How To Read A Book by Monica Wood is a multi perspective novel about Violet, a young woman from rural Maine who is released from prison after a drunk-driving incident caused the death of a local teacher; Harriet, a retired English teacher who leads a book club at the prison; and Frank, the husband of the woman Violet killed who works as a handyman at a book store. One day the three meet at the bookstore and their lives become entwined.
Who Recommended this book? Andrea! We sing in choir together and she is my biggest fan—well, my lemon drizzle cake with fresh lemon curd’s biggest fan—She is a first soprano and is always an optimist.
What did I think of the book? It took about two pages for me to decide that this was a delightful read. The plot is simple but the language is melodic and sometimes shockingly beautiful. The three central characters are complex and yet the sort of people a reader wants to see happy. The first half or so of the book was everything I wanted it to be and more.
The second half of the book fumbled a bit for me on two counts—two very small counts; most of the second half was just as delightful as the first. Each of the three characters has at least one person in their lives who is—from a reader’s perspective—entirely unpleasant. Not quite abusive, but there are very toxic relationship elements. Several of the interactions between the main character and their “burden” (for lack of a better term? The person they are stuck with?) seemed to go on for ages and with little narrative purpose.
In all cases the minor character throws a temper tantrum of sorts, that goes on for pages. We learn nothing new about the major characters from the interactions, nor do we see character development from any of the characters. I was irritated with the minor characters for existing and frustrated that the major characters weren’t better at boundaries.
The other sticky plot point for me was a revelation about Violet’s backstory. I don’t want to give spoilers because I do plan on recommending this book, but essentially there is a trauma moment revealed in a climactic scene that doesn’t serve any function. Backstory should either explain a character’s past motivations/desires/root causes of behavior, or it should become a catalyst for future changes. While the revelation fit contextually with the information we already knew about Violet, the trauma itself didn’t seem to have contributed to any of the decisions that led to her drunk driving. It felt like an “And Also…!” moment.
These are tiny issues.
On a whole, How To Read A Book, was the best sort of summer read. Uplifting and hopeful, with genuinely lovely characters, loads of literary references, and a plot that was easy to digest. I didn’t have to think hard with this one.
Who would I recommend this to? Softies. People who like a happy ending. People who enjoy pretty writing. Mostly women. The men in my circle are pretty hard core sci-fi/fantasy camp, or they are over 70 so probably not target demographic here.
Violence- descriptions of GBV and domestic violence
Sex- PG-PG13, descriptions of harassment. “Locker room talk”.
Writing Prompt: Darla walked through the door and stopped cold, never expecting ________to be standing on the ladder in front of her.
Mamasquatch the Writer 
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