How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
📚 How to Read a Book by Monica Wood ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
👉 Grab How to Read a Book on Amazon
⚠️ Trigger Warnings
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Mentions of sexual assault
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Child abuse references
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Grief, death, and incarceration
First Impressions 💭
When I first cracked this book open, I thought: a novel called How to Read a Book? Sounds like it might be…dry. But Monica Wood could probably write about watching paint dry and make it fascinating. Her writing is that good. I was pulled in before I even realized it.
My only gripe (and the reason this is a 4-star instead of 5-star) is the amount of detail about training birds. Don’t get me wrong — it was interesting! But it sometimes felt like I accidentally wandered into another novel called How to Train a Parrot. 🦜
📖 Spoiler-Filled Plot Summary
The story weaves together three POVs:
Violet 👩🦰
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A 22-year-old serving time for vehicular manslaughter after a tragic, drug-fueled crash killed Lorraine Daigle.
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In prison, she joins a Book Club led by retired teacher Harriet.
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Upon early release, Violet struggles to start fresh, haunted by her past. She finds unexpected solace in books, birds, and new friendships.
Harriet 👵
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A retired schoolteacher who lives with her niece Sophie and her cat Tabsy.
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Volunteers to run the women’s prison Book Club, giving the inmates a space to think beyond prison walls.
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She’s wise, witty, and not afraid to bend a few rules. (Yes, she takes gifts she isn’t supposed to.)
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Eventually sparks a late-in-life romance with Frank.
Frank 👴
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Lorraine Daigle’s widower.
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Grappling with grief and complicated emotions — including relief, since his marriage was crumbling before her death.
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Finds comfort working at a local bookshop, and eventually connects with Harriet (romance alert 💕).
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Initially lashes out when he recognizes Violet (the woman responsible for his wife’s death), but over time, forgiveness grows.
What Happens Next 🌀
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Violet gets a new job as a lab assistant for Dr. Petrov (“Misha”), studying African grey parrots. She bonds with the birds (especially Ollie) and eventually falls into an affair with Misha…until his wife finds out. Violet quits and walks away, bird in tow.
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Harriet is banned from prison volunteer work after accepting a forbidden gift (a knitted bird). Heartbroken, she leans on Frank. Romance blossoms. 🌹
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Frank, Harriet, and Violet slowly form an unlikely family.
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One dramatic night, a Book Club member, Dawna-Lynn, escapes and hides at Harriet’s house. Instead of turning her in immediately, Harriet and Violet care for her, showing the book’s central theme of compassion over judgment.
Epilogue 🌅
We jump ahead: Violet grows old surrounded by love, children, and grandchildren. Harriet and Frank became her surrogate parents, and Dawna-Lynn remained in her life. She dies peacefully, content — her once-tragic story transformed into one of resilience and redemption.
✨ Final Thoughts
This book is about forgiveness, second chances, and the healing power of books. It’s touching, deeply human, and beautifully written.
Yes, the parrot subplot was fascinating but maybe a little too much. Still, Monica Wood’s storytelling makes even bird training poignant.
⭐ Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
📚 If You Liked This, Try:
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The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood (also heartfelt and tender)
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The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (family, forgiveness, emotional depth)
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The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult (grief, guilt, and unexpected connections)
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