Book description
Christine Grillo's Hestia Strikes a Match is the slyly funny story of a woman looking for love and friendship in the midst of a new American civil war. The year is 2023, and things are bad--bad, but still not as bad as they could be. Hestia Harris is forty-two, abandoned by her husband (he left to fight for the Union cause), and estranged from her parents (they're leaving for the Confederacy). Yes, the United States has collapsed into a second civil war and again it's Unionists against Confederates, children against parents, friends against friends. Hestia has left journalism (too much war reporting) for a job at a Baltimore retirement village on the Inner Harbor (lots of security). She's single and adrift, save for her coworkers and Mildred, an eighty-four-year-old, thrice-happily-married resident who gleefully supports Hestia's half-hearted but hopeful attempts to find love again in a time of chaos and disunion. She reckons with the big questions (How do we live in the midst of political collapse? How do we love people who believe terrible things?) and the little ones (How do I decorate a nonworking fireplace? Can I hook up with a mime?), all while wrestling with that simmering, roiling, occasionally boiling feeling that things are decidedly not okay, but we have to keep going, one foot in front of the other, because maybe, just maybe, we can still find the kinds of relationships that sustain a person through anything. Christine Grillo's Hestia Strikes a Match is an irreverent, incisive, laugh-out-loud interrogation of modern love of all kinds, in all its messy beauty. Equal parts wise and hilarious, it fills the heart, fortifies the spirit, and will surely help to fend off despair. In the face of the everyday wildness of our times, it asks and answers that newly constant question: How do we make a full, wonderfully ordinary life when the whole mad world is clattering down around us?
Lunar Treat
This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options. I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
FrankenGrin
ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion. ListenBook’s CarPlay support makes listening in the car a seamless experience. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Darkside Hooker
📱 Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go – this app is like a portable library in my pocket. 📚👜 ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. With its powerful audio downloading features, I can have my favorite audiobooks ready to go, anytime and anywhere. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Twinkle Cutlass
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze – this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. 📱📖 ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling.
Steel Ginger
Audiobooks have never been this accessible – this app is a true innovation. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection.
Kabuki
I've become an audiobook addict, all thanks to this amazing app. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind.
Bang Shift
This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments – I'm forever grateful. A perfectly acceptable audiobook that fulfilled its purpose. The narration was competent if not particularly memorable, and the production quality was standard for the genre. It served as decent background entertainment during mundane tasks.
Scuffs
Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. 🎧 Finally, an app that understands my need for convenience and ease of use! Audiobooks have never been this accessible. 📚📱 ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Ladybird
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever.
New York Winder
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. With this app, I can dive into captivating narratives while cooking, cleaning, or commuting – pure magic! Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a perfect match. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
Impulse
Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content. Finally, an audiobook player that supports all formats! No more converting files. I love the ability to change the playback speed. It’s perfect for my needs. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If you’re looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
SmartieQuest
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits – truly impressive. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day.
AxelRoad
Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am.
Badger the Burglar
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. An average audiobook experience. Nothing was wrong with it—the narration was fine, and the story was okay—but nothing particularly stood out. It served its purpose as entertainment during my commute.
High Beam
📱 An entire library at my fingertips – this app is a book lover's dream come true! 📚🌟 The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content. Perfect for studying with its playback controls and audio filters. Excellent app! The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Bleeker
The absence of synchronization requirements on ListenBook is a breath of fresh air. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment. I appreciate the dark mode option. It’s easy on the eyes during nighttime listening. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
PixelPilgrim
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. ⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧 The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook experience. The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions!
Jade Fox
This app has transformed my daily routines into immersive storytelling experiences. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears.
K-Tin Man
This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Twinkle Cutlass
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits – truly impressive. 💼 Elevating my work-from-home routine with this app's delightful audiobook selection! 💻📖 🛌 Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks – bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. 🌙📚 The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free.
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