Book description
"The perfect pick to really light a fire under my book club, and yours....A reminder that goodness, and books, can still win in this world." --New York Times Book Review"A beautiful, big-hearted treasure of a novel." --Lily KingNational Bestseller * From the award-winning author of The One-in-a-Million Boy comes a heartfelt, uplifting novel about a chance encounter at a bookstore, exploring redemption, unlikely friendships, and the life-changing power of sharing stories. Our Reasons meet us in the morning and whisper to us at night. Mine is an innocent, unsuspecting, eternally sixty-one-year-old woman named Lorraine Daigle...Violet Powell, a twenty-two-year-old from rural Abbott Falls, Maine, is being released from prison after serving twenty-two months for a drunk-driving crash that killed a local kindergarten teacher.Harriet Larson, a retired English teacher who runs the prison book club, is facing the unsettling prospect of an empty nest.Frank Daigle, a retired machinist, hasn't yet come to grips with the complications of his marriage to the woman Violet killed.When the three encounter each other one morning in a bookstore in Portland--Violet to buy the novel she was reading in the prison book club before her release, Harriet to choose the next title for the women who remain, and Frank to dispatch his duties as the store handyman--their lives begin to intersect in transformative ways.How to Read a Book is an unsparingly honest and profoundly hopeful story about letting go of guilt, seizing second chances, and the power of books to change our lives. With the heart, wit, grace, and depth of understanding that has characterized her work, Monica Wood illuminates the decisions that define a life and the kindnesses that make life worth living. "A deeply humane and touching novel; highly recommended for book clubs and fans of Shelby Van Pelt's Remarkably Bright Creatures." -- Booklist
About the Author
Monica Wood is a novelist, memoirist, and playwright; the 2019 recipient of the Maine Humanities Council Carlson Prize for contributions to the public humanities; and a recipient of the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance Distinguished Achievement Award for contributions to the literary arts. She lives in Portland, Maine, with her husband, Dan Abbott, and their cat, Susie.
Grinch Cheese
The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends.
Howitzer Rise
ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. This app has revolutionized my daily routine β I can't imagine life without it. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks a seamless and delightful experience. With ListenBook Pro, long audiobooks are no problem. I love it! What a delightful listening experience! The narrator's timing was impeccable, knowing exactly when to pause for effect or let the words flow. Their character voices were distinct yet natural - no over-the-top accents or distracting vocal tics. The audio quality was consistently excellent.
White Snare
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for improving audio quality and clarity. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app!
Frosty
I'm hooked on ListenBook's silky-smooth playback, making my audio sessions truly enjoyable. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars! I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
360
π Turning my phone into a portal of stories β this app's ease of use is remarkable! π±π« The versatility of this app is mind-boggling. It's like a one-stop solution for audiobooks. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to. I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy.
InsightfulInk
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. ListenBookβs audio filters are great. The app provides a high-quality listening experience.
Little General
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is top-notch. The app's compatibility with CarPlay enhances my driving experience. Audiobooks on the road have never been better. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions. The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
VenusLion
Chapters, configurable auto-rewind, and bookmarks on ListenBook keep me in control of my content. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! With support for various formats, I can finally listen to my diverse audiobook collection. The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives.
Freaky Ratbuster
I've never been this excited about my daily commute β thank you, audiobooks! I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
Tootsie Killer
I love how this app seamlessly integrates into my busy schedule, making multitasking a breeze. π± My pocket-sized library β this app makes reading accessible anytime, anywhere! ππ± π Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures β audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! ππ From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing different formats has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary listening sessions. π±π
Gabriel Dandelion
This app has made my downtime so much more productive and enjoyable. ποΈ The app's functionality is a true work of art β it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. ππ¨ ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Pepper
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way β while cooking, working out, or even gardening. Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends β and they all love it! Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. π±π ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion.
Betty Cricket
With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's a game-changer. Navigating audiobooks with ease β this app's functionality is a standout.
Lewd Dice
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a feature I can't live without. ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a perfect match. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks. 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!
Bazooka Har-de-har
The narrator's voices are so soothing β a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day. The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. πΆπ My new soundtrack? Audiobooks, of course! This app makes every day musical. π§πΆ No more converting files β this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort.
Hobo Samurai
This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. Audiobook excellence β this app's design enhances my reading experience. CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy organized and structured listening. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
Manly Reno
πΆββοΈπ This app's functionality makes every walk an adventure β I'm immersed in stories as I explore the world around me. ποΈπ Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift. ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Reed Lady
Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. Audiobooks have turned my mundane activities into opportunities for learning and enjoyment. ListenBook has taken my audio content to new heights, making every moment more meaningful. I'm hooked on this app's sleek design and seamless performance β it's a must-have for any reader.
Noh Noh
ListenBook's audio filters and controls have revolutionized the way I enjoy my audio content. This app has revolutionized my daily routine β I can't imagine life without it. ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats! Flawless playback. Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it!
Alley Frog
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
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