Reader’s Choice: How to Read a Book
January 27, 2025 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Reader’s Choice: Ellen Shockro
How to Read a Book by Monica Wood
MILS catalog record
“Violet Powell, a twenty-two-year-old from rural Abbott Falls, Maine, is being released from prison after serving twenty-two months for a drunk-driving crash that killed a local kindergarten teacher. Harriet Larson, a retired English teacher who runs the prison book club, is facing the unsettling prospect of an empty nest. Frank Daigle, a retired machinist, hasn’t yet come to grips with the complications of his marriage to the woman Violet killed. When the three encounter each other one morning in a bookstore in Portland, their lives drastically change course.” – From cover jacket
About Ellen
Hometown: I was born in Brooklyn, but from age 4 lived in Scarsdale, NY, where I also attended high school before leaving for college.
Current residence: I currently live in Newport Beach, California.
Connection to the island: My island connection was through Peggy McIntosh, who owns the iconic small yellow house on Indian Point Road. I met her in 1981. Her parents found the house when sailing by, and they came up the hill to knock on the door—sometime in the late 1950s I believe. I visited and stayed there probably half a dozen times before buying our own home in 2001. I come in mid-May, and sometimes have a few trips in between, but I leave sometime in late September or early October.
Why do you read? Reading is a large part of my life. I do not watch much television. When I find an author I like, I tend to read all of their books. I read both fiction and nonfiction. In an average summer, I read 40-50 books.
What genre do you hate to read? I don’t like rambling and overly detailed books. I really dislike poor writing. I do not like so-called “romance” novels nor do I like fantasy, with a few exceptions.
Last book you LOVED: I LOVED Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. I had never read anything about gaming, plus I was taken up by the relationships among the three main characters. I also LOVED Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See. I’ve read each of those through twice.
Currently reading: I usually read three books at once, depending upon my mood. So I am reading Fiona Hill’s book, There is Nothing for You Here, for one. I have just started James by Percival Everett. My third book currently is The Fraud by Zadie Smith. I’ve read all of her books, this one is so different.
Why did you choose How to Read a Book? I like Maine authors. Monica Wood, Lily King, and Christina Baker Klein are among my favorite Maine writers—there are others. I have read all of Monica Wood’s books. I went to her talk at the Chase Emerson in July 2024; I have watched two very long interviews or discussions with her online; and I find her extremely thoughtful. She also has a good sense of humor. I think the main characters in the book are well drawn and are each very interesting in themselves. I am fascinated by programs trying to help inmates. I wished that the book club itself was more of a focus in the book. My sister teaches at San Quentin, which is all men. I have visited there most years, although not during Covid. I reread this book, and it was even better the second time around.