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.
Achilles Mountain
The sleek design and easy navigation are visually pleasing and user-friendly. πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ ListenBook has become my go-to app for exploring a diverse range of audiobooks. It offers a wide array of features that cater to different preferences and needs. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
CommandX
I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features β from chapters to playback controls. This app's compatibility with various devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go.
VenusXX
This app's playback controls and features make it a breeze to customize my listening experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a creative way to share the love of literature. Perfect for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful app.
ManMaker
Bookmarks are a lifesaver for study materials. I never lose my place again. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration.
Dredd
ListenBook is a game-changer β it plays a wide variety of formats without any conversion needed. Audiobooks made simple β this app's functionality is a breath of fresh air. Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format support and intuitive controls have turned my daily activities into thrilling audiobook adventures. π±π ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection. I love how easy it is to download audiobooks with ListenBook. The app is incredibly convenient.
Vermilion
π₯ Spicing up my routine with this app β it's like having a personal storyteller on hand at all times! β¨π π§ββοΈ Finding serenity through the soothing tones of audiobooks β mindfulness and stories in perfect harmony. π§ββοΈπ§ π± A world of books at my fingertips β this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. ππ± Seamless audiobook integration β this app's functionality is truly remarkable. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Racy Lion
Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. π Rekindling my love for stories β this app's accessibility has reignited my passion! ππ Say goodbye to boring commutes β this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. ππ The perfect balance between dramatic reading and natural storytelling. Felt like a friend telling me an amazing story rather than someone just reading words.
Alley Cat
π Dancing through chores with audiobooks β this app turns cleaning into a lively and literary affair! πΆπ No more fussing with synchronization β this app just gets it done!
Deano
πΌ Enhancing work-from-home productivity β audiobooks make even the most routine tasks a delight. π»π Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is impressive. Every moment is a chance to explore new stories with this app. Its intuitive features and compatibility ensure my audiobook journey is seamless. ππ§ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
Cali Yacht
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. Supports a wide range of formats flawlessly. Very happy with it.
Widow Curio
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! Every moment is an adventure with this app by my side. Its intuitive features and diverse format support ensure that my audiobook journey is seamless and exciting. ππ§
Athens Fire
ListenBook has made listening to audiobooks, lectures, and speeches an absolute pleasure. With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play β it's genius! This served its purpose as background listening while I worked. I probably missed some details but the narrator's voice was pleasant enough.
New Cycle
This app has ignited my passion for reading once again β but in a modern, convenient way. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library.
Find It Girl
User-friendly audiobook experience β this app's design is a standout. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction add a professional touch to my audiobook library.
NexusNomad
This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits β truly impressive. This app has become my go-to for audiobooks, adding a layer of convenience and enjoyment to my days. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is impressive. Quick access to chapters is a blessing. No more scrolling through endless content. Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide.
K-9
I can't believe how much time I've gained by listening while cooking and doing chores. I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. Unparalleled support for CarPlay and Apple Watch means I can take my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. ListenBook has turned my audio content into an immersive, personalized, and unforgettable experience. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
Greek Rifle
Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect.
Don Stab
Audiobook immersion without complications β this app's ease of use is commendable. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
Eerie Mizzen
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. I can't imagine my life without this app β it has made audiobook enjoyment effortless and convenient. ποΈ The app's functionality is a true work of art β it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. ππ¨ Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use.
Lady Fantastic
πΆββοΈπ Discovering new worlds on my daily walks β this app is my travel companion! ππ§ I can finally listen to all my audiobooks seamlessly with ListenBook. The customizable playback controls and chapter navigation make it a breeze. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. 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