BELFAST — Left Bank Books, in downtown Belfast, invites the public to a free talk and book signing by acclaimed writer Monica Wood on Thursday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m., at the bookshop.

“Wood’s newest novel, How to Read a Book (May 7 publication date), is a triumph and follows her critically acclaimed The One-in-a-Million Boy (2016),” said Left Bank, in a news release.

How to Read a Book addresses several compelling themes, including the power of books to change our lives.

“The novel showcases Wood’s impeccable talent for writing with heart, wit, grace, and understanding, with a story that follows three unforgettable characters, and asks what decisions define a life,” said the release.

Violet Powell, a young woman from rural Maine is being released from prison after serving time 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 unhappy prospect of an empty nest. And 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 in a Portland bookstore their lives begin to intersect in transformative ways.

In addition to her novels, Wood has written the wildly popular memoir When We Were the Kennedys and two plays that have been performed to sold-out audiences in Portland. She is the 2019 recipient of the Maine Humanities Council Carlson Prize for contributions to the public humanities and a recipient of the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance Distinguished Achievement Award for contributions to the literary arts. She lives in Portland with her husband, Dan Abbott, and their cat, Susie.

Seating for this event is limited and reservations are strongly recommended by calling the bookshop (207-338-9009) or sending an email to: info@leftbankbookshop.com. Ample parking is available in front of the shop and in an adjacent public parking lot.