How to Read a Book by Monica Wood (2024 fiction)

Harriet Larson, a retired English teacher, conducts a prison book club. One of the prisoners is Violet Powell, who has served 22 months for a drunk driving crash that killed a local teacher. She is about to be released. Frank Daigle is the widower of the kindergarten teacher who died in the accident. They all have their ghosts and their family secrets, and when the three of them meet accidentally at a bookstore, some of the secrets are released. This is a big-hearted novel which demonstrates that even when life has handed you a difficult situation, someone will help you succeed. One of the most enjoyable parts of the novel relates to a group of amazing African Gray parrots, and it’s worth reading just for those chapters. But you become invested in all of the characters, so start at the beginning and read to the end. It is a quick, enjoyable read.

Reviewed by Ginger Russell