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?
Moon Solitaire
I'm addicted to this app – it's a non-stop journey through captivating tales. This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules – it's like time travel through stories. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. Incredible character voices! Each person felt distinct without being over-the-top. The emotional scenes gave me chills with how well they were delivered.
MysticMingle
ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Sexy
🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through stories on a lazy afternoon – this app is my relaxation buddy! 🏖️🎧 Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! 📱📖 CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience.
BoomerBox
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. 🧘♂️ Finding zen through storytelling – this app makes meditation even more calming. 🧘♂️🎧 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends.
Fuzzy Logic Hottie
Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Sidewalk Enforcer
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! The features on this app, from bookmarks to playback speed, cater to all preferences. Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. 🌌🎧 With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Moxie
💡 Balancing learning and living effortlessly – audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! 🎧💫 Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧 ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket.
Lucky Aurora
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that my audiobook collection is always accessible. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy. 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! The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
CirrusFlash
🛌 Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. 🌙📚 ⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 Effortlessly switching between stories – this app's ease of use is impressive. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature!
Mental
ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. I'm amazed at how this app has brought back the joy of reading into my daily routine – thank you! 📚 Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! 📺🎧 Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks. Great feature!
McDreamy
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read – this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. Auto-rewind feature is a lifesaver. I never lose my place! The detailed listening stats are fantastic. Helps me keep track of my progress. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
Sylvester Eye
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. This app has helped me achieve my reading goals and explore new genres effortlessly. Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze – this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. 📱📖 I love the statistics feature. It’s fun to see how much I’ve listened.
Chameleon
ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. ListenBook's player features, including chapters and bookmarks, are invaluable for a seamless experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
Titanium Ladybug
📱 Carrying my library in my pocket – this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! 📚👜 Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! 📱🔊 Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time.
Ember Rope
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. I can't get enough of this app – it's like having a personal library with me.
Beo
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. Simplifying my reading routine – this app's ease of use is remarkable.
Moon Orchid
💃 Dancing to the rhythm of stories while I dance through house chores – pure joy! 💃📖 Absolutely in love with this audiobook app! The seamless functionality and easy navigation make my reading time pure bliss. 📚🎧 The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Noise Toy
The convenience of having a library at my fingertips is unparalleled. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it! ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Hoboken Nightingale
I'm hooked on this app's curated content – it's like having a personal librarian. I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
CyberScribe
Efficient audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is a revelation. Shuffle playback is a fun feature. It keeps me engaged with my audiobooks. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time. An audiobook I’ll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narrator’s performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
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