Book description
"Astonishingly beautiful . . . It's a revelation."--Jenny Offill, New York Times bestselling author of Weather From the National Book Award-winning translator, an atmospheric and wise debut novel of a young Brazilian woman's first year in America, a continent away from her lonely mother, and the relationship they build over Skype calls across borders In a small dorm room at a liberal arts college in Vermont, a young woman settles into the warm blue light of her desk lamp before calling the mother she left behind in northeastern Brazil. Four thousand miles apart and bound by the angular confines of a Skype window, they ask each other a simple question: what's the news? Offscreen, little about their lives seems newsworthy. The daughter writes her papers in the library at midnight, eats in the dining hall with the other international students, and raises her hand in class to speak in a language the mother cannot understand. The mother meanwhile preoccupies herself with natural disasters, her increasingly poor health, and the heartbreaking possibility that her daughter might not return to the apartment where they have always lived together. Yet in the blue glow of their computers, the two women develop new rituals of intimacy and caretaking, from drinking whiskey together in the middle of the night to keeping watch as one slides into sleep. As the warm colors of New England autumn fade into an endless winter snow, each realizes that the promise of spring might mean difficult endings rather than hopeful beginnings. Expanded from a story originally published in The New Yorker, and in elegant prose that recalls the work of Sigrid Nunez, Katie Kitamura, and Rachel Khong, Bruna Dantas Lobato paints a powerful portrait of a mother and a daughter coming of age together and apart and explores the profound sacrifices and freedoms that come with leaving a home to make a new one somewhere else.ReviewAn Indie Next Pick Named a Best Book of the Year by Bookshop Named a Best Debut of the Year by Debutiful Named One of Electric Literature's "75 Books by Women of Color to Read in 2024" "By many measures, Bruna Dantas Lobato is quite the literary star. At 33, the Brazilian American has published a cascade of translations, both fiction and nonfiction, from Portuguese to English, and last year won the National Book Award for translated literature. But one story, she said, was missing from her bibliography: her own. With her debut novel, Blue Light Hours, centered on a Brazilian student who sees her close relationship with her mother reduced to a computer screen when she moves to New England for college, she is finally closing that gap."-Celia McGee, New York Times "This is a slim work with a narrow focus that belies the depth of its own emotion, the profundity of Dantas Lobato's observations . . . There's a quiet lyricism to Dantas Lobato's prose, an elegance both to her sentences and to the shape of the book as a whole. It's a work you could read in an afternoon or linger over for an entire winter, finding something new to savor on each page . . . In her first novel, she shows that her talent as a writer is at least as tremendous as her talent as a translator."-Kirkus Reviews "This debut novel is sheer magic, a perfect read. It exudes a palpable warmth, and there's no waste in verbiage or plot."-Library JournalAbout the AuthorBruna Dantas Lobato is a writer and translator. Her fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, Guernica, A Public Space, and The Common. She was awarded the 2023 National Book Award in Translated Literature for The Words That Remain by Stênio Gardel. Dantas Lobato was born and raised in Natal, Brazil, and teaches at Grinnell College. Blue Light Hours is her debut novel.
Emerald Goddess
Audiobooks have brought a new level of enjoyment to my daily workout routine. The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment. I love the bookmarking feature. ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off.
QuestQuill
🌟 Making every moment count – this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! 📚💫 Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces – this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. 📱🔊
Chuckles
I love that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features, catering to all types of users. This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is remarkable. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes.
Shady Prairie
The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. CarPlay compatibility takes my driving experience to a whole new level. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Listening stats feature keeps me motivated to read more. Love it!
Microwave Chardonnay
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Voluntary
I've never been this excited about my daily commute – thank you, audiobooks! No more hassle with converting files – ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app! What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Heavenly Connection
This app's ease of use has made reading an integral part of my everyday life. Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality.
2nd Hand Joe
🏝️ Basking in the sun with an audiobook – relaxation meets storytelling paradise! ☀️📖 ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app! Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldn’t stop listening.
Trash Sling
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook has transformed my mundane activities into enjoyable moments of learning and entertainment. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, all thanks to this app. I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Freeze Queen
No more worries about compatibility – ListenBook handles numerous formats flawlessly. 🌟 Making every moment count – this app turns everyday activities into a reading adventure! 📚💫 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling. A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
Guillotine Trigger
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules – it's like time travel through stories. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased.
Woo Woo
ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. The app is perfect for people who love to read but don’t have the time.
Subzero Taffy
ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features have become indispensable tools in my audiobook learning. I've recommended this app to all my fellow audiobook enthusiasts. It's a game-changer!
DreamDasher
Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. 🌌 Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner – this app adds flavor to every meal! 🍲📖 My workouts have become more enjoyable and productive with ListenBook's compatibility with Apple Watch. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections.
WanderWord
With ListenBook, I can explore new genres, learn new topics, and enjoy classic literature with ease. Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly – it's a game-changer.
Prof. Smirk
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's an essential part of my day. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care. I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Granola Dove
⭐️ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures – this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! 👚🎧 I've recommended this app to all my fellow audiobook enthusiasts. It's a game-changer! The audiobook player's silky-smooth playback is like music to my ears. Flawless performance! Looping playback has transformed my study sessions. It's an invaluable tool for retaining information. Packed with useful features. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook app.
Starshine
I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. 👩🍳 Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales – cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! 🍳🎧 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy. The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Chocolate Thunder
Audiobooks have made my long commutes enjoyable, and I'm always eager to see what's next. With this app, my daily commute has transformed into an engaging journey through captivating stories. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues! The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
ThoughtTracer
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. Enhancing my daily routines – this app's design makes listening a joy. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze. ListenBook's versatility with various audio formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from multiple sources effortlessly. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
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