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.
Cabbie
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. ππ Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration β this app keeps me engaged on the road! ππ§ The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Freaky Ratbuster
I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. π‘ This app's convenience is a blessing β I can squeeze in reading time between managing household tasks! π±π©βπ³ An audiobook lover's dream come true! This app's seamless functionality and diverse format support make it my go-to choice for immersive storytelling. ππ§
Stickers
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds convenience to my audiobook routine.
Pluto
The narrator's voices are so captivating, it's like they bring the stories to life. This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine β it's a habit I cherish. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is remarkable.
CommandX
Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable. π Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. ππ π©βπ³ Cooking up a storm while enjoying thrilling stories β this app adds flavor to my meals! π³π§ π Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ππ
Kevlar Wanted
I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile.
Gro
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook is a fantastic way to spread the joy of listening. Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. Auto-rewind is a brilliant feature. Never lose track of where I left off.
M8deUp
I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. Audiobook heaven! This app's functionality is a dream β simple and efficient. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files. Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Pop Bee
πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π The noise reduction feature in ListenBook Pro is a game-changer for enjoying clear recordings. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Accidental Genius
The app's design is sleek and modern β it's a pleasure to navigate. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. Savoring audiobooks without complications β this app's design is top-notch.
Cricket
πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§ πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Seattle Jay
I've become addicted to this app β in the best possible way! Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together.
Flakes
Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is truly impressive. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a thoughtful gesture that ListenBook makes seamless. The chapter navigation is a lifesaver. It makes finding my place so easy.
GuTzd
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys β this app's ease of use is a delight. Organization made simple β this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. ππ± The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
WonderWords
I'm amazed by the variety of genres available β there's something for everyone. π± An app that truly understands audiobook enthusiasts β it's all about functionality, and this app nails it! ππ‘ ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable.
Steel Ginger
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read β this app is always ready. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. Downloading audiobooks over WiFi is super easy. Saves time.
Martini Flower
π Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks β wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! ππ§ The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Apex
Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. This app has transformed my daily routine into moments of literary delight. πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ π± Unlocking the world of literature with just a tap β this app is my digital library card! ππ± This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Renegade Slugger
This app has turned even my mundane tasks into exciting learning opportunities. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me.
Demo Tequila
ListenBook's looping playback, shuffle feature, and configurable controls make learning a breeze. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's elegant design and robust functionality make it a must-have for anyone who loves to listen on the go. π§π± Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
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