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.
Romance Princess
The sound quality is outstanding – it's like having a movie theater in my ears! I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. Tone adjustment is so cool. It's like customizing the reader's voice to my liking. The tone adjustment feature is an exciting touch, allowing me to immerse myself even more in the content.
Ladysmith
This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks hassle-free. With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. This app has made me realize that I don't need a lot of time to read. 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 feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend! Good for background listening. I didn’t get fully immersed, but it was pleasant enough to have on while doing chores. The narrator’s voice was easy to listen to, even if the delivery lacked some energy.
Muzish
🏝️🎧 Packing for vacation just got better – this app is my getaway entertainment! 🌴📖 Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. Listening stats motivate me to read more. Great feature!
Marshmallow
Binaural audio reduces listening fatigue. Such a great feature! I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Grinch Cheese
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. A functional audiobook production that met basic requirements. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough to listen to for extended periods, though their performance didn't add much interpretation to the text. The audio engineering was competent without being remarkable.
Spoiler
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys.
Nibbler
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. The quick access to chapters and controls makes the app a joy to use. I'm always in control. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
Joker's Grin
Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a true standout. 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 feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Fuzzy Claws
I've discovered authors I'd never heard of before, and now they're among my favorites. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to an impressive degree.
Miss Lucky
With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
ManMaker
ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. This app is a time-saver – I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. 🌌 Adding an extra layer of delight to cooking – this app turns meal prep into a culinary adventure with its audiobooks! 🍲📖 With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace.
Impulsive Flower
Effortlessly exploring new worlds – this app's design is user-centric and efficient. Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Coldy
The narrator's voices are so engaging, it's like having a personal storytelling session. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. Simplifying my audiobook experience – this app's design is a game-changer. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver!
Twisty Dew
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place. Love how I can adjust playback speed and audio volume. ListenBook caters to all my needs.
Miss Twilight
With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. Efficient audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is a revelation.
Mr. Spy
The customer support team is responsive and always ready to assist. Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. Kudos to the developers for optimizing this app for iOS 16. It runs like a dream on my device.
Zorkle Sporkle
The app's versatility in audio downloading is unmatched. It's a comprehensive solution for my audiobook needs. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature! This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout.
Tart Voodoo
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. 🧘♂️ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks – mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. 🧘♂️🎧 Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Star Sword
This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. CUE playlist support is a brilliant feature that allows me to create customized listening experiences for different moods, activities, and moments of the day. ListenBook is hands down the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The interface is clean, intuitive, and packed with features like customizable playback speed and sleep timers. It supports all formats, which is a huge plus for me. Highly recommend!
Blood Taker
🚗📖 Road trips have never been this entertaining – this app keeps me engaged on the highway! 🚙🎉 🌌 Igniting my imagination while preparing dinner – this app adds flavor to every meal! 🍲📖 Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic. The compatibility with Apple Watch is a huge plus. I can control my audiobooks from my wrist! Elegant design and user-friendly interface. Love it!
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