{"product_id":"how-to-read-a-book-monica-wood-9780063243675","title":"How to Read a Book | Monica Wood","description":"\u003csection class=\"product-description\" style=\"color: #1a1a1a; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2 style=\"color: #8B0000; font-size: 1.75em; margin-bottom: 15px; border-bottom: 2px solid #8B0000; padding-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eHow to Read a Book: A Novel\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \n  \u003ctable style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 0.95em; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #8B0000; width: 30%;\"\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003e9780063243675\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #8B0000;\"\u003eISBN-10\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003e0063243679\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #8B0000;\"\u003eAuthor\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003eMonica Wood\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #8B0000;\"\u003eBinding\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003eHardcover\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #8B0000;\"\u003ePublisher\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003eMariner Books\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #8B0000;\"\u003ePublication Date\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003e2024\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\"\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #8B0000;\"\u003ePages\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003e280\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n      \u003ctr\u003e\n        \u003cth style=\"text-align: left; padding: 10px; background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #8B0000;\"\u003eSubjects\u003c\/th\u003e\n        \u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; color: #1a1a1a;\"\u003eLiterary Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Redemption, Human Interest\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #8B0000; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eDetailed Summary\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eHow to Read a Book\u003c\/em\u003e, award-winning author Monica Wood weaves a profound and hopeful narrative of redemption and the transformative power of storytelling. The plot centers on three individuals whose lives converge in a Portland bookstore: Violet Powell, a twenty-two-year-old recently released from prison after serving time for a tragic drunk-driving accident; Harriet Larson, a retired English teacher managing the transition to an empty nest; and Frank Daigle, a retired machinist who struggles to reconcile his marriage with the memory of the teacher Violet’s actions claimed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eAs their paths intersect—driven by individual needs for connection and closure—the story explores the delicate balance of letting go of guilt and embracing second chances. Wood utilizes her characteristic grace and wit to examine the daily decisions that define a life, highlighting the quiet kindnesses that foster healing. This humane and touching novel serves as a testament to the belief that goodness can persist and that books, indeed, have the power to change our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #8B0000; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eIntended Audience\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003eThis novel is a compelling selection for book clubs, readers of literary and contemporary fiction, and those who appreciate stories about human resilience. It is highly recommended for fans of character-driven narratives that address heavy themes with profound empathy, and particularly for those who enjoyed the emotional depth of Shelby Van Pelt’s \u003cem\u003eRemarkably Bright Creatures\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #8B0000; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMonica Wood\u003c\/strong\u003e is an award-winning American author known for her insightful and deeply felt fiction. Her previous work includes the acclaimed novel \u003cem\u003eThe One-in-a-Million Boy\u003c\/em\u003e. Wood is celebrated for her ability to illuminate the complexities of the human condition with compassion, grace, and narrative depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #8B0000; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eAccolades \u0026amp; Recognition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul style=\"margin-bottom: 25px; padding-left: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eNational Bestseller.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003ePraised by the \u003cem\u003eNew York Times Book Review\u003c\/em\u003e as a \"reminder that goodness, and books, can still win in this world.\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eDescribed by Lily King as \"a beautiful, big-hearted treasure of a novel.\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003eHighly recommended by \u003cem\u003eBooklist\u003c\/em\u003e for book clubs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3 style=\"color: #8B0000; font-size: 1.25em; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003eRelated Titles\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul style=\"margin-bottom: 25px; padding-left: 20px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eRemarkably Bright Creatures\u003c\/em\u003e by Shelby Van Pelt\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eThe One-in-a-Million Boy\u003c\/em\u003e by Monica Wood\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n  \u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n  {\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@type\": \"Book\",\n    \"name\": \"How to Read a Book: A Novel\",\n    \"author\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Person\",\n      \"name\": \"Monica Wood\"\n    },\n    \"isbn\": \"9780063243675\",\n    \"numberOfPages\": \"280\",\n    \"publisher\": {\n      \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n      \"name\": \"Mariner Books\"\n    },\n    \"datePublished\": \"2024\",\n    \"bookFormat\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/Hardcover\",\n    \"description\": \"A heartfelt, uplifting novel about a chance encounter at a bookstore, exploring redemption, unlikely friendships, and the life-changing power of sharing stories.\"\n  }\n  \u003c\/script\u003e\n\n  \u003chr style=\"border: 0; height: 1px; background: #8B0000; margin: 30px 0;\"\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: #8B0000; font-size: 1.1em; letter-spacing: 0.5px;\"\u003eBust-Down Books: More Than a Bookstore\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"Bust-Down Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50695707722043,"sku":"0063243679","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0855\/2077\/7531\/files\/9780063243675.jpg?v=1781029322","url":"https:\/\/bustdownbooks.com\/products\/how-to-read-a-book-monica-wood-9780063243675","provider":"Bust-Down Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}