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.
S’more Vixen
This app is a gift for anyone with a busy lifestyle – I can enjoy books while doing chores! ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a dream come true – no more hassles! I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic.
Pyscho Hun
🎧 This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work – genius! 📚💼 ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session.
Firecracker
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun and unique feature I can't get enough of. 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! 🏖️📖 ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever.
Dahlia Bumble
Effortlessly managing my audiobook library – this app's design is a triumph. Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful!
Charms
🎶 Forget background music, I've got enchanting stories to accompany my chores! 🎵📚 With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. Automated artwork and metadata extraction keeps my audiobook library visually appealing.
Low Voltage
ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. 📚 Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. 📱🎧 Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient.
EchoEnigma
ListenBook Pro's sharing features allow me to spread the joy of audiobooks with my friends and family. 🎉 Rekindling my love for stories – this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! 📖🚀 Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience.
Night Magnet
This app has rekindled my passion for literature in a whole new way. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a winner. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. This was a workmanlike audiobook that did the job without flair. The narration was clear and the pacing appropriate, though the delivery lacked some emotional depth. The production quality was acceptable with no major technical issues. An acceptable audiobook that met basic expectations. No complaints about quality but nothing remarkable either. Would listen to this narrator again but wouldn't seek them out.
ZenaCake
Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear.
Sidewalk Enforcer
I'm absolutely in love with this app! The interface is so intuitive and user-friendly. Audiobooks have never been this immersive – this app transports me to different worlds. 📱 An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality – audiobook listening has never been this effortless. 📖🔗
InsightInkwell
I can't thank the developers enough for constantly updating and improving the app. With ListenBook, I can enjoy my own audio content with unparalleled ease and comfort. Audiobook pleasure without the fuss – this app's functionality is top-notch. The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. The app is so intuitive. I didn’t even need to read the instructions.
PixelPathfinder
With ListenBook, I can enjoy a wide range of audiobook formats without any hassle, making my listening experience seamless. 🏝️🎧 Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads – this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. 🏖️📚 User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences.
Dora the Destroyer
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers – it's my go-to source for literary adventures! This app is my secret to staying ahead on my reading list, even during my busiest days. Who knew that commuting could become such an enjoyable reading session? Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable – this app's design is a triumph.
DriftDetector
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. 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. 📚👏 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.
Mustard Centaur
No more hassle with converting files – ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. This app's customizable features, like playback speed and bookmarks, have transformed my experience. ⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side.
Venious
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook consumption habits. Great app for audiobook enthusiasts. ListenBook supports a wide range of formats. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Iron Jesus
💡 This app is a brilliant way to squeeze in reading time amidst my busy schedule! 📱👩🍳 The layout is not only beautiful but also intuitive. Controls are easy to access. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool.
ThoughtTrail
No more straining my eyes to read – now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. The app is so responsive. It never lags or freezes.
Despair
ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. It's like having virtual bookshelves!
Tin Fox
ListenBook's thoughtful inclusion of chapters, controls, and filters has enhanced my audiobook experience. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audio needs are met. 🎧 This app has changed my reading game! Now I can 'read' while I work – genius! 📚💼 ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
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