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?
Dropkick
This app has made my daily walks a time for both exercise and learning. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am.
Skylark
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. 🛌 Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks – bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. 🌙📚 Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and broad compatibility ensure every story is a captivating ride. 🌌🎧 I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Gas Man
I can't stop raving about this app – it's like having a personal library in my pocket. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver!
Grave Digger
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Sexy
🎶📚 Replacing melodies with literary symphonies – my ears are in love! 🎵📚 ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever.
Trixie
Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a true winner. AirDrop sharing is a very convenient feature. Thanks, ListenBook! The audio quality is excellent, and the interface is intuitive. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Roller Turtle
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is amazing. ListenBook is top-notch.
Killer Grenade
Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature!
Dance Cannon
Savoring stories has never been this smooth – this app's functionality is genius. ListenBook's player features, like chapters and bookmarks, make it a versatile tool for any listener. ListenBook’s playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality. 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!
Biscuit Meg
The app's design is sleek and modern – it's a pleasure to navigate. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket.
Spit Turanga
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. 💡 Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks – this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. 📱📖 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature elevates my listening experience, allowing me to focus on the content. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing.
Wild Hair
Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! ListenBook has redefined the way I experience stories, turning every moment into an adventure. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. 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.
Freeze Queen
Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience.
The Happy Jock
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. I love how I can create playlists. It’s perfect for organizing my books.
Bearded Angler
This app has turned my daily routine into a source of excitement and joy. Downloading books over WiFi is quick and hassle-free. Very convenient. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized.
High Heel Goddess
Audiobooks have become my companions during long hours of household chores. 🌟 Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app – it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! 📚🔥 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!
Uncle Psycho
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration.
Y0dler
This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. 🎉 Rekindling my literary flame – this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. 📖🚀 Organization made easy! This app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures I'm always engrossed in a captivating tale. 📖📱 The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery.
Classy Luck
The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook lovers. The auto-rewind feature ensures I never miss a word. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app.
Cooger
This app's customizable features, from playback speed to filters, are fantastic. ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
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