How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

 This is a heart-warming tale of forgiveness and resilience. Violet is a teenager in love with Troy. One night he convinces her to drink and do drugs, then makes her drive them home because he figures nothing would happen to a girl if they get stopped by the cops. But they don't get stopped--they cause an accident that ends up killing Lorraine, a teacher and the wife of Frank. Violet feels so guilty that she won't let her lawyer even implicate Troy, who walks away scot-free while she lands in prison. While she's in prison, Violet crosses paths with Harriet, a retired school teacher and widow who has come to lead a book group for a group of prisoners. Harriet is the one who teaches them all how to read a book and her book group becomes something that the women really look forward to. Much of the story focuses on what happens to Violet once she leaves prison--and crosses paths with Harriet and then Frank.It's a compelling and sweet story.