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?
Corny
Adjusting playback speed has transformed the way I consume audiobooks. I can tailor the pacing to match my learning style and preferences. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends.
DreadSherX
ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! 🌟 Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? 🚗📖 The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs.
Soiled Dove
This audiobook app is an absolute lifesaver! It brings my favorite stories to life with unparalleled convenience. 🏝️ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side – beach days just got better! 🏖️📖 🎶📚 Setting the mood with stories instead of songs – this app is my go-to playlist! 🎧🌟 Sharing audiobooks with friends is so easy with AirDrop. It's a great way to spread happiness. Tone adjustment adds a personalized touch to the narration, making the audiobook experience even more immersive.
CyberScribe
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content – it's a real game-changer. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need.
NexusNomad
This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. 🎙️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. 🎶📚 ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Tough Nut
With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge. User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience.
Dallas Foxface
Audiobooks anytime, anywhere – this app's functionality is a reader's delight. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Bat Magenta
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. The interface is sleek and modern. It’s a joy to use.
Fennel Dove
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. 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!
NecroBull
This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Effortlessly enjoying audiobooks on the go – kudos to this app's functionality. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers.
Blistered Outlaw
ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature! The ability to download audiobooks directly is fantastic. ListenBook is very convenient.
Lava Nibbler
ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. I love the ability to customize the skip buttons. It’s so convenient.
Breadmaker
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful! Solid performance, but not outstanding. The narrator did a fine job, though their tone was a bit monotonous at times. The story itself was engaging enough, but I wouldn’t call it unforgettable.
Glyph
This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a novel feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Freaky Ratbuster
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings. Great for both casual listening and studying. The audio filters are a nice touch.
Natural Gold
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story! Looping playback has revolutionized my language learning journey. I'm making rapid progress.
ThoughtTraveler
ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. Audiobooks have made waiting in lines and queues so much more bearable. This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. 🌌🎧
Speedwell
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. No more hassle with formats – this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! 📚🎧 The app is perfect for language learners. The playback speed control is a game-changer. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Mad Viral
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. 🏝️ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side – beach days just got better! 🏖️📖 Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
RealmRanger
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream – simple and efficient. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a fun and convenient way to share the magic of storytelling with friends and family, sparking meaningful discussions.
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