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.
MindfulMingle
With this app, I've found a way to make my daily errands more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. π§ββοΈβ Sipping tea and getting lost in stories β the ultimate way to unwind! π΅π Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a true marvel. ListenBook's audio filters are a valuable tool for customizing my audiobook playback to perfection. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
RiddleRover
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. π©βπ³ Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales β cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! π³π§ I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience so effortless. From downloading to playback, it's a true companion for book lovers. ππ« I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app. An audiobook Iβll listen to again! The story was engaging, and the narratorβs performance made it even better. Some parts were so well-delivered that I replayed them just to hear the emotion again.
Sun Runner
This app's versatility and convenience have transformed my screen time into a productive reading journey. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits.
BloodEater
This app's convenience has made reading a consistent part of my life. π± No more lugging around heavy books β this app brings the library to my phone! ππ± Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality.
Dove Dolce
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. Effortlessly switching between stories β this app's ease of use is impressive. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. The interface is sleek and modern. Itβs a joy to use.
ThoughtTrail
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. πβ¨ Finally, an app that understands the power of CUE playlists. Perfect for organizing. The range of supported formats is astounding. No more compatibility issues!
Mrs. Voltage
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its powerful features and seamless performance. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. Iβd listen to this narrator read anything! Their voice was so expressive and fitting for the material. The story itself was great, but the narration took it to the next level. Definitely a 5-star experience.
Firefly
I'm impressed by how much more I'm learning through audiobooks compared to traditional reading. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh.
HolyCombo
ListenBook's support for playlists in the CUE format makes organizing and enjoying audiobook series a delightful experience. ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Mechani-Man
ListenBook's versatile controls and playback options have made my study sessions more productive and enjoyable. ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a game-changer.
Willow Dragon
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres β there's something for everyone. ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged.
Drop Stone
I love how this app makes my daily commute a journey through literature. π± Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a booklover's dream come true! ππ₯ π Indulging in soothing bedtime stories β this app is my nightly retreat into imagination. ππ
Golden Cougar
Seamless integration with all my devices and flawless synchronization β top-notch. This app has made multitasking a breeze β I can 'read' while I work! Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is a triumph. The range of audio formats supported is incredible. No need to worry about file conversion.
Fist Wizard
ποΈ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! πΆββοΈπ The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
DanimalDaze
πββοΈπ Running with purpose β this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! πββοΈπ πΆπ Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling β audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. π§π The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Sly Bible
π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits.
Green Scavenger
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. Now I can enjoy my favorite lectures and speeches with ease! I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually fulfilling. ListenBookβs design is sleek and modern. The app is a pleasure to use.
NexusNavigator
I can't believe how convenient this app has made my reading experience. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience.
Spunky Sphinx
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! The ability to adjust the tone of the narrator's voice is a creative touch that adds depth to my listening.
Loot
I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. ποΈ This app's user-friendly interface has transformed my daily walks into immersive storytelling sessions. Kudos to the developers! πΆββοΈπ Effortlessly exploring new worlds β this app's design is user-centric and efficient. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze.
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