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.
Lord Pistachio
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. π Drifting into dreamland with enchanting audiobooks β bedtime has become a gateway to imagination. ππ Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. The narration elevated an already good book to greatness! The performer's subtle vocal variations conveyed nuance I might have missed while reading. Their ability to maintain consistent character voices across many hours was impressive. Technical quality was flawless throughout.
Midnight Rambler
The app's performance is top-notch. It's stable, responsive, and optimized for a seamless audiobook experience. Kudos to the developers! Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
TrinitySoul
ListenBook has transformed my daily activities into opportunities for personal growth. With ListenBook, every moment is an opportunity to explore new stories and gain knowledge.
Red Delicious
Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly β this app's design is top-notch. Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
Shadow Bishop
ListenBook's innovative features, from audio filters to statistics, make it a standout app. π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Twinkle Cutlass
I've been recommending this app to all my friends β it's a true game-changer. The convenience of switching between devices without losing my place is a lifesaver.
Insane SweepKick
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. 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!
Cereal Killer
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me.
3P-own
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Manly
ListenBook is the perfect blend of technology and art, turning audio into an unforgettable experience. πΆ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! πΆπ Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool.
InsightfulInk
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. I'm amazed at how this app's features cater to audiobook enthusiasts' every need. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook library.
Domino Combat
This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. Effortlessly switching between stories β this app's ease of use is impressive. Automatic metadata retrieval is a neat touch. My library is well-organized.
VPR
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. ListenBook's support for network device downloads and drag-and-drop is a time-saving delight. ππ Falling asleep to audiobooks has never been easier β this app's soothing voices π΄π§
Stick Shift
ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. This app's convenience and ease of use have transformed my screen time into productive learning sessions. π± Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories β this app is pure magic! πβ¨ ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to introduce others to the joys of audiobook storytelling. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Steel Ginger
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. βοΈ Turning mundane tasks into exciting adventures β this app makes folding laundry a breeze with audiobooks! ππ§ The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Sir Squire
I'm amazed at how effortlessly this app has made reading a constant in my life. Audiobook excellence simplified β this app's functionality is a true delight. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist. I love the auto-rewind feature. Itβs great for when I zone out.
Club Nola
I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has turned my audiobook journey into a delightful habit. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
RealmRanger
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. ListenBook's user-friendly audio filters and controls have made my audiobook sessions more interactive and engaging. This app is a treasure trove of knowledge, entertainment, and imagination.
Friday Ferrari
This app has completely transformed my commute β I look forward to it now! ListenBook's absence of synchronization requirements adds to its convenience and flexibility.
Burst Nibbler
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. 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!
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