Book description
A compelling memoir about opting for adventure instead of motherhood, and the lifelong outcomes of that choice. Instead captures Maria Coffey's adventurous life through her biggest decisions along the way, including the decision not to have children. It's a vivid travelogue, a love story, and a personal commentary on the risks and rewards of choosing unconventional paths. After two traumatic experiences during her twenties - a near-drowning in Morocco and her boyfriend's death on Mount Everest - Maria determines to seize every day and explore the world. Mixed with her desire for freedom is a new fear of loss, which convinces her against parenthood. She falls in love with Dag, who shares her dreams, and they begin creating a life of adventure. There is one snag: he wants children and thinks they could include them in their wild exploits. Instead follows Maria's trajectory as she shares her guilt-ridden relationship with her Irish Catholic mother; her baby debates with Dag in unlikely situations, like kayaking through a storm; the doubts that rear up in remote cultures where her childfree choice is unfathomable; and how children eventually - and surprisingly - come into her life. An adventure story with a unique twist, Instead tackles the universal themes of choice and consequence, agency versus fate. It is a must read for anyone curious about stepping off the beaten track, and a testament to the power of being open to the unexpected.
Coffee
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
FLAK Angel
Effortless audiobook exploration β this app's functionality is a true delight. Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ Adjustable playback speed and volume controls are excellent.
Force
Navigating my audiobook library is a breeze β thank you, app developers! Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver!
Easy Sweep
This app's library is a treasure trove β I'm always discovering new favorites. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! ππ±
Energy
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores β this app is a lifesaver! ListenBook's dedication to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied.
Polar Bee
I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily activities more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. π Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. π±π§ Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Nola
ListenBook's dedication to excellence shines through in its performance and features. I can't get enough of this app's convenience β it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace.
Combo Saw
My child has also fallen in love with audiobooks, all thanks to the app's kid-friendly collection. ListenBook has become my trusted companion, guiding me through the realms of imagination. ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Howitzer Rise
This app is like having a personal library with me wherever I go. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording. The narrator's voice took some getting used to - a bit nasal at first - but I grew to like it after a few chapters. Their pacing was excellent throughout.
RoarSweetie
I've been able to tackle my reading list like never before, thanks to this app. ππ Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page β this app is a bedtime dream! π΄π§ Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks from various sources has become effortless. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly.
Stick Shift
I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app β it's a constant source of joy. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity.
Lucky Martian
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable.
Overrun
The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. π Transforming my mundane routine into a captivating journey β thank you, this app! β¨π The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings.
Undergrad
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my downtime more enriching and meaningful. I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine.
Fuzzy Claws
π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ π This app has turned my errands into exciting quests β I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! ππ ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me.
Miss Twilight
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my dictaphone recordings much more comfortable to listen to. The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time. Love the silky-smooth playback and easy-to-use interface. ListenBook is the best!
Stud Buster
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. Thank you for making literature more accessible, enjoyable, and immersive. This app is a game-changer! Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ CarPlay compatibility is a fantastic addition. It enhances my driving experience with seamless audiobook integration.
Woo Woo
Listening to audiobooks has turned mundane tasks into enjoyable experiences. The audio filters on ListenBook enhance the sound quality, making every listening session a treat for my ears. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with the utmost comfort and convenience. The statistics tracking feature is eye-opening. I never realized how much time I spend on audiobooks until now! With features like auto-rewind, I never lose my place when I pause listening.
Maple Destroyer
The sleep timer is a brilliant addition β I drift off to sleep with amazing stories. Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. This app is a game-changer for busy individuals who miss reading. Enhancing my daily routines β this app's design makes listening a joy.
Commando
The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life β it's incredible. πΌ Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background β love it! π»π§
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