Book description
In this poignant, delicious memoir, American tax preparer and food writer Steve Hoffman tells the story of how he and his family move to the French countryside, where the locals upend everything he knows about food, wine, and learning how to belong. Steve Hoffman is a perfectly comfortable middle-aged Minnesotan man who has always been desperately, pretentiously in love with France, more specifically with the idea of France. To follow that love, he and his family move, nearly at random, to the small, rural, scratchy-hot village of Autignac in the south of the country, and he immediately thinks he's made a terrible mistake. Life here is not holding your cigarette chest-high while walking to the café and pulling off the trick of pretending to be Parisian, it's getting into fights with your wife because you won't break character and introduce your very American family to the locals, who can smell you and your perfect city-French from a mile away. But through cooking what the local grocer tells him to cook, he feels more of this place. A neighbor leads him into the world of winemaking, where he learns not as a pedantic oenophile, but bodily, as a grape picker and winemaker's apprentice. Along the way, he lets go of the abstract ideas he'd held about France, discovering instead the beauty of a culture that is one with its landscape, and of becoming one with that culture.
About the Author
Steve Hoffman shares one acre on Turtle Lake, in Shoreview, Minnesota, with his family, an ill-behaved puggle, and roughly 80,000 honeybees. He is a writer, tax preparer, and occasional French villager. He is the winner of the M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award at the James Beard Awards, as well as an IACP Bert Greene Award for narrative culinary writing and five Association of Food Journalism awards.
ByteBard
ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections. I'm impressed by the app's compatibility with CarPlay. It keeps me entertained on long drives.
Tea Kettle
With ListenBook, I can now listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. 🔥 Audiobook enjoyment at the tap of a finger – this app's functionality is a testament to modern convenience. 📱📖 Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's functionality is a true delight.
InsightInkwell
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magical spell that transports me into the heart of the story. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device.
Moon Orchid
I love how ListenBook extracts artwork and metadata from audio files, adding a visual touch to my listening experience. The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy.
Cupid Dust
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. Audiobook multitasking made simple – this app's functionality is a true delight. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. ListenBook’s CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience.
QuantumQuill
This app's user-friendly design makes navigating through books a breeze. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine – it's a habit I cherish. ListenBook's Pro version is worth every penny. The noise reduction feature makes even noisy environments an ideal place for immersive listening. is a breeze with ListenBook. It's convenient and efficient. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app!
AirportHobo XD
The narrator's voices are so soothing – a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time.
SubWoof330
This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth.
LunaStar
I'd love to see more classic titles, but the current selection is already fantastic. This app's features, from bookmarking to customizable playback speed, are fantastic. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations.
NoiseFire
is a breeze. It's incredibly convenient for building my collection. The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
ForumFusion
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. ListenBook’s playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Street Jolly
Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. Accessing my favorite audiobooks has never been easier – this app's user-centric design and comprehensive features make it an absolute gem. 📱🎧 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. The app's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a huge plus.
Foot-long Fry
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy for me to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection.
Frosty Sunshine
This app has completely transformed my commute – I look forward to it now! I've started a book club with my friends, and this app has been our go-to source for titles. Noise reduction and tone changing enhance the listening experience. Love it!
Gold Dahlia
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true – no more hassles! I can't get enough of this app – it's a true game-changer for book lovers. 🎶📚 My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. 🎧🎶
Mantis Queen
Mood-based playlists help me choose books that suit my current state of mind. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Curio
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its impeccable audio quality and user-friendly features. ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. I've recommended ListenBook to all my fellow bookworms. It's a true companion for audiobook lovers. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied.
ByteBard
I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process – I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. 📚 Turning my phone into a portal of stories – this app's ease of use is remarkable! 📱💫 💡 Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks – this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. 📱📖 ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions.
Crash Override
I appreciate the minimal ads – it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. 🧘♂️ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks – mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. 🧘♂️🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
Widow Curio
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick access to chapters enhance my overall listening experience. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience