striving for redemption in a world marked by flaws and regret. Wood skillfully weaves together the narratives of these three characters, each grappling with personal tragedies and seeking solace in literature and human connection. “Stories have a “meanwhile”—an important thing that’s happening while the rest of the story moves along” and their stories are not finished.” Through Violet's journey of self-discovery and redemption, the novel explores the complexities of guilt, forgiveness, and the capacity for growth. Wood's novel centers around three lives intertwined by tragedy. Violet's character, despite a catastrophic mistake, exhibits strength, enduring trials against her wishes, including the loss of her mother during incarceration and the constant reminder of the life she altered. Her boyfriend neglects to visit or write while she's in prison, and upon her release, she discovers he has moved on. Throughout confrontations with him and her fellow lab techs, Violet remains headstrong and confident in her abilities. She refuses to let them gaslight her, confronting inaccurate blame and dismissing notions that her hiring and promotion were out of pity for her criminal record. She also challenges Harriet's niece for her judgmental behavior. Despite Violet's strong nature, she has never experienced unconditional love. Seeking love through toxic relationships with men, Violet eventually learns what true love is. However, she becomes entangled in an adulterous affair, fabricating lies about Misha's wife to assuage her guilt. Wood's use of infidelity to showcase Violet's progression feels unnecessary. Violet's actions seem inconsistent with her strong character. If Violet were the delicate flower Misha portrays her as, succumbing to a married man might be expected. However, Violet is headstrong, focused on healing and making amends for tearing apart a family with her past mistakes, which raises questions about her involvement in breaking up another family.

I love all the characters in this book. I was not looking forward to reading it for book club. I decided to read a couple of chapters,if I didn't like it, I would dnf it. The cover was just okay. I thought the title sounded boring. I was like a book about a book club. Hmm. I also feel the synopsis wasn't great. I think Frank was my favorite character. The characters' lives were more than brought together. I thought it was a well told story. The end was just getting good, and just like that, it was over. I could've used a little bit more book. I did like the summary in the end. The book has you seeing things from all different perspectives, and it doesn't get lost in the mix. Overall, it was one of the best books of the year for me.