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.
Take Away
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this narrator is now in my top 5. Their timing and inflection were masterful. Never a dull moment in the entire performance.
Martini Flower
πΆββοΈπ§ Walking and listening has never been this smooth β this app's user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to enjoy my favorite stories. ποΈπ AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
White Snare
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. I can't get over how smooth the playback is. Even high-quality files play flawlessly. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences.
Vermilion
ListenBook's commitment to enhancing the audiobook experience is evident in its thoughtful features and design. ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience β a fantastic feature. ListenBook has enriched my life with a diverse range of content, all at my fingertips. π Unveiling the joy of reading once again β this app is my gateway to literary wonders! ππ Perfect for listening to educational content. Highly recommend!
Sweetness
I appreciate the minimal ads β it's all about uninterrupted enjoyment. Kudos to the developers! I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for learning. Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Dr. Jam Man
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. ListenBook's dedication to enhancing the audiobook experience has made it my preferred app for listening to content on the go. With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey. 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.
Uluru Walker
Audiobooks have made my commutes so much more enjoyable, and I'm always excited to listen. ListenBook's support for various download methods means I can acquire new content in a way that suits me best.
Microwave
I'm impressed by how this app seamlessly syncs across my devices. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes.
Flash
No more hassle with converting files β ListenBook supports a wide range of formats for a seamless listening experience. ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. With this app, I can enjoy my favorite stories while traveling, making my journeys more delightful. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before.
Mad Irishman
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. πΆββοΈπ Exploring stories as I stroll β audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. ποΈπ§ Audiobook excellence β this app's design enhances my reading experience. My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata. 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!
PP Dubs
ListenBook has completely changed my audiobook experience β it's like having a personal audio library. I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
VPR
This app has made long flights and road trips so much more enjoyable. With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
Pluto
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually fulfilling. This app's convenience has made my audiobook addiction thrive! This app's simplicity has made me fall in love with books all over again. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
Nice Gnome
I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch.
Heartbreaker
ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection.
McDreamy
Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. π± Carrying my library in my pocket β this app makes every moment a reading opportunity! ππ Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
Gumby Train
This app has made audiobook listening an integral part of my daily routine β it's a habit I cherish. π§ Navigating through narratives has never been simpler β this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. ππ«
Tweety
Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is remarkable. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. ππ±
Bae
I love how this app turns even the dullest tasks into exciting storytelling moments. With support for various audio formats, ListenBook ensures I can enjoy my favorite audiobooks without worries. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue.
Napoleonic Haze
The ability to switch between different books effortlessly is a major plus. Audiobooks have never been this engaging β this app takes them to the next level. Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. Audiobook pleasure without the fuss β this app's functionality is top-notch. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study.
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