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.
RedFisher
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Scrapple
ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level β it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Athena Star
Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. πΆπ Replacing tunes with stories β my house is alive with the sound of narration! π§π I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze.
BlacKitten
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42nd Street
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my workouts and downtime more engaging and insightful. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable. 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!
CuriousCraft
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Saint La-Z-Boy
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Bliss
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings.
InsightfulInk
The bookmarking feature ensures I never lose my place in a book β so convenient! If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! Streamlining audiobook enjoyment β this app's functionality is truly impressive. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use.
CuriousCoder
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I am.
Darkside Orbit
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Intimidating Presence
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. ListenBook has become my ultimate audiobook companion. It enhances every listening session. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the joy of storytelling.
Automatic Slicer
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FRMhndshk
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Ship Whip
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use!
Con Mammoth
It's impressive how the app caters to both seasoned readers and newcomers. ListenBookβs playback speed control is very useful. I can listen at my own pace.
Jigsaw
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro is a fun way to customize my listening experience. This app's intuitive controls and user-friendly layout have made audiobook listening a true pleasure. The app's compatibility with CarPlay has made my road trips so much more enjoyable. Great app! ListenBook supports so many formats, and the playback is always smooth. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Shimmy Shammy
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. 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! ππ§ Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams!
Frosty Squid
This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app.
K-9
I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver.
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