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.
Fuzzy Logic Hottie
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again β but in a modern, convenient way. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the audio quality and ensures that I can immerse myself fully in the content.
StarZen
π‘ This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts β it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. ππ§ I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
Sun Washer
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences β time flies by! Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is remarkable. I love the ability to import books from my computer. Itβs so easy.
Pitfall
π Rekindling my love for reading β this app makes each day a new adventure! ππ Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is remarkable.
Irish Dze
This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. Audiobook immersion without complications β this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Troubadour
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple. 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!
RoarSweetie
With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening.
Drugstore Cowboy
ListenBook's customizable features, from playback speed to audio filters, cater to every audiobook lover's preferences. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary journeys of the mind. Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection β this app's functionality is a winner. 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.
SunnySnap
Background play feature lets me multitask while enjoying a book β brilliant! π§ββοΈ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks β mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. π§ββοΈπ§ Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go.
Free Ham
The 'Discover' section is a treasure trove for finding hidden literary gems. My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly. 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!
Neophyte Believer
The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a portable audiobook library that I can carry everywhere. πͺ Achieving double wins β workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! πͺπ§ Discovering new worlds through audiobooks has never been easier! This app's intuitive interface and seamless functionality make every listening session a delight. ππ§ The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. What a fantastic listening experience! The narrator brought the characters to life with distinct voices and emotional depth. The pacing was perfect - not too fast to lose details, not too slow to become boring. I particularly appreciated how well the narrator conveyed the atmosphere of key scenes.
Fatsy Bear
Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Frosty Snazz
I used to struggle to find time for books β now, I listen while doing chores! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a fascinating way to add a personal touch to my audiobook journey. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
MrOnsTr
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! This app has turned my daily commute into a source of inspiration and entertainment. ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for my study materials. I can easily revisit important sections.
Mental
ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique touch β it's like having a personalized reading. I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended! ListenBookβs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Cereal Killer
I've found solace and relaxation in the pages of countless audiobooks. Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. ππ§
Fadey
I can't imagine my life without this app β it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
Mechani-Man
Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials.
Disco Potato
πΆββοΈπ Exploring stories as I stroll β audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. ποΈπ§ Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. π±π
Bruh
This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers β it's my go-to source for literary adventures! ππ Reigniting my passion for books β this app is my newfound reading obsession! π₯π§ Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is a game-changer.
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