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.
CyberScribe
Listening to audiobooks has never been this convenient and enjoyable! ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay has made my drives more informative. Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive.
Dream Killer
This app has brought storytelling into every corner of my life – it's incredible. ListenBook’s audio quality is excellent. The app enhances my listening experience.
Divine Bramble
Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively. Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Apple Nola
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. This app has made my road trips and flights infinitely more enjoyable.
Starshine
Navigating through chapters has never been easier. It's a user-friendly delight. ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment.
Dredd
This app has reignited my passion for literature – I'm devouring books like never before. The app supports background playback, which is a must for me. The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery.
Martini Flower
I'm in awe of this app's ability to make reading so accessible and convenient. Efficient audiobook enjoyment – this app's functionality is a revelation. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Sherwood Gladiator
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically adds a visual touch to my audiobook collection.
Bowler
The drag-and-drop download feature on ListenBook is incredibly convenient – no more complicated processes. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content. 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!
DanimalDaze
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. Tone adjustment is such a unique feature. It's like customizing the narrator's voice. Downloading over WiFi is super efficient. Saves a lot of time. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it! I’m 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!
CosPlatoon
I'm hooked on this app – it's like Netflix for book lovers! ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my audiobook library. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
Fire Bite
This app has made 'reading' more versatile and enjoyable than ever. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. It's like getting a clear, immersive listening experience. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking.
Kazami of Truth
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends. ListenBook has made managing my audiobook collection a breeze. Library organization is top-notch. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
WeldMaster
🏡 Embracing audiobooks while tidying up the house – it's like having a helper! 🏠📚 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple. 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!
Flint Cast-Iron
Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is impressive. Auto-rewind feature is very useful. Excellent app! This app is a game-changer for audiobook lovers! The interface is clean and easy to use.
Mirage
This app has reignited my passion for reading, and I'm forever grateful. Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my personal audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortlessly. 💼 Balancing responsibilities with relaxation – audiobooks make even mundane tasks feel like an escape. 💻📖 Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is a true winner. Downloading over WiFi saves so much time. Very efficient.
Lime
Navigating through chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's easy to jump to specific sections. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend! 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! This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just right—not too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend!
CuriousCrafter
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life.
Glyph
🎉 This app is a testament to thoughtful design – its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. 📚✨ 💼 Making every minute count – this app's ease of use ensures I'm always making progress in my audiobook adventures. 📱📖
IceDog
This app's convenience has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚 The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
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